" I don't expect you to understand . " said Helios .
" Oh , please don't ! You and I live a totally different life , like the day and night . " said Aria .
Helios looked at Aria with a smirk as she went to the changing room . After five minutes , they came out of the changing room and headed towards the basketball yard . Helios was wearing a black shirt with grey shorts while Aria was wearing a white shirt with purple shorts .
" You look good ! " said Helios with a smirk .
" You too ! " said Aria .
" Unfortunately , you will not be able to keep up with me . You are so short . With your tiny arms and short feet , how are you planning on beating me ? " said Helios with a smirk .
" We'll see ! Be careful to not fall from your long arms and legs while you run . I am on break today , I will not do extra work in taking care of you . " said Aria with an annoyed expression .
" Will you really take care of me if I get hurt ? " said Helios with a smirk .
" .....Mmmmm...Depends ! Will you pay me , my overtime work ? " said Aria .
" No ! " said Helios .
" You are a billionaire yet you are so petty . " said Aria .
" While you are quite expensive . "
" Good quality is always expensive mister . " said Aria .
Helios laughed and threw the ball in the air . To his surprise, Aria came towards him and grabbed the ball from the air by jumping high .
" You are fast ! " said Helios with a smile .
Aria took the ball and bounced it four times before she could throw it straight in .
" Firs point for me . Get that tall boy ! " said Aria with a devilish smirk .
" Heh ! Nice play . " said Helios as he took the ball in his hands then started to bound it .
Aria tried to take the ball from him but she realized that his movements suddenly became faster . He was swift and managed to dodge Aria everytime she tried to go near him to grab the ball . Helios ended up scoring four more points before preparing to score the fifth one .
' He.....he is so good at it ?!! ' thought Aria surprised when she saw how much his level changed .
" Were you going easy in me ? " asked Aria
" What makes you say that ? " asked Helios with a devilish smirk .
" Your four point score . " said Aria .
" Ha ha ha ! I already warned you before the match started . You can't beat me . Consider this a gentleman's favour . " said Helios with a smirk .
Just then Aria rushed towards him and with a rash movement , she did a triple jump , throwing the ball from afar and gaining the same score as Helios .
" Heh ! I don't need you to go easy on me , nor to be a gentleman mr boss . I would rather use that favour for something else . " said Aria .
" Which is ? " asked Helios .
" How about a pay raise boss ? " said Aria with a smirk .
" He he he ! You are a dangerous businesswoman . You never let any opportunity slip through your hands , do you ? " said Helios and ran towards her blocking the way .
" Maybe ! " said Aria with a smirk .
When Aria jumped , Helios also jumped to block her way then the both of them ended up jumping on each other and falling on the ground . Aria opened her eyes and saw Helios standing in front of her . Helios raised his head then stared at Aria and couldn't drive his eyes away . He could feel her warm body and her speed breath as he stared at her .
' We both sweated a lot but her smell becomes sweeter.....Looking at her up this close , it feels like she will not be able to escape from my arms . Such a simple girl..... .' thought Helios looking at her with a serious expression .
" G...G.....Get up , please ! " said Aria with her face blushing .
When Aria pushed him , he smirked a little then approached his face near her ear , making Aria's heart beat faster .
" .....Look at you , your face is red . " whispered Helios .
" Of....Of course, it is red ! I.....I...It's because of the game . I ran very fast . You saw it too . " said Aria with her face blushing even more .
" He he he he ! " laughed Helios then got up and sat down on the ground holding the ball in his hands .
" I defeated you miss . " said Helios .
" You cheated ! " said Aria getting out of the nervous zone when she heard the work defeated .
" Oh.....how ? " said Helios with a smile enjoying her reaction .
" You are taller . " said Aria complaining with a baby face which made Helios laugh .
" Ha ha ha ha ha ha ! " laughed Helios .
" Seriously..... " said Aria looking away then laughing a little too .
" Fine , let's call it a tie . " said Helios stretching his hand towards her to help her get up .
" Okay ! " said Aria and grabbed his hand then got up and shook his hand before she let it go .
When seeing Aria's smile , Helios was reminded of what she said when they rode down the stairs .
" By the way , you said that you used to ride down the stairs a lot back at university . What did you mean ? " said Helios .
" Oh , you are talking about that . I thought you forgot . Well the literal meaning , of course . " said Aria .
" Which is ? " said Helios with a smile .
" I used to work for longer hours when I was there . " said Aria .
" You worked at your university ? " said Helios .
" Yeah.....I was a good student and sometimes I would work part-time as a teacher's assistant . That's why I would stay longer than other students at the university . " said Aria .
" Didn't you go out with your friends or have some fun ? That's what a normal person would do . " said Helios .
" One of the most fun things for me was sleeping because I never got to sleep enough . You always mock me because of the little wrinkles under my eyes . They are the proof of my hard work . " said Aria .
" I didn't have a lot of friends , nor did I have the luxury of spending too much money . I used to go to some expensive restaurants when I got my paycheck but I have been careful with the money I got . I had to send money to my parents , to my brother's doctor , to my school , plus my monthly expenses . Since I couldn't afford a nice apartment , it didn't feel that bad to work for a few more hours or do my homework on the couch of the library . " said Aria with a smile as they walked .
Hearing Aria talk in such a way , Helios couldn't help but feel a bit sad .
' ...How can thing girl smile when telling such a hard-working style of life ? Even the servants at the castle have two days off every week .
" Don't you feel like life has been unfair to you ? " said Helios with a pensive expression .
" ...No , I don't think so . In my opinion , life has made me stronger and is still making me stronger . It is also helping me to reach my goal . " said Aria with a smile .
" Your goal ? What's your goal ? " said Helios curiously .
" My goal is to become a millionaire , even a billionaire . Why not ?! " said Aria with an optimistic expression .
" Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ! You look serious about it . I admire your positivity to fool yourself . "said Helios with a laugh .
" For once can you say something nice or give me some advice on how to become one . That would be good . " said Aria looking at him with an emotionless expression when seeing him laugh .
" Sure , I can give you advice and the simplest way to become a billionaire . " said Helios with a smirk .
" Really ? How ? " said Aria with an excited expression .
" Marry a billionaire . " said Helios with a smile when seeing her excited expression .
Aria's smile immediately vanished and she sighed annoyed .
" Phhhh...If you don't wanna give me any advice , then say so . " said Aria a bit annoyed .
" Why ? Every girl would die to marry a billionaire . Why would you go through the lengths of tiring yourself out and in the end you aren't sure whether you will become a billionaire or not ? This is an easy and secure way . " said Helios .
" It is an easy way but not a secure one . I cannot trust men easily . " said Aria .
" As far as I know you haven't had any boyfriends . " said Helios with a serious expression .
" Have you investigated me ? " said Aria glaring at him with an interrogative stare .
" I.....I.....Heh , do I really have that much free time to investigate you ? Don't forget that I have more than ten companies to take care of . I just said that because of the bitter memory of your powerful kick .. " said Helios with a scary pressuring smile which made Aria gulp in a nervous way .