Chapter 81: His softer side

I woke up with a heavy head and blurry vision. Sitting up, I looked around the room, it was dark.

When did I come back in my room?

I scratched my neck, my throat was sore. I need water, I can't even think straight.

I got up and left the room. My eyes followed the path that lead to Arius's room and I kept staring at it as I my vision cleared.

…

Shit

What did I do? I shook my head. I can't remember.

Oh God! I hope I just passed out without making a fool out of myself like I did in high school.

Tch!

I scratched the back of my head and made my way to the third floor but the water dispenser was empty.

God... Why now?

Do I have to go all the way to the first floor? I licked my dry lips and gulped to lubricate my dry throat.

I guess that's a yes.

One way or another I managed to reach the kitchen on the first floor. After sobering up a bit I noticed how quiet the night was, not a single soul to be seen. Well not inside the house at least.

If someone lived here alone, how lonely it would be?

I wondered. Does having just servants make it any different?

The answer to that, I didn't have. Sighing, I decided to make my way back. I entered the lobby and was going to ascend the stairs when something caught my attention.

I would never have noticed it, not normally but under the staircase, what I always thought was just a wall. There was a slightly open door?

I would never have noticed if the door wasn't left a bit open.

Curious, I decided to explore it. The door didn't make a sound as I made my way in. It was a dark hallway but it led to something majestic.

I reached a garden. A rose garden, filled with white and red roses. There was a green vine tunnel covered with leaves and roses leading into the garden, the grass was lush green, wanting to feel it, I took off my slippers and walked on the soft ground.

The end of the tunnel led to a majestic garden, aligned perfectly in circular paths with rose bushes. At the center one could see the beautiful garden hut, four or five steps above the ground.

Cool breeze blew, bringing the sweet scent of roses to me and bringing my gaze to a figure standing under the moonlight with a child. His blonde hair seemed a shade lighter and his features were somehow highlighted under the moon.

The boy next to him made some gestures with his hand, conveying a message only a handful can understand yet when Ayaan put his hands back down Arius raised his, to give him an answer back the same way. In sign language.

It left me dumb struck. I never would have thought he knew that.

Ayaan smiled at Arius's answer and nodded, though it was not a happy one, rather, it was a smile that meant he understood.

I wonder what was it that he told him?

Part of me was telling me it was about Maria.

Arius crouched down and placed his hand on his head as Ayaan's eyes started brimming with tears but he held them back.

Perhaps he was trying to act brave.

I smiled at the scene.

Such a small figure trying his best to act brave.

I turned and walked out. It wasn't a scene I was supposed to see, but still I'm glad I could see Arius isn't such a bad person.

Perhaps Huang fei was right.

Perhaps no one really understands him, because he would never do something like that in front of anyone.

I wonder why though? Why be the bad guy in front of the whole world?

***

"I can really choose anything?" I asked Arius as I looked around the shop filled with pretty and beautiful shoes.

"I already said you can. But pick something you are comfortable in." He sat on the waiting couch as I looked around. I can't believe he actually brought me here, I guess he does keep his promises.

It was hard to decide. I mean no girl would want to pick just one pair when everything looks so pretty. But, in the end Arius was right, I had to choose something comfortable. I had training sessions and had to walk a lot. So in the end I chose a pair of black long boots

As we were walking back I kept staring at the pair I just got, "Seems like you're in love with them." He chuckled.

"I think I am." I looked back at him. For a moment his gaze lingered on my lips then he averted his gaze. Was it my imagination?

"Let's get something to eat, it's time for lunch anyway."

"Okay."

"And we're going to have drinks with every meal."

"Every meal?! What about my liver?"

"Well good bye to your liver."

"What!?!"

"It's because you're so bad at holding your liquor we're doing this." He made his way down the street.

Come to think of it, I never asked him about the other night I got drunk.

…

Maybe I shouldn't.

We reached a small convenience store.

"What are we doing here?" I asked. Surely we aren't going to eat here.

"Getting our drinks." He made his way to the alcohol fridge section, lined up in a row next to the shop window, "Starting with Vodka was a bad idea. Let's start with something lighter. Don't want you acting like that again." He glanced at me and I immediately averted my gaze.

"I apologize for whatever I did."

"You don't remember?" He raised his brows at me.

"... Sorry" I bit my lower lip while still avoiding his gaze.

"You're apologizing, means you must have an idea what you have done." He grabbed my chin and turned my face to face his, "Who did you do it with before?" I looked at the ceiling in order to avoid his gaze.

"It shouldn't matter to you. It's in the past anyway."

"Was it a guy?" His tone seemed a bit angry.

I gulped, "Yes…" His grip got stronger, "Arius! It hurts! I said I'm sorry!"

He came to a sudden realization and released me. He looked a bit surprised himself but turned and went back to the fridge. I looked at him confused as he paused too, his eyes on the fridge glass.

He shot back his head and jumped towards me.

I got confused as he suddenly wrapped his arms around me, making both of us fall to the floor. But at the same time the fridge glass that was directly beside me shattered with another noise.

Arius stood up immediately while I realized that someone had actually fired a bullet. But at me?

I looked at the assailant and barely got a glimpse of him as he was running away. I tried standing up, the world around me spun in confusion. With a heavy heart I stood by Arius. He didn't move till the assailant was gone.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yes…" I heard something drip and looked down at the drops falling on the ground. My eyes grew wide, "Arius!" He turned to face me, with his usual smile on his face he shook his head.

"You're hurt!"