( Beverly Hills, California.)
Arian released his grip on Natalia.
The Royal knew no one would hear her even if she screamed and she half expected Arian to comment on it but instead, his next move shocked her.
Rather than letting her go, he slammed her pretty hard into himself in a tight hug. At some point, Natalia thought she was gonna break!
“I’m so sorry, my love. Please forgive me. You’re right. I’m an ungrateful jerk but please don’t leave me or I’ll really die this time. I’m sorry for being stupid and unthoughtful. And for saying those things. I trust you. Forget everything I said, okay? I promise I…”
“Arian, let me go.” She tried to break free again but with her voice in a whisper. But he held her closer.
“I’ll change, I promise. Say you’ll stay with me.” He whispered. His closeness was cutting off the oxygen supply to her brain. And Natalia knew that if she didn’t do anything fast, she was gonna faint for two reasons.
“I’ll stay.” She breathed. Arian unconsciously pulled back to check if she really meant it.
So much for trusting her! After promising he’ll change?… Natalia looked away in disbelief and snorted under her breath.
Trust indeed.
“You’re still mad. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” Ignorant of his offense, Arian reached to wipe her tears but she slapped his hand away and stormed over to the bed like an upset elephant, kicking off anything in her way.
When Natalia got to the bed, she angrily flung away all the pillows to the floor except one and kicked her flip-flops… somewhere. Then she climbed in and used the control panel to switch off all the lights.
Instantly, the entire room became pitch black.
Arian waited for a couple of minutes before blindly shuffling his way over. He quietly picked up a random pillow and slipped in next to her, careful not to make her more mad.
The gorgeous French knew he was lucky not to spend the night on the couch!
Natalia shut her eyes when she felt him move closer. He gently snaked an arm around her waist and nuzzled his nose in her hair, inhaling her intoxicating lavender scent.
But Natalia scoffed and viciously slapped his hand away before shuffling to the end of the bed! Then she covered herself with the duvet until it stopped at her neck.
Arian bit his lips and scooted over again. But he waited five cautious minutes before hugging her under the duvet. When Natalia didn’t react, the turbid tension in his body eased and he breathed out. He softly kissed her hair.
Soon, Arian fell asleep.
A couple of minutes into the dark and quiet night, Natalia opened her eyes and slightly curled the corners of her lips. She gently turned over to face Arian Antonio De’ Argent, her troubled lover.
‘I’m sorry, my love. If I wasn’t so hard on you, you’ld still be so difficult. Even though it crushed me seeing your pain, I had to do it. To make you reason with me, the bitter walls guarding your heart need to be broken.
“Till I complete my quest for justice, I really don’t know if I’ll be able to stay with you forever… But you need to reconcile with your family, despite their wrongs. My love for you might be eternal but theirs is unconditional. Forgive me also, my love. I love you so much.’
She wiped her tears and snuggled closer to Arian. After all, she did promise a cuddle all night…
***
Ricky Winterfield picked up the morning papers and strolled back into the mansion. In the living room, he switched off the television and sat comfortably on a couch, glancing through the headlines.
Nanny Theresa served his favourite coffee and disappeared into the kitchen. Despite the tentative aroma, the Winterfield heir didn’t spare it a single glance because he knew the sweetness would soften the mood he’d spent all night and morning brooding.
So he left it.
Right on time, a figure dashed into the house like psycho and ran up the stairs in a flash. Ricky didn’t move. He shook the papers slightly to loosen the static pages.
Soon, the same person flew back downstairs…. finally noticing him.
“Where is she?!” Jeffrey’s breathless voice demanded. Still dressed in his pajamas and an elegant dressing gown, Ricky ignored him and flipped the next page, crossing his legs comfortably.
“Quit acting like a freaking grandpa and answer the damn question!” He impatiently yelled.
“Where the hell is Nicky?!”
Ricky Winterfield wasn’t a fan of newspapers. Whatever news he needed to be updated on, a few clicks away on his phone was his style. Today’s papers was only a tactic.
A tactic to raise his best friend’s anger to match his own, so they’ld have a pleasant discussion!
“She left.” He simply answered and turned another page.
Silence.
“L… left?… B.. but.. where… Be specific in your answer, dude!”
“I told you she left. If you wanna know where the ‘hell’ she is, call and ask her. Because I’ve got no idea.” He didn’t raise his eyes. Jeffrey frustratedly raked his hair.
“I’ve been trying to call her all morning but she isn’t picking. Ricky, I don’t care how sincere you look but I know you’re hiding something!”
“First, he barges into my house like a lunatic. Then he raises his voice at me and then accuses me of being a liar?” Ricky mused to himself and gave a silent, dangerous smile.
Jeffrey growled impatiently at his attitude. But Ricky ignored him and squinted closer at the entertainment column. Someone who resembled… Natalia?… was captured running around the street by an amateur two nights ago.
Her face was covered but the bodily features was almost the same. By the looks of things, it was either the editor wasn’t really sure or was certain and wanted to play it safe, so the only headline was;
“???”
And nothing else.
Jeffrey snatched the papers from Ricky, punched it into a large ball, bounced it, and used his skill as an ex football captain to kick it far away!
“I don’t have the shitty patience to deal with your shitty little attitude! Just tell me where Nicky is!” He glared. Ricky stood up and glared back at the blonde’s messy appearance which was giving off angry vibes.
Though Jeffrey looked exhausted and sleep evaded, he was obviously strong enough to start an argument.
“I don’t know why you’re looking for your girlfriend. If she’s not picking your calls then it means she doesn’t wanna speak with you. But if you still wanna know where she is, you’d better start talking!” He barked. Jeffrey took in a deep breath and told Ricky everything.
And when he was done;
“That’s the biggest bullshit I’ve heard coming out of your darn mouth!” The murderous twin raged.
“If anything makes sense in your pathetic sob story, you’re saying that you prioritised your so called ex-girlfriend over my sister??” He stopped and scoffed.
“It’s no biggie Nicky dumped you!” He spat viciously. Jeffrey glared at him.
“What?!” Ricky snapped. “I’m trying to feel some kind of pity for you but it’s just not coming. Nicky tried to play smart with me all through yesterday but she forgot I’m her twin.
“And to top it all up, her silly excuse for rushing off this morning further confirmed my suspicions! She grabbed some random bag and announced she was going on some vacation or something, and disappeared.”
“You should’ve stopped her!” Jeffrey was breathless. Ricky snorted disdainfully.
“Sorry, dude. You asked late!” Jeffrey ignored his provocation and tried to run out.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
“To find her, what else?!” He snapped.
“Don’t waste your time. Her flight’s midair by now.” He updated.
Jeffrey almost tripped. “She… she’s gone?”
Ricky Winterfield fought the urge to laugh.
“Didn’t you listen to a word I just said? Seriously, were you expecting her to wait for the day you’ll break up with her? Take a good look at yourself, man!” He blasted. Jeffrey took out his inhaler and crashed on the floor.
“You’ve changed! At first, I thought it was the whole drama with Arian but no one knew your ex was involved! Without realising it, you let your friendship with Ashley ruin your relationship with Nicky.
“Jeffrey, I’m not trying to sound like a clingy friend but you barely spend time with anyone other than Ashley. If you aren’t in love with her, then you carelessly allowed her ruin your present!
“I only wish that Nicky had done some serious damage to you before walking away! Because if you had kept your priorities right, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt and left in the first place!” He seethed, picked up his cold coffee and stormed away…
***
Lingering flurry kisses swept through Natalia’s face, slowly waking her up. The Royal smiled and turned the other way.
After a while, she felt movements on the bed and the kisses continued… slowly going downwards.
She chuckled and squinted one eye.
“Morning, Sugar.” Arian smiled and she smiled back.
“What are you doing?”
“Waking you up in style.” He replied.
She cocked an amused brow. “Aside your charming face and tentative lips, I don’t see anything else grand.”
“I’m flattered… but I still wanna please you more.”
“Okay?” She smiled at the gorgeous French who was squatting by the bedside with his arms below his chin.
“Would you give me the honor of breakfasting with you?” He delicately placed a pretty red rose by her pillow. Natalia sat up and touched it.
“How did…” Her smile increased when she noticed the breakfast in bed layout on the bed by the corner.
Apart from the single rose Natalia was sniffing, a larger bouquet sat in the middle of the table containing different international menus.
“What are we celebrating??” She brightened up and grinned. Arian shrugged and sat next to her.
“For now, I’m just thankful you didn’t leave me last night.” He passed her a beverage mug. Natalia noticed he’d already showered and changed clothes.
“Don’t you ever sleep?” She noted and gushed over the sweet liquid, while Arian scratched his hair and murmured something about not being able to sleep when they’re both cuddled up…