( Beverly Hills, California.)
“Thank you.” Natalia whispered and lowered the beverage mug.
“I should be the thankful one.” He countered. She looked away when the emotion in his eyes made her fingers tremble slightly. Arian smiled at the effect he still had on her and took the mug away.
“After breakfast, you’ll take a shower and then we’ll have a dip in the pool.” He layed out. Natalia was confused because she didn’t remember seeing a pool outside.
And besides, the weather was too cold for any sane person to take a swim. Arian noticed her confusion. He picked up a fork and knife and elegantly placed a piece of bacon in her mouth.
“Do not worry. I have a pool house downstairs and can heat up the water to suit you. So?…” He smiled and held her chin.
“Will you go on a date with me?”
Natalia nodded with a glow in her big brown eyes, realising that the boy she fell in love with was slowly coming back…
***
Damon Lorenzo took in a deep breath before summoning the courage to knock. He got no reply so he knocked again.
“Who’s there?” Bianca Wells called directly from the other side. Damon flinched because it was unexpected! He didn’t hear her walk over like she did before.
His anxiety returned as he concluded she already knew it was him.
“Bianca, it’s me. Damon… Can I come in?” No response. He rested on the door frame and gently leaned his head on the door.
“I know you’re mad at me. And I’m really sorry for butting into your business. But please let me make it up to you, huh?” He whispered. “Can we talk?”
Bianca didn’t say anything else making Damon wonder if she was still there or not.
“Bi…”
“Go away!” She snapped hotly. The hostility in her voice made him flinch and cut his heart in two. But Damon still gave a small smile.
“Okay.” He looked down at the bouquet in his hand with the ‘I’M SORRY’ card stylishly attached to it and placed it safely by the side of the door before turning to leave.
But on second thoughts, he retraced his steps with solid determination in his voice.
“I understand you’re mad but I promise it won’t be for long. Don’t think you’ve gotten rid of me yet because I’ll be back.” He said.
“I’ll be back to earn your trust again.” He promised and walked out…
***
What kind of house was this?
Hosting a real underground pool house??
Someone should kill me!… after I’ve spent time in here with my boyfriend. Natalia thought and followed the circular steps downstairs.
The moment she stepped into the room, the warmth hit her instantly. The aquablue pool made the whole room sparkle due to the lights glowing off under it. Arian was already in the pool when she slowly walked over, careful not to get too close.
Remind her why, how and when she agreed to go swimming again??
Just then, Arian resurfaced and smiled at her. “I thought you’ld never come.”
”I’m considering that.” She murmured, gazing at how deep the water was. The pool was shallow a few metres from her. But from where Arian was??
Natalia might’ve been stupid to agree on a swimming date… but not THAT stupid!
Her hydrophobia slowly started to kick in again and she shivered unconsciously. A slight frown marred Arian’s brow as he noticed. He swum closer till he was a few inches from the steps leading into the pool and smiled at her.
“Come on in.”
“I… I don’t t.. thin…” She stuttered as her frightened gaze lingered on the water.
“Natalia.” He softly called. Natalia forcefully tore her eyes from the water and focused on him.
“Do you trust me?” Even though his exotic mint green eyes was enchanting, she was tempted to nod a big no. But Natalia eventually nodded a yes anyway.
“Then you’ll be fine, I promise. I won’t let you go.” He held her eyes.
“Come a little bit closer.” The Royal tried to negotiate and Arian chuckled.
“No. I want you to come over to me. I’ll wait till whenever you’re ready.”
God! She panicked. She nervously bit her lips and clutched her bathrobe tighter, calculating how many steps she needed to take to get to him. Seeing they were not too much, she tried to think of something positive to look forward to, aside getting drowned…
But Natalia couldn’t think straight staring at the hot French who was unconsciously striking a poise like a freaking mod… and then it clicked!
Focusing on Arian, she carefully moved to the edge of the pool and put one toe inside the water before hastily removing it. So, the water was temperate. It was only then she noticed the scented rose petals floating on the water…. and all over the floor!
Several scented candles and a bottle of wine also added a touch of romance to the place. Natalia’s heart was touched. He’d gone through a lot to make it up to her so she could not ruin it.
She nervously swallowed and steadied her breath. Where Arian was standing, the water was at his waist level. So it wasn’t too deep, right? She looked over and met his bright, encouraging smile.
Natalia slowly loosened her bathrobe and let it drop down her body to the floor, before taking her first step. Arian’s breath hitched watching his first little striptease. If she wasn’t fussing about how many more steps she needed to take, Natalia would’ve felt self-conscious as his burning gaze followed her walking two piece swimsuit down the stairs.
Arian instinctively stretched out his hand as she got close, still lost in the view. She gasped and clutched him when the water rose up to her chest!
“See? You did great.” He smiled and hated his hoarse voice for being too perverted.
But Natalia didn’t notice.
“I don’t feel great.” She murmured and tightly held on to him as he moved around to get her used to the water.
About an hour later, she got a bit used to it but NEVER FOR ONCE let him go! Arian didn’t mind. He pulled them over to a corner and taught her how to float. Natalia did well… even though she still held onto him most of the time.
“Let’s take a break.” He offered knowing she deserved it. Natalia almost hastily nodded but;
“But not out of the water.” He quickly added and chuckled seeing her aggrieved face. He reached for his wine glass and took a sip. Natalia turned to take the other one but he passed her a juice pack instead.
She raised a brow.
“I still remember you have little resistance to alcohol. I don’t want you drowning on me.” He said. She almost stomped her foot…. and drown?
Yeah, right.
“B… but that was then!” Natalia argued. He shrugged.
“Only a sip?” She pouted with an evil glint in her eyes. Arian took another sip from his and connected their lips, passing the liquid in the process. But Natalia pulled him closer and sucked when he tried to part.
“Okay, you got your sip!” He chuckled between kisses and pulled away.
“It’s all beautiful.” She confessed and looked around while Arian focused on stuffing her with strawberries. He spared a smile and gave her a swift kiss.
“Arian, tell me something.”
”Mhn?”
“Since you left home with nothing, how’s it you still have all these?” She was curious. Arian pushed his long hair away. The water changed direction and fell across the sides of his face down his shirtless body.
He placed another strawberry in her mouth.
“Inheritance from my grandfather. When da… Sir Argent… left France due to his legendary impatience, grandfather willed his share of the family’s inheritance to me. It was probably to spite him or something because their relationship became more strained from then on.
“This house was built from a portion of it. Plus, my manager and stock brokers handle every share I have both inside and outside the Argent’s corporation. I also have other income generating assets in my name so…” With or without his father, his generations were set for life!
Natalia was stunned.
‘A life without you by his side.’ Her subconscious whispered and her heart fell, remembering his betrothal.
“You okay?” Arian looked worried, feeling her shiver in his arms. Natalia forced a smile and nodded.
“You’re cold, right? This was a stupid idea. We should get out of the…”
“Arian, I’m fine.” But Arian still reached over and took some kind of remote to heat up the water. Natalia held him to stop him but in the process, he hit the wrong button.
Suddenly, the lights turned dimmer and gave off a much cozier and romantic vibe.
Natalia gasped and teared up as a slideshow with the starting words; ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE’ popped up on the wall behind him.
“That was supposed to be until later.” Arian muttered and bit his lip.
“Come on.” He carried her out of the water to an exotic double-sitter pool chair and sat them down. Natalia’s misty eyes were still stuck on the wall as he tucked them into a large towel.
The projector had been programmed to play a slideshow of the both of them from the time they met until she was in bed that morning.
“Is… how… when?” She stuttered.
“Shush.” He whispered and kissed her wet hair. “Enjoy the show…”
***
The cab stopped at the exact address on Nicky’s phone. Nicky Winterfield stepped out in casual clothes and watched as the cheerful cabman helped her with her single bag. She tipped him a generous extra for being courteous, a friendly tour guide and a good listener.
“So long, miss!” He waved.
“Goodbye.” She smiled. He returned her smile and zoomed away. The beautiful sunset of the darkening day casted golden glows on the houses in the neighborhood. Country life felt more peaceful to Nicky than the buzz of city life.
The scenery, the fresh air and the endless smiling faces was perfect. A couple of jolly kids passed by her, riding their bicycles and giggling on top of their voices.
Unknowingly, Nicky smiled at them before walking into the compound behind her which had a picket fence. A cute dog dashed out of the house and wagged its tail. She crouched and scratched it excitedly.
“I’ve missed you too, girl!” She smiled. It barked twice like it understood her. Nicky giggled.
“Janet!! I hope you aren’t chasing the neighbor’s cat again?!” The feminine owner yelled from inside and Janet barked again, more aggrievedly this time. Nicky chuckled and stood up to smile at her owner.
“Nicky?…”