Ariel POV
“Are you stalking me?” I ask him once he walks up to me with his hands tucked inside his pockets, but he only shrugs and rolls his eyes sarcastically.
“Don’t be too full of yourself, sweetheart. This is obviously a coincidence. Why would I stalk you?” He clicks his fingers on my forehead, and I flinch. What the hell! When did we get so close that he thinks he can touch me whenever and anyhow he likes it?
“Do you want to die?” I glare at him, but he only smirks at me.
“Are we not friends, huh?” He winks at me, and I scoff.
“When did I say that?” I throw back the question at him, and he shrugs.
“Maybe it was just my assumption, or what I really want,” He utters, and I sigh briefly.
“We are not friends then,” I reply to him, and he smirks.
“Not that I wanted to be, anyway. You’re not my kind of woman to make friends with,” He utters, and I bite my lip angrily.
“What the heck was that? What’s wrong with being friends with me?” I find myself boiling in rage, because why the hell would he say something like that?
“I will be your friend if you so want it then,” He replies to me, and I roll my eyes.
“So, tell me, why are you here all alone? Did your boyfriend hurt you?” He smirks at me, and I know he’s teasing me right now.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Can’t I go out to have fresh air again?” He rolls his eyes and smacks his lips together for no reason.
“I know right. Shouldn’t you be at the office? I know my brother is not that nice to allow you to stay at home for nothing,” He utters.
“I took a day off. I’m not feeling too well,” I reply to him, and he scoffs sarcastically.
“You don’t look sick to me, did you make that up?” He leans forward and asks me as he stares into my eyes, and I smirk at him.
“You can ask your ancestors that,” I reply to him with a smirk lingering on my face, and he gasps sharply as he suddenly holds his chest dramatically.
“Now, that hurts,” He clicks his tongue.
“So, since we’re both here, why don’t we take a stroll?” He utters.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the office? Why are you here?” I inquire.
“Nobody will question me if I don’t go to the office, so I choose when and when not to be there. I hope that answers your question,” He shrugs, and I scoff unbelievably. How the hell is he managing his company with these thoughts?
“You might as well go bankrupt in the future if you continue to think like that,” I smirk at him, and he giggles softly.
“Come on, sweetheart, don’t be too harsh on me. You’re too mean, honestly. But I won’t ever go bankrupt, and even if I do, my handsome face will always bail me out,” He winks at me, and I blink my eyes confusingly. Now, he’s getting me really confused here.
“Now, that is the expression I love the most. Come on, don’t be so curious, and let’s go have some fun,” He says, and without waiting for me to give my consent, he grabs my hand and starts dragging me with him. Can someone please tell this dude that I’m pregnant and needs to be handled with care? What the hell is he doing?
“I didn’t ask you to hold my hand, Alex. Just let go of me!” I snap at him as I try to retract my hand from his grasp, but his fingers only tighten around it.
“Don’t be stubborn, and follow me. I’m doing you a favor here,” He giggles as he glances at me and drags me more. Considering how lively and fun Alex is, I wonder why he’s not so close with his brother. I think there’s something he’s not telling me, and I must surely find out about it.
“And here we are!” He stops once we arrive at the bridge ahead, and the air here is even more soothing. It’s literally my first time being here, and I never knew such a place exists around the neighborhood here.
“Wow!” I smile excitedly as I stare underneath the bridge that has its water flowing violently.
“You like it, huh?” He asks me, and I glance at him before returning my gaze to the river.
“I love it. I didn’t know this place existed,” I confess to him.
“Don’t I deserve a ‘thank you’ for bringing you here, huh?” He asks confidently, and I roll my eyes.
“I didn’t ask you to bring me here, you did,” I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckles softly.
“You’re ungrateful. Well, this is where I come whenever I’m having a hard time, and it’s full of magic. I always leave here with my head, heart, and mind empty and free of the burdens,” He utters as he leans over the rail, staring down the ocean.
“You do have a hard time?” I know the question is stupid, but I still find myself asking. I mean, he has everything he needs, he has all the money to get everything he wants, and for someone who has power, I’m sure he can afford anything at just the snap of his finger, so he shouldn’t have any hard time, right?
“That’s ridiculous. What do you take me for? An angel, or a devil? I’m a human, and all humans do have a hard time. Stop being dumb,” He rolls his eyes at me.
“You didn’t have to insult me, right?” I glare hard at him.
“Take that as a compliment from a handsome young man,” He winks at me, and I scoff.
“Who told you that shit that you’re handsome? Stop deceiving yourself, please,” I shake my head at him, and he scoffs.
“Now, that’s crazy. If you don’t find me handsome, then I wonder if your eyes are working well. Look at me… Aren’t I cute?” He cups his cheeks in his palms and pouts his lips as he stares at me, and I quickly turn my face away. What the hell is wrong with him?
“Ariel!” Max’s voice suddenly sounds from behind me, and I turn swiftly to find him standing there, his eyes on Alex, instead of me. What’s he doing here?