When it was night. Arya snuck into the manor. She knew she shouldn't be acting like a teenager who missed curfew, but damn. It was ten in the night, and she was going into his house.He would probably be asleep, right?She clutched her hand bag around her, just breath, when you reach the living room, take a deep breath and run. It sounded like the perfect idea, but...."Arya?" She froze sneakily, before slowly turning to face him. Shit. He was still seated there, with his brows raised, legs crossed together, his perfect suit lingering of his perfect body."Hmm?" She whispers, before silently muttering something in her head, she shouldn't have agreed with Emma to have drink, at least, she had only a shot, but now, her head hurts like crazy.And, what better way was crazy than when you seem to be late?He pushes his shoes off his legs, letting it fall to the floor. "Where were you?" That raised brow looking absolutely gorgeous.You are not my mother for goodness sake! And, I am not goi
Arya wanted to avoid Devon, but it didn't seem possible, because he was right there, in his usual morning couch, why did he even like that plushy soft red laced couch?He was there, sipping through his morning coffee, or was it Cocoa? But, she could see the bubbles forming at the entrance, the seam that bubbles out of the mug.While, she was seating on the other chair, swiping through her phone, could her life just go better than this?If only, she could bring up an excuse and just leave, no one said a word about last night, and it was suffocating when no one said anything.Just damn say something. She flapped her lips together, trying to think of a word to say.Your shirt looks good?You sip your coffee sexy? Nope. Typical fatty nope.And, then, she checked her phone."Holy shit!" If she was drinking that hot cocoa or coffee or whatever it was, she would have choked the entire content right at him and have to explain why.He finally looked up from his papers, his aura winding all ove
"Are you nervous?" As soon as Devon pushed the door of the car opening, his tall legs coming into view, he whispered to her.Arya didn't know whether her heart was supposed to squeeze so badly, or still, she stared at the huge bar that read 'Beers n bears.' Weird, because she would rather be anywhere but here."They are your friends. Why would I feel nervous." Nope, complete lie, she had every reason to feel nervous, she couldn't detain the time he asked her whether she would like to accompany him to his friend's birthday.And, here she was. Standing beside Devon Brookes, about to enter the restaurant and probably meet his other cool stinky rich friends."Do you need some encouragement?" He asked.She bit her lips, before nodding.His hands encircled the small of her back, before pulling her closer, she could smell his familiar scent. Must. Resist. Scent."It's going to be okay." He leaned in, parting his lips together, when a frown surfaced around those lips, "My friends are normal."
For all Arya knew, she didn't know why she was in Devon's bedroom- technically, they were sharing the same room because this was her room too. Damn.Still, she didn't know why she was here, she tried to pinpoint it, maybe because she wanted to smell his extraordinary fragrance or hug those pillows that smelled so nicely of his cologne.Who cares?Dressed in a strapped leggings and a sweater etched around her chest, she gazed around the bedroom. It was large, with the bed plastered in one side of the room.Some few boxes, and some paintings she couldn't quite decipher.She stared at the frames hung on the wall, her lips puckered into a deep frown, she tried to ascertain the picture, but it was older.In the frame, a woman stood in the sand, like a beach or something, her hair flowed freely according to the wind, two little boys around the age of ten stood by her. She bent to look closely, their hair was probably the same lush but their eyes. She looked more closely.They had the same s
"Do you want to meet my father?" Arya wasn't sure she heard that, because she blinked slowly, and pressed further."Excuse me?" Her gaze was focused on the TV, but today the telenovela was none of her business because they were damn kissing in the play, why now universe? She heard perfectly, but she wanted to confirm, or more like she wanted him to say it again.She placed her hand on her lap, taking in another steady breath, his living room was tense, neither said a word for a whooping ten seconds, until he repeated what he was saying."Will you like to meet my father?" He was asking now, "Arya, look at me."Someone help her right now.She craned her neck to gaze at his face, please don't look at me in the eye, please don't look at me in the eye, her prayer didn't seem to work, because he was paying all attention to her."Will you like to meet my father?" He reverted the word. "He's back in New York, and will like to meet my wife, Barbara will also be there, consider it a family dinn
The car stopped briefly in Clara's clothing plaza, Arya pushed it open, here goes nothing, she was going to go in there, and damn, she would surely come out victorious, because she was a fucking queen.Devon came out of the car, leaning against the car, while twitching his lips at her. "Arya, you can do it. I will pick you up later, okay?"She nodded, taking a deep breath, he gave her a brief nod, before he got into the black SUV, driving out, leaving her to face her fears.As soon as she pushed the door open, the bell dinged, this was it. She was going in, and lord bless all her efforts.She couldn't sight Wanda because the plaza was just too big, different employee trailing around, she swore she saw a brunette that looked exactly like her friend.She rammed her knuckles together, until it turned red, when she was little, she always did that, whenever she was nervous, she figured if she did that, no one would spare her the glance and holy shit. It always worked.But, not today."Arya
First things first: Scream. As loud as you can, do it now, Arya, but no, not today fucking mouth, I am going to behave, because that's what I do.Devon squeezed her hand, and she stared up to look at his tired yet attractive face, his lips parted to say something, but then he shut it back.Was he nervous?She didn't believe it. Devon fucking Brookes was actually nervous for the first time. Is meeting his father a bad thing after all?She would just ask, and fuck the consequences."Are you okay?" She asked softly.He wasn't looking at her, but staring straight ahead, "I haven't seen my father in like years. He's always busy." His nose screeched, before scoffing."Do you like your father?" He seemed surprised- no, quite baffled that she asked such a question.He stared at her. Blinking."I mean." She shrugged, "I like my father, do you?""I don't know." He finally responded and she didn't even count how many seconds it took for him to say that word.She stared at the restaurant, absolu
Devon couldn't think on the way home, his mind flashed across his parents, then Arya's words, like she meant every word she had said.He never believed words anyways, it brought him nothing but pain, the day he believed someone's words, everything crashed down for him. He thought it was normal, but then, they left him, to deal with his complicated life as it was.He wanted to cry that day- but he was Devon Brookes, so he just pushed the tears back to where they belonged, and that seemed to work pretty well.But now, hearing her soothing voice, she wanted to be family. Did he even know what family was? He had one then, but now, it was just a word that meant nothing to him.Pronto. Simple.He bursted the door of his bedroom open, before plunging towards the bed, he kicked his shoes away, his father's words replaying into his brain.His father was going to force him to go to Paris as an honeymoon, well, fuck that, because he wasn't going anywhere.Talking of his father, his phone chimed
The next week, Arya had been trying her best to piece back the puzzle, who really was Devon? The little boy in the photo?This morning over breakfast, he had clearly told her: "Arya, I know this is overwhelming, but please. Don't dig into anything, okay? Some things are better left untouched."The way he said it panged her heart, he didn't want her to get in trouble, he cared for her, she cared for him also, but some cases are not better left untouched, that was why she sneaked into that room again, switching on the lights.It looks dustier than last time, sprawls of cobwebs hanging in one corner, still it looked fresh, like someone was coming here everyday, making sure everywhere was accurate.She walked over to one of the paintings, before gently removing the tarp, the painting stared at her.She's really talented. Arya thought she could imagine his mother seated on her favorite seat in the garden, while gently stroking the edges of the paintbrush on the dry template.When Arya aske
Devon could see clearly the woman that walked over to him, her gown was hanging on her body ever so perfectly, and her hair was toppled with pins, held perfectly like an England queen.He wants to go over to her and wrap his hands around her, whisper sweet nothing into her ear, and just hold her."Um.. Hi." She was in front of him, her voice nearly squeaking, it's a masquerade party, so she's wearing her mask. Still, he could see those silver eyes twinkling under the dim light."Arya." He breathed, she made him this. And he freaking loved that, "Shall we dance?""I don't dance well." She whispered under the light, she could feel everyone's gaze following her. They would probably be thinking.'Oh. Who's the mysterious lady beside Devon Brookes?''Is that the girl he kissed the other day at the restaurant?''Oh my. I can't believe this.'Devon pulled her closer, she could smell the sweet scent of his aftershave, something about his presence was tempting, muscular and his cologne. It tra
18 Years Ago.The weather was just fine for a nice evening relaxation. The woman with chestnut hair grazed her feet on the beach sand, for some time now. She just loves doing this.Staring at the way the water topples itself into a wave, giving her the thrill she wants."Guys!" She waves her hand, just so her sons could see her. They were staring with no particular interest, seated on the blanket spread on the sand. "At least have some fun." Her face is pressed into a smile.So sweet and fucking perfect.One of the boys groaned, his hair tossed between his face. "Tell Devon to leave me alone!""Devon!" The woman cries out. "Leave your brother alone!"The boy stares with no interest, his eyes as grim as the settling sun, "I did nothing to him!""Yeah. Right." The other boy jerks his elbow."Guys stop fighting." The woman sighed, before running over to them, guessing she would have to cancel this beach thing. Those two never found something they agreed on.•••Devon."Arya. Can we at le
Arya woke up with a headache.She swirled up from the bed, her head banging. She forced her brain to recap what happened. Holy Shit. She was drunk.She squeezed her feet into those flip-flops and headed downstairs, her hair messy, her face sinking. Her breath was so rowdy."What happened?" Were they already in Paris? Their plane was supposed to fly to Paris yesterday.But then she glanced around, she recognized the room decor and sighed, they were still in New York.She felt relieved."Hey." That towering figure was right before her again.Blood pumped through her heart, "Devon?" Was it growing hot in here, because it definitely felt like it. "The plane is leaving today. Are you ready?""Weren't we supposed to leave yesterday?" Her throat soured.His brows crouched together in defeat. "Yes, but you were tired, so I postponed it to today."She gazed up to look at him, he looked nice in his gray sweatpants. Damn, she was ogling him."You did that...?" She asked. Doubt flooding through
"Are you sure you need that?" Devon watched in sheer amusement. His hands are folding together."Yeah, I am sure." She lunged a dress right into the bag.He ducked, before widening his eyes, he knew that women became a monster when they were packing, but not like this. This woman was the she-devil."Arya. I think that-" She cut him off, her eyes sending blaring warnings into his chest."Okay, okay, I think I get it now." She rolls her head playfully.He should smile at her, that seems acceptable, but instead he found himself frowning, those lips pressed into a deep scowl."Arya. You can take anything you need."She lets out an hallow laughter. "Who said I wouldn't?"••Thirty minutes later. Arya found herself surrounded by her friends. Their eyes flying over to the glass of whiskey and then to her.Five. Four."Arya, you almost got killed?!""Someone's trying to kill you?!""What in the hell?""Why didn't you tell us?""Fucking bullshit."Arya dragged her hands over her lips, before s
Arya felt like she was being followed.It felt different when she was little that her sister and her played hide and seek, her sister would always follow her and boom. She was caught, she was never good at that game anyways.But today, something kept telling her that she was in for something dangerous.Something so cold, she might not even be able to breathe.As she stepped on the breaks, she stared ahead at the plaza that filled her sight. She was at work, what possibly could go wrong?As she ambled along the halls, some workers greeted her with a cheerful tone.She responded not so cheerfully."Oh. Good morning," She could feel that burn in the back of her neck, something that told her she was being watched, but how? Who? When?Leto's words boomed into her memory, someone was trying to fucking kill her, but who?As she walked towards her office, she could feel that feeling. That dark one that wavered in when you knew you were in trouble.She closed the door of her office, and walked
Clara was supposed to be working at her firm, but here she was, staring like an idiot in a restaurant for people who dated.She actually didn't. She may or may not have been tracking me, and right now, he was supposed to walk in here any time from now, she glanced at the door. Five, four.She held her breath tightly. God, please don't let me be too handsome today, her prayer failed because the man that walked into the room was the epitome of beauty.His grace flooded the room. Her heart jerked just like in highschool when he would look so good, with his friends, not even attempting to spare her a glance.Though she had this huge crush on him then, they never talked, maybe except once when he asked her the schedule for the exam, and she replied so shyly.This was definitely not a good meet-cute.She sighed heavily, feeling like a total idiot, she waved the menu towards her face just so they wouldn't see her. Her heart tore.There he was.Her crush.Hands tightened around a woman's.Her
How to drain your life away- first of all, never, like never encounter your ex-boyfriend in a very private place. E.g, being a supermarket while you are picking oranges, and boom. He's right there, clutching the basket like his life depends on it."Arya?" His voice is still the same as it was years ago, filled with ego and confidence, just the way he thought he could win anything with just a tap of his fingers.Pathetic.She mid-froze, the orange still wrapped around her arm, just a little more movement, and the fruit would be flying straight into her basket, but no, instead. She's wrapping it so hard, she thought she might snap it.Dear God. Was she going to snap an innocent orange just because of her ex?Nope."Kelvin," Suddenly, breathing became so easy, after everything that happened, she imagined what she would do if she ever happened to accidentally meet him. Alone.But now, she didn't need to think about those words she was going to say, because some certain rush of energy fill
"Arya. You really don't have to do this." Devon's prickly, mild morning voice made her skin rinse up.When has breathing become this hard? Swallow, in and out.She pushed the bowl of batter, before squeezing the wooden spoon around her hand. "I insist, after all, you did bring me lunch yesterday." She would never mention the part of the note. She couldn't even imagine what he would say.He was quiet, his eyes scanning her rough morning hair, again she was not an early morning kind of person, she wondered why her hair always looked like a nest. Her face rough, and her pale silk nightgown that stopped right below her knee.He was already dressed, ready for the day, while she was sulking, trying to get the sausages out of the pan.He was rolling up his sleeve, his eyes never leaving hers."What are you doing?" She asked, mildly impressed but took the seconds to admire the biceps that poked underneath his shirt, her heart almost rolling out.What in the hell was wrong with her?He scooted