"I don't need your apologies, Arik. Let me be until I understand why you did that to her. I don't want to be unfair to you. I don't want to—"
"No, please. I'm sorry. I was just startled. It was all my instinct. I know I needed to help her, and I did, without considering your feelings . . . and I'm sorry. I really am. Please . . ." He pleaded with me, quickly taking my hand again.I allowed him to hold my hand tightly. I just looked at him while he did. I looked into his eyes. They were still filled with concern, a concern I didn't see in him when he rescued Tatiana earlier.I knew this was just my jealousy consuming me, which was why I was acting like this. I knew I'd be in the wrong if I let this jealousy consume me entirely. But I couldn't help it! I want to cry! What is happening to me?I was about to speak again when Rusty suddenly arrived, calling for Arik. He briefly glanced at me before excusing himself to approach Rusty. I saHis gaze focused more on me. It deepened, piercing into my soul. I saw him take a sip of the beer while still keeping his gaze fixed on me. I'm starting to feel uneasy because of the way he's looking at me.He is looking—no, he's staring at me until it reaches my soul. He's staring at me as if he adores me so much. He's staring at me as if I'm the only person he's seeing right now.He is so entrancing. His eyes are so captivating and I can't get enough of it. I absolutely love his brown eyes.He was dreamy. His eyes were dreamy. I was lost in those brown eyes, and I never wanted to be found. I loved the way he looked at me.In a moment, he took another sip of his beer. I thought our staring would end there, but I was mistaken.I felt a rush of excitement when suddenly he stood up and said something to Noah and Rusty before heading towards me, leaving the guitar with Rusty.I immediately averted my gaze as he nea
"I can't confine you to this situation and watch you struggle when I know there might still be a way for you to be free and happy. I'm scared you'll leave me, yes, I am, but I'm even more terrified of seeing you suffer while waiting for my return... for my memories to resurface. I've seen that before."I didn't know how to react. My gaze dropped to my trembling hands on my lap, tears streaming down uncontrollably."C-Celeste…" Arik's broken voice called out to me.I quickly looked at him. My heart sank further as I saw the immense pain and sorrow in his eyes. I felt like the sky and earth had collapsed on me."A-Arik, please… Don't…" I stuttered. My own words choked me.He looked so helpless, and I felt utterly powerless. Especially when he sadly smiled at me."I'm sorry, baby, but please, if I ever forget you... don't wait for me to remember you again. Don't confine yourself and your heart to me.
There are stories of individuals who went missing and were later found lifeless, having met with accidents or worse. What if that happens to him? I can't bear the thought.Quietly, I slipped into Rusty's car while he was making continuous calls to Arik's friends and acquaintances. If Arik had taken his phone when he left, everything would have been so much easier, but he didn't. He left in haste, just wanting to get away from me."Have you spoken with his doctor? Maybe Arik mentioned something to him before you found out everything," Rusty suggested, offering me an idea.I cleared my throat and glanced at Rusty, who was focused on driving."Hi, doc. It's me, Celeste. Arik is missing right now. He suddenly had an episode. He can't remember me," I started.I heard him excuse the nurse before responding. I could sense his worried sigh."I had a feeling this might happen. Did he take his medication last night?"
"Where are you headed?" Oliver asked as I packed the lunchbox and the food I placed inside."Are you taking that to him?" he asked again, which I just ignored. I heard him chuckle, so I gave him a sharp look."You know what? If you have nothing good to say, don't bother talking to me," I retorted. I almost threw the plate at him.He burst into laughter. "What? I'm not saying anything. I was just asking you a question.""You're mocking me. Don't put words in my mouth, Ols. You'll regret teasing me," I warned him.His laughter intensified, leaving me exasperated. After packing the food, I prepared to leave but noticed Oliver's serious expression as he looked at me, sipping water."I know. You don't need to remind me again. Mommy has reminded me numerous times," I said, guessing what he wanted to convey.He shrugged and hugged me. He took the lunchbox and walked out of the mansion with me. I suppose he's also
"Yes. Dad wants to see you, so come. Aunt and uncle from the States are also coming. If you want, bring a date," Rusty said, glancing at me."A date? Fucking corny. Who would I bring? Plus, I thought it was just for dinner?" Arik asked, doing something on his phone."Yeah, it is, but bring someone along anyway. I've got a plus one. You might feel left out without a date.""Fuck you, Serrano! I can pull any woman I want if that's what your cocky attitude implies," Arik retorted. He's right. He's very right because he's still not free from the ghosts of his past relationships. Damn it."Just bring any woman you want, fucker," Rusty said, sitting in front of us.Arik looked up at him."Hmm. Can I bring Celeste instead? Since you said you've got someone. Won't you be jealous? She said she's not taken yet."My jaw dropped because of that. I saw Rusty's broad grin as he looked at me. When I glanced back at Arik, he was looking at me serious
I bowed my head, averting my gaze to my trembling hand."But I want you to know that I'll be fine as long as you're happy with him. I can't ruin your relationship. Arik is still my best friend, he will always be. But, Celeste..."I immediately lifted my gaze to him when he abruptly took my hand. His bright, slanted eyes revealed a pleading and pained expression. They were filled with agony. He licked his lower lip and clicked his tongue, seemingly restraining himself."If the pain prevails over joy, please allow yourself to be happy. It's okay to take a break. Don't immediately think you're being selfish. We're just human beings after all," he said, gently squeezing my hand. I could feel his excessive care in that gesture.I was about to speak when Arik violently pulled Rusty's hand off me and quickly pulled me up."I told you to fuck off, didn't I? What do you want this time, huh? Are you seeking revenge through Celeste because
"You think you're being funny now, Celeste?""Arik, please . . . I want . . . more . . ." I moaned and tried to reach his face so I could finally kiss him.Seemingly understanding, he immediately captured my lips. My desire flared even more as I felt the electrifying intensity of his kiss once again. His kiss was like an ocean, deep and fiery. I was gradually losing myself!"You're mine. You've always been mine from the very start, and those bitches who tried to take you away from me will always fail. We're so damn good together," he affirmed."Really?" he said with a playful laugh. His voice was utterly raspy. "Say it clearly to me."All I could hear was the heavy breaths between us. The feeling was gradually building up inside me, about to burst at any moment, but I didn't let it. I wanted more! So intensely desiring what was happening, I slid down from the counter and knelt in front of him."Fuck, Celeste! What are you . . ."He didn't finish what he was about to say. I reached for
"There's a video clip of Tatiana's interview during her shoot yesterday. She mentioned it," Kim answered.My mouth fell open. I was immediately filled with emotions upon hearing that. All the heat and irritation I felt rushed to my head."What the f***? What right does she have to say that in her interview when even one of Arik's relatives doesn't talk about it?" I cursed."Did you watch it? You should watch it. She said something else too," Aurora suggested, taking the phone from me and doing something on it.After a while, she handed it back to me, and the video clip of Tatiana's interview they referred to was on the screen, so I immediately played it."Well, our relationship has been a secret for a long time, and I'm here to tell my side…""Celeste Fuentebella is just his stand-in while I'm in another country. We have an open relationship, so I understand, but now that I'm here…""Arik didn't want to share this with the public because he wanted some privacy, but since our fans dese