(Red’s POV)“Answer me, Aya. Did your sister take care of you?”I pursed my lips, unsure why I was mad, maybe because she took the responsibility of taking care of Katie and attending to the needs of his sick father instead of her sister.She chuckled. “She obviously didn’t, and I really don’t care, Red.”“Why do you have to be so kind?” I sneered, gritting my teeth as I pinned my eyes on the slow water flow in the creek.Aya rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m not, Red. At that time, I thought my mother was right, giving us equal love, only prioritizing her more because Myra’s too awesome to be neglected. Did I tell you why it was so important for mom for my sister to become a doctor?”I shook my head. She turned around, leaning her back on the protective fence of the bridge, not minding me facing her as I held on to the railing, imprisoning her.“Love’s at fault here,” she chuckled, amused by her own answer. “Mom’s a city girl who fell in love with this poor farmer boy.” She rolled
(Red’s POV)“This is your fault, Red,” Aya could not stop laughing as we reached the end of the bridge.“How did this become my fault?” I asked, looking at the sky as I panted; my heart was still pounding fast after our run. “You made the sky cry,” she breathed out, raising her head and squinting her eyes as if checking on the place.I clucked my tongue and shook my head. “Nope! You’re the one who made the sky cry.”“I guess I did. Still, it’s your fault for bringing up my past.” She curled her lips and moved her mouth from side to side as she looked ahead. “Oh, there!” She lifted her arm to point at the gazebo that looked like the usual stop for guests before deciding whether to continue their journey, hike or just sightsee in The Oak Lake park.“Red!” It was Vin’s voice.Aya and I turned our heads from his voice’s direction, and after a few seconds, we saw him dashing the bridge with an extra umbrella in his hand. He twitched his lips and shook his head when he saw us.“I guess yo
(Aya’s POV)Dante and Vin brought his ‘stuff’ in a black carry bag, a small duffel bag, and a paper bag, placing two bath towels on top of it before they left. They did not stay long, not even bothering to explain to Red what they were for, only telling him the area was secured. I almost rolled my eyes when I caught Vin winking at him.While Red opened the duffel bag, I checked the contents of the paper bag and found a bottle of vodka and two glasses. I took the bottle and raised it for him to see.“What are they up to giving us this?” I asked, glancing at him, but my eyes got glued to his body.I looked elsewhere, not wanting him to notice I could not get my eyes off him and that my cheeks were flushed red. I could not believe myself that I hoped to reach for him and touch his hard chest… and his arms. I swallowed hard, thinking about how my core got wet whenever he wrapped those arms around my body and kissed me. We should stick to our no-touching rule before things get out of hand
(Aya’s POV)No matter how beautiful the music was, it always had to end. The rainbow and the trees surrounding the gazebo… or maybe even the snake, it was still there… they were our witness that something enchanting had happened between Red and me, kissing passionately, but a call ended the magic immediately.Cora called, informing him of an urgent meeting. It wasn’t in his schedule, but Mike already explained to me that unless Red’s presence was not important in meetings, both online and face-to-face, Liam could attend for him.Red looked worried but not saying anything, so I insisted on packing up, lying that I had promised the kids to make their favorite dessert for dinner. There must be a big problem in the company because he spent time in his office with Cora and Liam as soon as we got home. At dinner, the maid had to bring their food to his office, but when I came to bring them coffee, I noticed they barely touched their meals.It was about eleven in the evening when I came back
(Aya’s POV)“Aya, do you plan to stay there forever?” Addie called from downstairs. “You can’t avoid Ryan that long, you know?”“I know! I’m… Coming?” I pouted as I put on my earrings.I had to come home to my apartment, afraid that Ryan might show up here to pick me up even if I told him we would meet at Lucy’s Kitchen. He had this habit of doing things even if I asked him not to do them.My eyebrows knitted, looking at myself in the full-length mirror while thinking why on earth Red wanted me to look my best tonight. Ariana still had plenty of gifts I had not used, and plain ones would be better, not as provocative as this one. I did not want Ryan to think I had other motives tonight.I asked Red how long he thought I would stay with Ryan in the restaurant when all I had to do was return the parure and break the news to him that I was already married. He only smirked and joked that I should break up with Ryan in style, so here I was, looking at my reflection wearing the knee-length
(Aya’s POV)I had been working in Lucy’s Kitchen for years already, but this was the first I could hardly make a step to enter the restaurant. I took a deep breath, hoping Ryan had not arrived at the restaurant yet so I could have time to chat with Lucy. After gathering all the courage in my bones, I pushed the door open and was startled to see my manager standing in the doorway.“Lucy!” I faked a smile, puffing out air and feeling the sweat beading on my forehead.“Problem, Aya?” Her lips trembled as she asked. “I’ve been watching you from the screen. What are you doing outside? Why didn’t you enter right away?” She asked, anchoring her arm to mine and leading me to the dining area.It was no wonder she did not look surprised when she saw me. She had been watching and waiting for me to enter the restaurant from the receptionist’s area. As for what reason, I didn’t have the time to ask since I was too nervous about what would happen today.“You’re making me nervous,” Lucy murmured but
(Aya’s POV)“Will you marry me, Aya?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with delight as he waited for my answer.I gaped at him, also hoping to pull down my eyebrows and close my mouth because I surely looked like an idiot in front of Ryan. The universe must have gone mad, giving me two marriage proposals in just one month, and like how I met him, in Red’s case, I let my guard down, saying yes because of his children and… perhaps my annoyance with him because he pestered me until I say yes?“I should be asking this with the champagne and cake, but when you stopped the server, I got nervous that I couldn’t wait anymore.”I swallowed hard, blinking while laying my eyes on the engagement ring, not realizing we would come to this moment. Knowing Ryan, I should have anticipated that he always treated me like his prospective client, selling himself with the ultimate goal of closing a deal with me, which, most of the time, we ended up in bed.“I was never that perfect boyfriend for you, not being
(Aya’s POV)I lowered my head, not wanting him to see the tears shimmering in my eyes and the anger on my face.“You will never be happy, Aya,” He muttered angrily as if cursing me. “You’re no different from this parure.”My lips trembled, pursing my lips and breathing hard before speaking again. “I’m glad I did not choose you, Ryan,” I sniffled, hating him for breaking my heart this way.Couldn’t he just say he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me?“You wasted my time and money,” he said, taking his wallet from his suit jacket’s pocket.“Then don’t pay for this,” I gritted my teeth.“Let this be my parting gift to you,” he murmured angrily, standing up and leaving cash more than the cost he spent for the champagne and whatever he ordered in advance.I pressed my lips as I held my tears, hoping they would not flow down my cheeks. Sniffling, I raised my head and watched Ryan leave the restaurant. I made the mistake of closing my eyelids as it pressed the tears from my eyes.“Re