Moved out

Ariel's POV…

Laying my head on the headrest, I gazed lazily at the road. Kevin is presently driving me back home in his car, while playing some soft jams. I'm glad he's realized that we are fated, but I can't get the feeling of uneasiness off my chest. 

In my past life, I never got to know who my real mate was; so I never considered finding one now. So, what now? Kevin is bound to find out about my reincarnation. What is he going to say? Will he despise me? Will his perspective about me change?

All these thoughts were overwhelming my plans for revenge, it can't be helped that I'm freaked out about finding my mate. What my supposedly first mate; Ace, did to me is still vivid in my memory. 

My train of thought got disrupted as Kevin tapped lightly on my shoulder. Turning to face him, I managed to pull up a small smile. “Want some ice cream?” he asked as he smiled at me. 

Ice cream? Is he serious? I almost chuckled at his question. “Ice cream? Isn't it too early?” I retorted, furrowing my eyebrows.

“It sounds strange but scoops of ice cream help reduce stress” he said to me. 

“It does?”

“Yeah. So, you're in?” I shrugged needlessly, and he turned his head outside the car window. It turns out he stopped the car right in front of an ice cream truck. 

Minutes passed by and the drive to my Nana's house resumed while I deliciously licked my ice cream. During the ride, I couldn't help but feel Kevin's staring at me. Though, he was quick to divert his gaze whenever I try to look at him. Soon, we arrived. 

I alighted first before Kevin. Yet, I couldn't move. I wasn't scared, neither was I anxious; but extremely furious.  How can I keep my emotions in check when I converse with my Nana's murderers? For fuck’s sake, I might go on a rampage.

Kevin noticed how motionless I was. So, he came over and offered his hand for me to hold. Normally, I would have declined but because he's my mate, I accepted wholly. Together, we strode towards the house. 

I inserted the keys into the lock, grabbed and twisted the doorknob before the door opened, revealing Ace, Chloe, and the bitch Agnes. 

Would it be weird to chase their assess out of my house? Who am I kidding, it'll be peculiar as fuck. Instantly, Chloe ran to me and engulfed me in a hug. 

Sincerely, making this close contact with her gets me disgusted.

“I was so worried, girl!” she rasped as she disengaged from the hug. Her tone was laced with fake worry, which I'm surprised I never detected. 

Such a pretentious whore!

Ace came closer before snatching me away from chole. “Sweetheart!” he hugged me even tighter. “How are you faring? You've eaten, right? I was so worried about you” he gibbered while staring into my eyes with his fingers caressing my cheeks. 

Unknown to me, Kevin had been boiling in anger, it's predictable; his mate's getting held by another. 

“I'm fine. There's no need to act all clingy” I muttered before shoving him off lightly. The shock was evident on both Ace's and Chloe's faces. Before they could find their tongues, the scarlet, which came to me. 

“Chloe my dear, are you okay? The death of your nana must have filled you with grief. But don't act this way to Ace. He's been terribly worried about you. The same thing applies to Chloe. You know how much we love you,” she spoke tenderly, but behind that tenderness was a burning hatred for me. 

Hmph! I must admit, she's an astonishing actress. What a shame her acting skills won't work on me. Wordlessly, I walked past them, heading to my room. There, I packed all my clothes in my luggage and came back down. Kevin gaped at me shockingly.

I can't tell what he thought at that moment since he balled his fingers angrily. He didn't say anything and turned to leave. 

“Great idea Ariel! You can stay with me,” Chloe beamed foolishly.

“Huh? She's staying with me. Right sweetheart?” Ace chirped cheekily.  How naive are these people? 

“Ariel dear, you're welcome anytime at my place” Agnes added gleefully.

Roaming my eyes around their faces, I heaved and replied. “Thanks for the offers. But I'll be staying with Kevin,” I declared while walking to Kevin who stopped abruptly. 

His eyes were dilated as he ogled disbelievingly. His jaw dangled shortly in the air before he regained his composure. 

“Ariel!?” Ace yelled from behind furiously. Right away, I felt a hard grip on my arm. “Are you fucking with me? You're going to be living with this bastard? You can't trust him!” he added in a yell. 

I frowned; who the fuck is he to talk about trust? Isn't he the same motherfucker that will betray me?

“He's right girl. Have you forgotten who he is? He's the same creepy kid back in grade school. He doesn't have any parents and you barely know him. I'm amazed why you're with him in the first place,” Chloe dissented greatly. Yet, I didn't utter another word. 

“Ariel, I'm your boyfriend; stay with me instead!” Ace growled aggressively.

“Let go of me,” I yanked my arm from his grip and continued walking. 

I could feel their disbelieving stares boring into my back as I walked away. Kevin, who's still quiet, said nothing during our walk to the car. Done tossing my luggage into the back, we went to the seat.

Sliding in, he ignited the engine and began the ride to the place. Now I was perplexed on what to say. What I did back there was somewhat obnoxious.

I mean, I'm yet to ask for permission. Even though he's quiet, I feel he's angry at me. 

“Kevin… I… forgive me for acting that way,” I managed to apologize softly.

“It's fine. Can't say I ain't tongue-tied. But you must have your reasons, right?” he flashed me a charming smile that literally got my heart racing. 

“And asides, you're now my fated Ariel,” he said coquettishly and placed his hand on mine. 

***

Precisely, it's been half a month since I began living with Kevin. Truthfully, it's been nice, but a bit complicated. For starters, I'm yet to deter our relationship. 

I'm reluctant to tell him everything about me, including my reincarnation. Although we are fated, there's been limited intimate contact between us. To Kevin, I'm shy, but I'm scared. 

What if Kevin does the same thing Ace did? Would my heart take it? Would the moon goddess grant me another chance to redeem myself?

Fuck! It's all very twisted.

Presently, I was done washing the dirty dishes. Since we're only three living together, the chores aren't much of a big deal. 

I took a towel and dried my drenched hand with it. In the process, Kevin came walking into the kitchen. 

“Fuck it, Ariel. You know I can do all these” he said while adding an adorable pout.

“Nonsense. Stop complaining already,” I responded and faced him. Stubborn, he remarked and took three consecutive steps towards me. 

Again, I felt nervous and seemingly apprehensive around him. Kevin, who gaped at me dreamily, began leaning in, probably for a kiss. 

“I think it's time to head to school,” using that excuse, I slid away. He must have felt awkward, but I can't help it; I'll be damned to allow my heart get played again.

Again, my relationship with Chloe took an awful turn after that day. She was angry at me even though we talked scantily.

Today, we were in the library, studying when Ace came in. 

He has been doing his best in acting friendly with me. It's glaring how infuriated he is that I'm staying with another man, but doesn't show it.

“Sweetheart,” he spread his arms for a hug, which I hesitatingly gave him. Chloe's eyes were trailing after us as we talked, with myself acting clingy. I excused myself since I felt thirsty. 

I came back quickly only to find my supposedly mate smooching Chloe. They were both so engrossed in kissing, they never noticed me. I shouldn't be heartbroken since I've fathomed this…yet…yet…it can't be helped. 

I ran out of the library immediately and ran into Kevin on my way out.

“Ariel?” he called, seeing the fat balls of tears on my cheeks. 

“It hurts Kevin! It still hurts!” I whimpered, absent-mindedly hugging him...