Ryan opened the door and walked in. Taking his shoes by the door. Leonel and Zariel were chatting in the living room when he walked in. They stood up and bowed.
"You are so late" Zariel spoke, shaking her head slowly "it's past nine" they both sat down.
"Where's Aria?" Was all he cared to ask.
"She should be up in her room" Zariel replied nonchalantly.
"'Her room?'"
"Yes. The poor girl had been sulking for so long. How could you hurt her on your first date?" She questioned with a glare.
"I must say, you're really bad in taking care of women" Leonel blurted.
"I'll go up to her " he took steps before Leonel stopped him.
"Hey, you can't possibly go to her looking like this" he chuckled. Ryan stopped and looked at himself. His clothes were stuck to his body, drenched in blood and sweat. His hair also had blood on them, his claws were also still out.
He turned to them "My eyes aren't normal? They're still....golden?" he asked.
"They are" Zariel replied
"And your fangs are still out" Leonel added.
Ryan heaved a long sigh, looking up to the ceiling. "I'll go to her once I take bath. Geez.... I reek of blood. Not so very nice" for her to see him.
"Your dinner is served" Zariel said.
"I'm not interested" he took strides up the stairs to his room. He walked to the bathroom and immediately turned on the shower, washing his bloodstained self. He stayed under the shower for a long period, a stream of blood flowing on the tiles. He washed his body thoroughly, remaining under the cold shower until he could feel himself calming down. He walked out and got dressed, wanting to go to Ari's room. Just how much is she hurt?
Arianna dusted her bed, ready to sleep. She had waited for him enough. Why was she even waiting for him? It's not like he would come saying sorry. For a man like him, what was she expecting? His type would find it really difficult to apologize. As she arranged herself to lie, she heard a knock on the door.
"Aria?" His voice followed, as soft as ever. Gently, without making a sound, she laid on the bed and covered herself. Pretending to be asleep. She wasn't going to give him audience just like that.
"Aria?" Ryan called out again, knocking gently. He waited for a few seconds for her to open the door. But since he got no reply, he opened and walked in. Arianna heard the door creak open. It's time to put up the act now. She wasn't going to answer him, or pay heed to what he has to say. He'll definitely leave seeing her asleep.
"Aria, are you sleeping?" he asked, and she almost screamed the words out of her lungs - 'Of course I am, can't you see!'
Ryan's lips curled up as he heard her thoughts. She's pretending to be asleep, huh? He walked towards her, pulling a stool and sitting beside her.
"Aria...." his voice was soft, like he was whispering, but got no replies. He tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers tingling her a little but she did her best to keep calm.
"Aria, I'm..." he paused, the words felt heavy. When was the last time he said this? It's been so long....a decade or two maybe. Him saying this now felt somehow foreign. Like he has never used the words before.
"I'm sorry" he apologized, but he wasn't done yet "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry I didn't let you have all the fun you wanted." But the girl didn't open her eyes. He waited, still nothing. She didn't even think anything.
"I won't yell at you anymore, I promise. I'd let you talk to me whichever way you want. Yell at me if you want. I'll let you do what you want. But please, don't be mad at me" If it was anyone else, he wouldn't mind. He doesn't care if they're mad at him for centuries even. But it was her. She's different, she's an exception. He can't bear her being mad at him.
But why wouldn't she be mad? 'You hurt me! You were so mean. How can my angel hurt me like this!'
His teeth clenched as he read her thoughts again, he felt hurt, that he had hurt her. And she still thinks of him as guardian angel. Would she still call him that if she finds out what he is? Ryan unconsciously gulped, ruffling his hair. What should he do? He had forgotten how he begged Yana back then.
"Okay.... I promise, I'll take you out tomorrow" he said with a smile, hoping for her to open her eyes and say 'really?'. But the stubborn girl did none of that. "And the day after.... and the day after" he added "I'll let you have all the fun you want, I promise" but she was still so stubborn.
He lifted his hand and held her cheek, caressing it gently. "Aria, I'm sorry. Just open your eyes and look at me. Please...." his tone was a bit low, sounding hurt. Like he was going to cry while asking for audience. Arianna suddenly felt the urge to laugh, but she couldn't spoil the act. She has to win the Oscar winning award for being the best pretender of sleep.
"Oh c'mon! How many times do I have to apologize before you open your eyes?!" he snapped.
'Maybe a million times would do'
Ryan exhaled deeply. He could see the girl doesn't want to talk to him at all. "Alright. I'll keep apologizing when you wake up. And..... maybe I should feed you breakfast as well" a smirk crawled up to his face "And then after that, we'll go on a proper date."
What was that? Date?!
"I'll apologized in how many ways I can. I don't want us to have any issues. So please, don't be mad, okay?" he said in his softest tone, still stroking her cheek.
Why is he acting somewhat..... romantic? Like a boyfriend who angered his girlfriend and now seeking for forgiveness. What is this?
Ryan leaned downwards, placing a kiss on her forehead, as soft as ever. He brushed her hair "Good night, sweetheart" he said, before leaving. Arianna heard the door close, and after a while, she opened her eyes. She immediately sat up on the bed, and then touched her flushed cheeks.
What is happening? She thought he didn't like women, so what is happening? Does he.... Does he like her? Goodness, what if he does? Would he keep it knowing what he is? She couldn't deny that she like him as well. Even after knowing what he is, she couldn't kill that tiny feeling for him. Instead, it has been growing, slowly. Loving a demon who is your angel isn't a bad idea. Or is it?