Marry Me, Miss Villainess

"Candice, I won't be able to return to Dan city until tomorrow. Take care of the office for me please." Arianna said on the phone. She was sitting on the bed with the phone in her left hand, and a cup of hangover soup in her right hand which was sent to her by Yago earlier. "If Jayden asked for me, tell him I'm out of the country checking out wedding dresses." she added with a sly smile.

"Alright. Copy that."

After hearing her cousin's reply, Arianna ended the call and drank her hangover soup. She couldn't help but get back to being dazed as she stare at the small cup she was holding. Last night, she kissed and held 'Vier' in her arms. She didn't know why, but even now, when she thinks about it, she felt elated and overjoyed. It felt like everything she had lost when Yago left was given back to her. She didn't hate his touch, nor his kisses. Every little thing felt right; felt good. How could she do such a thing? To Yago's brother, even!

Back then, when Arianna got drunk with Jayden, although her body felt hot and her mind was muddled, something inside her was screaming and resisting Jayden's touch. Her heart was aching and as if all those alcohol she drank that night was burning her chest. Last night though, the passion her body was feeling complemented her heart's longing. She knew, even if 'Vier' went further, she would have surrendered herself without qualms. Just what does that mean? Is she falling in love with Vier? Or was she taking him for Yago? Whatever it is, none of those would do. Vier was already engaged, to her friend even. She can be despicable to her enemies, but she can't act like a bitc* to her friends.

While she was lost in her thoughts, the phone beside her vibrated. She picked it up and checked the kind of notification she received and learned that it was an e-mail from Viper. There were pictures of a couple dining in a well-known restaurant, and of them entering a hotel room.

Arianna sneered when she saw those pictures. Jayden said he was cancelling his reservations for her birthday right? Looks like the party continued til they reach the bed. It doesn't matter though. He was just playing with women, and she was playing with them. Only Belle was serious about this tug of war game of theirs. Once she let go of the rope, Arianna wouldn't lose any! Honestly, she doesn't care about those two anymore. They can do whatever they want as in the end, they'll still end up with each other.

***

"Honey, I'm very sorry that you have to live like this." Carl said as he kneel in front of Dianna's wheelchair. They were strolling in the garden when he realized that Dianna had been silent the whole time. So he knelt down trying to comfort her.

Dianna shook her head with a sad smile. "It's not your fault." she answered.

"Yes, it is." Carl insisted.

If it was not because of him, who would dare poison Dianna's food? He was useless in the past, allowing harm to come to his wife. Now, Dianna became like this. It's been several months but the strength of her legs haven't fully recovered yet. And she was forced to live in hiding. This is not the life she deserves!

"I like this place very much. Did you say that Yago owns this? My son-in-law is really capable." Dianna smiled at Carl. The table has turned and it's now Dianna who's comforting Carl. "My legs are like this now. They are thin and weak. But they'll soon regain their strength. When that happens, you have to promise you'll go horse-riding with me. We will have a race like the old times."

Carl stood up and hugged his wife. His heart really aches for his woman. Anyway, it'll be christmas in three weeks. He must find a good present for her. Something that could make her happy. He smiled as he thought of something shifty.

***

"What's the matter?", Vier asked as he found Ellaine leaning against the door of his room as he was coming back. "Are you waiting for me?"

Ellaine nodded. She then silently moved out of his way and allowed him to enter his room.

"What's up? Is there any problem?"he asked when he noticed Ellaine following him inside the room. She casually sat on the sofa and hugged one of the pillows on it.

"Nothing. I'm just bored. I want to chat." she answered.

Vier laughed at her reply.

"You're the clingy type, huh?",he teased.

Ellaine blushed in embarrassment and looked away. Was she being clingy? She just wanted to chat. She's a curious person and since Vier caught her interest, she naturally wanted to know more about him....

Wait, she's interested in him?

Ellaine sighed. She stood up and headed to the door. Her pride was just stepped on just now. There's no reason to stay.

"Wait, you're already leaving? Didn't you say you wanna chat? You waited so long for me, too." Vier tried to stop her, but she didn't say anything else. In a blink of an eye, the questions in her head seemed to not matter anymore. She just felt agitated and wasn't in a mood for anything all of a sudden. Like a child sulking, she went straight to her room and locked her door, skipping dinner and all.

Atasha watched as Vier had his dinner alone. She sat across him and sniggered.

"It's really hard to date an inexperienced guy." Atasha said outloud as if talking to herself. "While you do your best to get close to him, he just chases you away." she added, shaking her head.

"It wasn't my intention. I was just kidding. I didn't mean to offend her." he explained. It was true that he didn't know how to treat women because he never dated anyone before. He was always like this to his sister, and she never complained. He didn't think Ellaine would be too sensitive.

"Rest assured, she'll be upset to you for just a short while..." Atasha said while counting her fingers. "About 15 days or so. At most, she'll just call for a ride to take her home."

Vier was speechless. She can hold a grudge for that long? And going home, does that include seeing Arianna again? How troublesome.

***

"Dad, please take care of Mom for me." Arianna said as she bid them goodbye. The sun was about to set and she needs to get back to Dan city tonight.

"Can't you stay another night?" Dianna asked. She wanted to spend more time with her daughter, but she was preoccupied all day long. And now she's already heading home.

"Sorry but I can't. Something came up and I have to get back soon. I'll be back on friday after I'm finished with work." she replied, trying to coax her mom.

"Hmm... You weren't this hardworking when Yago still lived with us." Carl commented on the side.

Arianna was silenced by that remark for a while. Yes. She wasn't this hardworking when Yago was still with them. She didn't realize it until now, but she tried her best before to spend quality time with Yago as much as she could. She just considered herself as a clingy sister back then. What a joke.

"Alright Dad, I'm leaving now. I promise I'll come visit again soon." She said as she pulled the car door open. She was about to get in when she saw Yago coming closer.

"Can I talk to you for a while?" he said with a serious expression. "It won't take much of your time."

Dianna looked at his husband and nodded. Carl got the hint and pushed Dianna's wheelchair away, leaving the two youngsters alone to talk privately. Arianna watched them leave as she ponder on what to say next.

Arianna stared at the box in his hand. From the looks of it, it's a case that holds jewelry. Why would Vier give her jewelry?

"I'm sorry but I can't accept it." she said plainly.

Yago reached for her hand and forced her to take the box. "This is a gift from Yago." he stated.

Arianna was dumbfounded. She stared at his face trying to ascertain that he wasn't lying.

"He left this box for you. Please take it." That was all he said before turning around to leave.

Arianna watched Yago's back as he walked away. Somehow, her heart ached as she watch him walk farther. She was only able to snap out of her daze when Yago recede from view. She transferred her gaze to the box she was holding. She leaned against the car and opened the case.

"Yago..." she whispered when she saw the jewelry sitting inside the case. It was a white gold necklace, having the same tone as her ring. Embellishing it was two hearts with varied size linked together. The smaller heart, almost about two centimeters was encrusted with tiny diamonds around it. On it's left was the bigger one; about an inch size. It was unadorned, but the word "forever" was egraved on its side.

"It's beautiful, Yago..." she softly whispered as tears begun to fall from her eyes down to her cheeks...