"What are you shy of, girlfriend?" Ryan asked with a playful smirk.
"I'm... not shy of anything" she replied, but damn! she was shy.
"What should I do to you for lying this morning?" She didn't think he would ask her that - to name her own punishment. But she'll use this to her advantage.
"Would you... let me meet my friend today?" she spoke.
"Hmm.... What would you give me in return?"
"In.. return?"
"Yeah" damn! He's being sly right now "No, let me tell you what I want. I want you to kiss me. Now"
She grew faint red as she stared at him "K-kiss you? Now?" her heart slammed against her chest. She doesn't think she can now that he's fully awake.
"Uh-huh. So I'd be certain you won't run away if I take you to your friend." he said, a sly smirk curving on his face. Well, if she wants to see Jia, she just have to do it. Because, she was still worried about her. She knew she would only feel relieved if she sees Jia for herself. She placed her hands on his shoulders, tiptoeing, she pressed her lips against his. She kissed him with the little knowledge she had, but it was driving him nuts. Before, he could even start kissing her back, she pulled away. Ryan's lashes fluttered as he gazed at her. She was also blinking her eyes at him. He pulled her into his embrace, hugging her a little tight. His fingers moved through her hair, and she also wrapped her arms around him.
"You're my sweetheart" his voice came, somewhat firm and hypnotizing, yet still soft. "I want you only to myself alone"
"Really?" she didn't know why she asked that, but it just slipped.
"Yes, really" he answered "Don't let anyone take you away from me. I wouldn't be able to take it"
Arianna bit her lips to stop herself from smiling like a high school girl whom her crush is now in love with her. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of his body. Ryan pulled away, and she felt a part was gone again.
"I'll hurry up so we could eat, alright" he said and she nodded., a little shyly.
*...*...*....*....*...*
At Jana's salon....
"Good morning, Ms Kim" everyone greeted as Jana walked in.
"Hello. How is everyone doing this morning?" she asked.
"Great, Ma'am" they replied. Jana took a seat in front of a mirror, she took a deep breath.
"Hye ri, come style my hair. I'm going out" she said.
"Ms Kim, is it a date?" one of them asked and a smile formed on Jana's face.
"Maybe it is" she said, chuckling a little.
"Whoa!!!" they exclaimed with hands on their cheeks "Can we know who this man is, Ms Kim?" Hye ri spoke with a knowing smile.
"Just style my hair. I don't want to be late" she snapped.
"Hye ri. Make sure to do it very well"
"Make her look breathtaking..."
"So Mr. X would be blown away" they all very comments on how their madam should look and they laughed. Jana was already blushing at their words.
"Get back to work, all of you" she ordered and they did as told, without failing to chuckle. Hye ri styled her hair with utmost perfection, and she loved it to the core. She herself admired her beauty.
"Whoa!!! Ms Kim, you are mesmerizing!!' they exclaimed again.
"Really?"
"Yes, you look like a work of art"
"Thank you. I should go now" she took her handbag to the door.
"Goodbye"
"Have a wonderful date"
Once Jana was a few steps away from the salon, her phone rang and she immediately took it out of her bag. She didn't know who was calling but picked it anyways.
"Hello?" she said as she walked.
"Hello, lady Jana" Jana froze in her tracks, wondering where she had heard that voice "Long time no see"
"W-who is this?"
"Look ahead of you" he said, and with unevened breath, she looked ahead and saw him metres away from where she stood. She would never forget this face, and her teeth gritted.
"I thought I said never to show your face in front of me?" she asked through clenched teeth.
"I just thought I should check on you" he replied.
"Why so? I don't need you to check on me. Or have you come to use me again?" she demanded.
A chuckle escaped his lips "Not at all. I just wanted to know if you might want to accept my offer" he said.
"You must be crazy. I said I wasn't going to do it" Jana snapped, already fuming.
"It comes with a lot of benefits" he added with a smile.
"I have everything I want"
"You know that's a lie...."
"It is not! Even if it is... I wouldn't want anything from a demon!" she yelled in a low tone, and then hung up. Her chest heaved in anger. Why wouldn't they just let her be? This is annoying! Her eyes were on the floor, so she didn't know who was already on his way, metres away.
Accidentally, Zayden brushed his shoulders against Jang Han Seok and his phone fell.
"I'm sorry" Zayden said and went down to help him pick it up. "I'm sorry" he said again and handed him the phone, finally looking at him, and he frowned.
"Thank you" he took his phone back with a smirk, eyes going from black to red and black again in just a split second. After looking at Jana - who stood wide-eyed because she saw Zayden was with him - he smirked and then turned, walking away.
Deep lines had formed on Zayden's forehead. Why is he here? He knew he had seen this demon the day he went to Kang Jimyeong's place. What has he come to do? He turned to see if he could figure who he smirked at, but his eyes fell on Jana. And immediately, every thought in his head disappeared. With a smile, he walked to her. The more closer he came, it dawned on him. Jana was the same the same person he had seen in his dreams. But the last two times, she always chased by demons and he was her knight in shining armour. What does that mean? Is she in danger?
When he got close, he couldn't help but pull her in his arms. He was a bit glad that nothing happened to her since a demon was here. He just wished they're not after her life. Jana on the other hand had her heart thudding wildly, and her cheeks tinted. She didn't expect Zayden to just hug her so suddenly. All the fears that harboured in her immediately dispersed, and all her body felt was the cold warmth. Yes, his body is cold, but it warms her up. Zayden pulled away, smiling brightly at her, eyes gleaming warmly.
"I missed you, Jana" he suddenly said, and she bit her lips.
"Me too" her cheeks grew from faint to deep, and it made him smile more. He took her hand in his "let's go, then" he said and pulled her towards his car, not so far away. Again, his hand was cold, but still warm. The pace of her heart had increased without warning, they were so loud in her ears. He opened the car door and she entered, and then he drove away to the movies.