25 Chapter 25
Ariel was quiet as she rode on the elevator to wherever Ken was taking her.
The silence wasn’t awkward, but she just didn’t feel comfortable.
She could still remember Aiden’s piercing gaze as she followed Ken out of the hall, it made her feel uneasy.
She wondered what he must have been thinking as he saw her walking away with Ken.
“We’re here,” Ken placed a gentle hand below her waist as the elevator opened.
Ariel followed him out and was marveled by the view in front of her.
They were on top of the rooftop, on the very last floor of Aiden’s tall company. Tables were set as if Aiden was planning to use the place as a rooftop restaurant.
Soft glowing lights were hanging around the walls and flower pots.
Ariel moved forward and looked over at the city view.
Different colors of lights lined the city like twinkling stars, adding ethereal beauty to the already breathtaking view.
ir was
“It’s beautiful,” Ariel said, taking in a long breath of fresh air that blew around them, her hair flying around from the wind.
“Yes, it is… Ken came to stand beside her, but he wasn’t looking at the city’s view, he had his eyes locked on her, admiration clouding his eyes.
Ariel briefly turned to him, smiling.
“Just like you, Ariel, Ken said in a gentle voice.
Ariel froze. The moment she heard what he said, she knew he wasn’t talking about the city view but referring to her.
She slowly looked into his eyes, and as expected, his expressive eyes stared down at her with sincerity and appreciation.
Ariel knew she was blushing, but this time, she didn’t remove her face from him. She was curious to know how what she felt about him. Was it just a friendly feeling, or was she developing romantic feelings for him?
Ken noticed Ariel’s frozen state and gently put his arm around her waist, walking closer to her.
The soft wind blew around them, and the soft glowing lights enhanced the atmosphere for them, making it seem like two lovers were on the rooftop.
“I mean every word I say to you, Ariel,” Ken said as he held Areil close to him.
He was looking at her face, the soft lights making her skin glow, he raised his hand to her check, unable to resist touching her beautiful face and skin.
“Ken…” Ariel was at a loss for tvords, she didn’t know what to say in such a situation.
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She’d never had any man admire her the way Ken was doing to her, and it made her anxious and giddy at the same time. Her heart was racing mildly in her chest as she smiled up at him.
“I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you. Don’t get me wrong… Ken chuckled, “I’ve seen pretty ladies, I’m not going to stand before you and lie that you’re the first one I’m seeing. But, you are the first one to draw me in. Your beauty is like a charm that had me enchanted from the moment I saw you,” Ken spoke in a quiet voice, rubbing his thumb over Ariel’s blushed cheek.
“I was just like Aiden before, not wanting anything to do with women, but, you changed that, Ariel, because right now, I want everything to do with you…if you let me?” Ken whispered.
Ariel kept on looking at him, her answers found. She did feel something for Ken, but it wasn’t enough to give him what he wanted from her.
And even if she wanted to, the thought of Aiden was not letting her move on. It wasn’t as if she she loved Aiden, and she knew the contract allowed her the full right to date whoever she wanted, but, when she remembered that she was still married legally, she couldn’t bring herself to get into another relationship. She felt like she was going down the same path her father did.
She sighed, “Ken, you’re a nice guy, and I wouldn’t want to drag you into something as complicated as my relationship with Aiden, you already know the status of our relationship… Ariel paused, searching his face.
Ken shook his head at Ariel, “It’s because I know the status of your relationship that I’m
courageous enough to tell you how I feel, Aricl… I like you, a lot, and if you share the same
feeling for me, I dont see why we can’t be together, I can be patient you know, we’ll take things. slow until you’re officially divorced with Aiden, Ken convinced, putting her hair behind her ears.
Ariel thought about what Ken said and it made sense to her. The contract literally made her a free woman, if she even wanted, she could go home with Ken. But she wasn’t going to, at least, not tonight.
“But, we hardly know each other, Ken, let’s try being friends first…then we can go somewhere. from there, Ariel reasoned.
“Agreed,” Ken replied and suddenly hugged her.
Ariel was shocked, chuckling at Ken’s excitement.
“At least, friends can hug, right?” Ken asked with his head beside hers.
Ariel nodded, “Yes,” She replied with a smile.
“And, can friends can do this?”
Before Ariel could ask him what he was talking about, she felt his lips very close to her lips in a soft peck.
Ariel froze, feeling her face heat up. She looked past Ken’s shoulder, embarrassed to look into his eyes at the moment.
“Right, Ariel?” Ken brought her face to look back at him, smiling down at her shy face, “Friends can kiss each other, right?” He whispered, slowly lowering his face to hers.
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didn’t make her uncomfortable at all. She did like him, and if he continued this way, she might end up getting together with him before the marriage contract ends.
“Can I kiss you, Ariel?” He asked, his lips an inch away from hers.
Ariel’s breath was slowly turning deep, she felt the urge to cover the remaining space between them, but at the last moment, she slowly moved her face to the side.
“Let’s take it slow, Ken,” She whispered softly.
Ken nodded, “Agreed,” He smiled at her, “The view is always the best up here,” He said as he turned to stare at the city lights..
“Yes,” Ariel agreed, turning to stare at the city lights with him.
“You know, Carla already told me that you’ve agreed to marry me after you divorced Aiden, Ken said out of the blue.
Areil blinked for a second before she understood what Ken was say
saying.
Why haven’t she thought about this since, she had been too occupied with Aiden to think about any other person. But she should have put two and two together and realized it long ago.
“Surprised that you’ve been talking with your future husband?” Ken teased.
Areil chuckled, shaking her head, “I never really thought about it, I shoud have realized you were the cousin she was talking about… Ariel turned her face to the side to face him.
“So, are you disappointed or impressed?” Ken asked, smiling at her.
“Um, I’m-”
“That’s enough, Ken,” Aiden suddenly walked over to them, looking very pissed.
Ariel was surprised to see him there, she never thought he would have followed them up here, how long has he been to here? Did he see Ken kiss her cheek? Did she hear his confession? Aiden walked over to Ken, a dark cloud hovering over his head, and his face, menacing.
Ken huffed, feeling dissappointed for Aiden’s arrival. Why did he have to come? Why was he always there when it felt like he was getting somewhere with Ariel? Was he starting to care about her?
If it was so, then he was too late on that, he already lost to him, he would make sure of that.
“You do realize you’re overstepping your boundary, Ken?” Aiden asked, stepping between Ken and Ariel, instinctively grabbing Ariel’s hand behind him as glared at Ken.
“I’ve done nothing, Aiden, just chasing the woman I love, Ken replied simply.
Aiden gritted his teeth, tightening his hold on Ariel.
“Don’t be delusional, Ken, you can’t love someone else’s wife. You know what, leave, I need to speak to my wife, alone,” Aiden said dismissively, not seeing the use the engage in an argument with Ken.
“I’m not going anywhere, Aiden. You have no right to ask me,” Ken replied, looking over at Areil.
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“Unless Ariel asks me to, He said quietly, staring into her eyes.
“Leave, Ken…please,” Ariel spoke from behind Aiden, pleading with Ken with her eyes.
She didn’t want to be the reason two friends became enemies.
Ken slowly nodded, “I’ll be waiting in the hall,” He informed Ariel.
But Aiden replied instead, “No need to wait, Ken, I and my wife will be heading home,” He smirked victoriously at Ken.
Ken nodded curtly, then walked away from the rooftop.
Ariel felt the air tense up as she was now alone with Aiden..
Aiden slowly turned and face Ariel, a condescending smile on his face. He leanrd his face close to hers and whispered, “Can I kiss you, Ariel?”
