40 ROSE GARDEN

The man said elegantly, stretched out his right hand for a handshake and as to get acquainted with Arissa. Arissa took his hand in hers and smiled.

"My name is Jonathan Levy. Nice to meet you, Miss …." He introduced himself like a real gentleman without releasing Arissa's hand and stare intensely at a pair of beautiful navy blue eyes in front of him.

"I'm Arissa Nova ...." Arissa replied curtly.

"So, Miss Arissa. Do you enjoy the party so far? " Jonathan asked casually which answered with a short nod.

Soon, the conversation between the two of them continued with a warm discussion about fine art and some of the famous world artists. As time passed by, Arissa's presence herself brought a magnetic charm for the men at there beside Jonathan himself. Her graceful attitude and elegant appearance were able to attract and hypnotize all men to come and have a chat with her. Even Arissa was surprised at herself never expect that she would be able to blend perfectly with all of her suitors without act awkwardly.

Suddenly, Arissa felt that someone wrapped her possessively from the side.

"Sorry, boys. My grandfather wanted to meet this beautiful girl… " Cristan said amusedly with a mischievous smile.

Seeing who was talking, Jonathan and the other men who had been gathered around Arissa consciously withdrew themselves and immediately blend in into the crowds. Whereas Cristan tightened his arms around her waist and putting on a sly smile on his face. His strategy was a great success to get rid of the male beetles out of his woman!

Arissa was just about to protest when Cristan immediately took her out of the hall in a hurry.

"Where are we going?" Arissa asked in confusion because she hardly manages to keep up with Cristan's long foot strides and didn't use to walk in high heels as she was wearing now.

"I want to show you something ..."

.......................................…

The two of them finally arrived at the backyard and there is a gazebo that Cristan often used to hang out or do some talking with Great Grandpa back then. But his steps did not stop there but continued along the left side of the gazebo where there was a beautiful garden which fulled of the blossomed white roses. In the center, this garden is also decorated with a retro fountain. The lights were dim but then, Cristan took out a tiny remote from his pocket and pressed a button. Then, automatically, within seconds, the rose garden began to change. The dim lights immediately went out, replaced by tens of thousands of small colorful lights of various shapes that were deliberately installed and wonderfully arranged in the garden. The rose garden that once has an artistic taste, now, has turned into a garden of light with lots of various animal shapes and miniature icon buildings from all over the world.

Arissa gasped and held her breath in amazement. She never thought that this park hid a magical surprise like this before. Since a long time ago, she had fallen in love with all forms of light. The warm morning sunshine, the magical moonlight, the city lights that contrasted sharply with the darkness of the night.

Seeing a very beautiful scene unfolding before his eyes, Arissa was deeply moved. With red teary eyes, she turned to Cristan and said, "Thank you, Cristan. This is so pretty .. I …. I….. "

She was still stunned in amazement and groggily addressed her grateful.

Cristan just giving her a weak smile and touched the peak of her head gently.

"Do you like it?"

Without any doubt, Arissa nodded her head.

"Tonight is yours, Miss Arissa. Go and have a walk. I'll be waiting here…"

Without further ado, Arissa immediately took off her high heels and wandered around the mini-light park happily while she can't stop admiring the free exhibition like a small kid.

Cristan just glanced and smiled when he watched the scene. This garden also her mother's favorite place. Due to her busy schedule in managing the clan and company, Arina often cannot find time for relaxing and spend more time with herself. Her longing to quickly meet little Cristan once she got home also made her exquisitely exhausted. Being a leader of a multinational billion company during daytime and being a parent at nighttime. That's why she made this garden of light a place to unwind and spend relaxing moments with Cristan and Great Grandpa. At here, she can chat as long as possible about other things or listen up to Cristan's stories about his school activities.

See?

Subconsciously, Cristan's eyes began filled with unshed tears again when he reminisced of his late mother.

Again…

"Ah ... here you are."

A female voice distracted him when he slowly turned to see the owner of the voice. In an instant, the temperature suddenly felt a few degrees cooler while at the same time, Cristan also felt anger welling up inside his heart.

A beautiful woman with glamour makeup was holding an arm of a handsome, sad-eyed man that standing next to her. The woman was smiling sweetly at Cristan but soon, Cristan ditched away his look with a disgusted expression after he seeing them both.

Seeing his son's appropriate act, Leo Levy pulled his arm and walked towards Cristan.

When he saw his father's arrival, Cristan immediately stands an alert gesture. Even though they both biologically related by blood, Cristan never felt his father's affection at all since his birth. Moreover, there was a huge emotional gap between them. Unfortunately, Arina has gone as well. In the past, Arina always being a mediator between herself and her father whenever little Cristan showed his works and rewards that he got from school. Whether it's a picture of his family, the results of his pre-work or his school grades that always get the best results. In the end, Leo's facial expressions are always the same. He only glanced at it once and after that, he would immensely be returned to his busy life as a researcher. Only Arina and Great Grandpa always encourage and support Cristan whenever he gets into trouble at school.

Now, when dealing face to face with his biological father, Cristan's attitude and facial expression remain the same. Cold-hearted and flat without any emotion. Like a lifeless statue. His hands were folded and crossed in front of his chest casually. It was like if he had been waiting for this conversation for a such long time.

"There will be a senate council at midnight tonight. I hope you can come. We will also talk about the possibility of Wanda being accepted as a core member of the Levy Clan… " Leo Levy blurted out his words nonchalantly. His voice sounded emotionless and his eyes did not stare at Cristan at all as he spoke as if the young man in front of him was a scumbag and not his biological child.

Cristan grinned slyly as he replied, "Of course I'll come. I will make sure that demonic woman will never become one of us. "

BUGGGHH !!

A full fist suddenly landed on his cheek. Cristan staggered for a moment while wiping the blood from the corner of his lips, but the grin on his face didn't go away. He gazed at Leo Levy who still standing trembly before him. His face darkens with anger.

Cristan laughed uncontrollably. He was so excited that his body was shaking loudly because of his laugh.

"Why, Dad? Did I hit you right on the target? Huh? "

His eyes glanced sharply at his father's figure until then he stared at the presence of the woman who is walking towards to two of them. Her hand returned to Leo's arm affectionately and her gaze turned to Cristan.

For a moment, her gaze softened as she rebuked Leo in a very gentle tone.

"Don't be too hard on him, Leo. You know that he is still grieving over his mother died... "

For outsiders who do not know her nature, they will think that Aunt Wanda is a perfect woman to become an ideal stepmother. Warm, mature, and very motherly. But Cristan and Great Grandpa have long known about this woman's cunning true colors. Sly and cunning like a foxy demon. Until his final breath, he will never allow Aunt Wanda to become a core member of the Levy Clan! No way!

Leo Levy just nodded obediently as he returned the grip of his new wife's hand and said softly at her.

"Come on, let's go back. Dad must have been waiting for us at the party now .. "

Aunt Wanda kissed her husband affectionately and they both immediately gone soon from his sight. Leaving Cristan who still staring at their departure with a look of disgust.

"See you later, Cristan ..."

Right after the shameless couple had gone, in the same time, Arissa also finished walking around the garden of light and soon, met Cristan who keep utterly standing silently.

"Cristan, my goodness. This park is ... amazing. I love it. Thank you so much to bring me here" Arissa said in amazement while her face sparkling with joy. She was completely unaware of the tiring gaze at Cristan's eyes.

Cristan didn't respond or changed his facial expression so that Arissa would not be bothered by the change in his mood that dropped dramatically due to the incident earlier.

"Sorry, I didn't pay attention before. How was it?" asked Cristan softly.

"Yes, I like it so much !! There was a miniature Eiffel Tower and other stuff…. "

Arissa suddenly stopped her story when Cristan immediately does something beyond her expectation. He hugged her tightly in his embrace.

"Cristan?" Arissa asked, confused by Cristan's sudden behavior.

"Sorry, but please let me hug you for a while…. just a moment… "Cristan whispered in her ears. Hearing these words, Arissa was utterly silent and her hands hugged him back slowly.

Arissa's presence has completely turned his world around. For some reason, the presence of this girl always gave him a strange sense of comfort. Cristan always felt full, whole, and unconditionally loved by this girl even though he wasn't sure if Arissa would felt the same way as his. But the longer he was close to this girl, Cristan became more clingy and dependable in her. His heart and mind always miss about this girl whereabout wherever she is. The scent of her body, her laugh, her voice, all of them tastes like addiction to him. To his body. He wanted her completely. To be his alone.

The biggest excuse why he was so insistent on being Snow's manager is so that he can stay close to Arissa. Yes, that's all.

Right now.,,,

Hugging her. Smelling her scent is his top priority. He wishes to be able to freeze this time. When he was holding this girl ...

If only he could ...