32 Are you so scared of me?

Alan continued, "I already instructed Managing Director to keep things about the under wrap stating it as accident and that actress was out off beat the whole time."

Aria didn't expect him to do so much for her. She informed him only because she was under their company and it would make the company lose some profits.

"Thank you Young..."

Alan cut in before she could finish, "No need of formalities with me."

Aria hummed and alighted the car with Alan. Both entered the store. Aria didn't want to waste Alan's time and asked, "Get me iPhone new model in white. Thank you."

Alan silently stood behind her thinking 'Don't people go through features and choose?' Realizing even he does the same thing as the features in new models would always be better than previous.

He was speechless seeing her extend her card for payment. 'This girl...'

He moved his card ahead and his domineering tone sounded, "Swipe this."

Aria saw the black card between two slender fingers before the shopkeeper took the card in awe ignoring her card.

She turned around to face Alan, "I have balance in my account. You don't have to pay for my things."

'This position...' Aria turned aside.

Aria was between the cash counter and Alan with a very small distance between them. Since Alan's one hand was on the counter, it looked like he cornered her.

After hearing 'Prince is stealing our goddess' many times, she felt awkward in that position.

Alan saw her blush which gave him urge to caress her cheek but he controlled. "Ms.Richie! I know you are rich."

Aria was surprised. 'He doesn't like to talk, how come he is so good with it.'

Alan collected the mobile and card before taking her out as he spoke. "It's good to be independent. Depend on me when I'm around. You don't have to be strong and tough around me."

He heard her vaguely humming.

Aria didn't actually hear him. She couldn't understand why Alan was wrapping his hand around her shoulder making her feel like Prince actually stealing the Goddess.

'Aria! You have lost your mind hearing all teases.' she thought to herself and sat in the car when Alan opened the door for her.

They spoke very lightly before they reached the Morgan mansion.

Alan was leaving but seeing Amelia near the garden who was waving her hand at him to call, he alighted to go to them.

A maid took Aria's bag, "Young miss! Both Master and Madam are on the lawn."

Aria nodded and went towards them. She saw Alan sitting with them on a single-seater. Amelia called her near and made her sit between her and Rowan.

She took a bite when Amelia fed her cookie and asked, "Did you guys win?"

Aria hummed, "Elite team won first two matches and concluding with entry to next round."

Alan who was talking with Rowan stood up, "I'll just come."

Rowan had told him to stay over as he was already there. After Alan left, Aria explained both Amelia and Rowan about match and Rian's game.

Rian and Alan never told anything to them much. They would run away to their room most of the time hence hearing Aria every day was making them feel like they have one normal child and they loved to hear her.

Alan stood by the bay window of his room looking at Aria making all sorts of actions as she explained. She was making two elders laugh and she would chuckle with them.

Looking at her chirpy side with his parents, he understood there was a vast distance between him and Aria.

When Alan reached the lawn, Aria had finished saying about the match and telling about her performance.

"... I totally forgot about two allies of that actress when I was celebrating the win of Elite. I noticed one of the backing-off from holding, another girl can't hold me alone. So for not to hurt that girl, I decided to dodge her and land on the ground. If I would roll, I wouldn't have got hurt much other than being... sore..."

She noticed Alan sitting on the chair in casual clothes with a young master's charming vibe instead of a President's domineering aura.

Amelia and Rowan were waiting for her to continue thinking she must have got hurt.

Alan sipped his coffee waiting with them. Aria sat down on different single-seater and her tone went back to normal from her childlike tone.

"... I didn't fall on the ground. Young master Morgan caught me on time."

Amelia and Rowan were shocked. They looked at their son who had no expression. They turned back to Aria, "Arrie! You informed him that you were avenging then when did he come? And how did he reach near you on time?"

Aria pursed her lips as she shook her head lightly. She didn't get an answer when she asked.

The duo eyed Alan but the latter behaved like he had no idea about what they were talking.

Both looked at each other and pulled Aria next to them. Amelia started whispering, "He treats you better now, isn't it?"

Aria was confused but she still hummed, "Yes Aunty."

Amelia continued, "He helped you and brought you home."

Aria glanced at Rowan before humming. Amelia was grinning looking at Rowan.

Alan wasn't sure what was cooking between three but he didn't hear anything other than seeing happy faces of his parents and confused expression on Aria.

Rowan coughed light before trying to ask in a low voice, "Does he listen to whatever you say instead of walking away?"

Aria again hummed, "Uncle Why..."

She was cut in by Amelia, "Arrie! Help Aunty and Uncle to convince Alan for dating."

Aria: "..."

Amelia didn't give her time to react. She kissed her head and got up with Rowan. The latter spoke, "Alan! Aria has something to say to you."

Aria: "..."

Alan glanced at his father and looked at Aria in curiosity. He somehow knew she didn't want to talk instead his parents didn't dare to bring up some matter by themselves and asking Aria to speak for them as they understood he was treating Aria well.

Aria looked at the departing figures who were almost running instead of walking gracefully.

She turned to Alan who was looking at her. She forced a smile at him and took a cookie to her hand. She started taking tiny bites thinking whether she should drop the topic and run away or help Rowan and Amelia.

Alan saw her nibbling looking blankly at the coffee table. After a few seconds, he called her gently, "Aria!"

Even though he sounded soft, Aria dropped her cookie and was extremely clumsy cleaning her school skort until she regained her composure and coughed lightly.

Alan looked at her in amusement, "Are you so scared of me?" To his shock, he heard her hum.

Alan: ⨀_⨀