9 You have such a beautiful smile

Alan nodded at the housekeeper and went to check other rooms. He entered the Aerial Hammock activity room and he saw a big picture where she was hanging reverse as she held her father's hand smiling at him.

He wanted to ask more about Aria cooper to the housekeeper but he had no time hence he left for the Cooper mansion which was vacant for many years. It was out of the city vicinity and the guard informed him that Aria didn't go there for months.

They checked all the major places with another group searching in the city but it wasn't fruitful.

While he was returning to the city, he got a call from the home teacher Emma, "Yes?"

"President Morgan! Teachers who were in the office room when Arrie met Mr.Bell told me that he kept accusing her and looked down on Arrie's parents hence she defended and gave him advice which made Mr.Bell work up and he... he hit her. Arrie hit him back before leaving the office. Mr.Bell… He… He had told Arrie to get her parents if she wants to attend school even though he knew she doesn't have parents anymore."

Alan's clutch on mobile increased greatly until his palm turned red. He took a deep breath, "Thank you, Ms. Hudson."

He hung up and immediately his mobile rang showing his brother's name. He answered to hear, "Brother Alan! We checked all the places where she used to go and eat or hang out. We didn't find her. She didn't come home too. Did you get her?"

Alan calmly replied, "I know where she is. I will get her." He hung up the call and instructed his assistant Nathan. "Drive to the Cemetery."

"Roger that!" The assistant replied and sped off on the ring road towards the destination.

Alan still didn't get an answer to why he was so worried about Aria Cooper.

But he was sure he wasn't doing out of pity. He knew if it was a pity, he wouldn't want to know about her more. He wouldn't have the urge to protect her. He wouldn't want to stand by her.

When the car stopped, he bolted out holding a water bottle as he instructed, "Ask the security about Arrie."

He paused suddenly remembering how he addressed Aria Cooper. 'Is it because I kept hearing that nickname?'

He shook his head and climbed the hill faster.

After five minutes he reached and saw towards the tombs of Emily Parker and Oliver Cooper but he didn't see anybody sitting or standing there.

His pace naturally lowered and changed to slow steps thinking where she could go.

When his eyes fell on the slender fair leg under dim light between two tombs, he ran swiftly to see Aria weakly laying on the ground.

He could see dried blood near her lips, four-finger imprints were obvious on her left swollen cheek, tears stain didn't make her look ugly either.

He sat down and pulled her on his lap before cleaning her right cheek which was on the ground and dried blood.

He wanted to reproach her for not being afraid of walking alone in such places and laying there weakly but he couldn't get to do any of those.

He sprinkled water on her face to wake her up. She moved her head lightly as she slowly opened her eyes saying, "Dad!"

Her voice was very hoarse and low which Alan heard in the deathly silent cemetery. He didn't react to it and understood how much she was missing her father.

Aria realized she had fainted, Alan woke her not her father and she had a dream. She sat up lowering her gaze. She wanted to apologize, "I'm so…"

Alan held the water bottle to her lips and made her drink without letting her talk. Aria drank and stopped by moving her head away. Alan accurately threw the bottle to the dustbin and helped her to get up.

"Pres…" She tried again to speak but Alan removed his blazer and covered her making her look at her shoulders. Before she could again react, he briskly scooped her and started walking towards the foot of the mountain.

Alan knew Aria had walked a long way and she was weak.

Aria clenched her fist tight looking at Alan's side profile. She couldn't read anything looking at him. She didn't tell anything or inform anybody before going there hence she knew she made everyone panic.

"President Morgan, I can walk." Her voice was meek.

Alan furrowed his brows hearing 'President Morgan'. He didn't respond, he didn't see her face and he didn't leave her either.

Aria sensed the air around him changing very cold. She bit her lip, "I'm sorry President Morgan for troubling you."

Alan again ignored whatever she said. She became quiet and didn't talk anymore.

He was relieved thinking that she at least started to talk but he didn't like how she addressed him.

After making her sit in the back seat, he sat on another side before Nathan drove them to the Morgan family mansion in complete silence.

As soon as Aria alighted from the car, Noah checked on her if she was hurt and wrapped his hands around her, "Arrie, you scared us."

Alan gritted his teeth seeing Noah hugging her.

Rian pulled Noah back by the collar, "Little Devil, how dare you leave me and beat that teacher alone?"

Alan held Aria's small wrist and took her inside ignoring the other two outside. Aria had to jog behind Alan who was taking quick long strides.

Alan had heard Aria's stomach grumble many times in the car. He pulled a chair for her to sit before he sat down.

Rian glared at two as he sat down for dinner. He couldn't understand why Alan was fuming and he didn't like the marks on Aria's cheek.

Noah reported to Eva before he sat next to Aria and served her plate. He would occasionally keep her favorite foods in her bowl. It was his habit whenever he had food with her which was common to Rian but Alan's face was turning darker.

Noah and Rian kept chattering throughout the dinner trying to make Aria smile and at last, they saw Aria faintly smile when Rian was saying vividly how he would break each bone of Teacher Bell's hands.

"Hey, Little Devil! That smile wasn't enough. You are such a niggard." Rian snorted.

Noah was already happy that there was a smile.

The housekeeper who saw it commented, "Young miss, you have such a beautiful smile. You should be happy like before."

Aria nodded in response. She was trying for a very long time but she couldn't make it.