Sleep with me
The sun went down and the moon slowly covered the dark sky with its bright light.
Ria slowly opened her eyes and everything was a blur. Blinking her eyes, she tried to get up and felt someone supporting her.
The vision got clearer and saw him sitting right beside her.
"You okay?" Alex questioned with concern all over his face.
"I am fine." She whispered her throat still dry and itchy.
"Here, have some water." Kelly helped her to drink water and patted her head.
"You really freaked me out." Kelly pouted sitting on the other side of the bed.
Clinging to her hand, Ria sighed.
"I am gonna inform Andrew sir and Alison Ma'am. They are worried about you."
Giving a light kiss on her forehead, Alex walked out.
"He was here all through the day."
Ria nodded with a smile. She was still feeling weak.
"Doctor said it was because of fatigue and your stunt of staying underwater throughout."
Her Momma-Bear started nagging out.
Ria chuckled and nodded.
"Here, your phone was buzzing from the morning."
Taking out her phone, Ria frowned.
"The eagle felt its castle. It's time to rule and start taming the growing bacon."
The same message was sent nearly 50 times.
"What does that mean?" Kelly frowned.
"Let's not talk about it. My life is riskier than you can imagine so it's better I keep you away."
"To protect me?" Kelly was not dumb the way Ria would always act.
She knew her background was dangerous so she had always respected her privacy.
Ria nodded with a sigh.
"Ok, tell me what does that mean?" Kelly knew something was wrong.
"I need to go back."
"What?"
"Enemy as been killed. It's time to go back and fight for the throne."
"I cannot understand your messy words." Kelly pouted to which Ria sighed.
"Kelly, this will be my last day on the show. Since you are the only one I can trust, I am leaving this piece of information."
Kelly was dumbfounded, tears started welling up in her eyes.
Yes, it has been a month and she was totally attached to Ria like a sister. She never had a younger sister and Ria had filled that emptiness in just one month.
"Argh, now don't cry. It's not like I am dying. We will, of course, meet after the show."
Hugging get tightly, Kelly said,
"Bu But I know, we can only meet if you decide to enter city B."
Ria sighed. Yes, that was right. She would never dare to endanger her life just to see her.
"Kelly, I don't know how to explain this situation."
Pulling back, Kelly wiped out her tears.
"I understand. Even though it as been a short span, you have been like my younger sister and I would miss you."
"Me too." Hugging her tightly, Ria sighed.
"You need to inform him. At least he deserves to know." Kelly looked into her eyes.
Ria sighed deeply.
"What should I tell him?"
"Ditching you for my selfish needs?" Ria looked at her.
"Girl, but what about your budding feelings."
"You know I cannot put his life in danger."
"And you clearly know he isn't from any normal family. If he was then I don't think Isla would brag about their childhood crush."
"But still, "
Kelly understood her disrupts.
"I am not forcing you to share. Just think about it. If you feel you need to then go on or else it's completely ok."
Ria nodded to her words. Patting her shoulder, Kelly continued,
"If your connection was really strong then I am sure your destiny would be one in the end."
Ria sighed deeply.
"Now Now, I am leaving you. Spend the rest of the time with him." She got down the bed and Ria held her hand.
"Thank you for always understanding me."
Kelly smiled and hugging her one last time left the place.
...
"Here, " Feeding her the last spoon of soup, Alex smiled.
She was actually quite obedient today.
Except for grumbling to eat the salad, she ate everything else unusual than the past days.
"Seems like you are too obedient today."
Sticking out her tongue, she sulked.
Every day the group of four used to have dinner together and every single day Ria always grumbled and ignored eating green dishes and Alex made sure every single day that she ate at least one green dish.
But today Kevin and Kelly gave the couple some privacy.
Placing the tray aside, he passed her the meds and with a pout, she gulped them down.
"Yuckkkk." Drinking a glass of water, she pouted.
"Now sleep." Covering her with the thick quilt, he kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
Holding his hand, she looked at him.
"Sleep with me."
He widened his eyes in confusion. They haven't shared a kiss till now and she was,
"Shameless idiot, I didn't mean that. Just hug me to sleep." She cleared his muddled thoughts.
"Always be clear with your words." Walking towards the other side of the bed, he crawled up and sat beside her.
Pulling her into his embrace, he adjusted the covers.
It was the first time they were sharing a bed but Ria still didn't felt weird.
It has been a month exactly she had started living with him and he was more like her warmer in this cold weather.
Whether it be his light kisses or tight hugs, they would always make her feel secure.
Hugging his waist and placing her head on his shoulder, she sighed.
"What's wrong?" Holding both of her hands, he started rubbing them.
It was cold extremely cold and she was ignorant to at least wear a sweater.
"I don't know." Snuggling on his embrace, she mumbled.
Silence prevailed as he continued to rub her hands until they were warm.
"Ian." Tightening her hug, she mumbled.
"Hmm?"
"Will we ever meet in the outside world?"
Surprised by her sudden question, he looked at her.
"Nothing. We will get too busy with tasks and later on we would be never able to talk so, "
"Of course we will. Why? You don't wanna meet me?" Caressing her cheek with his thumb, he questioned.
"No No. I would love to but my life is too messy and I never know when I would free myself from this hustle."
"Let's think about it later on. We still have a month and let's enjoy this time."
She reluctantly nodded.
"What if we get into a fight and never like to see each other."
"I would come and coax you."
She smiled and pecked his cheek.
"And what if I ditch you and run with some other guy?"
Shaking his head, he mumbled,
"Not possible. Even if you, the guy will break up in a month."
"Why?" Ria asked curiously.
"Because except me none can coax this little vixen."
He let a small chuckle and everyone smiled.
"You dare." Smacking his hand, she hugged him tightly.
"What if,?"
"Shhhhh." Looking into her eyes, he said,
"Whatever it is, I will try my best to meet you outside. So, stop thinking and just sleep."
Her heart fluttered, looking at his eyes, she said,
"I promise to meet you outside. We will take this forward."
With a smile, Alex kissed her forehead.
Time flew and they both went into a deep slumber.
...
Midnight.
Freeing herself from his hug, Ria sighed.
Taking out a paper and a pen, she started writing something.
Placing the paper on the nightstand, she sat beside him.
Kissing his forehead, Ria sighed deeply.
Pecking his lips for the first time ever, she looked at him one last time and left the place.
That was a goodbye kiss. The first and last kiss from her.
...
The show was forwarded to the next day.
"We have bad news actually." Alison sighed,
"Ria as quit the show."
Everyone gasped and small whispers echoed around.
"She visited us and explained. We never wanted this but we need to respect her decisions and privacy."
"Can I know the reason?" One of the guys questioned.
Shaking her head, Alsion answered,
"Sorry, we cannot reveal that. As Andrew said, we need to respect her privacy."
"She as a goodbye message for you all."
Every contestant turned towards the small TV screen.
"Hello everyone. I know I know you guys have tons of questions but sorry I cannot answer them. I really enjoyed this one month stay. I never thought I would meet such beautiful people and I am glad I met you. From here we would be strangers again and I hope guys have a bright future ahead. Special mentions, Kelly for always sticking to me like glue. Kevin for being huge support throughout the journey and my favourite couple, Andrew and Alsion for being my massive strength. And as per rules I need to transfer these badges to someone else and I would give these to Isla."
Everyone gasped in surprise.
"The only reason is to compensate for the bullies and tortures I tormented her with. I reacted because of your actions but I still wanna give this and cut all my ties with you. Just one wish, please never cross my path again. And And And, Kevin and Kelly I want you guys to win the show. Lots of love to you all."
And the video ended and everyone was extremely curious why she didn't mention Alex.
"Ok, it's the end." Ian blurted out and walking towards Noah he snatched the remote and turned screen went blank.
"But it still, " Noah shut his mouth at Ian's fierce glare.
"Dad, it's seven already and you need to rest. "
Felix nodded with a sigh.
"These things will never be discussed. Not in front of Mia or Isla." He looked at Kiara and Noah who nodded.
Mia walked out in confusion about his sudden abrupt.
She was sure the recording was still long but shook off her thoughts and helped Felix out.