Chapter 17: A Meaningful Kiss

N A O M I

"It hurts," I stated, trying to stop my tears from falling. The girls quickly hugged me and I let my tears fall in front of them. I'm lucky to have them. Without them, I might have gone insane because of all the pain.

After a while, I have calmed down and they sat back to the sofa. The boys all have worry all over their faces that it made me laugh. Their looks changed from worried to confused in an instant.

"You all look weird," I said after calming down.

"You made us worry, you know," Kyousuke said, making me look at him with a confused look. "What?" He asked.

"Why would you worry? We are not that close though. And why are you all even here?" I asked, very confused.

"Aren't we friends?" Chase asked, worry and fear in his eyes. What's with him?

"I don't know. I only have these four girls as my friends and I never had anyone else. I don't even know you guys that much," I said, looking away.

Alexa moved, making me look her way only to meet beautiful ocean blue eyes. "Ares," I breathed. His eyes looked at me, as if he can see through me. It made me feel naked.

"Naomi, do you trust us? Do you trust me?" He asked. I can see sadness in those blue eyes that it makes me want to hug him. What's going on with me? I can feel this irresistible pull towards him and those eyes bore into me, forcing me to speak.

"I trust you, Ares. I mean I trust all of you, I guess," I stated, then averted my gaze away from him. I might end up hugging him or worse, kissing him.

"Thank you." He whispered. I can feel his warm breath on my neck, making me blush.

He then stood up and the room was filled with squeals. I glared at the girls and they only laughed. After their laughter died down, I looked at them dead serious.

"What do we do now? Now that we confirmed that you're not their biological daughter, should we figure out who your parents are?" Apollo asked.

"We have so many problems right now, but that is my least priority. Focus on investigating the fire, and find every evidence we can use against Du Ho and Hyuna, so we can punish them accordingly," I stated, looking at them one by one. They all nodded in agreement. "I'll go to the pool area. You can all sleep on the guest rooms, there are ten here so one for each." I said, then went to the north corridor and entered the pool area. I went to the changing room and wore my black swimsuit.

I went to the bar first and took a wine and a wine glass then went back to pool. I sat on the edge of the pool and opened the wine. I stared at my legs that is under the water as I drink wine. "Who am I?" I asked myself, a tear escaping my eye.

"You're Naomi." I heard a familiar voice from behind. Ares. I felt him sit beside me then he wiped the tear from my face, making me look at him.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm worried about you. Can I join you?" He replied as I drank all the remaining wine from my glass.

"Sure, I guess." He then poured wine on our glasses. I guess he took one before coming here.

"Cheers?" He asked, offering a toast and I accepted it, making our bottles clink.

"Hey, Ares?" I asked after drinking half of the wine.

"What is it?"

"What do you mean earlier?"

"What earlier?"

"When you said that I am Naomi."

"I meant what I said."

His answer made me stare at him as he looked at the water. "What do you know about me, Ares?" I asked, confusion all over my face.

"You're a woman with astonishing beauty. A very selfless and responsible person. You have no fear other than losing those who are dear to you. You treat others accordingly. You can be kind as an angel and cruel as a demon. You're very understanding and forgiving. You're Naomi Shiba," He said as he looked at me straight in the eyes. All I see is honesty, yet I can't believe a word he said.

"I'm not one of those." I said then jumped to the water. I let myself float as I stare at the ceiling. Everything he said is just a lie. A comforting lie.

"You might be thinking that I'm lying but I meant every word I said." I heard him say, making me lose my calm. My mind was in chaos and I can't think straight. I was lost in thoughts that I even forgot how to swim.

I wanna ask for help, but no voice was coming out of my mouth. I was slowly sinking when I heard a splash and I saw Ares swimming towards me. He pulled me out of the water and we sat on the floor.

"What the hell are you doing?!" He almost shouted at me, making me stand up.

"Why do you have to say words like that-!" I wasn't able to finish what I'm saying when he suddenly stood up and his beautiful strong build was right in front of my face. His abs were perfectly beautiful. From his wet hair down to his perfectly shaped abs. How can a man be sinfully beautiful?!

He then took my hand and puts it on his chest. Fuck, what is he doing?

"If you like it that much, just say it. I'll let you touch it anywhere, anytime. I am all yours, my queen," He said in a low, husky voice. And now my heart is beating very fast. This guy, why do you always have to ruin my system?

"Ares, I think you have mistaken me for someone else. I'm nothing near to those words you said earlier," I stated in a serious tone, looking away from him.

"Naomi, look at me," He said and I just kept my gaze away from him. He then cupped my face and forced me to face him. "Trust me, Naomi. I know you have no confidence in yourself, but trust that my words are true. I meant each word I say," He said with clear sincerity.

"I want to believe you, but I can't. It just feels untrue...it's not me. I'm not that woman--" My words got cut off when I felt his warm soft lips on mine. He kissed me. My heart beats rapidly and I'm afraid he might even hear it. As if on instinct, I quickly pushed him and he fell on the water. I stormed out of the place and went back to my bedroom. I was panting too much and I can feel the warmth on my cheeks.

The fact that I enjoyed that kiss, left me breathless. And I seriously can't breathe.