Chapter—14[ Keeper]

'She is Mean When She Cares'

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'Why is it taking her so long?TAP.

Did she even find the restroom? TAP.

Tsk! TAP.

I should have gone with her. TAP.

Why didn't she ask me to?TAP.

Stupid nerd!' 

Those were the thoughts that resist Ariana to enjoy her food as her dedicated fingers taped onto the furnished table. Still, her eyes were on her unfinished salad then again on the way just to make sure Seyong is back. After All, it's just a restroom, it's not like she would get lost! 

'Hm, what if she gets lost ?' 

Both Lucy and Ariana watch the manners only to find some couples and other customers. 'Okay, that's enough I will just check by myself where she is ' The notion to go inside and look where Seyong is couldn't be hindered. 

Before Lucy could excuse herself and look for her friend. Ariana places her hand over Lucy, almost ensuring. 'It's fine I go and check '. Lucy didn't say anything, only nodded slightly and talked with Danny.

Ariana wandered around the hall twice but nothing. She strode out of the corridor and towards the women's restroom. But no. 

Inpatient? She was.

Angry? No. 

Worried? She is.

It's proven 'Chao Seyong is Lost!' 

'Fuck!' Swearing under her breath steps strides hurriedly to the other left she saw an empty hall there was only a couple at least they looked like a couple. She chooses to ignore it and  walks ahead 

But something stops her. "N-n..no" a whimper 

"Why I will help you chéri " A strong masculine voice made her brows furrow   

Taking her steps back a feeling rushed through her vein the very first moment her eyes laid on Seyong. Clenching her hands, her gaze shifts to the blond-haired man.

A  flame emotion provoked her stomach. The thoughts of ripping those hands away from the younger, making them know how to behave were taking hold of her senses. 

Those Hands will Pay.

"I Think She Said No. Didn't  She?" 

Her evident, smooth demanding voice cuts the air like a sharpened blade. Her calm tone holds the power to compel someone to obey her command. Too calmer than usual  

Seyong turns her head slowly. eyes greet those alter dearth of subduing hazel ones. those are amassing a conflict within themselves, only allotting the silence before the hurricane.

The Queen Bee is not happy.

The man has borrowed back his hands, tackling a few steps away from the younger. Seyong stand free

The hall was quiet; only the thuds of Ariana's boots could be heard as she walked toward them. The air was getting more intense as she got closer. 

When she reached the younger one, stood in front of her. Forging a boundary thwarting the man to peer at Seyong again, eyes never leave those green emerald orbs 

There was something Ariana could feel from this man; he is not even endeavoring to suppress it. Craving. A Hunger that wants to ravish every single piece of Seyong's innocence. And she doesn't like it. It's not happening, not on her Watch! 

"Vous êtes son amie?" The man asked starting at Ariana who is unbothered by those piercing eyes 

"Yes, Mr-

" Antoine, " The blond man introduced himself, extending his hands. " I'm the Manager. " He smirked 

At a steady pace, Ariana stared at him. "Get Out." She didn't raise her voice, it could be heeded throughout the empty hall. Her words were fatal, still ringing with an authority that tempt to defy in their proper sense 

The Man, Antoine smiled smuggling "Of course " 

As the man left, Ariana breathed in the air to calm herself.  The warmth amassed from the younger is behind her. "Come, " she cooed a firm cold voice setting back in mellowing one.

The walk was short and quite too soothing than rational.    

Inside the empty restroom, Seyong cleans her small cut in the sink, the blood dried now. She finds Ariana staring at her with the use of the polished mirror  

"Are You That Stupid? " The elder shrieked eyes firing daggers, she brought her step close to the Younger.  " Perhaps you like being towed. " irritation

Seyong starred in the mirror at Ariana's reflection, baffled by the abrupt wrath.  " m—

"No, Keep That Mouth Shut!" 

She jolts from the manner, her lips quivering. Her father's phrases  

"Do you have any idea how much time I waste just to find you held by some piece of shit!". Eager 

Ariana let her arms fall over her sides as she glanced at, her head lowered Seyong. "And look at me when I fucking Talk!"

She wasn't angry, she was furious but not only with that man. But with Seyong at how weak she can be in front of others. "You have two hands, don't you? Two fucking working legs can't you just kick him. Perhaps Your boldness only works when you go around kissing people! " Anger assorted with a tint of taunting

She took two steps closer to Seyong holding her shoulder and she made her turn. Hooking the younger's chin with her thumb and pointer finger. "Why? You're like this?" She implements softly. 

The height difference merely makes Seyong look up, her eyes glistening with tears that were threatening to come out. Ariana's other hand rises to stroke the latter's cheeks. "Don't cry, "  she said suavely. Guilt   

 If the most complicated emotion Seyong ever witnessed,  it was the Queen Bee

One moment Ariana was scolding her, throwing her tantrums, and the next She was carefully wiping the dried blood off her cut with a small paper towel, dabbing it in the water. 

She could sense Ariana was being cautious about not causing any pain. The  tenderness of the Queen  Bee makes Seyong remember   the first time when Ariana Helped her: 

It Was the first week of Winter Christmas was around the corner, almost willing to knock on doors.  The loveliness of cold hasn't formed yet since the snowflakes didn't show up

However, Seyong's body was wrapped in her blue jumper over her uniform and tuque on her head to withstand the winter winds.

On a tumultuous afternoon, while the rest of the university classes are still held, some students are getting ready to go to their classes. There was  Seyong who just left her class and rushed to go home. Today her father instructed her that he will go out with Seyong to buy some winter clothes. 

Deterring the crowd, she began to walk down the stairs of the second floor. If she wants she can go through the other side of the building where the crowd is less. But she didn't dare to go there, not after the bumping incident with the goddess. 

The name is still mysterious but those almond eyes belong to divinity. Even if she is enchanted to greet by those eyes, fate hasn't been favorable to her. 

Sighing in sore she was about to take the last step but someone hit her shoulder causing her to 

stumble to the stairs and fall on her knees. She wanted to yelp at the sudden hit but sustain it. 

The other student did stop eyeing her still no one reached out to help 'Rich Kids'  

Biting her bottom lips she endures the pain as she gets up. Walking was a little painful as her knees were bleeding but she reach the main hall with fumble steps 

"You! Stop right there. " 

A pungent voice order. She stops, eyes peeking around to find if there is anyone else But to her disappointment, there was only Seyong. That means the order was for her  

With guts, she slowly turned, and fortunately, fate was promising because she was greeted by those almond eyes of the enchanting goddesses. 

There she was the unknown stranger She was wishing to see. putting over a grey turtleneck cotton sweater, that looks cozy. Dark brown hair flows down her waist, they look smooth and soft. 'Wish I could touch them ' She dreamed in her sanity how lovely it would feel to run her fingers and stroke them with fondness.  

She was wonder-struck at how beautiful someone can be. Along with the clicking sound of heels, the thumbing of her heart was increasing. If this is how it feels to like someone then. 'Seyong you are so deathly faIling   '    

"Are you that stupid?" Through mocking the goddess asked. Seyong didn't answer she was  amazed if the goddess is really in front of her  

"Hey?" The Goddess flicked her finger and sighed. " Stupid, " she muttered. Her almond hazel eyes gleam with curiosity as they look down at Seyong's knees. "Your bleeding goes to the nurse's office. You can't just work around being bloody Mary" 

Bloody mary? Seyong wanted to smile at the remark. only nodded her head and began walking away from the goddess even though she liked to stay there maybe forever only hearing every remark the Goddess will say to her. 

But she can't, she has to go home 

Taking one step further, with a painful whimper her knees trembled, closing her eyes she prepares herself to collapse on the floor. Though a firm grip fastens her arm preventing any harm 

"You can't walk like that. I will take you there. " the goddess stated something laced with her tone of worries. Arms wrapped around Seyong's shoulders. The comfort of breathing in the expensive yet delightful aroma lends her a sense of defense.  

The brush-off winds become more welcomed. Her heart is already betrayed making her feel sensations that she knew existed, and now it obeyed the goddess's steps. 

When they reached the nurse's office there was no one. The head nurse was out. 

The goddess ordered Seyong to sit down on the nearest seat. Her eyes watched the goddess who was looking around rashly trying to find something. 

For a second Seyong felt bad because of her, the goddess was in this situation. She wanted to say to the goddess 

'It's fine you don't have to stay, I can manage. Thank you. I'm Seyong the girl who bumped into you. I'm sorry for being careless that day.  Do you want to be my friend?' 

Friend...

There are so many things she wanted to be for this stranger. But she would be happy if she can be a friend too 

A wail flew from her lips  being mired in  thoughts  she didn't realize the goddess was treating her injury, lifting her skirt to an appropriate length only to see her knees  

" Does it hurt?" The goddess implores halting her action 

Seyong looked at the goddess. She wanted to say No! She can take this pain. But her eyes divulge her anguish   

The Goddess didn't say anything but touches became more careful, and gentle which made Seyong's nerves calm. Hot breath blows on her knees as the goddess gingerly puts on some antibiotics.  

After the goddess finished, she warned Seyong in a scolding tone. "Be more careful. Or next time I won't come to save you, " Her dark brown hair  flourish in the light wind escaping the windows behind her 

Seyong wanted to say 'Thank you, for your help. 'but before she could take her mask off to utter those words 

The goddess had already departed from the Nurse's office, unfortunately. 

she sighed and looked down at her knees. The kindness of the Goddess makes her feel an emotion of being  'secure'. An emotion that she hasn't remembered the last time when she felt it and somehow it erased her pain.  

Only if that day The Queen Bee stopped for a few more seconds would she see the Girl she helped. The girl she was pitying for her situation was none other than Seyong. Who was a witness of Ariana's keeper Self 

"Chao Seyong?" No answer 

"Yahh! Chao Seyong!" Seyong jerked off from her memories as Ariana's voice screeched through the bare walls of the restroom. She looks at the Queen Bee who was beyond disgruntled 

"Did you hear what I said?" The Queen Bee demanded an answer which is followed by silence. Seyong shook her head 

Clicking her tongue Ariana wanted to slam her head against the wall. She just wasted her twenty minutes lecturing the younger, who was just zoned out. 'Great! Again ruin my precious time!' 

"I was saying if next time any man behaves like a jerk to you. Don't just stand there. If you give them, the slightest chance to see  you're weak they will eat you alive "

Her tone was sharp almost making Seyong feel like a child getting scolded by her favorite teacher  for bad behavior in class

"Now did you hear?" 

Again No answer 

'What the! Am I talking about sculpture?' 

"Say something!" 

"y-You s-said n-not to talk." Seyong's voice  stumble

Ariana mentally facepalms herself. this nerd! 

'Calm down Ari. Breath in. Breath out. Breath in. Breath out '

"Okay. I permitted you to  talk so what will you say?"

"It won't happen again" 

Ariana smirked" If it happened again you will be the one in trouble" 

Once outside  Ariana brought out her phone and made a call. "You know what to do. Make sure to make it painful and one more thing Papa doesn't need to know anything, " Her firm tone order the other individual 

"It will be done, Miss, "An assuring voice said   

Ending the call she got inside her car Jo was already settling on the co-driver. Ariana looked beside her and behind. " Why didn't you guys go with Yeri again?" 

Danny put on her seat belt. " Cause Hwang was driving I'm not risking my life  "

"Neither we!" 

Sighing heavily Ariana started the engine adjusting the rearview mirror she found Danny resting her head on Seo's shoulder. Seo looks outside, extending her hand a little. Her friends are tired. Maybe this whole morning rush was too much. At least due to this, they didn't ask any questions to Ariana, and she was thankful.

"Ari?" Jo calls her name. Guess not everyone is resting 

"Yes Jo, " she answers relaxed tone 

" That man, did he do something?" 

'Man'? 

Right, that man is the manager. What was his name again,  Antoine? Ariana realized she was glaring at the manager before leaving the restaurant maybe Jo saw it 

"He did" 

"What?" Curious self Jo couldn't help but inquire

" He forgets his place " 

Jo looked at Ariana still confused but didn't ask further. 

Later on, as the night fondles the Wang Kin Mansion, the servants leave for their quarters saying good night to the young Miss Kin of the estate.

Ariana finished talking to her parents and her cousin who will soon arrive at Calsodonia. Since her uncle wanted to find a perfect girl for his son. And her parents would be home too, maybe in three weeks. Until then she is all by herself. 

Her mother didn't forget to remind her about her session tomorrow even though she dont like those psychological therapies and still has to deal with them at the end of every month. " Don't worry Omma I remember," she said while strolling on her balcony taking a view of the yard 

"You take your medicine. Right Honey?" Her Mother's  concerned voice asked  

Ariana sighed at those medicine pills. She hates it 

"I did" 

Untruth She didn't take her medicine but she will today  or tomorrow she will be get questioned 

"That's very good honey. Now go to sleep Sweetie don't stay awake "   

She laughed. " Omma Good Night and say night to Papa too". Her words earned a soft giggle from her Mother and a ' Love You to my Princess ' from her father 

Ending her call she walked toward her cupboard, took out some medicine she gave them a long look 'Just one Ari' 

The ringing of her phone impelled her to frown. It wasn't her parents. Her lips tugged upwards 

"Did you finish it?" 

"Yes Miss"

Ariana couldn't help but Smirk. "Send it to me, Now. " as soon as her voice demanded without any delay A notification popped on her screen 

Her face lit up 'Maybe no need for medicine today, 'throwing the pills on the trashcan harshly she plopped on her comfy king-size bed and turn on the audio placing the phone on the side table   

Shuffling voices resonate in her room.  Strangely breathing whimpers in her ears. Closing her eyes, her ears linger to listen to something more than just whimpers. Something that she yearns 

"Aaahh!" 

And there it was a deep-throaty masculine cry shooting out of its cage 

A pleasing smile leaped on her lips knowing who this voice belonged to and the way it cried out, it was craving, a craving to be free. The way it endeared with pleads. Someone is quickening in his suffering 

Someone whose voice  sounded like they regretted every sinful thought they think while staring at the younger in the restaurant 

"s'il vous plaît !" 

The last garish guttural outcry she heard before drafting into the most restful slumber she has in weeks.