Chapter 21

Tian took Taria outside, then he asked her to close her eyes, and walked her a little. She felt the cold lake water under her feet, and Tian's warm hands surrounding her waist and holding her hand, she could also feel the sun hugging her face, making her at ease. Tian was talking with her with an exited voice, then he walked behind her and untied the silk ribbon that was closing her eyes.

Taria opened her eyes slowly to see a pavilion in the lake, with cakes and other desserts on a table inside it. Her mouth opened, her eyes got filled with stars, and she started running towards the pavilion. When she reached it, her pants were wet to her knees, but it didn't bother her even though she is a person who hates getting wet. She looked at all the colorful desserts that made her saliva flow, then she took a bite of a peach tart that was so good to the point she closed her eyes to let herself drown in its delicious taste.

Tian followed her, and he smiled unconsciously after seeing how happy she was. He felt his sun rise every time he saw her smile, hugging his cold heart warmly, and breaking the icy chains that surrounded his soul.

"Do you like it?" Tian said

"YAAAAAH, IT'S SO GOOD", Taria said, then she took another piece of the tart and fed it to Tian who ate it without blinking even though he was allergic to peaches. He knew that eating that would keep him awake due to pain at night, but he ate it with pleasure after seeing Taria's lively smile.

After that, Tian and Taria sat down. She was drinking tea and eating cakes joyfully, while he was drinking his bitter coffee from a tea cup so she won't feel that their tastes are different

"So, what is the purpose of this party?" Taria said, then Tian put the cup on his hand aside, calmly as if he was waiting for this question

"The man you saw yesterday, is one of the four mafia leaders. He killed more people than anyone could count, and he was the cause of so many other people getting broke and even suiciding. We were trying to catch him for many months now, and we couldn't postpone his death until you were back home. Sorry, for what you had to see", Tian said as if he memorized this speech before saying it.

Taria's lips started moving upwards unconsciously, uncovering a smile she was trying to hide as the topic of the conversation was serious. She took a sip of her tea to calm down, then she put it aside and looked at Tian seriously

"You don't have to apologize. I knew what you had to do that, and I already chose to stay with you. If you were afraid that I would regret this decision, then (don't worry, regretting is something that I don't do). Tian, being with you means happiness to me, that's why I will never leave, not after I found the happiness I was looking for for years", Taria said with a warm smile

"So cute. Hello, little kid, are you good now?" Ve said while patting Taria's head as he usually does

"Hi, brother Ve. Yes I'm good now", Taria said

"Who invited you?" Tian said coldly

"I did. You told me about your family, but I still know little about you, that's why I asked Ve to come so I would ask him", Taria said, and Tian started coughing.

"Brother Ve, what was Tian like as a child?" Taria asked while looking at Ve

"That brat was so lovely and cute as a kid, he used to hug me whenever he saw me, and he would cry almost everyday for no reason", Ve said, then Tian tried to change the subject but both Taria and Ve ignored him

"After our parents died, he became cold and sharp just like he is now", Ve said

"Sorry to hear that, but I think that cute side is still inside him", Taria said

"I don't think so. You have never seen his devilish side, have you? This man you called cute just now can defeat twenty men all at once if they got on the devil nerve he has", Ve said while drinking his coffee

"Ve, you are not helping at all", Tian said while covering his eyes with his hand

"I'm helping her, you are not someone I would help", Ve said

"Tian, is it true? Do you really have a devilish nerve", Taria said while her eyes got wider

"Taria, I.. Well, yes I do. If someone got on that nerve I would turn into a strong body without a mind, and it's not something I'm proud of", Tian said

"Well, it's ok as long as I don't get on that nerve", Taria said

"Of course you won't. I can't get angry at you no matter what you do", Tian said

"Hehe yeah, this is the cute side I was talking about, here, open your mouth", Taria said while holding another cake that also had peaches, and Tian ate it with a smile just as he did before, then he looked at Ve who was giving him a sharp look, however, Tian nodded his head to make sure Ve won't say anything.

"I have another question, brother Ve and Tian, what is your relationship like? I mean, I know that you fight a lot, but you can't live without each other, right?" Taria said, and both Tian and Ve spitted what they were drinking

"Cough cough, well, Ve is more like a parent for me. He is overprotective to the point he ordered the maids to keep an eye on me, that's why I moved the day I turned 18", Tian said

"I was worried that you would do something stupid. Tian was a crazy teenager. He would always shout at the maids and he would break anything on his way when he is angry which would put him in danger, he even wounded his hand badly last night because of that habit", Ve said.

Taria felt heavy as she didn't even realize that Tian was hurt. She held his hand and saw that it was badly wounded, then she looked at him while he was trying to persuade her that he was fine, and her eyes got teary, but she kept a brave look in them.

"Stay here, sniff, I would treat your wound", Taria said, then she got up and headed towards the house to bring the first aid kit.

Meanwhile, Ve looked at Tian that was confused and concerned, not knowing what he should do to keep his younger brother safe from the love flames he buried himself in

"Why did you tell her about my hand? I've been trying all day to keep it covered so she won't realize it, she must be crying now", Tian said madly, but Ve's concerned look didn't change

"You got weak, Tian", Ve said

"... I know, but I already reached a point with no turn backs", Tian said calmly

"She is your weakness now, you need to get stronger to keep you both safe", Ve said after patting Tian's shoulder while getting away, then he gave him some medicine pills to ease the pain that was waiting for him.