This chapter is dedicated to an amazing person @DivergentFan99.
'For because there is always light after dark.'
-Unknown
As I ran down the stairs I couldn't help the smile forming on my lips. I remembered the last time we had kissed and it sent a tingle through my body.
I opened the door and froze. He looked absolutely dashing. He had a grey t-shirt on paired with black jeans and not to forget a brown leather jacket!
Thankfully he didn't see me gawk as he was leaning on the porch railing looking at his hands. I quickly composed myself and cleared my throat.
He turned and his eyes became wide open once he laid his eyes on me making me blush. He took his time to take in my appearance and I became slightly uncomfortable under his stare as his eyes moved slowly from my face to my feet and back up.
When he finally looked up he smirked his approval making me grin like a four year old. I made a mental note to thank my mom again.
"You look gorgeous." He moved towards me slightly breathless.
"You don't look so bad yourself." My heart beat was erratic by now. His breath was fanning my face and his eyes stared into mine. They flicked once to my lips making me breathless and he chuckled at my reaction.
Embarrassed I moved back to put a little distance between us. Being that near to him messed up my brain.
"Let's get going?" He asked offering his hand.
I nodded and took his hand.
Once we were inside the car my nerves started acting up again. And his calm composure caused me to start panicking. I squirmed in my seat and started to sweat profusely. He turned to look at me and became worried.
"What's wrong Aria? Are you alright? Do you want me to stop?"
I just shook my head afraid to speak. I usually start blabbering when I panic and I don't think that's a good idea right now.
"Aria. Look at me." Sean put his free hand on mine and I felt an immediate calming effect.
I looked up slowly and saw worry written all over his perfect face. His eyes reminded me of the ocean on a sunny day and I got lost in them. I didn't even realize that we had stopped till he put both his hands on mine making me look frantically at the road for approaching dangers.
"Hey. Tell me what's wrong?"
His question brought back my fears but not with the same intensity making it easier to talk.
"Nothing." I mumbled looking down at our hands.
"Aria.."
"Okay okay. It's just that I am worried."
"Worried about?"
His eyebrows were pulled together causing a deep crease to be formed in between. It looked beautiful.
"Um. What if yourparentsdon'tlikeme?" I couldn't speak slow.
"Pants don't lie me? Aria. Speak slowly."
"I said what if your parents don't like me?" I stressed on each word to make sure he got it all. When I was done he started laughing. I mean seriously?! How can he laugh when it felt like a life or death situation to me.
I looked at him with narrowed eyes waiting for him to stop laughing and he just kept laughing harder. Irritated I got out of the car and started walking.
Where was I walking I had no idea all I knew was I had to get away from that sexy idiot. Did I just say sexy idiot?! I need to get a check-up done!
I had barely walked three steps when a strong arm pulled me backwards and I crashed into him. My back was against his chest and I could feel the heat of his body radiating through the thin cloth. I raised my head to look at him staring down at me. My breath hitched when his arm started moving slowly up my arm. I could hear my own heartbeat and prayed he couldn't hear it.
He cupped my face and moved forward so that our noses were almost touching.
"They'll love you Aria. You have nothing to worry about."
And with that he crushed his lips on mine. I was taken aback by the intensity of it but soon found myself answering him with my own fire. When we pulled apart I moved so that we were facing each other now. I put my cold hand on his warm cheek and asked, "What was that for Sean?"
"It was my apology to you. I shouldn't have laughed but you looked so funny."
He started laughing again and I started walking. This time towards the car.
"Hey hey. I'm sorry. Won't do it again I promise."
I looked at him and smiled. He responded with one of his own. We settled back in the car and he started driving again.
We had stopped in front of his home or should I say mansion. It was very huge. Three storey and with its own lovely garden. I stepped outside and just stared at the enormous thing he called home.
"You like it?" Sean asked and when I turned around I saw that my answer really mattered to him.
"I love it. It's beautiful." He grinned at my answer.
"Then you'll love the inside too. Come on."
I was tugged along by him. He didn't even stop to ring the bell. He just opened the door and stepped inside with me in tow.
"Mom she's here."
He spoke loud enough for it to echo. He turned and smiled an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. It's easier this way."
"Yeah I can see that." I smiled back.
I looked at my surrounding and was amazed by its beauty. The flooring was mahogany and I had to bend down to touch it. And exactly like I thought it was smooth as silk. I was just about to go towards the french windows (yes french windows!) when I saw someone coming down the stairs-a beautiful woman dressed in a cream dress that came up to her knee. She looked barely 30 but her smile made me realize she was way older because it was Sean's smile. The same breathtaking smile.
She walked with elegance and respect which made me like her right away. She was woman with a mind of her own.
"Hello Aria. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
She smiled and pulled out her hand. Other than the wedding ring she had on a bracelet which was absolutely stunning. It had diamonds arranged in the form of a swan.
"Hello Mrs. Prescott. It's nice to meet you too. And this is for you. A small token from my mother."
I handed her the small packet my mom had given to me at the last minute. Yes I have manners. Basically my mom does but it means the same thing. His mom looked at me, then at Sean and back again. This time she smiled widely.
"Please call me Vanessa. Thank you and I see that Sean has got himself a stunner."
I looked around blushing deeply but Vanessa pulled me along with her.
"Come on. Let's go to the sitting room." She turned to Sean and said "Your dad is in the study he'll be joining us soon."
I looked back to see Sean smiling.
We went inside the sitting room which was more like a hall. It was huge and had paintings hanging on the walls and these paintings were not just some paintings but were beautiful paintings. There was one of the beach and it was so perfect that it made me want to visit a beach soon. And they suited the room almost like someone had painted it for that very room.
"I see you like my son's work." Vanessa was looking at me with amusement in her eyes.
"Your son's? You mean Sean painted this?"
I stared at him in awe and he blushed.
"Well I don't have any other son so yes Sean did it. He didn't tell you he paints?"
"No. He didn't."
I looked at him accusingly and Vanessa laughed.
"It's nothing. Just something I do when I am bored. Vanessa here thinks it's awesome while it actually is quite ordinary." He was looking everywhere but at me.
"Ordinary?!" I couldn't keep the surprise out of my voice making him look at me.
"It is beautiful Sean. It is quite the opposite of ordinary."
He looked at me for a while trying to figure out whether I was serious or not and when he was convinced I was serious he grinned.
"Thanks." He scratched the back of his neck blushing.
"Thank you Aria." Vanessa said.
"Why?" I was confused.
She gestured for me to sit down before continuing, "For making my son realize that he actually has talent. My words had no affect but I see yours do."
I sat down across her in a really comfortable sofa and kept looking at the rich flooring while answering, "You don't need to thank me."
As he neared me I looked at Vanessa and grinned, "I think he just needs a little feeding to his ego now and then."
Vanessa grinned back and Sean stopped right in his tracks. Anything to keep him at a distance. I really wanted to impress his parents and to do that I needed to have control over my senses and having Sean near me always made me do stupid things. I couldn't let that happen today.
"You have known her for barely 15 minutes and you have already ganged up with her against me?" Sean looked at me faking a horrified expression.
I just laughed and Vanessa joined in.
"She is smart Sean." Vanessa replied winking at me.
"Who is smart?" A tall handsome man in his late forties entered the room. He was wearing a violet shirt with black formal pants. Everything about him screamed authority but he had a mischievous hint in his eyes. He came to a halt right when he spotted me.
"Ah. And you must be Aria." He walked towards me making me get up. "Oh no. Don't you get up dear."
But I didn't sit. I approached him and held out my hand, "It is a pleasure to meet you Dr. Prescott."
He raised his eyebrows at his name. "I see you know about my profession." He shook my hand and gave it a small squeeze.
"Your son told me."
"Ah certainly he did." He walked towards Vanessa and sat down next to her. "You can sit down dear. No need for formalities."
I sat down and Sean sat down next to me. Great just great! Now I have to try so hard not to think about those beautiful eyes and his perfume that makes me feel weak in my knees and his strong but gentle hands.... Shit! Concentrate Aria!
"...and I was just telling Sean how he has got a smart girl this time. He shouldn't let her go." Vanessa looked at me like she was trying to read me.
I blushed and Sean cleared his throat.
"Mom.."
"Shut up Sean. Your mom is right. She is.." Mr Prescott tilted his head while looking at me and continued, "different. She is special."
Though Mr. Prescott was in his late forties his face was full of life. There were worry lines and wrinkles on his face but a profession like his does that. His eyes were young and full of energy. I guessed one could always hope for light-hearted conversations with him. His eyes were also blue but a shade deeper than Sean's. His nose and hair were the same as Sean's. You couldn't see the resemblance at a glance but a closer and careful look showed it.
Sean had pieces of both his mom and dad making him perfect. I looked at the three of them and saw the amount of love they had for each other. It made me a little sad seeing how I never had a father who loved me. I shook my head and scolded myself. No sad thoughts today. Enjoy the moment Aria!
"So what does your mom do Aria?" Sean's dad asked me.
"My mom? Well she runs a business. She makes and sells sculptures."
"And she is really good too." Sean added and I looked at him smiling. He was always so sweet.
"Really? I would love to see her work. I want a few for our house too. Sean's paintings are not that great also." Vanessa smirked.
"Hey! I am right here." Sean replied.
"So you agree that you are good huh?" I looked at him and I knew I had won.
"Damn. Fell right into it, didn't I?" He ran a hand through his tousled hair.
"Women are clever Sean. Get used to it." Mr Prescott was also grinning.
The rest of the evening was more or less the same. The Prescott's made me feel right at home and used every opportunity to tease us as much as they could.
We spoke a little about their jobs too. Vanessa had actually been a company executive and had recently left the job to have a little free time. Mr Prescott or George, how he insists to be called, is a cardiosurgeon and had always wanted to be one. He was content in his job and saw no reason to complain. In fact as he puts it 'What's the fun if there are no late night calls?'
Together the three are a perfect family. A family- how a single word can cause so much pain? I willed myself to not think about it and went through with the evening.
When the time came for me to leave I felt like I knew them since a long time. They almost felt like family.
"Oh hold on. I'll be right back. Don't leave." Vanessa rushed inside leaving us all at the door confused.
"What was that all about?" Sean asked and his dad just shrugged his shoulders and mouthed "Women."
I couldn't help but grin at that.
"Come over any time you feel like Aria. Don't worry about this idiot here. We would love to have you with us." He smacked Sean's back playfully but I could see the care and worry in his eyes.
I smiled and said, "Thanks Mr. Prescott. I surely will."
"George."
"Yeah thanks George."
"Better."
"I think no one likes Prescott here." I grinned.
"I certainly don't but it's a name I came with and I unfortunately I can't change it." He smirked back. "No wonder Vanessa stuck to her original last name."
"Oh. I didn't know that."
"Yeah she refuses to be called Mrs. Prescott and hence everyone thinks she is my girlfriend or something. She still is Vanessa Bailey."
When he spoke about her his eyes sparkled making me smile.
"Thank God you are still here." Vanessa came rushing back. She handed me something small. A box with a ribbon on it.
"I can't accept this Vanessa..."
I started but she cut me off.
"Shh. I ain't listening to all that. I am giving it to you 'cause I want to and you will take it."
She looked serious so I took it and George looked at me and mouthed "Women" again making me grin.
"You do realize she is a woman too right?" Vanessa asked.
"Not yet. And I love saying it." He smirked.
I laughed loving all of it.
"Thanks Vanessa. For everything. This gift and this wonderful evening. I had an amazing time."
"Hey give me also some credit." George looked at me.
"Of course George. You were the star of the evening. Thank you for having me." I replied making him smile.
"No need for thanks dear. You are our son's girlfriend. Makes you part of the family."
At her last sentence I couldn't help but look at Sean and saw that he was looking at me too. He had become a little quiet towards the end of the evening and I wondered why.
With that I bid them all goodnight, everyone but Sean since he was driving me home.
Sean walked quietly and opened the door for me. I sat inside staring at him but he refused to look at me for some reason.
I didn't ask anything for a while and then it got a little too much for me.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He still wasn't looking at me.
"Did I do anything wrong?" Damn did I say something stupid? What did I do?
"It's not you Aria. Give me a minute."
"Okay."
I sat quietly since he sounded sincere. I didn't know what to do so I started fumbling with the box that Vanessa had given me. I was just thinking if I should open it or not when Sean stopped the car. I looked outside and saw that we had stopped in front of the forest. I thought of saying something but didn't since I saw that it was taking a lot out of him.
He kept his hand on the steering wheel and it looked like he was having an internal debate with himself.
"Aria?"
"Yes."
"Can you promise me one thing?"
"Ookaay." I dragged the word to let him know that I was confused.
"Don't worry it's nothing like that. Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do. Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting alone in a car with you in the middle of the night in front of the woods. I would be running around like a chicken whose head has been cut off." I tried to joke to lighten the mood.
He smiled but it looked like the smile was taking a lot out of him.
"Can you promise me to listen to me completely before reacting."
"I can." I answered. That wasn't too hard now. Right?
"Okay. I don't know where to begin."
I put my hand on his knee and he took it gratefully.
"Begin at the beginning." I offered.
"I'll try. I never thought I could feel the same way again for anybody else." He stared into the darkness.
"I don't understand Sean."
"Yeah. I had loved someone before Aria."
It hurt. I don't know why but it did. He looked at me as though searching for something but I kept my emotions hidden. I had promised him I would.
"And?" I prompted when he didn't continue.
"Her name was Sophie. I knew her since I was a kid. She.." He turned to look at me and his eyes were glassy.
"Was?"
"Yeah. She is. She is..." He couldn't answer anymore and he didn't have to. I understood.
"I am so sorry Sean. I don't really know what to say but I am sorry." I hugged him tightly and he too hugged me fiercely.
We sat like that for a while and then he started shaking. I first thought it was because of the cold and later understood he was sobbing. I held him close and cried along with him.
He pulled away only to wipe my tears. "Why are you crying?"
"Honestly? I don't know. Maybe because you are crying and I want to share your pain."
He pulled me close and crushed his lips on mine. I gave myself into the kiss. His hand was on my waist and mine went to his hair. His tongue touched my bottom lip asking for permission and I gave it willingly. He explored my mouth in a way I had never imagined causing feelings to erupt through my body. Feelings I didn't know existed.
I moaned involuntarily and blushed deeply. He pulled away and placed his cheek against mine.
"I love it when you blush. You look so pretty."
I smiled.
"Well I guess I should do this right now."
"Do what?" I asked confused.
"Wait."
He got out of the car and opened my door, took my hand and kneeled down on the road.
"Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend Aria."
I blushed and leaped into his arms making him chuckle. "Yes. Yes. Oh yes." I planted a big kiss on his lips.
(SEAN'S P.O.V)
I dropped her home and drove away. She is so cute. It is hard to resist her. And it is sexy when she is crazy. I knew my parents would love her. And to think that she actually had a panic attack.
I chuckled thinking of the way she leaped into my arms. It is getting harder to control myself these days. Her lips taste like heaven and it feels too tempting to give in to the desire. But no. I can't. I wont do anything until she wants me to.
She cried with me because I cried. Do you ever get someone better than that? No you don't. That's why I'll keep her happy and safe.
I feel bad thinking of what I was planning. I should have told her. But I couldn't. I couldn't complete it. I'll tell her soon though. She deserves to know.
It wasn't her fault. It wasn't.