Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

|| Ares's POV ||

Her unexpected tears cut me deep. Without caring about the trophy or those shouting fans, I intended to make my way for her but she was gone. Giving me no choice of explanation, Savannah had disappeared from my side. My eyes searched around, peeking through every corner but she wasn't anywhere seen around.

Shit! What the fuck I have done?

Frustrated, I tossed my curls aside in rage. Nothing made me feel like a loser when I saw her tears. I muttered at Brittany who was still shamelessly sticking to me,

" I am leaving!"

I took a step forward, wanting to search for Savannah but Brittany gripped my forearms again, forcing me to halt in my track. I gave her a sharp glance to which she backed away, growing a little nervous. Her words slurred shaking,

" I...I mean...They are all celebrating, Ares. You shouldn't go now.."

With her reminder, I let my eyes crawl over to all those PK members who were all celebrating, getting ready for group pictures. Brittany was surprisingly right this time. If I suddenly went missing from the group, they would have gotten worried unnecessarily. Sighing at my poor luck, I retrieved my step from heading outside and shifted my attention back to Brittany. My curiosity didn't let me stay in peace. Hence, I took a stride, closer to Brittany to grab her arms,

" Tell me, how did you expose Finn? How did you manage to them all alone?"

Something wasn't feeling right to me about the incident. I knew that Brittany was somewhere obsessed with me but not to the point that she would take every step to fight for me. Besides, exposing a public figure like us required a lot of high risks. Never she had done all because of me alone.

Brittany stiffened her shoulders. Her lips quivered when she intended to say something,

" Ares. I was actually..."

" What have you done to Savannah?", a raging voice broke the silence. Tilting my head back, I saw Kevin, standing with a face full of anger. His eyes shifted on Brittany and darkened more, definitely not liking our proximity. Sighing, I tried to explain to Kevin who wasn't happy with me,

" Kevin, it was.. just an accident...It didn't mean anything..."

As if he heard none of my words, Kevin's piercing gaze fell on Brittany who was standing, right next to me,

" Did she tell you that she has done everything for you, Ares? Why is she here cheering for you instead of Savannah? Do you know what she has done for you?"

Blank-headed, I stared up at Kevin to mutter incoherently,

" What... what do you mean?"

Kevin strode through the stairs, stopping right in front of me to explain vividly,

" It was the same record that was done by Savannah. She wanted to leak it but there was no way out that guards would allow us to visit the head coaches. Then Brittany just assisted us and went inside to pass the recording to them. If someone should be given credit here, it belongs to Savannah. It was her idea to get revenge for you on Finn. But you make her cry."

My mouth fell open in disbelief. Although I knew that she hated Finn from the bottom of her heart, I didn't expect her to take a stand against Finn so wisely. Not only she got her revenge for me, she even managed to ban Finn from a few matches.

Shit! What have I done?

Cursing, I shut my eyes tightly, drawing deep breaths to control my thoughts. I heard Kevin gawking at Brittany whose face turned sullen,

" And you...how can you kiss him like that? For fuck's sake, he has a girlfriend now. What makes you think that you can put your ass around him always?"

Brittany huffed, glaring back into Kevin's eyes,

" So what? She doesn't deserve Ares."

Kevin's jaw clenched hard which made me a little worried. I had never seen him, becoming so angry before this. He took a step forward, pointing his finger at Brittany who also backed away subconsciously,

" And you think that you can decide it for us? Who are you to Ares? Remember, it was you who parted legs for Ares. Ares has never forced on a girl before."

Brittany looked agitated before huffing and walking far away from us. As she departed, I looked over at Kevin to seek help,

" Where is she now? I need to explain to her."

Kevin sighed through his lips worryingly. Patting my shoulders, he murmured sadly,

" We don't know but I am pretty sure that she has gone far from you. Aria is also mad and left for home without even congratulating you."

_______________

" Fuck! She has turned her phone off now!", I growled impatiently, not liking the fact that she had turned a blind eye to me. Savannah wasn't found anywhere. Her house was left abandoned even her cell phone was say off now. I was going mad with tension. All those joy had completely gone.

What would I do with this trophy if I can't have her by my side?

Aria scoffed offering me a deathly glare,

" What do you expect her to do? Wait here to welcome your girlfriend and you. I should have asked her to break up with you long back."

Speaking of break up, my muscles tensed and I shot Aria a' are- you-even-my-biological-sister' look? Tearing my attention from her, I began to try calling again but the tone remained the same.

" The number you dialed is currently switched off!"

I slammed the cell phone on the couch with a low growl. This one girl was surely driving me crazy. Ethan and Kevin both chuckled together, shaking their heads in amusement. They were enjoying the fact that how the infamous, playboy Ares Thatcher had turned into a pussy.

I growled walking back to forth around the hallway,

" God! What can I do? She isn't even listening to me!"

Ethan suggested, bringing our attention to him,

" I have a plan. Why don't you track her location? That will save a lot of time. I know someone who can help us."

Kevin agreed quick fast, giving me a deep stare,

" Ethan is right, buddy. You should go to her place instead of calling. Imagine how mad she can be!"

I nodded thoughtfully and granted it as the best solution for now. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I told Ethan who was waiting for my final response,

" Do it, Ethan. I can't make her wait too long. But Aria...I don't want to leave her alone in this house since a lot of reporters will come tomorrow. Things can get crazy here."

Ethan offered to take a glimpse of Aria who was least interested in our conversation,

" Don't worry, we will stay with her until you find Savannah. Isn't that Kevin?"

Kevin smirked leaning against the couch lazily,

" Yes.. yes.. until I am fully awake."

I permitted without a second thought,

" That's settled then but do not leave my sister's side until I return."

Ethan chuckled nodding his head,

" I promise but you find Savannah first."

______________

|| Ethan's POV ||

Kevin groaned, rolling over the little couch before stirring back to sleep. More than an hour passed since Ares left in search of Savannah. My uncle who worked in the police helped me to track down Savannah's location. She had gone too far away from our living town. This was the reason, Ares left in a hurry since he couldn't understand why did Savannah move to that city.

Kevin was fast asleep as soon as midnight fell deeper around the town. Although it was a whole tiresome day for me during the game, I couldn't bear to fall asleep. Aria was upstairs sleeping probably and I had to guard the house.

Aria...

Even her name brought a faint smile to my face. The first time when I saw her beside Ares, my heart stopped beating. Her smile, animated expression, and her little fierce eyes, everything attracted me like a magnet. It was like love at first sight but my heart broke the second when Ares, her brother told me that Aria had someone in her life already. My hopes were gone but still, whenever she was around, I couldn't stop staring at her.

Why didn't I meet her first?

Smiling sadly at my wishful thoughts, I decided to take a quick look at her. She didn't even come down to have dinner which was unpleasantly making me worried.

Shit, Ethan! Stop thinking too much! She has a boyfriend already!

Barking at my concerned thoughts, I made my upstairs to find Aria nervously. It was my first time visiting their home. Hence, it was a little difficult for me to find out her bedroom. But seeing the girlish staffs sprawled across the bed, I understood that it belonged to Aria.

I knocked twice but nothing was heard from inside. Leaving with no choice, I pushed the door open slightly to open the door a bit further. Before I could spot anyone, a low sobbing tone grabbed my attention. My track halted in surprise then I heard a pleading voice, coming from the balcony,

" Please...Lucas... Don't... Don't do this to me... We can sort this out...Just meet me once.."

My heart ached painfully after her crying. I badly wanted to go to her and pull her into my embrace but I knew that I will only embarrass myself if I do that. Stopping in my track, I waited till her voice went down. It didn't take much time before they ended their call.

Aria walked outside, eyes full of tears. As soon as she saw me, her track halted between and she gave me a stern, disapproving look,

" What are you doing in my room?"

I loved the way, she stayed natural. Although she had tears, coming from her eyes, she didn't attempt to cover them from my eyes. Instead, she wiped them with attitude and waited for my answer. Regaining my calm composure, I cleared my throat, offering sympathy unnoticeably,

" Are..are you okay? What happened?"

I suppressed my urge of asking too much. Her disapproving glare told me that she didn't appreciate my presence in her bedroom. Shrugging, she fell over the bed, mumbling incoherently,

"Nothing! Do you need anything?"

I tugged on my bottom lips. With clear hesitation, I approached her softly, explaining all the way,

" No. Actually...I just came to check on you. Why were you crying? Is everything okay?"

I didn't overstep my boundaries. We weren't even this close to having a friendly conversation. But I tried in this hope that her smile would return to that cloudy face.

Aria bit her lips hesitantly. Clear hesitation and anxiety flashed across her feature. She was debating whether to believe me or not. I was okay with that since she was completely new to me. After a long time of silence, I added with an exhale,

" Look, if you don't want to see, I won't mind. But I just hope that your boyfriend is keeping you happy."

Then her thin lips tugged, threatening to burst into tears in front of me. Even though she didn't respond to my question yet, I knew what she meant. Indeed, she was sad because her boyfriend did something bad to her.

What happened? I grew anxious without my knowledge and passed more words of comfort to her,

" Aria..you can share with me. I am not hot-headed like your brother."

She closed and reopened her eyes slowly. A few more tears rolled down her cheeks and she looked much calm now. Her voice came out cracking, vulnerable, not her usual type,

" It's... It's about Lucas...I think..he is cheating on me.."

I stared deep at her crying face. Although I was supposed to be happy, her crying face didn't offer me any comfort. Instead, it was breaking my heart piece by piece. I urged her with a tight frown,

" You sure or you are doubting?"

Jeez! Is the guy Lucas blind? Can't he see how precious she is?

I couldn't understand some boys who break good girls' hearts for some fun. Aria was beautiful and so perfect. I didn't see any point in cheating on her. Her quivering lips parted after passing out a sigh,

" Lucas has been acting very strange recently. Brother Ares has already so many things to bother them in his own life. I couldn't let him worry for me anymore. I think I have done a big mistake."

My heart melted for her upon hearing about the love and sincerity that she had for Ares. Ares was really lucky to have a sister like her. She burst into more tears, cutting my heart for the fifth time. I kept my hands fisted so that I wouldn't do the mistake of touching her out of permission. I wanted to hug her in my embrace but I knew that it was wrongdoing.

Aria sniffed crying all over her heart. After crying for a while, she finally opened her mouth again, speaking in a guilty voice,

" I think...I am pregnant, brother Ethan."

What????

My head busted the instant as soon as Aria's words came out. This time, I felt a sharp arrow, stabbing deep through my heart. No one would like to hear that his beloved one is impregnated by another guy. Aria cried hard and hung her head low in shame. She didn't even dare to look up at me.

Pushing the discomfort behind my mind, I spoke in a bit cold voice,

" Does Ares know it?"

She shook her head no, sobbing and murmured in her broken voice,

" I haven't told anyone except you yet. Ares is in the limelight now. I am afraid that if this news spread outside, his reputation will be ruined because of my mistake. That's why, I even stopped myself from speaking to Savannah. No one knows about it except you."

Her words soothed a lot of my pain and my mind one thing noted was that she needed comfort now. Except for me, no one knew about her pregnancy. Keeping the uneasiness aside, I brought all my attention to Aria and spoke gently,

" Let me ask you first...Did you inform Lucas about it?"

Aria sobbed before shaking her head slightly. Her eyes looked swollen and she didn't want to look back into her eyes. Furrowing, I suggested inching closer to her sitting position,

" Look, you can't hide it from Lucas. This baby...she is related to both of you. At least, try to speak to him first."

It was my genuine suggestion for her. As long as she was happy in her relationship, I wouldn't meddle with her business. Her words came out agitating,

" I tried but he is ignoring me completely. I don't know what changed between us after having sex a few weeks ago."

" He did what?", I blurted, fearing to analyze something in my mind. Aria's face sank further as she cleared my doubts,

" He..he.. didn't meet me ever since we had our first sex and that's how I became pregnant."

" Shit, Aria!", I cursed shutting my eyes tight in anger. So far, my observation told me that Lucas wasn't a good guy or he was just pretending to be good on the surface. I had met plenty of boys who left their girlfriends after having sex. If Lucas was really that ignorant to Aria, undoubtedly he was that type of guy under his gentleman mask.

I spoke letting out a low exhale,

" Look, Aria! Things don't work like that. You will have to speak with Lucas. This is a matter of your baby's life. If he refuses to take any responsibility, then we will think about a solution."

Aria sobbed harder, burying her face into her palms,

" I feel like a failure, Brother Ethan. My brother, Ares holds so much respect in society now. How can I do such a mistake as his sister? Everyone will look down on Ares more than me. I can't accept it at all. I was so foolish to trust Lucas's words. I thought that he was my soulmate."

I couldn't resist the need of hugging her anymore. Getting closer, I brought her head to my chest, letting her tears be marked all over my body. I used her soothingly, trying to sound casual,

" Don't let it affect you, Aria. It's not your fault entirely. Lucas must be a dick to leave you abandoned."

Nothing didn't make her less worried. Getting pregnant at this unexpected time with an unexpected person wasn't something easy to accept. I could feel her numb body in my arms. She was sobbing so hard that it broke my heart repeatedly. Her voice sounded accusing as she kept muttering over my chest,

" It's all my fault. I don't deserve to live anymore. Ares did so much for me to give me a perfect life but I failed again. If Lucas doesn't accept this baby, what will I do, brother Ethan? I am already dependent on Ares. How could I let another burden take on his shoulder?"

Wordlessly, I ran my fingers through her messy curls. She was speaking the truth. I saw how much Ares worked hard to give her a better life. Although we just knew each other, we became pretty close during our practice session. It was natural for Aria to feel burdened. I cajoled her, putting my arms around her body,

" You are still young, Aria. It's common to do this mistake but sooner or later, you have to face the reality. Not everyone you meet is your soulmate. You should take time on finding your partner. Besides... Don't worry about your child anymore.."

She muttered, her voice breaking,

" How..how can I.."

I inhaled a deep breath and replied with sincerity,

" Because if Lucas doesn't take responsibility for your child, I will do it."