Chapter 48

CHAPTER 48

|| Savannah's POV ||

My mood was sour again in the car. Finn's words had slapped me hard invisibly. I knew that I was dating the infamous Playboy. But above everything, I was human with feelings. I saw the effort in Ares's eyes but the plague of doubt was crawling through my heart

What is that look, Princess? Not happy about shopping?

Ares mouthed, sending me a conscious look before taking a turn to head straight for home. He turned the music volume low, probably because he wanted to hear me.

" Nothing!"

I mumbled, not wanting to bother him with my unnecessary insecurities. His brows tightened and without any words of argument, he parked the car on the roadside. Turning around, he questioned me again, demanding,

" Tell me now, Princess! Aren't you happy with your shopping? Should I go to another store?"

Oh gosh! There, he went after shopping for material again!

Did I look like those cheesy girls to him?

I rubbed my temples, giving him a stern glare,

" Ares... It's not anything related to shopping...Now drive... Please.."

A look of puzzlement flashed across his eyes then his lips twitched, giving me a concerned look,

" Then tell me more, Princess. I want to know what is bothering you!"

Although his demanding, bossy attitude annoyed me badly, sometimes it melted my heart for him just like today. I swallowed the lump in my throat, knowing very well that Ares wouldn't give up without hearing what was bothering me.

If I told him now that Finn threatened me at the store, he might get mad at me for not telling him at that time. All I wanted was to live peacefully. Finn's empty threat meant nothing to me except those bad words about Ares.

Skipping the hot discussion about Finn, I jumped on an off-topic, earning a deep frown of doubt from him,

" If...I ever get pregnant like Aria, will you accept the baby, Ares?"

My voice turned low so much that it was barely audible inside this car. Subconsciously, I began to trace my thumb over my stomach, dreaming of a happy picture with kids and Ares.

Ares shot me a surprised look and I swore that my heart began to pound vigorously. I couldn't bear to hear anything harsh for him. Although we used all sorts of precautions, an accident could happen. No medicine can give a hundred percent assurance. I wanted to hear his thoughts. Most importantly, I wanted to hear how much I meant to him.

Ares unbuckled his seat belt, giving me his long, deep stare as if I had told him that an Alien was making land on our house. He voiced, centering his attention on me,

" Is that what worrying you, Princess?"

I gulped the original truth and nodded in puzzlement. His face stiffened a little before releasing a long sigh. Without wasting a second, he dragged me up on his lap until I was straddling him between my legs.

He surprised me, taking my lips into a flaming kiss. A kiss that wiped all my insecurities, and thoughts about him. My hands found his messy curls, raking through them softly to feel their softness. He kissed me roughly before letting me go. Caressing his fingers over my skin, he replied with sincerity in his tone,

" I would have become the happiest man on earth if you were pregnant with my child, Princess. You mean everything to me. So keep in your mind that your boyfriend will never turn his back on you. Got it?"

His words brought tears to my eyes. I didn't know how to express myself in words except for a few sobs that passed from my lips.

Why didn't I realize how amazing a man he was?

Ares chuckled at my tears and was going to play some little game with my boss but a loud horn from the street broke our moment. Startled, I quickly slipped out of his lap and plopped on the other side, turning red in shyness.

Gosh! Were we making out in the middle of the road?

I heard Ares muttering a few series of curses and restarted the engine to drive home. He was pissed off for not satisfying his hormones. For the first time, I was happy with him. At least, he didn't turn out to be the kind of man who didn't like babies at an early age.

_______________

The day of Aria's birthday was finally here. We hired a party planner team who decorated the house with modesty. Ares wanted to make sure that Aria felt happy most importantly homey. We promised that we would never leave her with her baby alone.

Kevin's laughter broke through the house. This boy was always full of energy that left me breathless. Ever since he appeared here, Aria didn't stop smiling and it was a good thing. But Ethan didn't seem to be around yet.

Where did he know?

After fixing my new pair of dresses, I descended the stairs carefully. Kevin peeped up at me and whistled causing everyone's eyes to fall on me,

" Damn! Hotty is here!"

I rolled my eyes embarrassingly and asked Aria who was looking divine in her white floral gown,

" How do I look?"

Aria growled, winking at me,

" Fucking Hot!"

" And how do I look?", I heard hasty footsteps, Mrs.Thatcher climbing through the stairs. She stopped right in front of us, wearing the dress that my father gifted me on my birthday last year.

Isn't it the same dress that Aria borrowed from me?

I glanced over at Aria who sent me an apologetic look. Well, I didn't mind that Mrs.Thatcher had worn my dress but a little reminder would have been appreciated. She didn't even bother to tell me that she was wearing my dress.

Kevin fought to hide his scowl and rolled his eyes back at his head. As I loathed the idea of using my dress, Aria stuttered awkwardly,

" Great, Mom!"

Mrs.Thatcher gave her a big satisfied grin before walking past me like I was some kind of dirt in her eyes. She didn't even thank me for putting on my dress.

Going over to Aria, she eyed down at Aria's stomach discriminately. Finally, she was told about Aria's pregnancy last night. To my very own surprise, she was only worried because Aria would put on weight now. She would be looking than her age because of pregnancy. She rambled for an hour before Aria went back to sleep.

" Oh honey, look at you! You already can't wear a tight dress!", Mrs.Thacter growled, plopping down right next to Aria. Aria gave her mother a warm smile, replying patiently,

" Mom, I am happy with this dress. I don't regret keeping this baby."

Mrs.Thacher shrugged, bringing a wine glass between her lips,

" You know what baby? I don't blame Lucas here entirely. You two are young and you still have to complete your study. He wasn't doing anything wrong to push you for abortion."

I lost my temper. Wiggling my eyebrows, I rebuked back at her sharply,

" Excuse me, Aunty! Aria won't lose anything. She has her brother to support her. Besides, she has us to take care of her needs."

Mrs.Thatcher glared up at me as if I had said something deeply offensive. Stomping on her feet, she stood up to shoot me another hateful glare. Her chin raised haughtily to retort me back,

" Who are you to interfere with my daughter? I am her mother. I can tell whatever is better for her."

Pain shot through my heart but I tried too hard to keep a straight face. I was no one to Aria or this family. She was making sure to show me my place.

" Yes, she can!", another voice pulled my attention, coming from my side. Looking up, I saw Ares coming in his navy blue suit. His hair was well stationed today, giving him the vibe of a celebrity. His jaw tickled in rage as he appeared right next to me, his arm went around my waist to pull me close.

I saw the fall on his mother's face. Mrs.Thatcher wanted to pull my legs until Ares made a miraculous appearance on my side. Ares refocused on his mother, continued with a scoff,

" Because she is someone who stayed by Aria's side all these years. Not someone like you who left her growing up all alone to a 17 years old boy."

My hands gripped around his wrist as if to remind him that he wasn't alone anymore. The atmosphere turned heavy and Mrs.Thacther failed to give any response. It was all the truth of her. I bet that she didn't even know what kind of foods Aria loved.

Failing to give any response, Mrs.Thacher gave me one last glare before hurrying upstairs in her short clothes. I appreciated her attempt to look younger but something doesn't go with you. She was looking cringy in reality.

" Aria.. cupcake..", a voice broke through the tense atmosphere with the front door pushing open. Aria jumped up from her fluffy couch, letting out a shrill cry of surprise,

" David..o my gosh.."

She ran towards the front door and fell onto his chest, squirming happily.

David Hudson!

I heard about him from Aria when we were in high school. David was their distant cousin and Aria's close friend. As far as I could remember, David was learning medicine overseas. How did he hear about Aria's birthday?

Then my eyes shifted over to the boy next to me. Ares was smiling a little, happiness flooding from his eyes. He invited David from overseas for Aria's birthday. No wonder, he cared for Aria the most and did everything to make her happy.

Smiling and shaking my head, I looked back at Aria hugging David. The guy looked really like a doctor. His white shirt, Black jeans, and a round of glass on his face clarified that he was already a doctor.

_____

An hour later, our apartment was full of people. The party was going in full swing. I saw everyone except Ethan who was supposed to arrive first. After fetching vodka from the kitchen, I tried to call out Mrs.Thatcher who chased me away like a mad cow. After Ares spoke to her coldly, she locked herself inside the room and refused to come out. Although Aria seemed less bothered with her dramas, I decided to give it a try but she just slammed the door in my face.

Retreating, I began to head back downstairs when I spotted Aria laughing with David in their corridor. They seemed close. Smiling, I noticed another person, standing a few feet away from them.

Ethan?

He was gripping flowers in his hands. Wearing a suit, and his back faced my side. I couldn't see his face clearly but surely, he was watching them.

Was he jealous?

My doubts were cleared as soon as he turned around fully, surprising me with his dark, humorless expression. I wanted to laugh at his face but had to suppress it, considering his bad timing.

Oh, Ethan! They are just friends!

" Savannah!", he looked a bit uneasy to watch me catching him red-handed. Sighing, I walked over to him with a smile and mumbled sarcastically,

" You should tell her, Ethan."

" What!", he was shocked, more likely nervous after knowing that I knew his secret thoughts. Taking a sip from my vodka, I advised him, patting his shoulder encouraging,

" Good things don't wait forever, Ethan. You know that Aria has a lot of pursuers. Who knows what might happen tomorrow? You should grab your chance."

I grinned big before jogging downstairs. If these two became a couple, that would have been the best thing that ever happened in this while.