Beautiful Dreamer

22. Path To You

Ari couldn't endure the silence any longer. She'd thought Ned would raise a few questions about Rey's sudden visit, for there was no doubt an uncomfortable cloud of awkwardness existed between them.

That very day, Mun had been his lifesaver, calling Rey to the side to give Ari a chance to clear the misunderstanding. He'd warned Ari that Ned was possessive despite being subtle about not showing it. In the end, whether that was true or not, Ari couldn't tell, for not once did Ned act bothered by Rey's sudden interest in bedding her.

Another day, another date. Ned had requested Ari to spend the night for a couple of days, and out of guilt, Ari couldn't turn him down.

Even so, it was an opportunity to bring the topic up and address the elephant in the room. Still, Ned maintained his silence about the matter, his usual charm in place and his jealousy or feelings over the case undetected. The funny is, whenever Ari was about to bring up the subject, he'd immediately distract her and only afterwards would Ari realize she'd been baited.

"Let me take your coat for you. I'll hang it by the door, or if you want, I'll inform the help to take it for dry cleaning since you'll be spending a few days here."

"S-Sure." Ari obliged, sliding her coat off her shoulders. 'He still treats me gently, and that makes me anxious.'

"Uhm...Ned. After much contemplation, I've decided I want to discuss what happened two weeks ago."

"Are you bringing this up because we haven't had sex since then?"

"Wha- Wait... It's not about that."

"Then enlighten me. Due to my busy schedule, I hardly had time to ponder over personal matters. For one, I've been in over thirty meetings, having chaired three-quarters. As I speak to you, my mind is already juggling how to prioritize pressing ones over those my secretaries can sit in on my behalf so that I can spend more time with you."

"Ah..." Ari could feel her chest stiffen again, her guilt growing even more. 'Seems he doesn't want us to break up. Even so, he is still evading the subject.'

"Are you afraid I might ask you to bottom again?"

"What- No... That isn't the issue at hand."

"Well, my dear, it was our last conversation before my impromptu trip, which unfortunately ended up with me marrying someone."

"That's-That's not what I wanted us to talk about. You keep changing the subject, interfering with my train of thought."

"I only asked a simple question, Ari. You may answer it, and then we can discuss whatever you want."

"Okay, I..."

"Speaking of marriage," Ned interrupted, walking past Ari and placing her coat on the hanger. "It appears I shall be getting a divorce soon.

"That was fast."

Ned laughed at Ari's sarcasm. "Take a seat and I will clarify everything."

Ari seemed doubtful but, at the same time, wanted to hear Ned out. She kept repeating to hself not to forget to address the future of their relationship.

"Some tea?"

"What?"

"I took the liberty to find the finest of your premium favourite tea selections under Mun's guidance."

"I would rather we clear the air first before anything else."

"I'm not going to break up with you if that is what you are worried about."

"W-What?"

Ned chuckled. "You seem frequently surprised these days." He then walked opposite towards where Ari sat and bent down to her eye level, trapping her with his hands resting at each side of the armrest. "That's the third time you've said 'what' in a span of ten minutes. Are you really that bothered by what happened?"