Beautiful Dreamer

53. Making It Clear

"Since you've chosen having lunch in my office, I'd like to know what goes on in that spontaneous mind of yours. Is there anything you regret so far."

"I have some regrets." Rey nodded, putting aside his empty takeaway lunch box. "Not many though."

"Do tell."

"Memories of what I could have done differently during the business trip, and your bare self coming out of the bathroom."

Ari grimaced. "If I were you, I'd be apologizing for a lot of things at the moment. You made me feel terrible that day."

Rey laughed. "You are going to forgive me anyway. It was just a matter of when."

"Arrogant much?"

Standing up, Rey threw the lunchbox inside a bin at the corner of Ari's office. "I did come to the room a couple of times while you slept to get a thing or two."

"I'd have known if that were true so don't lie."

"No lies told here." Rey replied. Poking at Ari's cheek, he added on, "You sleep well when you're tired Manager Ari. However whenever you are uneasy, you fidget endlessly, like that night we met your foster family. That becomes my other regret. I should have taken the opportunity instead of throwing you to someone else."

"I do not believe a word you are saying. Your conviction may be admirable, but it doesn't give me confidence of your volatile personality." Ari said then pushed her empty lunchbox towards Rey, who read her gesture and threw it away in the bin. "I also appreciate your forwardness, but you definitely need to work on your approach."

"Surely you didn't forget our wager again. You got the client, neither are you seeing anyone."

"Rey I'm being serious. This is not a game. You are still enticed by betas. You made your point clear from time to time."

"Yes." Rey admitted. "B-But I'm not particularly attracted to betas at the moment, neither do I want to."

"Don't get me wrong Rey. Your confidence in where you stand is what puts me at a disadvantage. Having waited to feel this...chemistry and unrequited connection... I guess I understand Ned better now."

Looking at Rey in the eye, Ari concluded. "I've chosen to settle. I'd be stupid if I were to let this trivial hiccup bother me. Who would believe I managed to get a beta guy smitten beyond physical pleasures? One that I used to like more than eight years ago? Nobody. Honestly it sounds ridiculous and far fetched to me."

"You worry too much. Let's just enjoy the moment one day at a time."

"Is there any pressing reason behind your visit to my office during your lunch break?"

"I came to see my girlfriend."

Ari sighed heavily. "I appreciate wittiness, and your care for my empty stomach but you can't be doing things like this on a whim."

"As I see it, you needed comforting and a bit of lunch."

Ari's chuckle was dismissive. "My idea to avoid you the next coming days may not be a bad idea."

"You were planning on avoiding me again?"

"It's becoming hectic working with you testing my patience every chance you get. I had to sacrifice something."

"And you chose me?"

"You don't pay my bills. As a matter of fact, you are full of debt, aren't you."

Rey laughed. "That's a low blow but I'll take it."

"Start taking your job seriously. Your debt is not going to take care of itself."

Upon Rey's departure, Ari pondered over her entanglement. It felt rushed and confining. The hesitation to put labels on what they were was all on her side. Despite their sexual relationship being enchanting, Ari felt more humiliated whenever she gave in easily to pleasure.