Beautiful Dreamer

55. I Saw You, I Saw Everything

"My head is throbbing that I can't think straight. What did my sister mean by me rushing things with Ari?" Rey sulked, feeling frustrated and impatient at the same time. "She knows zilch about relationships, telling me I'm over-stretching. So annoying."

Tapping his finger on the steering wheel, he wondered what was taking Ari so long today, having her preoccupied to still be in the office this late. He'd parked Mun's car on the opposite side of the entrance towards her office building so as he could surprise her once she got out, but Ari hadn't seen his message yet.

'My ears keep ringing at that memory of my sister's words. In fact, I'm the one cutting Ari some slack. It's time I stopped going easy on her. She has become too opinionated about my affairs.

Still, I'm aware she meant well, but... Why do I feel so wronged?' Leaning forward, Rey placed his forehead on the steering wheel and shut his eyes; the image of Mun flashing his memory for a moment.

"He must think I'm rushing as well otherwise, why would he stare at me like that?" Raising his head, his eyes pierced the darkness in front of him, the silence in the street growing louder.

'It's been almost an hour already and she is still not here.' Rey wondered, his eyes drifting to the dimly lit entrance. There stood two guards outside and another one manning the entrance inside. 'Funny there's three now. Why is the security tight over here? As if there aren't enough cameras already.'

Checking his phone again, an uncanny feeling washed over him. Ari had still not seen his message. "How long must he keep me waiting?"

Getting out of the car, he inquired with the security if Ari was still inside. Having been familiar with Rey, they advised him to park his car at the staff parking if he was going to wait long.

"The manager has a guest presently, therefore I suggest you avoid taking the public parking space."

While in waiting, many thoughts crossed Rey's mind. He pondered on the short discussion he'd had with his sister about Ari, as well as the extensive ones with Mun and they all sang the same song. Yet, even so, he wished to proceed further.

"Can you do without her?"

"Of course I can," Rey had replied confidently to his sister's question, "but that doesn't mean I want to entertain that thought."

"Then there is no reason not rush brother. From my point of view, you're jumping the gun way too quickly."

"You don't seem to get it sis. Manager Ari is different. She feels like something I've been waiting for for a long time, and now it's within my grasp. What you are suggesting is impossible."

"Then how will you introduce her to your friends? You know exactly what they will begin thinking once they find out her true nature."

"As if I have friends to begin with."

"What about mom and dad? What about the public, when they see you two walking holding hands, hugging, kissing...? There are simple acts we do subconsciously once we become comfortable with someone we like but, in your case, it's a dominant. Even I can smell her scent despite being a woman. She draws everyone in without filtering who is genuine and who is insincere."

"So what?"

"Bro, remember when you were non-smitten not so long ago, you'd have disapproved of people of her kind yet here you are in that exact situation. What makes you so sure your affections for her are not purely sexual just like everyone else? She is a sex symbol after all."

It was at that moment that the reality of what him and Ari were dawned on Rey. "Now I understand a lot of Ari's fears."

"What about your financial situation?" His sister had further pressed on. "You have nothing to offer but a stubborn character and a huge debt. Someone like your beloved manager requires protecting from herself and those lusting after her. I for one think she needs protecting from you for it took you one sexual encounter for you to get hooked."

"Whose side are you on sis?"

Rey's sister had simply laughed seeing that she had struck a nerve. "This is a complete 360 degree turn from your conservative life if you decide to proceed further brother. Do you really like her that much or are you simply infatuated by her?"

"Her personality sometimes is extremely frustrating..." Rey spoke to himself. "I think I'm just the guy who was going to end up liking her eventually. Additionally, she is someone who has been very good to me even if she didn't have to and I don't want us to just suddenly grow apart, neither can I fathom her being with someone else. It was obvious she still struggles to grasp the fact that I actually like her which means, it's only upon me to assure her more. Or maybe... I should have... I could have done the introduction another time. She sounded angry... having invited her brother over. I only had good intentions at best. Besides, doesn't she know it was only a matter of time before her location was discovered? If anything, the timing was excellent with tomorrow being a weekend. Everyone is free including Manager Mun.

Rey sighed heavily. 'Or... Or perhaps Manager Ari is regretting us?'

"...Wait a minute..." Rey's expressions transitioned from shock to confusion to rage. "Isn't that Chairman Ned? ...And Ari... Kissing...?! What the heck are they doing?" Rey yelled, fidgeting in his seat with an urgent need to get out of the car. From where they stood, it was as if they weren't aware he was there, and despite the parking bay being dimply lit, Rey's vision was as clear as day. He'd recognize Ari's figure anywhere!

"What is he doing to Ari?!"

Rey was about to get out of the car then stopped himself. He decided to watch instead, even though parts of him were churning in anger and jealousy, ready to attack. Reaching for his phone, he ringed Ari but his call went unanswered.

"Calm down Rey. Don't react like you always do." He assured himself, taking in deep breaths to control his temper. "There is an explanation to what I just saw... I'm sure Chairman Ned incited it just like last time... At the parking bay...! Damn him! This is the exact same scene from before!"

'Calm down Rey. I should have known Chairman Ned, as expected, isn't one to give up that easily.... But Ari's body reacts quickly to pleasure. I would know! He must know of it too, taking advantage of Ari like that!'

Rey shut his eyes, resting his forehead on the steering wheel. 'I can't concentrate... I must leave before I do something stupid.'

The sound of a honk made Rey jump up to an upright position. He must have pressed on the horn by mistake and as his eyes shifted to his former target, he saw the two figures looking in his direction. With an almost empty parking, Mun's car was in view. Ned may not have recognized it, but Ari sure did.

"Well, that gave me out. Time to take the bull by the horns."