The Heart Game

The Heart Game Chapter 3 White Roses

- New York City, present day

It was 7 pm. Aria was waiting for Ren in front of her office. She looked at her watch. Ren has never been late before. It was raining and she didn't see any taxi passing by. She hasn't bought groceries for dinner so she needs to get home quickly.

Where on earth is he? she thought.

It's been 35 minutes and Ren's Lamborghini hasn't showed up yet. Aria was about to order Uber but suddenly his black car appear.

Ren rushed outside. He brought a flowers bouquet in his hand. It was her favorite. White roses. He gave it to Aria with his right hand while his left hand was destroying his own nails. It's obvious that he's nervous.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Aria. The meeting was postponed until 5. I wanted to contact you but my phone is dead. I ordered my secretary to call you. But did she call you?" Ren asked, "I'm so sorry, Aria."

Aria shook her head, "It's okay. She didn't call me though."

Ren sighed, "I was supposed to be late for 15 minutes only. But, thanks to my clumsiness, the first bouquet fell. And I stepped on it."

"You what?" Aria started to lighten up, she was smiling.

"Lost of roses were smushed to the ground. I have to get another one. The florist was pretty busy. Her shop was so crowded so it took quite a while."

"Okay, never mind that," she laughed, "this smells so good by the way."

"Well of course, love, I ordered it special just for you," Ren smirked, he put his arm around her waist, "okay, get in the car."

"Tonight I want to take you out for dinner, Aria. You've been busy and we haven't had time for each other for quite a while," he said while holding her hand.

"No need, Ren. I can cook. Well, I want to cook. It'd be nice," she replied, "hmm, what if we have dinner at my apartment? What do you want for dinner?"

"Wait," Ren said, "I'm really having food that's been cooked by you?"

She laughed and nodded.

"I really want to eat pasta. Can you make it?" he asked.

"Of course. But lets shop for the ingredients first shall we?"

They parked in front of the supermarket and Aria grabbed a trolly. As usual, she played with it. She got on and rode it like a 5 year old kid.

"Aria! Wait up!" Ren chased her.

"Come and get me," she gave him a cheeky smile and rode the trolly faster.

"You cheeky little bastard," Ren grinned and chased her.

"Gotchaaa!!" he hugged her from the back, "I got you Aria Green. And I'm not going to let you go."

They both know that he's no longer talking about the trolly game. So Aria just put her hand on top of his.

"Of course. I know you won't," she smiled to herself. But deep down in her heart, there was a small hole. A hole that includes nothing but emptiness. Ren loves her but it's just wasn't enough to cover that hole.

-

"Tadaaa! Spaghetti made by Aria Green," she grinned as she placed a plate in front of Ren.

"Soon to be Aria Zachary," Ren kissed her cheek.

"Yeah," Aria nodded and sat in front of Ren, "oh! I almost forgot. Lets eat outside, on the balcony. I read somewhere that tonight they'd put up some fireworks right in front of my apartment. Besides, the sky cleared up when we were in the supermarket."

"Good idea. You hold the plates while I move the table and chairs."

As they settled outside and began eating, Ren suddenly remember something. He wanted to talk to Aria about it but he's too afraid that Aria will leave him if she knows.

"Look! They've started!" Aria exclaimed as she pointed her arm to the dark sky that's began to lighten up by the fireworks.

Ren didn't even look at the fireworks. He kept looking at Aria. He knew that he really loves her with all his heart and wanted to be with her forever. He spent 2 years in New York with her and it was the best time of his life. He proposed her last month and never knew that she'd gladly accepted it. But she'd probably regret everything after she knows the truth.

"Aria, hey, why are you crying?" he moved closer to her to wipe her tears.

"No, it's nothing Ren, don't worry. I'm fine," she smiled, "wait, I'll be right back. I've got desserts," Aria said and went back inside.

He knew. He knew she just put the pudding in the fridge just a while ago, the pudding must be saved for later so she went inside not to bring the pudding. He knew she went inside because she couldn't hold her tears anymore. He knew she'd be back saying the pudding wasn't cold enough with a fake smile. And he knew, he knew why her tears fell.

For those of you who don't understand, this happened 2 years after Aria moved to New York.

Chapter 4 will be published tomorrow! So check it out.