Between Silence and storm

pte

ping

sleepily against him. A faint warmth spread across his usually stoic face. Without think

would've thought? Our fierce special forces soldier, showing such gent

cool glance. "Yo

ddies or what?" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "But honestly, Ariana reminds me of Claire.

h, Dwayne's expressio

it. I value my life, alright?" He hastily stood up to join th

ana, still half-asleep, lost her balance a

itself, but because Ariana, in her drowsy sta

, shifting slightly to get comfortabl

was thin. Dwayne could feel the warmth of her breath through the fabric

bed her shoulders, intendin

zed with sleep, met his. In the dim lighting, her lashes cast delicate

ne found himself c

much like Claire. Are you still unable to forget

weren't al

matter how old she got. But Ariana-her eyes held something different. There was

r arms around his waist like a koala clinging to a tree. She rubbed her cheek against his fi

ely audible hum, her breat

ing her shoulders, loosened. He sho

he d

conds

ll of a

eyes snap

ing fe

ndings. A vivid memory of Dwayne's face-wa

a

wait

up with reality,

y to realize that her hand was press

Slowly, hesitantly

.O

n

er face as rea

ing live electricity, Ariana ya

bolted to the farthest corner of the sofa, c

atching her reaction with

by, chuckled under his breath.

riana let out a quiet sigh of re

she th

way, Dwayne grabbed his suit jacket and said

Ariana

p-and worse, somehow managing to touch hi

voice slightly higher than normal.

t say a word, nor did he display any obvious anger, but t

a terrifyi

us smile. "Alright then... Uncle Dwayne,

mply turned and strode out

and climbed into his car. The ride home w

er bed, tossing and turning for what felt like hours. The mere thoug

nto a light, fitful sleep, the sk

up again, it w

phone and saw a dozen misse

called her back. "K

run off to yesterday? A date with some handsome

thing urgen

ver here! We have Mr Cassidy's metalwo

t i

ool, retrieved her clothes and two hundred

na's eyes and smirked. "Didn't you go on a romant

ok. "I don't have time for r

off for a secret date? Be

ice. "Actually... I wanted to ask your

food and shelter, takes care of your daily life, and you're thi

"Alright, alr

. "Actually... your uncle is rich, you're not really related to him

u spouting?!" Ariana'

Don't take it seriously. How about this-as an ap

ms. "...You better not back ou

want! If I even blink, I'm

food market, munching on finger foods and

t Ariana's uncle was Dwayne Ricks

the ground. "Dwayne Rickshaw?! The Dway

a shrimp and popped it

ook at me-I've got the looks and the figure. Maybe he'd fall for me! And once I

ther shrimp into Kira's mouth. "Even

speaking, her phone

caller ID,

as D

fore picking up.

ice was calm, yet carri

out e

our apartment now

nearly

ming ov

striking her brain, pa

her living roo

hem all over t

ed first, he'd

at like she'd been electrocuted. "Uncle, no