Chapter 3

  Three years ago 

  

  Me and Shane were just coming back from a picnic he had set up for us. I was the happiest I’d ever been and had decided to confess to him at the end of the night but as soon as we walked inside the house father told me that Clare was sick and she needed to talk to me immediately. I rushed up the stairs to her finding her curled up in a ball with her pillows surrounding her delicate body. I don’t know if it was pure instinct or what but I immediately felt a pit in my stomach when she lifted her red rimed eyes to me and said “I want Shane Ryder to be my boyfriend you have to give him to me” Those words not only made hot tears rush down my face but they also made me realise one thing, Clare Haistings never wanted me to have something she doesn’t have.

  Not only was I heartbroken but I was angry. Angry that she was talking about him as if he is an object for us to pass around, angry that out of all the guys she could want, she wanted him and most of all angry that I knew deep down I’d have to give him up to her. But that didn’t stop me from telling her no. When that word fell out of my mouth we were both shocked. It escaped in a whisper but it was loud enough to be heard in the stillness of the room.

  Seconds passed both of us realising that I had meant it and I’m not taking it back.

  I have never denied Clare anything so this was new to both of us. Clare came to her senses faster than I did and when my father rushed in she was histerical. Her sobs could be heard from outside.

  He asked her what was going on and when she finally finished a sentence amid the constant sobs he looked at me coldly and said “give her what she wants. That’s an order Aria Reed. After all she did save your mothers life” 

  “She is your wife too dad, why am I the only one sacrificing things I love to her!!”

  “Aria Reed! Are you serious right now? Your mother has been laying on that god forsaken bed and all you’re thinking about is a fucking BOY!”

  More involuntary tears ran down my face, I quickly dryed them off, gave my dad a firm nod then rushed to Shane Ryder as he was still waiting for me down stairs.

  When he looked at my face you could see worry cloud his eyes.

  “What’s wrong Ari Rose, is Clare Haistings not doing well, I heard her crying” he asked holding me close so he can inspect my face. Ari Rose was a nickname he had picked for me when I told him I was obsessed with roses. I’ve always liked hearing it from him.

  I faked a smile saying “She is fine now, it was just a fever”

  “Okay well there’s something I want to give to you” he pulls me by my hand before I’ve had a chance to refuse leading me to the lobby. When we arrive he started searching for it on his pockets. His movements were jecky as if he was nervous. He finally pulled out a small velvet box and handed it to me. I opened it and let out a small gasp. Tears filled my eyes again and I couldn’t help but allow him to put the custom made Rose necklace on me. It looked expensive but I would not expect anything less from Shane Ryder. The Ryder family has been rich for many years and their wealth keeps multiplying.

  “Do you like it” he asked and I nodded my head and he brought me in for a hug. His tall frame engulfing me with his body. His chin rested on top of my head and after a while he pulled my face from his chest and looked at me, his eyes searching mine and then his lips tentatively touched mine, a sigh left me because of the zing that ran down my body. He leaned down and kissed me again, this time he took his time exploring my mouth with his, his movements becoming sure by the second. My arms wrapped around his neck and I ended up on my tippy toes. His hands roaming down my body until they ended up on my ass. If I wasn’t already feeling the heat from all over my body I would have been blushing really hard right then. His tongue filled my mouth tangling up with mine. He groaned pushing his body to me. When we come up for air we’re both breathing heavy and his eyes are clowded over with lust.

  “That was…amazing. Better than when we were kids.Can we do it again”he breathed out.

  And his words brought me down from the high and I felt like I’m crashing down. I had to leave him because of Clare Haistings.

  We can never do that again because of her.

  “No”

  “No?”

  “I’m not doing it again with you. I don’t want a boyfriend”

  “Okay well we don’t have to be boyfriend and girlfriend now. I can wait until you’re ready, though my mother wants us to get married soon” he grinned at the last bit.

  “No. I mean I’m never going to be in a relationship with you. We’re never getting married”

  “What why?.”his tone was laced with both hurt and anger.

  “You’ll get married to a beautiful girl who will love you. And you’d be much happier with her than you’d ever be with me. I think it’s better if we don’t do this again”

  “Aria, why are you doing this? What’s wrong?”his voice had gotten gruff and his eyes were glassy. I hated myself for doing this to him but it had to be done, no matter how painful it was.

  “Nothing. It’s what I want”

  “What you want?” he snorted his eyes searching my mine for a long time “Okay.”

  I nodded my voice suddenly stuck in my throat and tears threatening to fall if I dared blink.

  “Why do you say things you don’t mean Ari Rose.? Why do you insist on hurting us like this?”his fingers grazed my cheek lightly as if touching me pained him. “Is someone forcing you to do this?”

  I couldn’t answer so I just stared, tears running down my face.

  “Can we still be friends? I don’t know what is wrong with you but I don’t want to lose you Aria Reed. So please don’t push me away” tears finally fell down his face “don’t push me away Aria, please. . . Please”

  “Okay. We can still be friends.” I said even though it most likely wouldn’t happen.

  And I couldn’t help myself but hug him for the last time.