TEMPTATION 2

"Uhmm....Is this really alright?" Yago asked as he felt Arianna's back brushed against his body. They were riding a white horse together at the very moment with Arianna holding the rein and Yago being the pillion rider.

"What's the matter? Does the pillion embarrass you?" she teased as they ride the horse in a slow pace manner.

"No. It's just that, this is way too intimate. I don't even know where to put my hands into." he replied.

Arianna chuckled. "Hold onto me tightly then, or else I won't be responsible if you fall down if we go a bit faster. I haven't ridden with anyone before, so I can't guarantee your safety." She was just teasing him. But it's true that it was her first time riding with someone else. Back then, she refused to ride with anyone else because of her pride. Even when she was only learning to ride, she chose to ride alone to showcase how capable she was. Even just in front of Yago, she wouldn't want to be looked down upon, even just a bit. Now though, she insisted they ride the horse together because she's worried of his injury. But of course she wanted to tease him too. As expected, he's flustered!

"That's good." He answered. It's good that such an intimate activity is not something she easily do with others. "I'll be glad to share more first times with you in the future." Yago replied ambiguously as he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Arianna blushed a bit. Was Yago picking up his pace now? "Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm only sharing my horse with you because you're injured. It'll be troublesome if your wound reopen." Arianna then turned her head, looking around. Her parents have gone down the trail ahead of them already. "Would you be fine if we sprint at full speed?" she asked. She didn't wait for Yago's reply though, as they trotted and then break into a gallop in a while.

***

Arianna sprawled out on the bed and stared at the ceiling as if in deep thought. Today's frolic had exhausted her so much. She doesn't dare move anymore. So when Yago came to ask her out to have dinner, she refused to go and told him she isn't hungry at all. Yago left after hearing her reply but came back later carrying a tray of food. Having smelled the aroma of the food, Arianna's stomach immediately betrayed her as it rumbled quite loudly.

Yago chuckled as he brought the food next her on the bed. "You shouldn't punish your stomach like that." he teased.

Arianna's already red face contorted in chagrin. "Why did you think it's a good idea to eat in the bedroom? You should've just finished it downstairs!" she spat. Yago though, sat beside her as if he didn't hear anything. He put the tray on his lap and started cutting the already bite size cheddar bacon puffs in half.

"Open your mouth." He urged as he picked a piece of bacon puffs with his fork and brought it close to her mouth. "Don't worry. It's soft. You can easily chew it." he added.

Arianna stared at his face from her she lays. Did Yago brought the food for her? Well, what's to be astonished about? He always do things like this in the past.... It's just that, having been separated from him for a while, she now appreciates it more. The things he does for her, even the tiniest could move her deeply.

Arianna opened her mouth to welcome the food. He was pleased as he watch her chew on the small ball of bacon and cheese. When he saw her stunned as he offered to feed her, he really thought she would refuse him. After all, Arianna wasn't the kind to entertain intimate interactions before.

"This is good!" he heard her comment.

"Isn't it." he replied with a smile as he feed her another piece. He knew Arianna would like it, as she love cheese a lot. In the past, he would always cook for her, and she specially loved his cheesy dishes. "Are you too tired to get up? I'm afraid you'll choke if you continue eating like that."

"I won't choke. Feed me some more." she asked coquettishly. She then returned her gaze on the ceiling. "How nostalgic." she whispered. She actually suddenly remembered a scene when they were younger. A little girl hiding under the blanket, and a boy luring her out with pizza. She didn't realized before that Yago had put her as the center of his world since the very day they first met. Wasn't she so blessed?

Feeling blissful, Arianna didn't realize she has already fallen asleep. It was only an hour later, when her phone started ringing incessantly that she finally woke up. She realized she was alone in the room, but was nicely tucked in bed. Did Yago carried her up and moved her to her side of the bed? What about his injury? She was still pondering about things but had to shrug it off as she reach out to her annoyingly noisy phone.

"Hello Jayden..." she muttered. Her voice was still hoarse when she answered the phone.

"Hello? Did I disturb you?" she heard Jayden asked.

Arianna yawned. She was still a bit sleepy but she already regained enough strenght to get up. "I just woke up. Is there something you need?" she asked as she tried to get up and leaned on the bed's headboard.

"No... I just called to hear your voice. I miss you already." the voice on the other end stated.

"Oh, you're so sweet..." she replied. Her voice sounded moved but her face remained expressionless. She was about to say something but was distracted when she saw Yago walk in. He was carrying a box of dessert with him. She looked away and turned around after a short glance and acted as if she didn't notice Yago entering the room as she continue chatting on the phone. "Where are you now?" she asked, making her voice seem livelier. "I was busy the whole day so I didn't get to call you. I hope you don't mind."

Behind Arianna, Yago was already closing in. He sat on the other end of the bed and placed the box on the table on his right. Having felt the bed dip behind her, Arianna turned for a second before ignoring him again. "Who are you with? Are you actually out playing with some girls?", she said, pretending to be jealous.

"Of course not. I'm here with friends. It's actually quite boring so I slipped out for while to call you." Jayden explained. Although he was guilty of cheating, it was true that he wasn't flirting with anyone at the bar tonight so he answered her with confidence.

"I brought you a slice of chocolate gateau. Eat it later." Yago mentioned.

" Who's that?" Jayden asked as he heard a man's voice. Who was Arianna with?

Arianna ignored Yago as she continued to talk on the phone. "It's just my brother." Arianna uttered. "Just ignore him."

Yago raised his brows. Her brother? Ignore him huh? 'Well then, I dare you to ignore me!' Yago thought to himself. He then crept behind her and held her in his arms.

Arianna was startled. She yelped and almost dropped her phone out of shock. Yago was being to bold, isn't he? "Yago..." she whispered. "I mean, I'm still talking on the phone." she whispered. She was actually very nervous. Being held captive in his arms, her heart couldn't stop pounding hard against her chest!

"Alright. Continue." he mumbled. He didn't let go of her though. In the contrary, he tightened his embrace even more. He then showered her fair neck with light kisses. Arianna started having goosebumps.

"Jayden... I'll just... I'll call you tomorrow... I... have something urgent." Arianna closed her eyes as she struggled to keep her voice calm. She couldn't continue to talk to Jayden at her current state. She can't even keep her voice from shaking. "Sorry Jayden." She said before hanging up.

Arianna struggled from Yago's hold and turned to face him as soon as he let go. She glared at him as if she was deeply annoyed by her actions.

"You're so bold huh? I didn't expect you to be such a person. Don't you think you're being unfair?" 'Ah... what am I saying. I'm just spouting what comes to mind to get rid of these butterflies in my stomach.' she muttered in her heart. She was actually elated by his actions, but it was too much for her heart to take while she was sober. She was beginning to crave for some alcohol because of it.

Needs to calm down... needs to calm down... She repeated those words in her mind. The price she have to pay for provoking Yago was surprisingly big. She was actually feeling the urge to eat him up at the moment! Ah... she knew she could easily lose it. Sigh...

"I'm going to take a shower. Reflect on yourself." she said as if reprimanding a child.

Yago watched as Arianna entered the shower. She was so flustered just now. Did he win this time? However, as Arianna finished her shower and went out wrapped in just a piece of towel, Yago's expression darkened. He turned around to avoid the view once again. It seemed like... things are about to turn out just like last night. He's bound to lose again...