MERRY CHRISTMAS: Morning after madness

Arianna slowly opened her eyes and was startled to see Yago staring down at her. She was so surprised that she unconsciously pushed him away.

"Wha.... what happened?"

Yago was half naked. When she checked herself, she was more naked! She thought for a while before coming to her senses. Yep! It was real! It wasn't a dream. She thought it was though.

"Well, don't you think this scene seems familiar?", she jested before lying back in bed, pulling the blanket to her neck, and turning around to avoid his stares.

"What are you doing?" Yago asked perplexed.

"I'm going back to sleep. I don't like the feeling of this deja vu." she replied.

Yago narrowed his eyes. Why is Arianna acting so naturally? Aren't she aware that nothing happened to them the other night, and last night was their first? Shouldn't she be furious right now? Or curious a little? She just lost her chastity to him!

"Do you remember what happened last night?" he probed.

"Eh... I don't remember anything I do when I'm drunk. I don't want to know the details either. What I don't know won't hurt me." she replied. It's good that he couldn't see her face, otherwise, with how nervous she was right now, it'll be easy for him to tell that she's lying.

Yago sighed. So all that happened last night, those memories were only his? He thought they would be sharing it. But anyway, isn't it a good thing too? Things wouldn't be more complicated.

"I'll take responsibility."

Arianna instantly sat up. She then slowly turned to look at him with eyes widened. "What did you say?",she asked. This is not the kind of morning she expected to wake up into. So awkward!

"I said I'll take responsibility. Don't marry Jayden. Marry me instead." he clarified.

Arianna shook her head. "No need. You can just apologize again. No hard feelings." She really didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Can she not have this awkward conversation early in the morning?

"I'm not sorry though." he argued. "If you don't want me to be responsible for you, then you have to be responsible for me instead. That was my first time. Since we did it, you're my woman now. You can't just simply run away from your obligations!"

Arianna was speechless. 'Oh my... The shameless Yago was back.' Although he misses this side of him, she was not so happy at the moment. She doesn't want this conversation right now. She just want to rest more as her body was still aching!

"You can't tie me up with that logic. You're an engaged man. Having me as your woman is cheating." she then lay back down as if returning to sleep. "Alright, go now! Don't disturb me anymore. I want to sleep." she said waving her hand.

He didn't leave though. He moved closer to her and hugged her from behind. "I'm not marrying anyone. You're the only one I want." he whispered in a soft voice before planting kisses on her nape.

Oh, it tickles! She already knows that, alright? Yago loves her the most. Should she just say yes so he could finally get rid of him?

"Marry me, yes? Promise me you'll only marry me..." he pleaded. His voice was so soft and sexy. Added with his small kisses on her shoulders, she couldn't help but give in.

"Alright. I promise you. I won't marry anyone except you. Now, can you please let me sleep some more? I'm tired..." she answered in casual manner. She sounded forced but it didn't matter as long as she mean it.

*Cough*cough!

Both of them were distracted by the sudden noise coming from the door. They turned to look only to find Arianna's parents standing there.

"Uhm... we didn't mean to interrupt. We just came to greet you..." Dianna stated awkwardly. "Well, merry christmas!" She said before Carl pulled her out and closed the door behind them.

" How does that feel for you?",Dianna looked up to Carl and asked with an awkward smile.

"My only daughter was cuddling with a man in bed naked! Of course I feel bad." he answered. "But isn't it what you wanted? You put them into the same room. I know you're anticipating this result. As long as you're satisfied, then I'm happy if you are."

Dianna smiled at his husband. She hoped to see a little grandchild soon.

***

Inside the room, Arianna was currently hiding underneath the blanket. When did those two show up? Can this morning be any more embarrassing? Can't the earth just swallow her whole? How could she show such a scene to her parents!

"They're long gone..." Yago spoke.

Arianna peeked from under the blanket and glared at Yago. "Then why are you still here? Stop being clingy and leave me alone! It's not as if it's the first time this happened! There's nothing to see!", she yelled before pulling the blanket to cover her head. She knew her words were harsh but she couldn't care less about it. She just want to hide from the world right now!

Yago sighed. She was obviously too embarrassed. Fine. He will just retreat for now. She already promised him anyway.

"Alright." He said as he touched the top of her head. "I'll shower first and the head out to see Mom. Take your time to rest." he said before heading to the bathroom.

Arianna took a deep breath as she tried to calm her heart. What to do now? How to face them? How would she sneak out tonight? Wait.... He already promised Yago not to attend the wedding--oh wait again.... she didn't, did she?

***

Arianna stayed inside her room until noon. During lunchtime, she gave each of her parents the christmas present she prepared. To her father, she gifted him a limited edition watch, while she gave her mom a set of jewelries by a well-known designer. Yago didn't come empty handed as well. He gave her parents a big red box and inside were stacks of papers.

Arianna glared at him when she found out what those are. "Are you trying to outdo me in giving gifts? Or are you showing off to my parents? I tell you, I'm richer than you by ten folds." she teased. Who told him to gift her parents a large property in Dan City? Isn't that too expensive to be a christmas gift?

Yago raised his brows. "What if I tell you this is a bethrothal gift?",he replied.

Bethrotal gift? What was that all about! She really wanted to laugh but she retained her cold expression for the sake of the argument. "That's your bethrotal gift? Then it's too little. I'm such an outstanding woman. How can you buy me with just a piece of land?"

"Oh.... Am I supposed to buy you? I thought you're already mine." he teased her back.

Arianna was rendered speechless. She couldn't help but blush. That joke was clearly a hit below the belt! Fine. He won this time. She can't refute that out of embarrassment. Her parents are watching them, too! Ah, how shameful! Does he really need to remind her of what happened? This shameless wolf!

***

"I got this for you." Yago took out a pair of earrings. Again, its design was identical to her ring and necklace. So it was really a set?

"You're being a cheapskate. Why don't you give me a bracelet or a watch, too?" she jested. They were currently walking around the garden after lunch.

Yago was stunned. She couldn't understand what she's being dazed for though. Did she say something wrong? Was she asking for too much?

"I'm just kidding. I didn't even prepare a gift for you. I'm sorry."she murmured. It's not that she didn't prepare a gift, but she didn't want to give it to him at the moment.

Yago smiled as he reached for her hand. "I think I already received the best gift in the world." he stated.

Arianna stared at him before looking away. No. Even if he's Yago, she couldn't accept him at the moment. He was using someone else's identity at the moment. She doesn't want to be misunderstood...

"Vier, I asked the GV restaurant to prepare us a candle light dinner tonight. Can you meet me there at 8?" she asked with a smile.

Yago nodded. Perhaps, tonight was the best time to tell her his identity. Maybe that could stop her completely from attending the wedding tomorrow?

***

7:00 AM in the morning:

Yago woke up with a headache. Just what happened last night? He remembered dining with Arianna. They chatted til ten in the evening, then..... then he couldn't remember what followed!

Arianna... where is she?

Yago looked around but there was no sign of her. He scrambled down the bed to check her closet but her luggage wasn't there. Did she leave? But why? He thought they already agreed on this! Just what happened!

On the table beside the bed lay a black box and a letter underneath. Yago took the letter that read...

"I'm sorry but I have to leave. I'm sorry that I have to lie. I'm sorry that I have to reject you. I can not accept anybody else in this lifetime except for Yago. I was and will always be his woman."

Damn it! What's the meaning of that? If she was telling the truth then why was she rushing back to Dan city to get married? Was this some kind of a joke. He held the box in his hand and tightened his grip. Whatever's inside, he wasn't interested to know. She said it's her christmas gift for him. Was it her farewell gift as well? What did she gave him? Was it a type of drug she mixed with his drink? How could she be this heartless?

Yago glanced at the watch on his wrist. It's been a few minutes after seven in the morning. The wedding was 10:AM. There's no way he can reach Dan city in just two hours!

Yago took out his phone and dialled Tiger's number. After a moment, the call connected. "Tiger, give Arianna's location to me." he ordered even before Tiger can say anything. There was a long silence on the end of the phone before he heard Tiger's voice.

"Sir, I'm sorry but I'm not in Dan City." he replied.

"What are you saying? Where are you now?" Wasn't the task he gave him was to monitor and protect Arianna? Why wasn't he doing his job?

"Sir, I'm at Green Valley. I was tasked to protect you."he stated.

Yago couldn't help but curse. He hates being helpless. He hates things being out of control! He ended the call abruptly and dialled Viper's number. The man answered it immediately.

"Sir, is there anything you need from me?" he asked at once.

"Are you following Arianna?" he asked directly.

"Yes, sir." he replied.

"Good. Do something to stop Arianna from going to that wedding!" he ordered.

Just like before, there was a long silence before Viper finally answered. "Negative Sir, I'm sorry. Everything was already set. There's no way I would allow anyone to stop this event." Viper's voice was cold.

Traitor. They were all traitors. He was surrounded by traitors. Yago cursed as he collapse to the floor. He sat there holding his phone in one hand, and a box in another. He closed his eyes as the world began spinning before him and his head throbbed as he succumbed to total darkness. This darkness was familiar... too familiar to him....