Chapter XXII

Briella was at Ryan's again today.

"Hey... Briella?" Ryan began.

"Yes, Ryan?".

"I want to go for a walk, wanna go with me?".

"Right now? No, you were sick. You had a high fever," she replied.

"But, I feel better now, much better than yesterday. Besides, fresh air will do me no harm.".

He was right, Briella knew that fresh air might as well help him recover that bit faster. On top of that, she felt bad for him but also the fact that Ryan was older than her made her feel like - despite her already giving him her opinion - she wouldn't be able to change his mind.

"You do realise it's freezing outside, right?" Briella inquired.

"Yes, I do.".

"Alright then. We will go for a short walk. But let me get this clear..." she started. "I don't want to see you with no less than at least three to four layers on you, with a thick coat, a big scarf to protect your neck and a hat on your head. Understood?".

They made a quick circle around the neighbourhood as the snow scattered made its way and landed around them both.

When they both came back, Briella noticed Ryan's pained facial expression. "Ryan are you okay?".

He just nodded. "I'm fine.".

But despite his words, Briella wasn't convinced, she felt that something was off. So she reached out and felt his head. She gasped. "Your fever is back...".

Silence.

"What did I tell you!?" her shout broke the silence.

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Over the next three days, Ryan's sickness practically disappeared, he recovered from his illness. It also just so happened to be New Year's Eve, so he was all around his place, cleaning everything up for the New Year.

Sometime later, Briella joined him. She helped him clean up what had to be cleaned before they both cooked some goodies for the New Year's celebration.

"So, how are you feeling now?" Briella asked.

"That's definitely not you asking how I am for the tenth time now," he replied, laughing ever so slightly.

"Well, I am just worried. You were pretty sick," she responded, continuing to stir the contents in the saucepan.

The smile on Ryan's face faded away ever so slightly. "I feel like I'm a brand new person.".

Briella let out a gentle smile when she heard his words. "I am glad to hear so...".

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Hours passed, it was getting close to eight in the evening, the sun has set. Its glow illuminated the sky and its broken clouds.

That night, it wasn't meant to snow. Which made it a perfect night to spectate the fireworks that would have occurred some time later.

Ryan turned on the TV, and as per tradition, the main channel had a night filled with music planned out all the way to the countdown. He turned the volume up, allowing the sound to ricochet throughout the living room and the kitchen.

They both sang along to the songs and laughed together while continuing to prepare for tonight.

They placed the prepared food on the main table that was shared between the kitchen and the living room.

Briella placed her hands on her hips, examining the overall layout of the table. Everything seemed to be in the right place.

Then, her gaze rose to Ryan. As if he could read her thoughts, he looked back down at her, their gazes connected at the same time.

He widened his eyes, which indicated he was listening. He was able to tell that she had something to say.

"Well..." Briella began. "Are you sure you are okay?".

He rose an eyebrow. "Yes, I am. As I said, I am feeling good. Like brand new. If you are saying that because of Liam and Nadia, I know it may be a bit too early to call anyone over, but... it's New Years. It would be a bit stupid not to invite anyone else over. Don't you agree?". 'Though having only you by my side tonight would be more than sufficient,' he thought to himself.

She kept her eyes on Ryan, a small smile formed on her face.

"Besides, I'd stay a bit further away for you all," Ryan added moments later.

But upon hearing his words, her smile receded ever so slightly. Something about his words spread slight sadness through Briella.

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Some time passed, both Nadia and Liam arrived at Ryan's flat. They didn't come empty-handed.

"Hey, guys!!" Nadia greeted them both. Then, she proceeded onto giving them both a gift each. Afterwards, Liam did the same.

With that, they all spent the evening together. They laughed and sang all together. They performed a session or two of karaoke before sitting by the table to eat.

Time swiftly flew by.

Ten minutes to midnight. Ten minutes to the new year.

"Ten more minutes, guys. Ten more minutes!!" Nadia voiced, holding a glass of champagne in her hand.

"You are celebrating early," Liam joked around.

Nadia smiled at his words. "Look who says," she replied, pointing out that he had a drink in his hand.

He raised an eyebrow at her before raising his glass. "This is coke," he said, swirling the drink in his glass. In turn, causing the ice to jingle against the glass.

Then, Liam rose his eyes from Nadia to Ryan and Briella as they were both in the kitchen, preparing more food.

"Is it just me or is there something going on between Briella and Ryan. They seem much closer now.".

Nadia almost choked on her drink. She turned around, also looking at Ryan and Briella. Though Briella and herself went over this exact topic a few weeks ago, and though she had her own bias, she still proceeded to say, "I don't know. I mean... after all, maybe it is just you," she teased Liam. "I'd say they are just friends. But you are not wrong, they do seem much closer when compared to only a few weeks ago.". Nadia's words felt misleading, even to her.

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"Guys, guys, guys!!! It's about to begin!!!" Nadia pointed out. "The countdown!!".

Nadia and Liam went into the living room. Briella was about to follow them when she felt someone take a light grip upon her hand. Turning around, she noticed it was Ryan.

She looked up into his eyes. "Ryan?".

"The fireworks are about to begin," he began. "I want to watch them with you.".

Briella's eyes widened at his words, and before she could reply, he voiced, "follow me...".

The countdown began as they both went out onto Ryan's balcony.

From the living room, both Nadia and Liam could be heard too. Immediately, Ryan and Briella joined in.

"6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...".

Then... the scream from the first firework was heard.

BOOM.

"Happy New Year!!!!".

After that fireworks upon fireworks erupted into the sky, each exploding and showing their own vibrant colours.

Briella looked at the beautiful showcase in pure awe. And while she had her eyes up in the sky, Ryan looked at Briella. He was thankful she didn't notice.

'You look so beautiful when you smile like that, Briella. That's what I want to tell you.'. His thoughts paused for a brief second, just enough for him to have steered his gaze up into the sky. 'But I can't...'.

"They look so beautiful..." she voiced.

He smiled at her words.

Now, Briella looked his way, he looked at his face, the way he looked up at the fireworks. 'I would have never guessed that the next time I'd get the watch the fireworks with someone was with you, Ryan...' she thought to herself.

Just then, as if he just now felt her gaze on him, he looked back at her. Their gazes meet.

"They do..." he broke the silence between them.

Briella crossed her brows in slight confusion.

"The fireworks... I agree. They look very beautiful.".

Then, with a smile, she shifted her attention back to the fireworks. He did the same.

'But not a beautiful as you, Briella...' Ryan thought to himself. With that, without her notice, he stepped that bit closer to her.

'The way your eyes reflect the vibrant light. The way your face, your skin is embraced by the different colours from the pyrotechnics. On top of that, your kindness, your care... it makes one thing crystal clear to me.'.

His thoughts quietened down.

'Briella, there is something I have to say... I want to say this aloud, but I feel like the timing is not right. I see that you are still hurt. But regardless, this is what I want you to know...'.

His gaze slowly fell back down to her.

'I like you, Briella.'.