"I'll drop you" Devian said with a slight hesitation.
"Ya....."
"No need. We can walk." Arien stopped Ashley from speaking further by directly rejecting him and pulled away Ashley along with her.
Devian helplessly shook his head. "Silly girl."
"Slow down, he's not following." Ashley was out of breath because she has been walking.. No!
She has been running for so long. She was so tired that she can't even walk now.
"It was a bad idea to go shopping with you this weekend. How I forgot that you were also good in athletics! How I thought I would enjoy and you have already made me so tired. My back is already so sore. I can't even move now."
"Okay okay it was my fault I know please forgive me." Arien made a puppy face that looked so pitiful. How could her best friend still scold her!
They decided to rest for a while and then go for shopping so they sat on a bench nearby. Ashley was still panting.
"Let me bring you a bottle of water. What say?" Arien was still sorry for Ashley's miserable situation.
"Aww you care for me the most." Ashley spoke as if she would cry anytime.
"Stop acting now, okay." Arien crossed the road and went to the shop to buy a bottle of mineral water.
She waited for the green signal. Then started crossing the road. Just as she was in the middle a car sped towards her like lightning. Arien didn't know what was she was going to do. She just stood there unable to move.
Just as the car was about to hit her a strong forced pulled her to the side of the road and she was pulled in someone's embrace.
Ashley ran towards them.
"Thank you De.... . Harry?"Arien was disappointed because he wasn't Devian, rather he was Harry.
Heavens! Why did she expected him to be Devian, and not anyone else.
She pushed Harry away and took a step back. Now his hands were empty and so was his heart. Harry was angered but soon he regained his composure.
"I just managed to pass from this lane and saw you. And why didn't you run when you saw the car coming towards you?" Harry asked in concern.
"I...I was..." Arien was dumbstruck because of the incident just now.
This scene was also somehow witnessed by Devian, he would have rushed there but the distance between them was very large. He felt helpless.
"You alright?" Arien heard a concerned voice from behind. She turned around and saw Devian approaching her with fast yet steady steps.
"Yes" Arien's voice seemed dissatisfied.
"Mr Lyle, director Chester why don't you both accompany us out if you're free this weekend? Ashley continued after confirming that Arien was fine. "You both big shots would have fun for sure."
Ashley only wanted to know Devian's attitude to confirm what Arien has told her. According to Ashley, the details that Arien gave about him didn't match Devian's personality.It seems that she has misunderstood Devian.
Harry happily agreed to accompany them because he wanted to spend time with Arien. But he was still not completely happy because of the two invaders between them and especially the Lyle guy.
On the other hand, the cold and aloof director Lyle was still hesitating.
"Mr Lyle don't you want to go?" He heard Arien's soft voice.
He was still into thinking while the others had already started walking ahead.
After Arien's call how could he not go? He walked a little faster and caught up with them.
"You both may go ahead we will have a drink together." Harry insisted in staying with Arien alone than accompanying them.
But Ashley was dedicated to keep Arien and Devian together. After all they have got such a good opportunity to do that.
Devian also didn't want to let Arien go with that man.
Was he jealous?
Yes! Definitely he's jealous!
"No no no way... I'm here with Arien. How can I not go with her!" Anyway Devian can't tell her that he was jealous so he let Ashley talk.
"Let's just have a drink first and then we'll think about shopping. After that car incident my heart is already not at ease." Ashley continued, "What say, Arien?
"Ahh...?" Arien was lost somewhere in her thoughts.
Ashley pulled Arien to a nearby restaurant followed by the two men.
Harry sat and patted the seat beside him indicating Arien to sit.
Ashley took the lead and sat there. Harry was angered but he can't let Arien see that so he still kept the look of a gentleman.
Even though Ashley didn't like this stingy director of her, she still can't shout at him because he was her boss after all.
The Blooms Company was a branch of the Chester corp. How could one think of making a fuss with this rich man. In Victorville the influence of Chester corp was truly high.
Devian sat and looked at Arien. She hesitated, then sat beside Devian.
Ashley was very satisfied with this. She happily ordered four drinks. "My treat for you all!"
After the drinks the girls were busy shopping. Actually it was only Ashley who bought too many things. On the other hand Arien just bought some pair of clothes and daily necessities.
Harry went to the corner to attend a call. And Ashley was still busy buying things. It was a long time since she has gone out for shopping with Arien.
Maybe today she'll buy the whole city...!
Suddenly something caught Arien's attention and she walked toward the men's clothes section."Since when did you start wearing men's clothes?" Ashley had a good humor. She spoke while following Arien.
Devian also followed closely behind.
Arien picked up a black shirt which looked classic, pulled Devian in front of a mirror and placed the shirt in front of him "Let's buy this." She continued "Don't you get bored wearing suits all day long! Let's have a change, how about this ?"
"So considerate couple." Ashley commented "You seriously know Mr. Lyle's taste, Arien!"
Even though all his suits were custom made specifically by his private designer which were far better than the so called high quality market product, he felt happy in his heart.
Devian nodded. His lips curved into a smile which looked very charming.
Seeing him willing Arien bought it "My gift" she said with a big bright smile on her face.
They stood at the entrance of mall. Devian stretched his hand towards Arien. She took a small step back to maintain the distance. Devian took the shopping bags from her hand and stood straight.
Arien didn't know why she felt warm in her heart .
"Seems that he loves you so much." Ashley's voice echoed from behind.
"I have already told you everything last night" Arien glared at her.
Devian "....." He had a smile in his cold eyes.
Although Arien gave Ashley a warning gaze, she still felt happy in her heart.She looked at Devian form the corner of her eyes and her smile became wider.
"What if I treat you all to a very good, luxury meal?" Harry was completely ignored so now he decided to boast his richness in front of them.
"Director Chester, thank you, but we are already full. We had our breakfast so we're not hungry." Arien denied his proposal politely
"Let's get back home" Arien was not in a mood to roam around any more so she asked Ashley."I'll drop you" Chester took the opportunity to drive them back.
"I'm sure director Chester is not so free to help us." As expected Ashley will not let go easily "I think Mr Lyle is free enough to send us back"
"Okay" Devian replied and walked towards his car followed by both the girls.
Harry was left behind alone in a terrific mood.
A sudden call came in, which made him stay there and not follow them."What's the matter?" He answered the phone in an agitated voice.
"Director are you not satisfied with my work?" A crisp voice of a lady came from the receiver.