Bryce and Aria [3]

[3 years ago]

He leaned on the pole right across the street to the Beauty's Flowers. Bryce was close to fooling Aria that both of them fell in love at the same time. It was enough to prove that Aria was a soft one but with just a strong façade no one dared to break off.

It's very appreciated to have it as a go. Prince was moving to Avery's line, too, close to crossing it. Falling in love was the hardest part, because after it did so, the next move was to get along. They're the guys, and they're the ones who should anchor the swing.

Without them bombarding both Aria and Avery's life, things wouldn't be that nasty.

When it's time for lunch, a year ago, Aria doesn't want to accept his invitation.

But right now, the moment came when Aria accepted those invites and Bryce got astonished by the sudden change. Then, he realized what must be the cost of that. It may be the part where he's persistent on dating her, on letting her say yes, and he's on a pursuit.

Times like that must be the one Aria was waiting for him to do.

She's an observant, something that would eventually give in if you're too serious about a certain topic. Bryce was the one who tickled that romantic bone.

He stood up straight when she saw her walking out, waving goodbye to her colleagues.

Aria stood by the pedestrian street, waiting for the signal to go green. She looked up to the person on the other side, and immediately smiled. The smile that she gave to Bryce, only to him, and no one has able to exude it out of her charm. She was similar to a bright flower dangling at the branches, waiting for the fall, but hanging on there in the morning spring.

Even if it's fall, Aria would still be a cosmos flower blooming all seasons.

Bryce waited until the signal goes green. Right after it beeped, Aria ran for it. Bryce waited for her until she reached the gutter street and threw her arms around his waist. One thing is for sure: it was the first time she had done that.

Those kinds of moves a schoolgirl hits the way everyone do when they're still young.

Bryce staggered back, but held onto Aria. She hugged him tight, not because she missed him too much, but because he's the only one who made everything so easy day-by-day. Aria felt at ease once she saw Bryce out in the street, waiting for her. Even if she had a hard time, Aria wouldn't be alone, because Bryce would listen to every word she said, like it's just normal for her to rant.

Aria sniffed in his scent, closed her eyes, and stayed there. There's no one crossing the street, so she wouldn't be a hindrance. Aria would just hold on for a minute.

Bryce whispered, "Are you alright?"

Aria didn't answer. She has a lot of problems now, and no one was there to listen.

Bryce's smile dissipated when she breathed deeply.

…

Both of them sat across each other as the noodles had been served. Bryce paid the bill right away as they shouldn't get disturbed with the story. Aria hasn't been that well at all. She's longing for the presence of her acting mother, Tin Malahan, these past few days, but she couldn't get a hold of her in the call.

"She always texted me that she's busy, but I wanted her presence right now. The work is overflowing, the bills are in need to get paid, and I don't know how much I needed this month to pay for my living expenses. I'm so drained out, and the flower shop I worked with wasn't going good with the business, either."

Bryce couldn't help to start eating. First of all, she still had to take enough courage to calm her down and eat some, but no. She has a major problem now. A conflict that couldn't be solved in a day and nothing would be able to fix it unless the fate allowed to.

"I don't know why I had this time, the darkest of times. I'm always there, on the good side, doing respectable things, doing the truest things at all. It's basically of one of the moments I wanted, that I am thoroughly engaged of," she discussed.

Bryce scrutinized her eyes. It brimmed with tears. A lie wouldn't be moved with tears. It was the only good thing that has happened in his entire life. Bryce hasn't noticed those pure tears at all from anyone he met: only to Aria.

"I don't know why I had to lead this kind of life, Bryce. I was so lost to the moment I don't know where to go. I should have known from the start that I'm the bad one. That I must be… the bad one, and that would be the reason why no one stayed."

Finally, she broke out. Aria covered her mouth with the back of her hand. She sobbed, literally.

It made Bryce stand up, but then, he realized it wouldn't be a big help at all.

Letting someone cry alone and listen to the side was the best thing to do.

"I became s fool for no reason, and that maybe because I don't know anything about life than just to survive. I only know how to survive, and everything else doesn't matter as I paid all the bills. In fact, it's the reason I don't want to go on dates you invite me over."

Aria wiped the tears, looked up at Bryce. Realization hit him hard.

It was a moment of venture, of repentance to what he's about to do with Aria.

Prince and Bryce were planning to ruin the most important thing happening to Aria's life, and it is to survive. What would be her survival if he gun down Aria? What would be the reason for their killing when this woman innocently lived, and there's no one labeling her as the criminal's daughter?

Only Prince would do that.

"I felt like I had nothing to offer to you, Bryce. Look at me, I'm a simple florist. I'm someone who doesn't have any wealth attached to their body, just like you. I'm like nothing beside you. I'm always the one trying to figure out who was me, but look. I'm not that extravagant as you are."

Clearly, having every conflict in her life resulted to the most hated part of it: doubting yourself.

"No, Aria, you're worth of the discussion."

She shook her head vigorously. The tears streamed down her cheeks. Bryce couldn't help but to stand up from his seat and gone beside her. He immediately pulled her into a hug the moment he slid inside the booth.

All of the sobs did Aria contained burst out like wildfire.