ARIELLA'S POV

THIS cave was pretty big enough for two people to squeeze themselves in. My strange guardian Angel turned the flash from his phone on. With the help of the flashlight, I could see that there was a window at the end corner. I could hear the squeaky sounds of rats and rabbits that were obviously outside.

"So, are you a runaway bride or did you just lose your way?" Ugh, I was still on my wedding dress so of course, he'd ask me that.

"You don't wanna know," I dismissed with a forced smile but he leaned forward, determined to know what happened. "Oh but I couldn't be more intrigued to know."

His way of speaking was unique. Sometimes, he would talk like a modern man and now, he was talking like an oldie.

He did save me from dying but he was still a stranger and I couldn't just tell him everything. He might rat me out to the police or even blackmail me to extort money from me. Money that I didn't have. I bit my chin, feeling doubtful about telling him how I might have killed my fiancé. Still, I felt the need to say something, I wanted to be free of this burden so I let out a long sigh.

"Well, runaway bride is certainly not the right title for my dilemma. Perhaps runaway fiancé's murderer would work perfectly," I say gently trying to make light out of the situation but that was impossible. What I did was fucking serious and I could never forgive myself for it.

"Please go on. You've drastically increased my curiosity."

"He didn't show up for our wedding and I.....I found him at the hotel," tears started welling in my eyes. The tears rained down my cheeks, "I didn't mean to kill him. It all happened so fast and I....I.....didn't want to kill him but I did."

He pulled me in for a warm embrace, wiping off my tears with his hands. I felt safe with my head laid on his chest.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to me. "But why are you apologizing?" I asked feeling dazed at his sudden apology.

"I'm sorry for asking such a delicate question," he answered, his hands still on my face.

"But it's not your fault. I'm sorry for being a stressor to you right now," I told him. I hated when people stressed me so I also didn't want to stress anybody too.

He looked at me with wide eyes and said undoubtedly, "I'd argue the opposite, Mis..,"

"It's Miss Ariella Reas. It could have been MRS. Ariella Willows if the universe didn't play such a dirty trick on me," I sniggered.

"Hmm Ariella, a very unique name for a very unique lady such as yourself," he complimented. When his hands circled my stomach, I told him the whole story from start to finish.

"He got what he deserved and I could never take you to the police for something you didn't mean to do. You have a good heart and if I was graced enough to be your fiancé, I would never have stood you up." He simultaneously told me, leaving me breathtaking by his confession.

I raised my head, my hands reached for his shoulders, he leaned closer and his soft lips gently brushed against mine, building up a storm of jolly butterflies in my stomach. It was so sweet, so sensual, so breathtaking but he pulled back a bit.

"If we continue, I won't be able to stop and I'm not sure if you need this right now. Your mind's loaded with so many emotions and I don't want to be labelled as regret in the future," he expressed himself in such a way that I couldn't doubt his sincerity.

"Look I don't know what tomorrow holds for me. I may be locked up in jail or I may be far away from everyone I know. I really don't know. That's tomorrow's problem. But I'm sure of one thing though," I paused, trying to catch my breath. I continued, "I'm sure that I'll regret not sharing this night with you. You're right, perhaps I don't need this right now but it doesn't mean I don't want it now."

Without wasting time, he captured my mouth hungrily and my insides were screaming for him to never stop. "By the way, I'm Sylaq Steel."

Wow! Did I make out with a stranger without even knowing his name? It's my first time hearing his name. It sounded so out of this world and I loved it.

"Ariella Reas, if you let me, I would like to carve my heart into yours," he pleaded with mercy. and I could hear the desperation in his voice. I actually thought he was just saying that to make this moment special because he sounded like he was in love with me and that's impossibly impossible.

Whatever, I chose not to ruin this passionate moment and just go with the flow of hotness. "MR. Sylaq Steel, I would like that very much," I moaned into his mouth.

It seemed as though my words awoke a very passionate beast as he began ravishing me with pleasurable kisses. He caressed me like I was this delicate bird that only deserved the greatest attention the world could offer. Without thinking too much, without looking back to my past, without thinking of the future, I willingly gave myself to this mysterious but sexy Sylaq Steel. I was sure that I wasn't going to regret it.

And I was dam right, I didn't regret it. He was super attentive to every touch and at the same time, he was fervidly driving in and out of me. I also enjoyed touching him, I had never touched Steve like that, or any man for that matter. In all honesty, this was my first time and Sylaq made it memorable for me. Suddenly, he got up from the bed and I was like what happened? Did he regret it or did I do something wrong? Before I could ask him, he brought out a box form his pocket and what he did next blew me away completely.

Sylaq went on one knee and spoke with the most attractive voice, "you, Ariella are my new hope and I want my new hope everywhere with me." He opened the box and brought out a very shimmering emerald....OMG is that a ring? Although it was a bit dark, I could see how lovely and ancient the ring was. It was an original emerald ring. The green stone glittered like the shiniest hope alive.

I felt his eyes burning me with his hypnotic gaze as he proposed, "will you marry me?"

"Yes, I will," I accepted with no doubts. My positive response made him smile widely, he quickly put the ring on my finger.

A few hours ago, Steve's ring was on this finger but it's funny how quickly it was replaced. We were both so happy that our tongues locked again, igniting the passionate sparks of flames in my heart and I sure was embracing every euphoric feeling.

He said that I was his new hope but in reality, he's actually my new hope and I'd be dammed to let go of it.