Oh God I'm screwed.

"Stephan?" I put up all my strength so I could just speak normally. I felt the familiar ache in my heart as it pound so fast.

Jeez, Stephan became more handsome and hotter in my eyes right now. His body became much broader and darn it, is this my consequence for hiding from him this past two years? If someone just told me then I shouldn't have ran away.

He became more irresistible.

"H-hi, how...how are you?" What am I a teenager? I feel like I'm talking to my crush.

Stephan's face remained calm yet his eyes holds coldness. He won't even smile or give me a hint if  he is angry at me at the moment. Which is I'm certain that he is. Well, he surely had many rights to be angry though.

But I don't think what I have done is betrayal. I mean, there is nothing going on between us.

"Better than ever." He replied, now I sense the darkness in his voice. He's angry for sure.

"Awesome. Um..." Okay this is really awkward. I should asked a better question.

"H-how did you know I'm here?" I asked, my feet stepping backwards little by little.

Stephan tilted his head and put one hand on his chin "Is that the right thing to say  to the man that you've been hiding for two years?"

Oh right.

"Um...long time no see?" Crap, I mentally slapped myself.

But that only made Stephan to look at me more darkly. I guess I had irritated him more. Way to go, Ariana. But darn, what should I say? He seems so angry to even hear my explanation.

"L-look, Stephan...I know what I have done is really immature and—"

"You look beautiful." He cut me off which caught me off guard.

Now, my eyebrow raised and looked at him weirdly "What?"

Stephan sigh and turned away, placing both of his arms on top of the table. Now I'm facing his back. He sipped his cup of coffee as he stare outside through the glass window. I believe I owe him an explanation.

I sat down on the chair in front of him and ready myself for the long explanation. Rubbing my hand, I confronted him. "Stephan."

"Is this your shop?" He cut me off again, his eyes roaming around the whole area of my shop.

I cleared my throat "Yeah."

"So I guess, you took my advice." He murmured, now his eyes stopped to mine.

A smile appeared from me "Yes, I did. I realised all you said to me were right. I have to step up and find my own."

"I'm surprised your parents let you."

"At first they were so shock and they even got angry at me because I disobeyed them but honestly...when I started telling them what I really want with confidence and determination, they let me." I started explaining. Well, it's all because of Stephan in the first place.

If I agreed on getting married to him because of my parents wishes, I must be so weak right now. One flick of my parents ' finger and I will obey like a puppet.

"But Stephan, how did you find me?" I remembered to ask.

Stephan took another sip of his coffee and took seconds before he could answer "Does it matter?"

I gulped and shook my head "Nope, not at all." Then I let out a weak chuckle. "Stephan, I know I have to explain myself—"

"Madam, Mrs. Demitri is here." One of my staffs came to me. Jeez, I'm going to explain myself here.

Mrs. Demitri is my client who made an appointment with me to make a cake for her daughter's wedding.

I stood up and faced Stephan but he talked first "I am just around the area. Want to have dinner with me?"

"Tonight?"

He nodded, burying his hand in his pockets.

"I-I don't think I'm available tonight." I'll be meeting up with Cliff tonight. "Maybe tomorrow?"

Stephan sigh once again then nodded. "Tomorrow. Breakfast. I'll pick you up here." He talked like a straightforward businessman who is making a deal with someone.

"How about I invite you in my condo?" I suggested. I know this is not a good idea but I feel like I have to do this.

Stephan seems to be a little confused at my invitation. Who wouldn't be? I'm an engaged woman and here I am inviting a man in my condo.

"I'll cook? Or bake for you?" I bit my lip and played with my fingers. "I know we have so many things to talk about."

Stephan also stood up, while wiping his mouth with the table napkin "Okay. Give me the address of your apartment."

Oh.

I searched for my wallet that was inside my pocket and brought out a piece of paper. I wrote down the address of my condo and gave it to him. "Here. Be there at 9 o'clock."

He nodded and put the paper inside the pocket of his coat. "I'll be going now." He only said then went on ahead, he swiftly left my shop and I noticed some customers looking at him as he walked passed them.

I know the attention he is giving. Stephan is a handsome man with a very appealing presence. He can light up a dark room. I was watching him until he reached his car. It was a Mustang.

He put on his black shades before getting inside his car. My eyes glued on him until he finally drove away.

God, this is definitely more terrifying than anything. My fear is coming back. Didn't he tell me have courage and face everything on my own. But here I am, hiding from him. Scared that my feelings will come back.

But no , I have to face this again. I have to get my feelings straight and make it clear that I'm in love  with Cliff.

"Madam, are you alright?"

I woke up from my thoughts and shake off everything. "Yes, I'm alright. Let's get back to work."

-----

"You seems to be a little off tonight. Is everything okay?" Cliff noticed my quietness as we ate our dinner. We are eating in a fancy restaurant that was owned by a friend of Cliff.

I woke up from my senses and noticed that I barely touched my meal. "Huh?"

Cliff looked at me suspiciously "Ariana, you think I haven't noticed? You were just playing with your food using your fork and I've been talking yet you didn't even listen to a single word that I'm saying." He looked irritated now. "What's wrong?"

I swallowed and took a sip of the red wine "I just don't feel well, alright."

"Why?"

"I don't know. " I lied, of course I know the reason why I have this headache.

"You have an headache?"

I just nod and took a huge bite of the steak that is in my plate then another sip of the red wine.

"Are you pregnant?"

Then I suddenly spit out all the red wine I drunk and coughed endlessly. The heck?!

Cliff suddenly laughed then handed a tissue. "Here."

I took the tissue and wiped it on my mouth. "What the fuck?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'm just kidding! C'mon, Ariana. Don't take it seriously." He mumbled, as he continued to eat. "I know you don't want any kids so I'm really careful on that."

"J-just shut it. Don't you dare bring up that pregnancy joke." I furrowed my eyebrows, as I lean my elbow on the table and rapidly eat my steak. I just want to get this over and go home. I'm really tired tonight.

Cliff got enough of jokes. He always say that he wanted a child with me and start a family even if it happened before the wedding but I always decline him. I don't want a child right now because I'm just starting my life.

But I do get why he wants a child. He's too old to be a father and he's not getting any younger while me...I am too young to be a mother.

I'm not saying that I don't want a child of my own because I really want to be a mother in the future. But right now, it's too soon.

And I don't think that Cliff can handle being a father since he's always out of the country because of his job. Besides, I haven't met his parents in the first place. Or any of his family.

That's why I am hesitating on marrying him. He hasn't introduced me yet to his family.

Cliff brought me home in silence. The car ride was so quiet and neither of us spoke a word. But it's normal, we always get into fights or miscommunications like this so this is not new.

When we arrived at my condo,  I started feeling a little guilt so I stayed a little longer in my seat and turn to Cliff. Slowly, my hand snaked on his arm and touched his hand.

"Hey, I'm sorry." I softly murmured. "I'm just so tired and..."

Cliff turn his head to me, his eyes much softer. "Don't worry about it, my love. You know I'm contented even if it is just you. I can wait until you're ready." He brought my hand closer to his mouth and kissed the back of it.

The sight of it gave warmth in my heart. I can feel the intensity and desire how much he loves me. 

"I love you." He now kissed my lips.

"I love you too." I replied, pulling back and smiled sweetly at him. Then I opened my car door and waved at him "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah." He waved back "Good night, love. Turn on the lights once you got in so I can sure that you're safe."

"Good night." I finally closed his car door, as I head towards the entrance of the condo. The security guard greeted which I returned with a smile.

Reaching my floor, I turned on the lights and looked through the window where I saw his car as it drive off.

Placing my bag on the desk, I quickly head to the bathroom and took a warm shower. It is something that will clear my head and let me relax.

Honesty, this condo is just simple. Too small for what I can afford. It's a studio style condo where my bedroom, living room and kitchen can be located in one place. But I love the fact that I have s bathtub in my bathroom though.

My parents didn't know about this because they surely will force me to get a condo that is bigger and more expensive but for me, this is enough. I want everything simple since I'm still starting. We all have to start in simple. That's what I believe.

And then I should also believe that Stephan is a part of my past. I should not be thinking of him like this. And I have to make it clear tomorrow.

I will surely make it clear that I forgot all of my feelings about him.