Relieved, Mrs. Sterling left her child alone to sleep.
Azaiah and Ariana finally arrived the Hawthorne mansion and Ariana's eyes widened seeing not only the magnitude but also the precise architectural design of the mansion.
During the night, the mansion looked like those places one would beware of because it wasn't brightly colored on the outside and some creeping plants hanged on some parts of the walls, making it appear slightly scary.
But during the day, it had a look akin to those pretty ancient houses drawn out of a fairytale. Where the princess and the prince lived a quiet happy life, away from the troubles of the outside world.
Though the mansion had a striking beauty and magnificence, Ariana had a feeling of sadness as she gazed on it.
"Are you okay?" Azaiah asked, noticing the change in her energy.
Turning to him, she nodded. But her eyes spoke a different thing.
Azaiah gently held her hand as they walked towards the entrance. "You don't have to answer any of my grandfather's questions if he asks any. You can leave it to me".
They walked into the house and a cold gust of wind enveloped them both, making Ariana shiver.
Ariana looked around the house and saw few persons who looked like housekeepers and servants moving around.
"Good evening young master, good evening miss" they greeted them both after seeing them walk in.
The further they moved into the house; the more she was perplexed by its beauty. It had chandeliers of different sizes and designs hanging down from the ceiling while some pathways were dimly lit by candles.
The house had marble floors and it's furnitures didn't look like they belonged to the current era. It looked old but it was elegant and durable.
As they stepped into the living room, Ariana noticed the grand fireplace. It was was sturdy and was finely made out of limestone. It also had a symbol crested into it at the top. A symbol Ariana had never seen. It was unique and alluring.
The fireplace released a cracking sound as the pieces of wood in it burned. The living room was warm, compared to some other parts of the house.
Below the intricately designed table in the living room was a rug made out of a black bear. The curious side of Ariana wanted to take a closer look but they were already seated.
While her eyes scanned the house, Azaiah had sent one of the workers to go inform his grandfather of his presence and now, they were seated in the living room waiting for him.
A lady who looked like she was in her sixties approached Ariana and asked "Miss, would you like anything to drink?".
"Oh no thank you" Ariana responded. She was too nervous to drink or have anything.
She might just end up choking herself out of nervousness and she needed to act composed in front of the old man.
"Do you want to hold my hand? It might help" Azaiah said, opening the palm of his hand. He had noticed how nervous Ariana was.
She bit her lips as she stared at his hand before placing hers in it. He gently squeezed her hand after realizing how cold her fingers were.
"Ariana, we can leave and come another time" Azaiah said but Ariana quickly retorted.
"No. I'm fine actually" she said truthfully. She was fine but only nervous.
She had never made any decision without properly thinking about the consequences.
She had always planned everything in her life, hoping they'd go exactly as she had planned but things didn't work that way.
After hearing Azaiah's proposition, she decided to throw caution into the wind for the first time in her life.
She didn't want to be constricted by her routine way of life anymore. It felt like a part of her awakened. A part that craved something different; something wild.
So she wasn't agreeing to Azaiah's deal just because of what he had said he'd do for her in return or because of his condition but because a part of her wanted something different and this was the chance to experience that.
Azaiah looked at Ariana and saw intensity burning in her eyes. Once in every human's life, there comes a time they decide to do whatever comes to mind and only hope for the best and it seemed Ariana had gotten to that point.
Azaiah had long decided to protect Ariana no matter the cost but knowing it was her own family who hurt her, he couldn't lift a finger because if he took action exactly the way he wanted, he'd bring the Sterling group to the ground. But that might make Ariana distance herself from him even more.
He needed her permission first to do what he wanted.
"Azaiah, you're back" Pa Hawthorne walked down the grand stairs which had gold railings.
Soon, his eyes shifted to the figure beside Azaiah. The figure had a long, wavy burgundy colored hair but it was of a darker shade.
This was the woman his grandson had eyes on for many years now! He fastened his steps as he came down from the stairs to get a better view of the woman.
Reaching where they were seated, Ariana quickly stood up to greet the old man.
"Good evening Mr. Hawthorne" she said smiling.
"Ohhh my precious- I mean, good evening dear" Eden Hawthorne said after noticing Azaiah's piercing gaze.
"Good evening pa. This is Ariana Sterling, my girlfriend" Azaiah said and the old man seemed a bit surprised to hear she was his girlfriend.
Azaiah had always told him there was a woman he liked and that one day, he'd bring her home. But then, Azaiah didn't exclude the fact that the woman didn't like him but now, hearing she was his girlfriend made Eden excited that she finally reciprocated his grandson's feelings.
Azaiah had been wallowing deep in unrequited love for years now so it was a relief.
"Nice to meet you dear. Sit" Eden gestured.
"Mabel! Bring some drinks and snacks for our guest" Eden Hawthorne said and Azaiah interjected "She doesn't want anything pa".
Eden's eyes turned to Ariana "Are you sure dear?" Ariana smiled and nodded.
Eden Hawthorne didn't look as old as she thought he'd look. He looked healthy and strong with all his white set of teeth intact.
Ariana noticed the slight resemblance between grandfather and grandson. The color of their skin, the shape of their eyes and hair texture.
"How are you doing dear?" Eden asked.
"I'm doing great. I hope you're well sir" Ariana said.
"Ohh I am, thank you!" Eden responded.
"It's a pleasure to know my grandson has such a beautiful young lady." He added.
"Thank you" Ariana giggled.
The woman who appeared to be in her sixties came rushing to the living room. "Sir you called".
"Don't worry. You can go" Eden said, dismissing her.
They maintained a random conversation and when it was getting late, Azaiah said "Pa, I need to take Ariana home. It's getting late".
Eden looked at the antique clock hanging on the wall noticed it was almost 10pm.
"Ariana, do you mind staying for the night? It's late now and it's a long drive back to the city" Eden Hawthorne had a plan up his sleeve.
"Oh" Ariana said turning to Azaiah, quite unsure of what to do.
"Don't worry, we'd be safe" Azaiah said to his old man.
"You know it's about an hour drive back to the city. I can't let this young lady be out at that time. Don't worry, she can stay the night. By morning, after breakfast, she can leave" Eden retorted.
Azaiah leaned closer to Ariana and whispered "Will you be okay with that?".
Ariana found herself feeling nervous at his closeness. His warm breath danced on her skin and she found herself blushing even as much as she didn't want to.
Azaiah had a way of making her feel things she didn't plan on feeling for him. He was always so gentle with her and the way he stared at her at times, made her heart skip a beat.
"Yeah it's actually fine" she responded. Ariana knew it was indeed a long drive and she didn't mind staying for one night.
"Take her to your room Azaiah, she must be tired" Eden Hawthorne said, standing up.
Ariana's eyes almost popped out of the sockets. They were going to sleep in the same room!.
"Shall we?" Azaiah stood up also, reaching out to Ariana.
She tried her best to remain composed as she took his hand.
"Goodnight" Eden said to the couple and Ariana bid him a good night rest also.