After breakfast, they walked hand in hand to his study. But after that, Ryan no longer had her time. He wouldn't talk, but she kept on blabbering, and he would only say "Mm" so she would be sure he was listening. But he wasn't. He was so focused on working that he ignored her presence in the room. She soon felt bored since attention wasn't given to her. Ms Jung is not even home for her to go to and have tea and chat for a long while. She had stopped blabbering and he didn't even look her way. She sighed, stood up and walked out of the room to find something to ease her boredom. He wasn't even aware.
Aria walked slowly along the hallway, with nowhere in mind to go. Her legs stopped in front of a door and she stared at it. She remembers this door. Ms Jung said Ryan doesn't let anyone in. But she had seen Leonel go in there once. What could be inside? Curiosity coursed through her and her hands went to the knob. She turned it, luckily it wasn't locked. She pushed the door open and walked in slowly, closing it a little. The room was large, with a red carpet in its middle. And on either sides was a beautiful decor of paintings hanging on the wall. A large chandelier with beautiful crystal lights hung from the middle of the ceiling.
"Wow... This is beautiful" she breathed as she walked further on the red carpet, overwhelmed. The room had this special scent. She couldn't tell what it was, but it smelled like incense. The place felt peaceful and full of emotions. Why did he restrict anyone from coming here? What is here to hide?
At the end of the carpet, her legs stopped and her eyes fell on a large portrait. She stared, deeply. This woman... she's beautiful. Her eyes...there are like Ryan's. And somehow, a little, they look alike. On the portrait, Lim Yi Seo was written.
*...*...*
Ryan leaned back on his chair with a deep sigh escaping mouth. He lifted his eyes and looked at the room, Aria wasn't in. It was then he realised she hadn't been talking. When did she leave.? He stood up to find her, wanting to go to their room first. But, he found out the door to his gallery was slightly opened. His eyes narrowed, as he pushed the door open and walked in, in slow measured steps.
Aria was still gazing at the woman on the portrait with her head tilted to the side. Wondering who this woman was, when...
"What are you doing here?" his voice came. Somewhat dark, stern and cold. Her eyes grew wide a bit and she turned slowly. She found Ryan standing there and she gulped hardly.
"I asked what you're doing here, Aria" Ryan spoke again, taking steps towards her which she found murderous. She fought the urge not to step back.
"I... I was curious to know what's behind the door" she answered when he was just an inch away. "I'm sorry" his gaze softened and he cursed himself for acting angry and making her a bit scared. He sighed and she looked at him. She could tell he wasn't angry.
"Let's go" he said and took her hand, but she refused to follow him.
"Ryan, wait. W-who is this woman?" she asked. Ryan looked at the portrait, he hesitated.
"M-my mother. At least that's what they said" he added, and she saw a pinch of sadness in his eyes.
"Your mother is really beautiful, Ryan. You have her eyes" she smiled at him, but at this moment he just couldn't smile.
"Let's go" he tried to take her away but she removed her hand from his hold.
"Please, let me stay a bit. I want to keep looking at her" she said, and after making puppy eyes at him, he agreed. They both stood there staring at his mother that his eyes began to sting. "Why did you put this place under restriction? See how beautiful and peaceful it is" she smiled.
"I don't know" he answered. Maybe he didn't want anyone to feel his emotions when they come here. If she had looked closely at the paintings she would notice some depicts sad and painful emotions. While others where just natural and lonely.
A few moments passed and Ryan was feeling somehow uneasy. It wasn't even a second that the feeling coursed through him, that...
"Help me!" rang in his ears. Followed by that long unpleasant sound and aching of his heart. He tried to leave immediately but he couldn't. The words came again and he groaned, covering his both ears.
Daggers stabbed his heart a million times, the words grew louder, getting worse by every split second. He staggered backwards, his throat tightened as sweat broke on his body.
"Argh..!!" he groaned out again, his eyes grew red and misted. Arianna didn't know what was happening, she looked shocked.
"Ryan? Are you okay?"
His veins popped out, scarring his body and he fell to his knees as he squeezed his chest. Every breath he took burned his throat. He felt like he was thrown in lava. His head was spinning, the pain grew worse but the words didn't stop. It was like the whole world was crying for help. Arianna went to him, shaking him slightly.
"Ryan, what's wrong?" she was frightened.
"Argh..!!" His body went more toned and his shirt ripped at the shoulders. His fingers grew into talons and his fangs elongated. He was still groaning in agony. The pain was much more worse than the previous ones. He can't...he can't bear it. His lips turned crimson red and his eyes molten gold. Arianna's eyes began to glisten with tears. What was going on? Is some in need of help? Is that why he's in so much pain?
"Ryan...." she called and he whipped his head towards her. Her eyes met his burning ones and she shuddered. He growled from the back of his throat and his wicked fangs came in view. Arianna became horrified and she crawled backwards. He stood up and took steps towards her, her heart raced in utter fear.
"Ryan..." he snarled and growled at her and she knew he was going to harm her. She stood immediately to run, but before she could reach the door, she was flung away and she fell hard to the floor. She groaned in pain. The next moment she was pushed against the wall. His movements were nothing but a blur and now he has his hand around her neck, strangling her. His eyes held nothing but bloodlust - the urge to kill. He just wanted to kill. His talons dug into her neck as she struggled to take his hand off, and blood strolled out.
"R-r-ryan..." she choked out and he tightened his hold, growling at her. "Ah... p-please... l-let go..." her eyes welled with tears and they rolled down her cheek, dropping on his hand. "P-please...." she was going away, her body numb. And abruptly, he let go. Confusion visible in his eyes as he watched her gasp heavily for air while blood dripped to the floor.
"Help me!" the words came again. He growled loudly while looking up at the ceiling and then he disappeared. Arianna stood up and ran out of the room, crying. She went to her room and locked the door securely. Scared that he might come again. She backed away from the door, breathing heavily and sat on the bed.
He nearly killed her. Ryan almost killed her. Blood was still dripping from her neck so she picked up her phone to call Zariel. But her visions went blurry. She wavered in her steps, her head spinning, her body growing numb. And so she passed out, falling on the bed.