The next four days passed in a blur. I spent most of my time with Kia.

Aiden, Tara and Evans would often come to visit, and we would spend time together, but Kia and I spent hours on end together, talking, exploring about one thing or the other, and generally just enjoying each other's company.

I knew that if I spent time with her, I won't be able to let go but I didn't know I'd get so used to her presence. I found myself becoming more and more attached to her every day, and I knew when the time would come. I'll cry, and I'll miss her, but I'll be OK. I've signed a deal and I can't push its limits.

But a small part of me is reluctant to let go. I made the deal because I thought he was a bipolar, rude, impolite, inconsiderate, and self-centred person, and I found him so infuriating. I thought he was a selfish bastard who had no consideration for others.

However, I am happy to say I was wrong as if he had flipped a switch in him, he was nothing compared to the first two times I met him.

Anyway, it was new year eve and everyone excluding me and Mr Arnold was excited to see the ball dropping in New York at Times Square at midnight on the occasion of New Year.

The countdown had started and right now it was 11 p.m. We were all glued to the TV set at my house.

Don't ask me why, It happened in a second, one moment I was sulking at the thought of spending another year alone, the next minute I don't know what came upon Aiden. He invited everyone to my house saying I'll be glad to have all of them on such a great occasion.

Ah! Hyper people are so great!

I'm not being sarcastic.

I guess.

Talking about Mr Arnold, he had been extra cautious around me for the past days. I don't know the f*ck runs in that weirdo's mind.

But what has been bothering me is, even I tend to be quite careful around him. The f*ck is wrong with me too.

It's not that I like him or sh*t. It's just there's some tension between us. No, not that tension. There's some weird kind of tension, if I say I feel awkward around him, I would be lying. He makes me feel safe and comfortable.

I don't know what I feel around him. It's just distinct, yes that's all.

Kia has been on some sugar rush and she's been dancing by herself, singing and making crazy facial expressions.

One thing that makes me suspicious is that she's been planning something with Aiden. The kid thinks I'm oblivious to what she's doing but I'm just this little away to know her secret plan.

I'll know what she's planning, eventually.

"Aiden stop dancing you're making me crazy!", Mr Arnold shouted for the nth time. He had been pretty annoyed from the moment Aiden started dancing, every next moment he'd try to do a dance or some fancy leg movement only to find that he had stepped on Mr Arnold's foot or tripped on the table.

"Then go and sit somewhere else, I'm not stopping Nickolie.", he shrugged and started looking around.

I groaned, the only vacant place was beside me. Evans and Tara were comfortably sitting on a sofa. Kia on the smaller one. I, on the other hand, was sitting on a loveseat sofa which could easily occupy two people.

I was not awkward or anything around him. I was just embarrassed.

Yesterday, Kia and I were playing a little game where she'd say a word and I had to say the first thing that'd come to my mind listening to it.

The game started innocently and it was going nice but a few rounds later she took the name of her uncle and I said adorable and my luck is so bad, Mr Arnold listened to it all. He looked at me, his eyes had a look of surprise and then I heard him say, "What? I'm not the one who's cute and adorable. It's someone else." and once again his eyes didn't leave mine.

And once again I was left stunned.

"Hey..", he said with a small smile when he took the seat beside me. My eyes caught up the sight of Kia who gave a wink to Aiden, well she attempted to.

For a moment, I felt she made Aiden do it deliberately but then I shook my head, she is too little to do stuff like this.

"Ms Summers, You okay?", Mr Arnold asked snapping me out of my thoughts. "You seem quite uncomfortable. Is it because of me?" Instantly I shot him a warm smile, of course, he never made me uncomfortable.

He seemed content and turned to the tv which showed the time 11:56 pm. "I'm going to get the party poppers. Do you want something?", I asked him raising a brow.

"What I want is for you to ....", the last words died down, as if he had gone on silent.

I leaned closer to him with a confused look."You want what?"

He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed. "I was saying...." I looked at him as he cleared his throat for a second time. "Sorry, I just mean...." He tried to avoid my eyes. "I-uh."

"I guess I know what you want.", I said and he looked at me, a little perplexed.

"You do?" It looked like he was stunned to know my answer.

"Yes, of course, your throat is getting dry. Let me get you something to drink."

"Um yeah.. I need water. Yes, that's what I want.", he looked down and I could see the blush that stained his cheeks.

What in God's name is wrong with him nowadays?

I sighed and got up to get the party poppers I securely kept in my room. If Kia had known I got a few more, she'd force me to pop them all.

Kids are so pure, they get happiness in such little things unlike us, who keep on crying for one thing or the other.

I took the three party poppers and moved to my kitchen to get water for Mr Arnold. I took some sweets as well, my Mumma used to say that whenever we start something new, we should always take something sweet with us.

"Ari, Ari...", Kia yelled for me "Come fast. It's time."

"The last sixty seconds countdown had already begun, Arielle come fast." This time it was Aiden.

"I'm coming...I'm coming..." I said, rushing towards the living room. I gave a party popper to Evans and Tara, one to Kia and Aiden and to my delight, both of them screamed as if I gave them a gold medal.

I turned to give the last one to Mr Arnold, I didn't want him to throw a fit like last time as to why I didn't get one for him.

But I seriously don't know how it happened, it was not my mistake.

It was the mistake of the carpet, how did that f*cking carpet flip like that, I had just taken a step towards him when my slipper got stuck in that f*cking carpet, which will be getting thrown tomorrow, I fell on Mr Arnold who surprisingly caught me, my hands in his, making a right balance.

"So f*cking clumsy.", he stated, of course, he was amused. After all, how can someone get himself embarrassed so many times?

I think it's the universe who wants me to get embarrassed in front of this ridiculously good looking man.

The very next moment, I saw his lips quirk in a smile."So I'm ridiculously good looking?"

The hell?

Don't tell me I said that aloud.

"Yes you did.", he said, his hands were still holding me in place. He looked at me making me blush from head to toe.

"Someone f*cking bury me in the ground right -oof." Before I knew it I felt a shove on my back and I was falling on Mr Arnold.

Right in his arms.

My lips touched his cheek and my hands were now around his neck, I could feel his body heat as we were so f*cking close. He gently placed his hands around my waist. I was a few inches shorter than him, making me feel small in his arms.

"Happy new year!!", everyone shouted in unison making me startle.

"Happy new year, amore.", he whispered in my ear making me shiver. I turned my face to look at his, but it was a wrong move because when he turned, our faces were very close. I could smell the chocolate, Kia made him eat.

I could see his steel grey eyes, his lips and the faint stubble on his face.

I was so lost in his eyes, I didn't hear when the fireworks started, when the ball dropping thing happened and when did those party poppers go off.

All I knew was I was too embarrassed to say something. I won't be surprised if he even said why my face was red.

"It's fine I'll be there to hold you every time you fall.", he said, pulling me out of his arms.

***

Isn't he so f*cking sweet?

Do you think, I'm going slow or fast while building their relationship?

I hope you enjoyed reading

Love