Chapter 17. Having Fun

Have fun, even if it's not the same kind of fun everyone else is having.

~C.S. Lewis

Daniel's POV

Ariana is weird. Really really weird.

Sometimes she's so silent lost in her own world and obedient that you'd mistaken her to be a puppet following her master's order. Then sometimes she's so clumsy and funny speaking anything that's on her mind. And then suddenly, she turns out to be really sweet attracting a person with her personality.

Whew...if this goes on, I'm going to be in a huge trouble.

'I SAID YOU, SHE'S LOVELY! I LIKE HER ALREADY!' Carlos spoke enthusiastically.

How could I forget that uncle Carlos always had a say in my matters? He doesn't get tired of bugging me, does he?

I rolled my eyes mentally, shutting my wolf for the hundredth time. Well, about what I was speaking, just like I said, today I'm seeing Ariana's another weird side.

After our breakfast in the morning, I had directly gone to the study to do some work where Ariana followed me like a puppy following it's master. I asked her whether she had something to ask me but she just shook her head saying and I quote,

"You can continue with your work. I'll just sit here and watch you. Don't worry, I won't disturb you. It's boring in the room anyways," she had said while sitting on the couch in the study doing absolutely nothing.

Since there wasn't anything important that needed my attention and also because Ariana's presence itself was a little bothering, I quickly wrapped up my work ready to leave them for the day.

"Are you done with your work?" I turned my head to find Ariana still seated on the couch as her voice beemed in my ears.

"Yes," I gave a short reply getting up from my office chair.

"Do you have anything else planned out for the day?"

"No."

Ariana was suddenly in front of me, looking at me with her beautiful turquoise eyes.

Ariana's eyes were a rare colour. They were neither blue nor green. It was something in the middle. A mix of blue-green perhaps but whatever they were mesmerising.

Her cheeks had a natural pink tint which made her look rather cute. Even her small nose, her huge eyes and the way her full lips moved as she spoke made her look like an ethereal beauty.

Not only does she have a beautiful face but she sometimes is tolerable as well unlike all those clingy womans who I despise so much.

"....so what do you say?" Ariana's question snapped me out of my reverie making me furrow my brows slightly.

Was she speaking about something?

'YES, SHE WAS, YOU DUMBASS! YOU WERE SO BUSY STARING HER THAT YOU DIDN'T HEAR EVEN A SINGLE THING!'

Oh, damn! What do I do now?

'YOUR LIFE. YOU DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. I'LL TAKE MY LEAVE. AND DON'T YOU DARE BE RUDE TO MY LOVELY ARIANA! BYE, THEN!'

'Wait, Carlos! You annoying wolf! How can you betray me in such a vile situation?'

My thoughts fell into deaf years as he already shut himself off making me more annoyed than I already am. That little....

"Daniel? Are you okay?" Ariana's concerned voice made me snap out of my temperament and look at her.

"I'm fine. What did you say earlier?"

"You didn't hear?"

"I did," I lied even though I was basically busy staring her and didn't pay attention to most of what she said.

"Then why are you asking me?" She tilted her head to the side with a questioning look.

Oh, No! What am I supposed to say?

"Never mind. You can keep your words to yourself. If you don't have anything to do here, I have to lock the study so...excuse me," I said rather too rudely trying to dodge her question with a cold shoulder as I walked past her towards the door.

I could almost feel Carlos glaring at me but if he dared to open his mouth now, he'll hear it from me.

"Okay, I'll say you again! I didn't know you'd get upset," Ariana's voice was a little squeaky as she trailed behind me. She was half walking, half running, trying to match my long strides.

"I was asking whether you'll play a game with me?" Her question made me halt on my steps.

I turned around only for her to bump into me almost losing her balance if it weren't for my arms to wrap around her waist. Her face was pressed against my chest while her hands were on my shoulders as she held onto them for support.

Ariana slowly looked up from the embrace only for her eyes to widen like saucers. She backed away hurriedly making me release my hold on her waist.

"Sorry! You were walking so fast and I thought I wouldn't be able to match your pace so I just walked a bit faster and then I bumped into you-"

"It's okay," I cut off her rambling. She looked quite flustered, her pink cheeks looking even more pinker. In honesty, she looked kinda cute.

I bit back a smile that threatened to fall on my lips. She's so strange.

"I don't play games," I replied her earlier question.

I could feel a mental picture of Carlos rolling his eyes with a mocking look and saying, 'Oh, really? Who was the one who invented the most hideous games on the planet?'

Nevertheless, I bought my attention back on Ariana whose face fell instantly as she muttered an 'oh'.

'YOU'RE A JERK! SHE LOOKED SO EXCITED TO PLAY AND YOU RUINED HER MOOD,' Carlos spoke finally breaking his ice.

'I thought you dissapeared? Whatever, I'm not playing.'

I tried to shut him off but he countered it by speaking again.

'NO, YOU HAVE TO PLAY. OR ELSE I WON'T STOP SPEAKING AND I'LL ANNOY YOU' his stern statement made me almost groan out in frustration.

What the-?!

"Daniel are you okay? You're eyes are clouded. Again," It was Ariana. She was staring me as if she was trying to figure out something.

'PLAY THE GAME! PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!'

Damn! This wolf!

Masking my face back to my normal expression, "What do you want to play?"

"Huh?" Her eyes displayed confusion before a huge smile took over, radiating her whole face, "Any game is fine."

'YIPPEE! HOW ABOUT TRUTH, DARE AND CONFESSION?' Carlos suggested.

'Shut up, idiot! We're only two. Besides, that game is ridiculous.'

'I LIKED IT THOUGH.'

I looked back at Ariana who was staring at me for a reply. Damn! I got carried away by that stupid wolf again.

"If you don't know what you want to play then why did you ask me in the first place?" Okay, Daniel. Way to be arrogant again. You don't really have a suggestion.

A frown settled on her face as she looked at me nervously, "I do have a game but I'm afraid you won't like it. It's not your type of game."

What? What is she trying to imply by 'Not your type of game'?

I'm curious now.

"What is it? I'll play no matter how ridiculous it might be," my tone was challenging trying to prove her whatever the game was, I would play it. How could she say I'm not worth the game?

Perhaps, she doesn't know I'm the inventor of the game world.

◇◇◇

Ariana's POV

"Water balloon fight?!" Daniel exclaimed looking shocked.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The expression on his face was as if he couldn't believe his own eyes.

We were in the backyard garden of the castle where I had prepared the materials for the game early in this morning. This was my initial plan. To make him play this game so that he could have some fun.

And now, I'm sure this is gonna be fun!

"Yes! Isn't it amazing?" I ask excitedly, "I already divided the balloons equally. The one whose balloons finishes first and the one who scores hihghest goals by hitting his oponent with the balloon, Wins. Easy, isn't it?"

A grave expression took over Daniel's face. I could say he didn't like the idea very much.

"Or do you want to back out already?" I was pressing on his buttons trying to get a reaction out of him. Earlier I realized that he took my every question as a challenge so I might as well go with the flow.

"Not at all. These are mine, right?" Giving me a challenging look, Daniel rolled his sleeves upto his elbows and picked up the blue basket that had his balloons, "Let's see who wins."

I grinned in victory as I picked my own basket containing red wwter balloons and ran off as far away from him as possible.

When we were at a distance of 10 feet, I yelled, "Start!"

I saw Daniel taking a balloon out of the basket and advancing towards me. I quickly dodged it and ran off picking one balloon from my basket in the process.

"You missed it! You missed your first shot!" I squealed in excitement while he narrowed his eyes at me.

Haha! You missed your first shot, Daniel! Now, see how I throw my first bomb at you.

With alert steps, I stalk towards him while he stood rooted to the spot, observing me like a predator observing it's prey in return. Once I felt like I was close enough to be able to throw the balloon at him, I focused on my aim, and threw the balloon in his direction with full force. What I didn't expect was a balloon to come crashing against my face while Daniel dodged my shot.

When did he even take that balloon out of the basket?!

Water dripped down my face soaking my dress as the balloon—or whatever remnants of it—dropped to the floor.

"You missed your first shot as well. I got one point at least. You have zero score!" He mocked me with a playful smirk.

Am I seeing it right? Daniel is mocking and smirking at me? The arrogant and cold Daniel who never smiles?! Wow...so the motive for playing this game is actually working. He's showing new emotions at least.

I felt another crash of a balloon on my right arm and then another on my left making me groan for not paying attention.

"Ariana! Are you still here? If this goes on, I'll think my oponent wasn't even a match to challenge me," I saw a grin grow on his face making me stuck at sight. He looks so good when he smiles.

Come on, Ariana. Focus on the game. You can think later. You don't want to lose and make a fool out of yourself in front of Daniel now, do you?

I encouraged myself as I sprint off in full speed towards the bucket and grabbed as much balloons I could in my hands. Daniel's gaze observed me keenly as he picked a few balloons himself. I pretended to stay immobile on my place for a minute until he seemed convinced with my spot.

When Daniel seemed assured that I wouldn't strike, I sprint off in full speed towards him throwing the balloons continuously with his face as the aim. The balloons burst one by one, drenching him completely.

I dare not disagree with the fact that he looked really hot with all those water dripping from his jet black hair down his sculptrous face down his body. The thin material of his white shirt clung to his chest and body muscles in excruciatingly distracting way. . . .

I shook my head vigorously. Focus, Ariana. Focus!

"Now tell me who isn't a match?" I grinned devilishly whilst my wavering thoughts.

He seemed shocked for a moment before he unexpectedly threw the balloons in his hand at me altogether. I was so stunned by the sudden turn of events that I didn't have the time to make a move.

Once he was out of balloons, I quickly took a peak of my basket and then his. I can't believe we're almost at the end of the game. I gestured Daniel to stop for a minute as I informed,

"We both have one balloons left and guessing by the hits we gained on each other, I think we're even. That means..."

"The one who aims their oponent first, Wins." He completed and I nodded in accordance.

We both grabbed our last balloon from the basket and advanced ahead as if it were the final moment of a war. Once in front of each other with just two feet distance, we started rounding up, moving in circles.

Our eyes were trained on each other's moves while we gripped our water balloons securely, ready to attack any moment.

"Sorry, Daniel. But I want to win," I raised my balloon ready to attack him but my plan was cut off abruptly as Daniel pushed me to the ground.

My eyes widened and I instantly forgot about the game. I was too much occupied by the way his body hovered over mine and the way he pinned my hands above my head. Water dripped from his messy black hair onto my face while he stared at me with those ocean blue eyes.

"So do I." Daniel whispered, peering straight into my eyes.

Huh? What's he on about?

Splash....

Water flowed down my face making me return back to reality. Oh, how did I forget about the game?! Ariana, you stupid woman! You couldn't keep your thoughts at bay. Now look, he won.

"I Won!" Daniel grinned widely, the dimples on his cheeks deepening. My gaze wandered off over his gleefull expression making me forget that I actually lost.

I just stared at the way his face illuminated due to that bright smile on his face and the way he looked so genuinely happy. He looks really good when he smiles like this.

My heart fluttered at the sight and I couldn't help the wide smile from forming on my face as well.

Just what are you doing to me, Daniel Rodriguez?