53: RISE UP ARIEL’S POV 1/7 “Hold on. You’re coming to the hospital to come pick me up.” I was trying to see what this idiot was talking about around here. “Yes. Any problem with that?” Luke was feeling proud of himself, huh? “Any problem with that? Of course, there are problems! Can’t you see I’m injured?” A perfect reminder. “Your wound changes nothing. Now you should start getting ready. I’ll be there any moment.” He was still trying to be bossy. “Don’t waste your time coming. I’m still not following you.” I made up my mind. Decision’s final. “You have no choice.” He talked like I didn’t. “I have a choice. You’re not the boss of me. Stop trying to act like you are. It gets irritating every single second.” Like, really irritating. This guy and Mason were annoying jerks. “Why do you have to fight all the time?” He spoke as if he’s the one with senses here. “Fight? Are you trying to say I’m starting a fight here?” I couldn’t believe what he was saying. His words were trash anyway. “Of course. You are so unbelievable. I didn’t even know what my grandfather saw in a lady like you. Luke started the insult. I think I’ll be the one ending it. 53: RISE UP “Have some respect,” I told him. “You started the whole thing.” Was he giving me a reminder, or what? “I don’t have time for you right now.” Exactly! The right words to use against this scumbag. “Yeah, like you have time for anything at the moment.” Here he was, taunting me. “Are you done talking?‘ My tone deepened. 217 “Don’t try to act like the person with senses here. Just get ready, okay?” His words showed that he was still coming. Like, what the hell? Our call ended. I dropped my phone on the bed, moving my hands to my face. What in the world did that man want now? Don’t tell me he’s thinking of carrying me to his house. Crap! We’re not even married yet. Minutes later, Luke showed up at my room. The both of us looked at each other for what seemed like eternity. And then he finally marched closer to me. This was not definitely something I wanted. I sat on the bed and was about to get on my feet, but he held my arm. I couldn’t help but wonder why. The look I gave him told him to let go, but he had to smirk in response. He held my other arm, and the feeling of his hand right there was comforting. I couldn’t help but lean in closer as he moved his face towards mine. The moment our eyes met, I was immediately captivated by the intensity and warmth in his gaze. With every breath he took, I could feel a spark of electricity between us. His touch was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, sending shivers down my spine and making me feel alive. It was truly an amazing sensation that I never wanted to end. 53: RISE UP 3/7 Hold on? I better end this immediately. There’s no way he’s going to have me trapped in his charm. I shoved his hands from my arms, giving him the angry countenance. “What the hell was that?” I snapped. “What?” He was acting innocent. “Don’t try to play dumb here. Now tell me what you were about to do.“I demanded. “I’m sorry, I don’t get you.” He feigned a confused face. “Your hands on my arms. What was that?” I queried. “Are you mad about it?” His tone was calm. But I was getting mad each second. “Oh yeah, I’m mad. You know how the both of us feel towards each other, and you’re touching me like that? Like, what the hell?“I made a bizarre face. “Shouldn’t you be happy?” He smirked. “Excuse me?” “Do you have any idea how many women are dying to get a taste of me?” Was he praising himself, or what? “I don’t think there are. But if perhaps there are women like that, thinking that way, they’re bunch of fools.” That’s just it. “So that means you’re a fool, then.” That smirk of his was maddening. “Say what now?” I raised an eyebrow. “I saw how you were captured easily. You were lost in the moment,” he said, speaking absolute nonsense. “That’s a lie.” I differed. 4/7 “Is it?” He raised an eyebrow. “You know you don’t have to keep lying to yourself. If you want me, just say it. Who knows, you might be lucky to scream my name all night.” Luke’s thoughts were wild. “Eww. How disgusting of you! Did you actually come here to tell me this nonsense?” I gave him an irritated face. “Nope. I came to take you home.” He smirked. “Home?” “Yeah, do you have to be too slow? I’m taking you home, to my house, which is going to be yours as well, tomorrow.” He slowed down the words to me, like I was a little kid or something. “That wedding is still taking place tomorrow?‘ “You think I’m joking?” He arched his brows. “You see I’m wounded, right? I don’t want my dress to get covered in blood,” I said crazy stuff. “It won’t, you birdbrain. Can’t you see the wound’s already been taken care of?” He changed to his rude manner. 53: RISE UP “You’re the birdbrain around here,” I retorted. “Just get up, okay?” “Sorry, my legs hurt. I can’t get up.” I made up false words. “Are you being serious right now?” Luke knew I was lying. “Do I look like I’m joking?” I aksed inaudibly. “Yes. After all, your life’s a joke,” he spat. “Nice. You can leave now.” I wasn’t going to tolerate this nonsense. “Okay then. Get up.” 577 “No, leave all by yourself. The door’s right there, and you obviously know the way out of this building. “I forgot, actually. And I think it would be nice if you showed me the way.“Luke grinned. “Oops. I don’t know the way either. If I could clearly remember, I was unconscious when you brought me here.” I had to play along. “I wasn’t the one who took you here,” he brought out. “If not you, then who?” Curiosity overshadowed me. 53: RISE UP “Foster did.” He revealed. “Foster? Are you serious?” “Do I look like I’m joking?” He repeated my words, making a sardonic smile. I exhaled deeply. “You know what? Just leave.” “I’m not leaving without you.” “That’s too bad. There is no way I’m getting off this bed.” “Don’t waste any more time now. We got to start making preparations for the wedding.” He was talking like I was his slave. “No, you got to start making preparations for the wedding. The doctor said I needed to rest.” 6/7 “Who brought you flowers?” Luke asked the moment his eyes caught the flowers Mason brought for me. “My husband.” I faked a smile. “We’re not married yet. And I’m not the one who did that.” “Who said I was talking about you?” “Yeah, jokes aside. Are you getting up or not?” He asked, crossing his arms. “Nope. So if you don’t want to leave, that’s your problem.” I turned my face away. 53: RISE UP “You leave me with no choice then,” Luke said in hushed tones. “What are you going to…. 777 He interrupted my question the moment he carried me in his arms, while I just screamed, “Woah!” 53: RISE UP “You leave me with no choice then,” Luke said in hushed tones. “What are you going to….” 7/7 He interrupted my question the moment he carried me in his arms, while I just screamed, “Woah!”
