Getting ready prettily, Aarvi checked the time with a smile. She and Aaron had planned to meet at Lake Huron so she soon left the home to reach the lake deck before time without making him wait.

It was nearing dusk when Aarvi areached the unpolluted clean lake. She actually likes clear lake but knew they were hard to find. Anyhow, she was happy with how the lake was maintained. The water in the lake was sparkling reflecting the sun rays broadening the smile on her dainty face.

She could see a few white ducks floating on the water. They occasionally dived in and came out then fluttered their wings to remove the excess water. Likewise, she could make out fishes swimming at the water surface.

She wanted to go around the vast lake so she thought she could ask Aaron if he would like to take a walk with her and giggled adorably at the thought of it.

Her eyes fell on the deck and slapped her palm on her forehead seeing Aaron sitting at the edge of the desk, wearing earphones. He looked like he was sunbathing with his eyes closed.historical

She anxiously checked the time on her wristwatch, a confused glint flashed in her eyes thinking why he was so early because she was early by fifteen minutes so that he doesn't have to wait for her.

Shaking off her thoughts, she started sprinting towards the deck but paused. Thinking to scare him, she removed her kitten heels and walked on her toes towards him with an excited smile for her little games and anticipation to see how he might react.

She was exhilarated when he didn't realize she was on the wooden deck. So she increased her pace, spread her fingers raising her hand, and was ready to say, 'Boo.'

But the word weirdly didn't come out of her lips and her hands which wanted to frighten him pressed his back and she pushed him to the lake.

----

Aarvi shot her eyes open after the weird dream. The dream felt so real that it gave her goosebumps. Pulling herself up to lean on the headboard, she noticed Laze had returned to its bed.

Drinking water, she concluded the other dreams of her being with a teenager were nothing but a dream. They had no meaning and she idiotically stressed herself and Aaron.

Why will she push anybody to water? She felt it ludicrous.

Breathing a sigh, she was ready to lay down, when she realized Aaron heard her and left. She didn't even know when she dozed off but he didn't return to coax her to eat or sleep. 'He could have just snuck in my bed.' She grumpily thought by not seeing him around.

And also she didn't know if he ate or rested well. Aware that he rushes to her every time he goes out on a business trip without taking care of himself, she couldn't stop herself from getting off the bed.

She noticed her home slipper placed on the rug and sighed. Probably he would never miss taking care of her even if she does something to him.

Standing at the door of his bedroom, she was speechless looking at him leaning on the headboard with his legs stretched, crossing his arms over his chest, and closing his eyes.

It was around one in the night, she already caught up with three hours of sleep and he didn't seem like he was sleeping. 'Was he waiting for me?' She thought as she went inside.

She can't adjust him to the bed without waking him up, if he has dozed off. He will have to wake up, so why not wake him up straight. But when did she ever wake up normally? She was already pissed off seeing him not resting properly.

Grabbing a pillow, she threw it on his face, "Is this what I meant by 'rest'? Or are you teaching me to ignore myself too?"

Even though it didn't hurt him, Aaron still woke up with a pillow falling on his lap and heard her looking at her standing at the other end of the bed.

Stretching his hand, "Come here." His voice was groggy, clearly saying he needs rest.

What he didn't expect was Aarvi climbing on the bed and started hitting him with a pillow on his arms and torso. Aaron didn't really feel pain but it was late for them to fight now.

"Aarvi.." He held the pillow, she grabbed another one and finally spoke why she was hitting him, "Can't you rest properly and take care of yourself? If you weren't getting sleep or worried, you should have just sneaked into my bed."

'This is not how you show the concern.' Aaron grabbing away another pillow but just to see her taking another one.

Since her force wasn't much and she avoided his face and head, it didn't even feel like a massage to him but she had to swing her hands for momentum with a pillow which will tire her out instead.

Grabbing the third pillow away, he saw her take the cushion so he stood on his knees and sprung before pinning her on the bed.

In the dim light on closer look, he could see her tensed brows but there was no mischievousness or her teasing smile but uneasiness for seeing him not taking rest.

Even though he wouldn't mind having any side of her, he wished for his Cupcake's mischievous side more. That mischievousness brings out her many emotions and becomes the curious kitten forgetting her vengeance and other problems.

Leaving her one hand, he pulled her soft cheek as he uttered like a bullied one, "I thought you will be mad if I sneak into your bed or steal you from your room."

And he was waiting for his team to report about Hayden's activities during Ava and Vance Hays's wedding, the reason behind why Hayden didn't look for Ava after it, and where Hayden had gone when Ava Kelly went missing.

And very importantly the relationship between Hayden and Leon Harmon and the reason behind their meeting two years back.

He wanted to solve it first before he could speak to her about how and why he was in contact with Hayden Kelly.

Glancing at her cheek that turned slightly red under his fingers, he pressed his warm palm on her cheek and noticed her scrunched brows, pursed lips looking at his eyes.

He thought to talk in the morning, "Let's rest now."

He was planting a kiss on her forehead when she responded to his words , "I still need you."

"Huh?" Aaron was momentarily inarticulate facing her.

Aarvi couldn't bring any expression on her face. She felt her own face and emotions lifeless, she wasn't brave enough to be joyous all over again just to see it crumble right in front of her eyes.

It was like her mind needed rest to think how she should react to Aaron for bringing Hayden home. She didn't know if she should be angry or disappointed, she didn't know what exactly was hurting her and why her heart races and freezes whenever it wants.

But she couldn't bring herself to shout or punish Aaron. It was like she didn't have the right to do so because she was the one who hid everything, else Aaron wouldn't have brought Hayden home without notice. So the one to be blamed is her.

Hearing him say she will get mad, even at that moment she still felt the need for him. "I want you even when we are mad at each other..."