Sold?

I adjusted myself so that I could cross rest my wrists on my head.

Guess I'm either sleeping while sitting or I'm not going to get any rest at all. I lightly banged my head against the railing.

How stupid of me. I got angry over Arius having a child like he's my boyfriend or something. I had no right to do that. And in that anger I even kissed Jason. I know he used to be my boyfriend but the little spark I had with him is no longer there. It's long gone.

I sighed and licked my lips. Plus Arius is a way better kisser. I pouted.

I was secretly hoping Arius would see. I was hoping he would see and get angry but for what? I didn't even think about the rest.

And he saw, and he got angry and I got punished.

I snorted.

This isn't a cruel punishment but it still is. If you consider how badly the gangsters are disciplined, this is nothing. But if you look at how he made my body heat up like that and then left me tied like this. It's very cruel!

…

He's a father now, although he doesn't seem like a family man, not one bit. What does he plan to do? He wasn't happy at all when the news was revealed to him yet still he asked that he wanted to hold the baby. Did he try to make an effort?

I can't believe how much I'm stressing over this.

I closed my eyes in an attempt to sleep.

I should let it be. He gets to decide what he wants in his life.

***

I didn't realize when I fell asleep, or when Arius came in and untied me. Perhaps I was more tired than I realized. Maybe because of the flight and all that roaming around the hotel all day, plus I was mentally disturbed about the baby thing too as if it was mine.

I woke up in the middle of the bed with a blanket over me in the morning. I stared at it for a while then thought about how his random behavior is something I'll never get. I got up from the bed, freshened up and went out of the room.

I took a deep breath before entering Arius's room, then moved. As I was about to grab the door knob, the door opened from the other side.

As soon as I saw Arius come out of the room, what he did yesterday along with many things flashed through my mind and I slapped him right across the face.

His face moved to the side as he took the hit.

At that moment I was even more confused than I am when I am giving exams.

He took it? He didn't stop me?

He turned his face to look at me. He didn't smile his usual smile.

"You know what? I'm going to give you a day free." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me along as he took me somewhere.

"What?"

Something's wrong! He's acting strange. He didn't stop me from slapping him, he actually took it and then didn't even ask me for an explanation. It's not like I had one.

I've been acting impulsively since yesterday…

I slapped him for no proper reason and I didn't apologize either.

Perhaps he just doesn't want to deal with me anymore.

I tried glancing at him as he dragged me with him towards the back of the hotel to a small playground.

Is it me?

I tried focusing on his face. I think he hasn't slept properly. I can see the light dark circles under his eyes. They're very faint but if you focus, you can see them.

He stopped suddenly, "Look who's here." I looked at him looking at someone, then I followed his gaze and my eyes landed on a red-headed girl on a swing.

Rosalie?

He pulled me along again and we walked to her.

"Is that a slave collar I see?" Arius said in a tone more scary than normal. He released me as Rosalie looked back immediately and got off the swing.

Arius stared at her, for some reason I could tell he was getting pissed.

Rosalie probably sensed something and as she was turning to leave Arius whispered, "I want to kill her."

I don't know why it felt like he meant those words and out of horror I grabbed Rosalie's wrist and glared at him. He looked back at me with a poker face.

I looked at Rosalie, she was a bit shocked but calmed down a bit after she saw my choker. Arius quietly walked up to us.

"You see," He stated and put his hands on my shoulders, "I promised my little kitten I'd give her a day off but she didn't have a friend." He smiled, "How about you become her friend?" He smiled yet it felt like he wasn't giving either of us a choice. Little kitten? Wow

"Why me?" She asked.

"Why not? You're alone, she's alone and-" He traced my collar with his fingers, "You're in the same situation." He didn't wait for her answer as if he was sure what she was going to do and turned to leave, "Oh I would love to see who else was brave enough to showcase his or her slave like this." He made a last comment as he left. He did it on purpose, and I get this feeling that he's gonna keep annoying people today like that.

Why is he so pissed? His mood turned more sour after seeing Rosalie.

I looked at her, she was clearly hurt from his comment.

"Azalea." I spoke. I should change the topic.

"Huh?" She didn't get me.

"Azalea Violet." I told her my name again.

"Rosalie Yuki."

"A rose in snow?" I asked. What a nice name.

"What?"

"Isn't that what your name means?"

"I don't know. The one who gave me the name was never with me to tell."

"Oh..." Yea, Arius told me about that. I guess she doesn't know the whole truth yet.

"Azalea means flower. So a purple flower?"

I smiled when she repeated my action of interpreting names. But honestly, damn this name, it hasn't given me anything good.

"Yes."

"So that blonde guy is your owner?" She asked and I nodded, "Are you from here?"

"No Arius is here in France just for business."

"Arius?"

"My owner."

"Oh. You call him by his name?"

"Sometimes... Do you drink?" Right, I guess Lexus hasn't gotten his things straight yet. It seems she isn't close to him even though he loves her. Well I hope it works out for them.

"Drink?"

***

I was guessing that she isn't a drinker but I'm now guessing that it might be her first time.

"Azu~" She said, "Why is everything dancing?" It might have been a bad idea to bring her here to a bar. It is inside the hotel so it should be fine.

"Nothing is dancing Rose, you're just drunk." We decided to give each other nicknames.

"Does everything dance when you get drunk?"

"In your case I guess yes." I said and she giggled, "What's making you laugh?"

"You're so pretty, Arius must treat you nicely." I didn't answer, just turned my eyes away and sipped my drink, "Azu~"

I stopped and stood up, "Let's get you to your room. It's almost midnight." I tried picking her up.

"No!" She pushed me back, "I don't wanna go back. I like Azu more." Shit. She's drunk and from just one glass at that.

"Your owner will get mad."

"Oh yea... It's so late but my owner is a jerk~"

"Don't worry, so is mine."

"Am I now?" Hearing Arius's voice from behind made me jolt. I paused in fear as Arius stepped in and looked at her. "You can get back can't you?"

Somehow She just nodded and started wobbling out of the bar.

"Arius?" I whispered.

"I'm a jerk huh?" He moved closer, "Is that why you slapped me this morning?'

I Looked away. I had the whole day to think about it, it's not him, "No," It's me. I just can't seem to digest the fact that I will lose you before I could even get you, "I'm sorry." I shouldn't be doing this.

I looked him in the eyes, "I acted wrong." I'll be honest with him, otherwise I'll only end up making a fool out of myself, "I just wanted you for myself."

He clearly wasn't expecting me to say that. His expressions turned to surprise, "What?" He said in a softer tone.

"I just wanted to have you for myself." I gulped, "I don't know when I decided to become selfish, I was so excited for this trip because it was going to be just the two of us but it got ruined the moment Macy came and declared you were the father of her child." I can't believe saying this stuff is making me emotional. I sniffled.

"Azalea. Are you-" He paused for a moment, "Do you like me?"

"I-" I took a deep breath, "I'm sorry. It was not my place." I didn't give him a direct answer, then turned and left.