Still

CHAPTER IX [OVERFLOWING LOVE TURNED OVERFLOWING HATRED]

Ariadne found herself in an unfamiliar room as soon as she opened her eyes and immediately stood up.

Dionysus entered the room carrying tray with food.

"Did I wake you up? How is your head, aren't you feeling dizzy?" he asked continuously as he placed the tray on the table.

Ariadne took a step backward as she asked, "who are you? Where am I? what did you do to me??" she was so surprised that she already forgot who the man in front of her is.

Dionysus looked at her for a second and realized how shocked she must be so he answered, "I'm Dionysus, we met at the wedding yesterday, at the hotel, remember? You're still here at the hotel, I brought you here after you passed out after drinking too much" he carefully explained to help her somehow recollect what happened

"Hotel? Then... you should have left! Why are you still here? Did you sleep here too??" she asked, still suspicious

"I did not. I stayed at another room, I swear" he answered calmly, trying his best to convince her

"You did? Who are you again?" Ariadne still can't seem to get her head straight

"Dionysus, this hotel is owned by my parents. Though I'm only the supplier of their wine with my winery business, I can still call few employees to prove to you who I am. Would you also like my card?" he patiently explained seeing how surprised Ariadne is. He is also starting to feel nervous with her stares.

She finally remembered how much she cried yesterday in Dionysus's arms. As her memories slowly sink in, she sat on the bed and felt too embarrassed to the man in front of her.

"Drink water to lessen your headache, I shouldn't have given you too much wine yesterday, I'm sorry" Dionysus slowly approached her as he handed her the glass

"it's me who should apologize. I'm sorry for what happened yesterday," she could feel her face burning out of embarrassment.

"no, that wasn't something for you to worry. You've done more for me and I owe you more than that," he shyly stated as he still can't believe Ariadne is in front of him and that he is talking to her, "Is there anything else you would like?" he asked

"no, I'm fine thank you"

"really?" he again asked

"what?" Ariadne wasn't sure what he was asking

"are you really fine?" he emphasized which made Ariadne unable to speak. She knows she is not fine.

Seeing her unable to respond, Dionysus knew how badly hurt she was. He hated Minos before because he knows how much trauma he had given to Ariadne but he hates Theseus more now because he obviously caused more pain to Ariadne.

"would you like to have your revenge?" he seriously asked

And Ariadne felt the pain upon hearing the word revenge. It was like pouring salt on her open wound. It stings.

As the history comes back to life, she was again fueled by anger and loneliness. Once again, as how it happened in the past, she wasn't able to save herself from the pain of her love turning to anger as she felt betrayed by the traitor Theseus. She can't believe that he was able to leave her alone after everything she had sacrificed for him. Once again, Theseus did.

Seeing the anger burning in Ariadne's eyes, Dionysus felt more pain because he as well saw how much she loved and still loves Theseus, "I'll help you get your sweetest revenge"

That made Ariadne give him a surprised look

"Marry me"

This wasn't the proposal either one of them had imagined. Dionysus had never even imagined he could get himself propose to the woman of his fantasy. But after everything she had experienced because he was being too coward to come to her, he felt like it is finally time for him to be courageous and give Ariadne all the love he had for her.

"What are you saying?" Ariadne was too surprised of what she just heard

"What's greater revenge than sending him an invitation of your wedding to one of the most successful bachelors of the country?" he smiled, with pride. He has never been this proud of himself but looking at Ariadne is enough to give him confidence.

Ariadne smiled, she can't help it. She was thankful enough that such man was willing to do this much for her, "I'd like to personally hand him the invitation" and they both smiled.

Her hatred was overflowing that she immediately accepted the proposal of a man she just met without even second thoughts. When will she again wake up one morning and have a man telling her he's willing to help her if she let this opportunity pass? So she decided to grab it tight.

While Dionysus just wanted to use the revenge as an excuse. When in fact he really wanted to marry Ariadne, the first and only woman he ever loved, and give her the world by serving her like a queen.