Boundaries of Love

Chapter 11

It was Friday night a few weeks after their first study session. Since that day at Adonis' office, Arianna and Adonis have been texting constantly. They talked about everything from school, the classes he teaches, her favorite country, her favorite opera singer, how his favorite soccer team is doing, and shared some corny jokes among other random things.

However, Adonis looked more reserved, quiet and guarded since she said he used to be so serious and no fun at all. Oh dear, was that because of something I said, she suddenly becomes regretful of what she said to him and tried to recall the conversation before she said that. That can't be right, since I told him that he is fun to be around now and not as stiff anymore, shaking her head, she left the thought alone.

The thought of meeting him makes her nervous. She wanted to ask whether there is something wrong with him if he decided to become a sad ogre again, but she did not want to come across as prying.

For some reason, Arianna felt butterflies playing volley ball in her stomach just before Adonis came. She felt like this is a good day to give herself a talk about how ridiculous it is to have feelings for her handsome and tough, yet caring Adonis Konstantinou. She started scolding herself while standing in the mirror of her room.

"What is wrong with you, Ari! You have seen hunky, gorgeous TAs before and you do not have this reaction. What is it about Adonis Konstantinou that makes me so nervous? Really, Ari you should really move on from this crush because this is getting ridiculous. There is no way at all he would find you desirable. You are out of his league. You are..."

"Now, now that is enough of that." Arianna recognize that baritone voice anywhere. Adonis, in the form of flesh.

She slowly turned and face Adonis, who is smiling arrogantly. Oh my gosh. She said it out loud and chances are he heard it.

"How much did you hear?" She asked Adonis with tears of embarrassment behind her eyes, ready to fall any time soon. His smile vanished and concern takes its' place.

"Arianna..." Adonis said with a pleading voice.

Rebecca who showed Adonis to Arianna's room, now stand behind him and gaped after realizing what happened prior to her appearance.

"Get out. Just get out, Adonis"

When Adonis did not make a move to leave, Rebecca tugged Adonis' sleeve to leave Arianna's room.

"Adonis, she needs sometime alone. You understand do you? You can come back another day." Rebecca said with a sad and awkward smile while escorting him out of Arianna's room.

Once he is out, Arianna locked her room and started crying silently to make sure Rebecca nor Adonis did not hear her cry.

Adonis, felt like a jerk at that moment and try knocking at Arianna's door, "Arianna, I am sorry I did not mean to come uninvited. I thought I might surprise you. I came early because um... I am excited to have a study session with you. Please, Arianna do not hate me." He did not mean to say he was excited about the study session, but when he told her he is attracted to her, he does not want to say it in front of the door of the girl he intends to court. He wants to say it to her.

"Arianna, can we talk? I feel like we need to talk about this."

"Leave Adonis please. I cannot face you right now. Look... just please, can we talk another day? I am tired" She knew as well as he does that tiredness was not the cause for why she does not want to see him. With a resigned "okay" Adonis can only sighed and abide her wish.

He regretted smirking at her admission.

He regretted walking away and not holding her in his arms.

He regretted breaking her heart.

He regretted the fact that he is her Teaching Assistant and he cannot allow himself to like her more than he wanted to.

Leaving is good, he thought. He could think clearly when he was away from her, so he left.

With a heavy heart, he started walking away slowly and silently told her that she was not the only one that 'liked' her. Too much, to the point where he started to doubt that he merely 'liked' her.