What did you want to say?

That Monday, Ariel dressed up nicely and looked like someone who had no problem standing next to Raymond and also someone who would taint his reputation.

She wore a black corporate gown with wide collars and revealed cleavage. Her shape was well defined thanks to the gown and her beauty spoke highly of her.

"You know," Allison began, catching both Ariel and Betty's attention. "Your body is quite mature for an average 20 year old." She pointed out and Ariel nodded.

"And that's why the only thing I had and will ever have to offer, is my body." She said and looked at her through the mirror. "If I lose this too then I'm no different from a useless piece, ready to be thrown out."

The room suddenly went silent till a knock was heard on the door. They all turned to see Raymond waiting for her wearing a black waistcoat. He has yet to wear his coat.

"Are you done?" He asked and she got up.

"Yes. Let's go." She walked towards him and at the door, stopped to glance at the both of them. The brief glance made them realize that it wasn't a topic worth mentioning a second time.

"You just had to ask," Betty said, shoving her shoulder.

"What? It's not like you weren't curious either." Allison defended and they started cleaning up.

Ariel clutched onto Raymond's arm. The shoes she wore weren't exactly close to comfort but she could try her best to walk in them.

"Does your leg hurt?" Raymond asked and Ariel looked at him, wondering why he asked all of a sudden. They were still in the mansion so there was no need to start acting lovey-dovey when the servants knew the truth.

Or was he just practicing?

She decided to take it that he was practicing and went along with it.

"Yes." She answered. "Who makes shoes like this? Are we meant to break our legs just because we want to look pretty? It's stupid."

"That's the world for the people who have money, Ariel. They have no problem walking in those." He said, trying to hint out that these types of shoes weren't meant to feel comfortable for the rich brats who lived to increase their height despite the danger but she took it the wrong way.

'I guess there are some things that I can't hide.' She thought and smiled. "I'll try to do my best."

He looked at her, wondering where that was coming from, but before he could ponder more on it, his phone rang.

"Excuse me for a moment." He said and answered the call in her presence. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to ask if it was okay for me to come over and run a full body check up on Miss Ariel?" Steve, the doctor, asked.

"Why all of a sudden?" Raymond asked in return, seeing it as odd. It wasn't like she was sick or anything.

"Ah, I forgot about it for a while but after seeing her viral video, I quickly realized I was being an irresponsible doctor towards my patient."

Raymond looked at Ariel who was too busy trying to walk to listen to his conversation.

"Well, your patient is always well rested and healthy and she is doing well." He said. "I don't think a full body check up is necessary."

A short silence followed.

"If nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Wait, wait, wait." Steve desperately stopped him from cutting the call.

It was unbelievably hard to get him when he wasn't busy.

"Don't cut the call."

"And hearing my voice is proof that I haven't cut it, don't you think?" Raymond asked and beaconed Ariel to get in the car while he finished the call. "What is it this time? It better be important."

"I wanted to ask about the progress of her hair growth. You know...*toot*!" Raymond cut the call and took his coat from White, wore it and got in the car.

Ariel watched him get in the car and decided this would be the best time to ask.

"So..." They simultaneously said the same word and Ariel looked away a bit awkwardly.

"I'm so sorry. You go first." She said,

"Then look at me." He said and she brought her gaze back to him, though she still felt awkward. "How's your hair growth?" He asked all too suddenly that she didn't have time to feel surprised and answer honestly.

"Well, that's... It's growing fine. Though it's slow compared to how it used to be when I was little, it's still okay."

"Then you can say it's growing at the rate of an average person?" He asked and she nodded. "Alright."

'Why did he suddenly ask about my hair? Is he also curious about things like this? But I don't think he'll need to mention such a thing in public.' Her thoughts were messy and she completely forgot that she had something to ask.

"What did you want to say?" Raymond asked and she flinched, turning her head to look at his straight face staring at the few documents White had prepared for him to look through.

"Well, that's... " She paused. "It's not very important." She claimed and glanced at the document. She didn't want to disturb him for something so trivial.

Raymond knew that she was taking his work into consideration and did not say any further. If she wanted to let him work now before acting like a complete nuisance in the company then he'd say she was wise.

A subconscious smirk played on his lips, unknowing to Ariel and himself but White saw it clearly through the rearview mirror and his eyebrows furrowed.

On getting to the company, Ariel clutched on tight to Raymond. This was the time when she needed him to stand next to her really badly.

"Can you walk?" Raymond asked as they walked in, attracting multiple pairs of eyes on them.

"Barely." Ariel answered. "You really wore me out last night." She said as her grip tightened. "You have to take responsibility."

Raymond suddenly stopped and so did she. He looked down at her.

"You're right. I need to take utmost responsibility." He said and in a swift motion, carried her from the floor and into his arms. "There! You don't have to walk now, do you? Will you still blame me?" He asked and proceeded further.

The eyes on them grew and Ariel felt a bit nervous. She couldn't let the blush on her cheek show so she decided to laugh it out instead and act shameless.

"Oh, hubby. What else can I do now? There's no way I can blame you when you've gone this far." She chuckled and started tracing his fine jawbone with her left index finger and then, she uttered a word in a really sexy tone. "Come on, let's go finish this in your office."

Raymond looked at her and she winked. The corner of his lips curved into a grin as he said,

"Don't beg me to stop."

'Wow, he's good.' Ariel immediately thought and chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't." She said, 'I will ask about the book he reads for reference later.'

They both entered the elevator with White till it closed.