Bewitched His Soul

"Justin, what are you doing here?" Aria asked.

"I came to congratulate you," Justin flashed his million dollar smile.

"Oh, I have just passed the selection process, don't know how well my paintings will get sold," Aria knew today was just the first step in her long way of success.

"I have seen your work, you will definitely outdo everyone else," Justin assured her.

"Is that Pizza?" Aria asked, glancing at the box in his hands.

"I wanted to take you out for dinner, but it's quite late and all the restaurants will be closed. I hope you are okay with just this?" Justin stated.

"No problem, come inside," Aria unlocked the door. Shewent to the kitchen to get plates and Coke, while Justin made himself comfortable on the sofa.

"Choose one," Aria asked him to pick one DVD from the tray.

Justin selected a comedy and Aria switched off the lights, played the movie and came to sit next to him.

Few minutes passed when a funny scene came on screen, Aria laughing loudly put her hand unknowingly on his thigh.

Justin lightly circled his thumb on her hand.

Aria became alert and turned to look at Justin, his heavy gaze on her made her all flustered.

"Do you want one more piece?" Aria asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

"Yes," Justin answered after a second.

Aria served Pizza on his plate and resumed watching the movie.

"You have some cheese on your chin," Justin pointed out. Aria took the tissue paper and tried to wipe it out.

"No not there, a little to the left,"Justin guided.

"Is it gone," Arai asked.

Instead of replying Justin put one hand on her shoulder while the other hand titled her face towards him.

Aria gulped and sat there silently letting him continue his actions. He wiped the cheese with his thumb and instead of retracting his hand back, he traced the corner of her lips.

Her breath hitched and slightly opened her mouth but no words came out. Justin moved closer to her and leaned down. His lips touched hers and because of her nerves, she held his t-shirt in her fists tightly.

She was ready for the kiss and he put his hand on her waist pulling towards him so that there was no space in between them.

As he was about to kiss her when his phone started ringing continuously. Justin took his phone from his pockets and his brows frowned seeing the caller's name.

"Excuse me," he got up and walked towards the corner speaking in a very low tone so that no one can hear.

Aria could not see the name on the phone and when he came back after the call, he looked very annoyed. Probably because of the conversation he had or maybe someone disturbed him in between such an important moment.

That romantic atmosphere was gone and now they cannot just go back to kissing. Aria was also not sure about where she stood with him.

Surely his actions showed he cares about her but she needed him to be vocal and let her know,whether he was genuinely interested or looking something like friends with benefit.

"Aria, I am sorry I need to leave. We will talk later," Justin stated. Andven before she could reply, he was already out of the house.

Aria did not think much about his sudden departure and finished the remaining Pizza.

The next day, she was about to start painting a landscape when she noticed a few of the art materials were missing.

She knew there were many changes done because of the upcoming exhibition and rooms also shifted so she had no idea where the art materials were now kept. She went out to ask one of the staff and she met Josie in the corridor.

"Hey, can you tell where the art supplies are kept," Aria asked.

"Fifth floor, room no 502," Josie replied.

"Why have they kept it there? There are so many students, and every time we cannot go up and down. Maybe you can shift them to the room next to the auditorium," Aria thought at least twice a day they would go to the storeroom. They cannot waste so much time and energy going to the fifth floor.

"Well Aria, everything cannot be handled on a silver platter. Sometimes you need to work hard," Josie snapped.

Aria was taken back. It was just a small suggestion there was no need to lose her temper. This was Josie who always had a smile on her face and spoke sweet words. Even when someone has destroyed their new canvas which was very costly she had patiently told them not to repeat their mistake.

"Sure no problem, I can manage," Aria said, thinking Josie may be under pressure due to the tight deadline.

Josie called her name when she had taken a few steps and was informed the lift was not working due to some maintenance issue.

Aria groaned hearing her and went to climb steps having no choice. Taking all the materials which were quite heavy she climbed down the steps. By the time she reached the auditorium she was heavily sweating.

"I am so tired," Aria sat on the chair panting.

"What happened to you, did you run a marathon?" Piper passed a water bottle to her.

Aria opened the bottle cap and said, "I don't know how I will manage going to the fifth floor daily."

"Why will you go to the fifth floor?" Piper asked as if she had lost her mind.

"To bring the art suppliers,"Aria replied.

"Don't tell me you climbed stairs to the fifth floor and returned with these heavy materials," Piper's eyes widened.

When Aria nodded her head, Piper screamed, "Aria the art materials are in the next room to the cafeteria which is like fifteen steps from here. Why did you not go there? "

Aria was shocked by Piper's response, did that mean unnecessarily she did so much work. Why did Josie tell her to go to the fifth floor? Was she also not knowing that the materials were available here only.

But that's impossible because Josie is an efficient staff member who knows every single detail of the office. She was sure Josie lied to her but had no idea why she did it.

"From next time if you want anything, ask me," Piper instructed.

Aria agreed, it's just before Piper was talking with one of the mentors and she did not want to disturb her.

"Take a few minutes rest, and then we need to go to the library to check out some books," Piper stated.