UNDONE: The One I Could Not Tame

Unspoken Truths

Later that evening, back in her room

The bed creaked slightly as they lay side by side, staring up at the ceiling. The light from her fairy lamp bathed the room in gold.

“Do you think we’ll still talk when college starts?” Raina asked, breaking the silence.

Arian turned on his side to face her. “I think I won’t stop thinking about you.”

Her throat tightened. “You say things like that so easily.”

“That’s because they’re true.”

She looked at him. “I’m not used to this.”

“I know,” he replied gently. “That’s why I’m not rushing you.”

She smiled, touched. “I’m glad you’re not.”

He brushed his finger down the side of her face. “Also… I saw your baby photo on the wall. You had one giant front tooth.”

Her eyes widened. “Arian!”

He laughed, dodging her playful shove. “It was cute! In a very… bunny rabbit kind of way.”

“I should’ve never let you into my house.”

“Too late now, I’m emotionally attached to the couch.”

Raina’s laughter died down into a soft smile. Her hand reached for his, and their fingers laced together like it had always been that way.

They didn’t need to say more. Not right now.

In that moment, in silence between them,

The room was cloaked in a soft, golden hue as the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains. Raina and Arian lay side by side on her bed, their fingers intertwined, the silence between them comfortable and charged.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

"Raina!" Aaron's voice rang out, his eyes widening as he took in the scene before him.

Raina jolted upright, her cheeks flushing crimson. "Aaron! Privacy please!!!"

Arian sat up, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Hey, Aaron."

Aaron raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Well, this is...unexpected."

Raina scrambled off the bed, smoothing her hair. "It's not what it looks like."

Aaron chuckled, shaking his head. "Really? Because it looks like my little sister is getting cozy with a guy in her bedroom."

Aaron folded his arms and coyishly c****d his head to the side.

"Aaron!" Raina's voice was a mix of embarrassment and exasperation.

"Come on," Aaron gestured towards the door. "Both of you. Downstairs. Now."

In the living room, Aaron paced while Raina and Arian sat on the couch, exchanging nervous glances.

Aaron stopped and faced them. "Look, I'm not going to give you the 'birds and bees' talk. But Raina, you're seventeen. And Arian, you're eighteen. Just...be careful."

Raina nodded, her eyes on the floor. "We always are."

Arian tried to suppress a laugh.

Aaron turned to him. “And you. Mr. I Almost Banged Your Sister. What exactly were your intentions up there? Because I’ll be honest, man—you looked real cozy.”

Arian gave him a soft, honest glance. “Aaron, I like your sister. A lot more than I thought I would. I don’t plan on hurting her.”

Aaron was quiet for a moment. Then, he sighed, letting some of the tension ease. “Just treat her right, okay? She might be feisty, but she bruises easily. Emotionally, I mean. Don’t make her cry.”

Arian met his gaze, sincerity in his eyes. "I understand. I care about Raina. I won't hurt her.

Raina blinked at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. She looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Aaron."

Aaron smirked. "Don't thank me yet. I'm still debating whether to tell Mom."

Raina's eyes widened. "Please don't!"

Aaron laughed. "Alright, alright. But I'm keeping an eye on you two."

Arian stood, adjusting his watch. “I should get going.”

Raina followed behind him, but Aaron gently tugged her back. “I’ll walk him out,” he said.

She frowned but obeyed, biting her lip nervously.

Outside, Aaron and Arian stood beneath the front porch light.

“Look,” Aaron said, voice lower now, “I don’t care about your money, your name, or your reputation. All I care about is her. If I ever hear she cried because of you…”

“You won’t,” Arian interrupted. “Not from me.”

They exchanged a brief nod—a silent agreement forged.

A few days later...

“Where are we going?” Raina asked, glancing at him from the passenger seat.

“You’ll see,” Arian replied, hand casually on the wheel, the city lights casting shadows over his sharp jawline.

His mansion loomed like something out of a dream—grand, secluded, and bathed in warm golden light. Inside, it smelled like cedarwood and a hint of vanilla.

“I’ll give you the tour,” he offered.

"Of course, it was long overdue, being that my last time here was because of your die-hard ex" Raina replied.

They wandered through halls lined with paintings and old books. Raina paused at a framed picture of Arian as a child, solemn and distant.

“This place is... huge,” she whispered.

“Empty, most of the time,” Arian replied.

Raina looked at him with something deeper than sympathy—understanding.

Inside, they shared a meal, laughter echoing through the halls. Afterward, they played a game of chess, Raina's competitive streak shining through.

As the evening settled, Raina stood, walking over to Arian. She took his hand, guiding him to the bedroom.

Once inside, she turned to him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Your move, Arian."

Arian chuckled, leaning back with his arms behind his head. “Well, this is new.”

She pushed him gently onto the bed, straddling him. "Let's find out."

Raina climbed onto him, straddling his hips. His hands instinctively went to her waist, but he let her lead.

“You seem... bold tonight,” he said, tilting his head.

She shrugged, cheeks a bit pink. “Just curious.”

Arian flipped them effortlessly, hovering over her now. “Curious, huh?”

She gasped, caught by the sudden shift, but her smile didn’t fade.

His lips found hers in a kiss—slow, consuming. His hands trailed up her thighs, fingers warm and teasing. She moaned softly, breath trembling.

He kissed her neck, drew a line down her collarbone, and whispered, “Tell me if I should stop.”

“I’ll kill you if you stop,” she murmured.

He grinned.

Guiding her hands to his shirt buttons, he watched as she undid them—slightly shaky but eager. He helped her out of her dress, pausing when he reached her bra. He noticed her stillness, her hesitation.

He leaned in and gave her a long, slow kiss. His hand moved to her thigh again, teasing lightly, until his fingers found the edge of her underwear. As he tried to slide them off, her thighs clamped around his hand.

He stopped immediately, gazing into her eyes. “Raina...”

“I’m ready,” she whispered, pulling him closer. “I prepared myself.”

His lips twitched into a smile. “Prepared?”

“I watched videos,” she admitted. “Just so I don't mess things up.”

He burst into laughter, cradling her head against his chest. “Really, you’re adorable.”

“I’m being serious!” she protested.

“I know, I know.” He kissed her forehead

gently. “But we’ll wait. I want the first time to be... not here. Not like this.”

Raina blinked up at him. “Why not?”

“Because,” he said, eyes tender, “you’re not just some moment I want to rush through. Very soon, I’m going to consume all of you, Raina. Every single part.”

Her breath hitched. She reached up and bit his neck playfully.

“Is that a challenge?” she whispered.

Arian only smiled, his arms tightening around her.

And in that moment, beneath the weight of unsaid promises and burning tension, they found something more than lust. They found a rhythm only their hearts could follow.

The week of the school dance was buzzing with color, music, fittings, and hushed hallway conversations. Students tried to outdo one another with their outfits, their dates, and the drama surrounding both. Raina was no exception. Though calm on the outside, she was excited—she and Arian had already made it official. She was going to the dance as his date.

But as she flipped through dress options with her mom, her thoughts often wandered to him. Something had shifted. Arian hadn’t been as responsive. He still came around, still kissed her forehead, still teased her in the hallway, but it was… diluted. Almost as though something heavy was resting on his shoulders.

Across town, in the echoing silence of the Hartman mansion, that weight had a name.

“London?” Arian’s voice echoed down the pristine marble hallway, his shoes clicking against the cold floors as he followed his father into the private study.

Mr. Hartman didn’t even turn around. “The transition program begins this summer. You’ll intern under Stratford Capital for two months, then start pre-courses at Cambridge. I’ve already spoken to their admissions board.”

Arian’s jaw clenched. “You spoke to them? Without asking me?”

“You’re a Hartman. We don’t ask, we act.” His father finally turned, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his suit crisp, untouched by a wrinkle or emotion.

Arian shoved his hands into his pockets, pacing. “What if I don’t want to go? What if I want to stay back and—”

“Fool around with a girl who will never understand our world?” His father interrupted, one brow arched.

Arian’s nostrils flared. “Don’t bring her into this. She’s the only thing that feels real right now.”

“She’s a distraction. Like all the others before her. You come from a line of men who built empires, Arian. Your grandfather turned real estate into gold. Your uncle handled oil. I pulled this company from ashes to global scale. And now—it’s your turn.”