Stolen By My Billionaire Brother-In-Law-Chapter 34: Date or A Disaster

"No! I am not going in there!" Rivana screamed internally as soon as they landed at their date venue. Ice skating was one of the worst activities she hated during her childhood. She had once dreamt of becoming a skate dancer.

"Yes! I will become a skater dancer just like this pretty sister," the six-year-old Rivana had declared, pointing at the skater who had won the Olympics. But her first day on the ice had crushed all her hopes. She had clung to Azrael, whom Sussanah had forced to join because of her. The trainer tried to calm her, but she just kept clinging to Azrael the entire day and crying out loud. He was sure she wouldn’t come back the next day, and Rivana didn’t, giving up on her dream completely.

Azrael smiled at her reaction, realizing she had never tried ice skating again. But this was the best idea he could come up with, reminiscing in the memories that were dear to him and maybe to her as well. And perhaps, maybe she might enjoy it this time.

"Let’s go!" he mumbled, unbuckling his seatbelt. When Rivana didn’t reply, he unbuckled her seatbelt, declaring that she couldn’t escape this time.

Rivana scowled and got out of the car. "Date? It more seemed like he wanted to bully her!" she thought. She followed him as they walked inside Crystal Skateland.

The staff were quick to greet them, and Rivana noticed that there weren’t any other skaters inside the rink. Did he rent the entire place? A gasp left her mouth in realization. Honestly, though it was great, that was also a waste of a lot of money.

"Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Dynar," the owner himself came to greet them. Azrael nodded, and they were quickly guided toward the rink.

The staff explained the basics, safety, and procedures before leaving them alone. Azrael had asked for complete privacy, and they swore not to peek through the corridors.

"Wait." Azrael realized something and blinked innocently at Rivana. "Don’t tell me you are still scared of skating?"

Rivana opened her mouth to speak, almost frustrated at his question. But Azrael continued, "You don’t hate it, right? I was only teasing you earlier."

"Haha! Of course not!" Rivana laughed out. Looking at the rink, she added, "I have skated a lot with my friends." She turned toward the rink, her fake smile faltering in fear.

"Great!" Azrael replied with a smile. "Let’s put on the skates then. We can do a race later."

"Race?" Rivana laughed again, sitting beside him to wear the skates. "Yeah, race to my death," she muttered, picking up the skating gear.

Azrael tried to maintain a serious face as she fumbled with the laces. It was almost as if she didn’t want to tie them, and it broke him into a chuckle. Shaking his head, he placed his skates aside and went down to tie her laces for her.

"I-I can do it myself," Rivana murmured, but Azrael didn’t listen and quickly tied her right lace before moving to the other one. She stared at him, noticing how charming he was. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his sharp jawline and intense eyes made her heart race. If there was a major perk of this contract marriage, it was watching this handsome man this close every day.

"All set," Azrael murmured, bringing her out of her thoughts. She quickly averted her eyes.

Azrael sat down and quickly put on his skates, picking up the helmet and knee gears beside him. He turned around, and when Rivana looked at him, he put the helmet on her head and clipped it.

"Let’s go," he murmured once he finished making sure she would be safe.

Rivana held his hand and asked, "You aren’t wearing one?" in confusion as he didn’t wear the gears.

Azrael shook his head and got up. "I have been doing it for years, so I would be fine."

"Years?" Rivana asked aloud.

Azrael hummed in response, guiding her to the rink. Though she gave up, he had taken the classes seriously and completed the course. The way her eyes had sparkled seeing the skaters, he wanted to help her learn it. But things changed drastically and he never got the opportunity again.

Rivana gulped as they moved inside the rink. The atmosphere was cool, and luckily there was no one around, so even if she fell, it wouldn’t be much of an embarrassment. She clutched tightly to Azrael’s hand, but when they got in, she moved closer and clung to his arm tightly.

Azrael glanced at the way she was holding him and smiled, recalling their childhood. Back then, she had cried out loud, but now she seemed to be crying internally.

Much to Rivana’s horror, he slowly released her hold, skating a little away from her, leaving her struggling to balance. Her hands flew in the air, her feet trying to balance but before he could catch her, she fell down on the ice with a yelp.

"Damn it!" Rivana cursed under her breath, and her embarrassment worsened when Azrael broke into laughter.

"So you have skated a lot, huh?" Azrael teased her, his laughter filling the entire place. Rivana glared at him. He was really torturing her!

"Here," Azrael extended his hand, his bright smile making her scowl.

A plan hit her, and Rivana’s eyes sparkled. She took his hand but instead of helping herself up, she pulled him down. Azrael’s eyes widened, he lost his balance at her strong tug and ended up falling on her.

"Hahaha, caught you!" Rivana chuckled out, now that he was on the ground too. But she stopped midway, her cheeks turning red as she realized he had fallen over her. No, she had pulled him on her!

Oh, how stupid! Rivana cursed under her breath, his intense gaze burning her. The ice beneath her did little to stop the sparks igniting on her skin, feeling his body pressed against hers.

"I-I am sorry," she murmured, quickly averting her eyes.

Azrael gritted his teeth, her flustered expression making it even harder to control himself. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and got up before helping Rivana up too.

As they got up, Rivana instantly tried to maintain distance, losing her balance again. This time, Azrael wrapped his arms around her waist and made sure she didn’t hit the ground again. Rivana felt her heart beating so loudly that she was sure Azrael could hear it too. Their eyes locked, his firm grip doing little to calm her down.

Damn it! It felt as though they were shooting a movie scene!

Azrael helped her stand straight, his hand firmly holding her hand. "Just follow my lead," he said, focusing back on the skating.

Rivana nodded, and Azrael began to teach her, taking a round around the rink while holding her hand. Rivana broke into a smile, giggling like a kid as they skated a few more rounds. Azrael smiled in relief, glad that she was finally enjoying it.

Once she got the basics, he said, "Alright, I am leaving your hand now."

"No!" Rivana shook her head and clutched his hand tightly. When he tried to release, she moved closer and clung to his arm, making Azrael laugh out loud.

"You are still a scaredy cat," he murmured, shaking his head. Rivana glared but didn’t let go of his arm, she clutched it even forgetting that they were standing so close.

"Trust me, you will do fine," Azrael assured her. Slowly taking out his hand, he continued, "And if you fall again, I will catch you like earlier."

A blush crept up Rivana’s cheeks again. After a moment, she nodded. Azrael slowly let go of her hand.

"Take your time. Once you get the balance, start skating slowly," Azrael instructed her.

Rivana followed him, and whenever she was about to fall, Azrael held her and help her throughout. Soon, Rivana started skating alone and smiled as she got through her fears. Her laughter filled the rink, and Azrael closely followed behind her with a smile.

"This is fun!" Rivana murmured, glancing at him while skating in circles. Azrael smiled in response, glad that the date was a success.

They practiced different moves and even tried a few spins, which made Rivana laugh out loud every time she wobbled or almost fell. Azrael was always there to catch her, just like he had always been in the past.

After a few minutes, Azrael’s phone rang, and he stopped to take it out from his pocket. A frown tugged his lips at the caller ID.

"Pick it up," Rivana said to him with a small smile. When he looked up, she added, "I will be fine."

Azrael nodded and skated toward the other end to take the call. It was from the basement, and it must be something serious for them to call him directly.

Rivana smiled, staring at his back before skating alone. She was enjoying herself, gliding smoothly on the ice, feeling the cool breeze against her face.

"Rivana!"

Rivana blinked as she heard someone call her out loudly. She turned around and frowned, seeing a man in the Skateland’s staff uniform. But her eyes widened as he took out a gun and pointed it in her direction, pulling the trigger.

Damn! Why did people love scaring her with their guns? she thought as the gunshot filled the place. Before the bullet could hit her, she felt someone coming in front and tucking her in.

"Argh," Rivana opened her eyes and saw Azrael groaning in pain. Her eyes widened as she realized he had taken the bullet to save her. Blood started pouring from his back, and he collapsed in her arms.