Chapter Twenty

“Arianna!”

Arianna turned towards the loud call and was surprised to see Ruel climbing out of the driver's seat of his truck.

Then he ran towards them, a huge grin on his face, laughing like he won the lottery.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I finally caught up with you. I was waiting right here. I was here yesterday, too, but I was in a different spot so I didn't see you. They said this is where you start selling your goods every morning.”

It took a moment for her to understand what he was actually saying. “You waited here for us?”

“Yes,” he replied while nodding his head repeatedly, too. Like 'yes' wasn't enough.

“What for?” she began to get down the tribike. She was pedaling today because Tommy had to be at the fishponds early.

“I can't visit you on nights anymore. They wouldn't let us in the gates. I have to be in the store when it opens a little later this morning to stand in for Dad while they are still in Manila so I could only leave late in the afternoons except on Sun