(ARIELLE’S POV)I was startled by Ashley's question, totally thrown off guard. "I...I don't know," I stuttered. "For now, all I want is to return to work.""I understand," she said, patting my shoulders. "Come on, let's go back to what we were watching."The rest of the evening passed in a blur. The following days were uneventful and the cycle repetitive. Ashley went to work and returned in the evening while I stayed at home, doing almost nothing.I missed my job, and made up my mind to return to work, damning my mother's and Ashley's advice. I planned to tell Ashley when she returned from work today.As for Jared and Sofia, I had no option but to block them on all social media platforms as I kept seeing pictures of them together at every turn. I deleted Jared's numbers and blocked them. I would protect my sanity at all costs. My mom was still in the dark about the divorce, and presumably Jared's mother too. I was not going to tell either of them. I'll let them find out for themsel
(ARIELLE'S POV)The young man chuckled and took off his shades, revealing piercing eyes that sparkled with amusement. "Alright, there was a catch. How're you, Madam?"I was stunned, my eyes widening in surprise. Dwayne? Of all people? Before I knew it, laughter bubbled up from my chest, and I burst into tears–streaked giggles.He was the last person I expected to see, and I couldn't believe I sang alongside him without even recognizing him."You're so–" I started, still chuckling."A jerk?" He finished, grinning. "I know, guilty as charged. I'm sorry if I startled you. I didn't want to reveal my identity and startle you. I wanted to hear you sing, and I'm glad you did. You sing so well. Are you sure you've never had a music career?My cheeks turned warm at his flattery. I shook my head, still trying to process running into him again. Is this a coincidence, or some planned act?"Here," he cut into my thoughts, handing me a tissue. "You need it."I nodded and accepted it, dabbing at my
(ARIELLE'S POV)"You will be fine, won't you? And hey, promise me you won't overwhelm yourself," Ashley said, concern perched on her face.We were parked in the restaurant's parking lot. It was Monday, and I was resuming work. Ashley had driven me as she wouldn't let me board a cab or Uber."I promise.""Good. Have a nice day at work today, " she said and hugged me tightly."Thank you. You too," I said, returning the hug. After we disengaged, I grabbed my bag and alighted, waving.As I walked towards the restaurant's entrance, a feeling of nostalgia hit me. It had been weeks since I'd been away, but it felt like months. I took a deep breath, excited about my return.Suddenly, someone threw their weight around me, nearly knocking me off balance. "Goodness, it's so good to have you back!" Rebecca exclaimed."I know, right? It's good to be back, and I missed you," I said, laughing and hugging her back.She giggled and grabbed my hand. "Let's go in. I'm sure Mr Stone will be excited to
(ARIELLE’S POV)The moment I heard those words, I knew I was in trouble, and had a lot of explanation to do. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the conversation.“Calm down, Mom. Can we talk about it in person?”“In person? No, we're gonna talk right now, over the phone!”“Fine,” I puffed out air in resignation. “What do you want to hear?”“Everything. How are you divorced from your husband, and he's already flaunting pictures of himself and another woman?”I stifled a scoff. That was definitely Sofia’s doing. “Mom, it's a long story. But to cut it short, we parted ways because we realized we're no longer compatible.”“And what does that mean? How come you two didn't realize that in the three years you were married?”I paused, thinking of the proper way to let out the words.“Has the cat suddenly got your tongue? Keep talking, Arielle.”“He's in love with someone else. I just couldn't keep up,” I muttered.“The lady he's been flaunting?”I nodded, “Yes.”“That stuck-up billiona
(ARIELLE'S POV)"Let's keep walking," Ashley whispered, tugging at my arm.But Sofia had already spotted us and was calling out. "Arielle! Ashley!""Ignore her," Ashley whispered again.But it was too late; Sofia was already rushing towards her. "Hold on, you two."To avoid a scene, as people were already sparing us glances, Ashley and I reluctantly stopped. Sofia caught up with us, a smile I could tell was fake, plastered on her face."Arielle, Ashley? What a surprise to see you two. What are you doing here!?" She asked, her eyes conveying her surprise."We're here for a conference," Ashley responded."Oh, the independent women's conference? I'm here for it too," Sofia exclaimed. By now, Jared had joined us, standing beside her."Babe, Arielle, and Ashley are here for the conference, too. Isn't that a great coincidence?" She asked, placing a hand on Jared's shoulder.Jared nodded, his eye darting briefly to mine before avoiding eye contact. "Hi, Arielle. Hi, Ashley."Sofia continued,
(ARIELLE'S POV)As we turned around to find out why Sofia was screaming, our eyes widened in surprise. Sofia was bent, clutching her stomach, her face contorted in pain."Are you okay?" I rushed to her, concern on my face.Sofia didn't respond; she just kept groaning. I grew scared and beckoned Ashley to come closer. "I think she's hurt, let's help her," I whispered.Ashley hesitated before rushing to my side. "Arielle, are you sure? I don't know, but I don't trust her.""Let's just help her," I said, trying to help Sofia stand straight.Just then, two women approached us. I was relieved; more hands would be appreciated."What happened?" One of them asked.Sofia looked up at them, tears now brimming in her eyes. "She...she tried to hurt me. I'm pregnant, and she pushed me," she said, pointing to me.A loud gasp escaped Ashley's and my lips as we exchanged surprised looks. What was Sofia talking about?"How could you?" The first woman turned to me, her face turning red with rage. "You'
(ARIELLE'S POV)"I still can't wrap my head around what happened," Ashley huffed, flinging her handbag on the couch the instant we stepped into the living room. "That woman is unbelievable!""Ash, just let it slide," I sighed, slumping next to her. "I'm alright, and that's all that matters."Ashley turned to face me, her face serious. "You see, that's the problem. You're too soft and unproblematic, and that's why she picks on you all the time. She should be hiding her face with all she's done to you instead, she's still making trouble.""Ashley, no need to rehash things," I pleaded, rubbing my temples."But someone needs to remind you," she countered. "Do I list all she has done to you?" She asked, her eyes challenging.""No, don't bother," I replied, waving my hand.Ashley scowled. "You need to stop being nice to your enemies, Arielle. Sofia is your enemy; treat her as such. Imagine wanting to help her after all she's put you through."I sighed, feeling exhausted. "Ashley, drop it,
(JARED'S POV)I scribbled my signature on the last document, relieved that I had finally tended to the last of the paperwork stacked on my table for weeks. Just as I was about to put the papers away, a knock sounded on the door."Who is it?" I called out."It's Cristina, sir," my secretary replied."Come in."Cristina entered, looking a little flustered. "Apologies for disturbing your work, sir, but I'm having some trouble accessing the company's database."I nodded in understanding. Cristina is new, barely two days at the company. My previous secretary had resigned as she was relocating abroad with her fiance."Take a seat, and let me show you," I motioned to the vacant chair.Patiently, I showed her how to navigate the database. And a few minutes later, she had gotten a hang of it."Thank you, sir," she said, rising to her feet. "I really appreciate your patience.""You're welcome." As she turned to leave, I called out, "Cristina?""Yes, sir?""Are you active on social media? You k
(JARED’S POV.)I drove like a lunatic, merely waiting for traffic lights and shouting a lot of apologies into the air as I attracted irritated honking of car horns from other motorists. They just had to understand — Arielle was in danger and needed saving. It felt like my new life’s purpose; to make sure Arielle was safe.I was more than surprised to receive a call from Dwayne. Neither of us had any reason to reach out to the other so I nearly let his call ring straight to voicemail.Quickl, I pulled out my phone to contact a doctor I knew from one of the hospitals. I just had to put things in place and not take any chances. The number went straight to voicemail on the first ring. I felt my growing frustration with every voicemail tone I heard. I’d kept my eyes focused on the phone and failed to look ahead so when I looked up, I was almost running into the car right in front of mine.Cursing under my breath, I slammed down hard on the brakes before hitting the horn. I looked out of th
(ARIELLE'S POV)I tried to sit up again, but my body was hit by a jolt of cold sensation. I shivered terribly, and my teeth chattering in response. Fear gripped me as I realized I was alone and helpless. I couldn't call for help, as my voice was cracked and hoarse. Goosebumps invaded my skin as my mind raced with thoughts of how I ended up like this. I was fine the previous night, laughing and having fun with family and friends. Had I overexerted myself at the party? Had I stayed up too late, thereby stressing my body?Tears brimmed at the corners of my eyes as I thought about Mom and Maverick. What if I didn't make it? What if I died in this bed, alone and unattended? Fear gripped me at the thought, and I fervently prayed, begging for someone to come and find me.Just as I thought I couldn't take it anymore, a knock sounded on the door. Hope returned to me, and I tried to respond, but no sound came out."Arielle?" Mom's voice sounded behind the door.I tried to respond again, but
(ARIELLE'S POV)The drive home was quiet, save for Maverick's intermittent curious questions. "Mommy, why do the houses seem to be following us!" He asked, pointing at the houses outside the window, with wide eyes.I smiled and leaned back in my seat "They're not following us, dear. We're just driving past them," I explained, trying to stifle a yawn.Maverick nodded thoughtfully and continued to gaze out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the passing objects. Mom sat quietly, tapping away at her phone.Dwayne, on the other hand, was fixated on the road ahead, his grip firm on the steering wheel. I sighed and took out my phone, deciding to read trending gossip on blogs to kill boredom.A few minutes later, we arrived home, and everyone alighted from the car, stretching their arms and legs. Dwayne helped with the bags in the trunk, and I asked him to come in for tea, but he declined.“I have some important things to tend to at home,” he explained, smiling apologetically as h
(ARIELLE'S POV)Everyone partied hard, and the party went on and on. The music was loud, the dance energetic, and the atmosphere charged. I took turns in dancing with everyone and it was a fun experience. In between, I had asked for Maverick to be tucked into bed. He might be surrounded by adults, but it didn't make him any less a child. Jared had volunteered to escort him to his room, and Maverick had gladly gone with his Dad. And hours later, just like everything that has a beginning has an end, the party came to an end in the wee hours of the morning. Exhausted and drained, everyone retired to their cabins. I collapsed on my bed the moment I got into my room, my body numb from all the activities. And the instant I stretched out on the bed, a blissful sleep enveloped me.I didn't know how long I slept, but I woke up to sunlight streaming in through the little outlets in the window. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and a glance at the clock showed it was noon. I gasped, how did I sleep
(ARIELLE'S POV)I blinked in disbelief as I looked using Jarred, my eyes wide with wonder. "Espejo del Corazón?" I asked, my voice quivering. I wanted to be sure I was seeing right. The object I held in my hand felt like a beautiful illusion like I was dreaming.Jared nodded, his smile affirming. "Yes."My hands trembled as I turned the object in my hand meticulously, unable to still process what my eyes were seeing. It was the replica of the hand mirror Jared had gotten me on our second wedding anniversary. He had gone on a business trip to Mexico and brought it back as a gift. Unfortunately, he had accidentally broken it months later, and I had mourned its loss for so long. I thought it was gone forever, a precious memory lost as a result of a little negligence.But here it was, back in my hands, shining with the same beauty and elegance I remembered. I felt different emotions hit me; joy, gratitude."How did you manage to get another one?" I finally managed to ask, my voice crackin
(ARIELLE'S POV)Before me was a well–decorated hall stretched out, with a reddish carpet leading up to a podium at the far end. The hall was grandly decorated with balloons, steamers, and a stunning chandelier that hung from the ceiling, casting a vibrant glow over the entire space. At the center of the wall, a large poster caught my eye –a picture of myself with the caption "Happy birthday, Culinary Queen" engraved in bold, glossy, silvery letters.On either side of the red carpet, every one of my loved ones stood beaming with smiles. My mom, the Harrisons, Maverick, Meredith, Stephen, Rebecca, Dwayne, and hold on, even Jared–everyone I cared about was there, their faces filled with affection.I was utterly stunned, my body rigid for a moment as I took in the breathtaking scene before me. Then, an overwhelming urge to cry hit me, and I covered my mouth with my hand, muttering "Oh my God," repeatedly. Tears of joy pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to process the sheer m
(ARIELLE'S POV)I relished the meal, savoring each bite and enjoying the feel of each flavor on my plate. As much as I wanted to eat more of the delicacies, I had to settle for lighter meals. My stomach soon got filled, and being the minimalist I was, I had to stop. Eating beyond that point was gluttony, and I wasn't one.I covered the plates and pushed the tray aside, turning to thank Ashley. "Thank you so much, I enjoyed this.""You're welcome, even though you didn't eat as much as I wanted you to," she said, feigning a pout."Overfeeding me is not part of the plan, is it?""You're right, it isn't," she smiled ruefully and put the tray away."Now, you have to rest a little before we get down to business. We've got a lot planned for you today.""You're still not gonna tell me about this plan, aren't you?""You're right, I won't," she said, winking.I nodded, resigning to my fate. As much as I wanted to be privy to what was being planned, I also enjoyed being in the dark. It helped am
ARIELLE'S POV)As I slowly roused from sleep, I was momentarily disoriented, my mind foggy and blank. I tried to recollect where I was, and looking around, it dawned on me that I was in my room in the cabin. I sat up immediately, rubbing my eyes to get rid of the remnants of sleep. While at it, memories came rushing back like an open dam. I had been resting in my room with Ashley and Maverick when Jared came in, and Ashley had excused us. He had apologized about Sofia's antics earlier, and surprisingly, I wasn't mad at him because I was being honest with myself–it wasn't his fault. Sofia made her choices and I can't keep blaming him and letting him bear the brute of them.Even though I had earlier refused everyone's audience, Dwayne especially, citing that I wanted to rest, it was hard to ask Jared to leave. Having him sit beside me on the bed afterward, listening to me and Maverick talk, and the happy glow his presence brought out in Maverick made my hands tied. Maverick and I cha
JARED'S POVAs I walked, Arielle's cabin my destination, the weight of the conversation I had with Mrs Meyers settled heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for Mrs. Meyers to bear such a secret all these years if it was this hard for me. Indeed, some secrets were better left unsaid because of the impact they bore.I soon rounded the corner leading to Arielle's cabin, but I was stunned to find Dwayne squatting at the entrance, his eyes fixed intently on the floor. I felt curious immediately and slowed my pace, trying not to startle him."What are you doing here?" I demanded, trying to keep the suspicion in my voice away.He looked up at me, his expression unreadable. "Arielle said she's resting and she asked me not to come in.”I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his response. "So you're just sitting here waiting for her?" He shrugged, seemingly unbothered by my question. "Yep, pretty much," he replied, looking away.I glanced at him, hesitating for a mo