(ARIELLE’S POV)Jared returned with our bag, and took it to the closet. “I don't want you stressed,” he said, approaching me.“Don't tell me you brought me here to make me lazy,” I said, feigning a frown.“I brought you here to spoil you silly,” he responded.“Umm…that sounds like something I would love to indulge in,” I said, all smiles.“Great,” Jared said, leaning away. “I will unpack our bag, and afterward, we will head to the hotel's spa for a massage session. This week has been hectic for you, and a massage is paramount in relaxing your muscles.”“You have everything all planned out, don't you?” I inquired, pleased at his thoughtfulness.“I wouldn't bring you here, if I didn't . I will go unpack the bags now,” he gave me a wink and walked back to the closet.As Jared turned his back to me, my eyes were fixated on his muscles flexed beneath his fitted shirt. Yet again, I felt that all too familiar flutter in my belly. I smiled, grateful for this getaway and how thoughtful Jared
(ARIELLE'S POV)A bile rose in the pit of my stomach after Jared left, making me lose appetite. What notification could have arrived in his phone that made his countenance change in seconds? I wondered.I turned around and craned my neck in the direction he took, hoping to get a glimpse of him, but I saw nothing. For a moment, I thought of going after him to spy, but thought against it. I would rather wait for him to return and inquire what the notification he received was about. And so I waited.“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go away for that long,” Jared's voice sounded as he rejoined me. And then he glanced at my food, and up at me. “You stopped eating?”“You didn't expect me to keep eating when I saw how upset you looked by the notification you got on your phone, did you?” I asked, displeased.“It was nothing serious. Come on, let's resume eating,” he said in a dismissive tone.“What was the notification about?” I blurted, my eyes trained on him.Jared looked surprised, like he did
(Jared's POV)“Jared, where the hell are you? Sofia just called me. She's in pain, her stomach is hurting…”I froze at my mother's words, as shivers ran down my spine. I didn't realize when an exclamation left my mouth. “What?”“You have to leave wherever you are, and whatever you're doing and go home! Nothing must happen to–”That was all I heard as I dropped the call. I was immediately thrown into a state of panic, as I scrambled to gather my clothes on the floor.“What's wrong?” Arielle’s voice sounded behind me. I hadn't realized when she left the bed. My mind was filled and racing with worst–case scenarios.“You're making me scared. What happened? Who was on the phone?” Arielle's voice broke into my thoughts again. This time, she was now standing in front of me, her face filled with worry.I tried to speak, but my words were jumbled. “Sofia…my mother called…she's in pain. Her stomach hurts.” Arielle's eyes widened in alarm. “What's happening to her?’I shook my head, my heart ra
(ARIELLE’S POV)After Jared left, I was beside myself with worry. What could be wrong with Sofia? I wondered. It was barely 24hrs Jared and I left the house, and she had developed a stomach pain?I tried to distract myself with the thought that Jared will handle the situation, but my mind wouldn't budge. For a moment, I suspected foul play. What if it was a ploy by Sofia to lure Jared back to the house as she never wanted him to leave in the first place?But I shoved the thought aside, trying not to look paranoid and insecure. If she was pretending, she wouldn't involve Jared's mother, right? The more I thought about everything, the restless I became.Then a thought struck me; what if the situation was critical and more than Jared could handle? I jerked up from the bed that instant, I needed to go home too. Just in case Jared needed help.And so without a second thought, I grabbed my clothes and threw them on. I took hold of my purse and hurried out. Outside the hotel, I booked a cab
(ARIELLE’S POV)I paused, trying to assimilate Ashley's words. And then slowly I locked my gaze with hers. “You're kidding, aren't you?”“Do I look like I am?” Ashley retorted, her voice firm and serious.I paused, trying once again to make sense of her suggestion. Divorce Jared? The thought of it sounded surreal, and it's no surprise that it had never crossed my mind. Why would I want to divorce Jared, and let go of a marriage I have put everything into to ensure it works?To me, that sounded like the joke of the century and I told Ashley so. “I don't think you're serious,” I said, with a shake of the head.“Well, I am. You can't keep being the person Jared second guesses, Arielle. You're his wife, for crying out loud. He's a grown man and should choose who he wants. If he's still stuck up with Sofia, then he should be with her. If he wants you, he should be decisive about it, and one of the ways to do that is to put Sofia in her rightful place. And trust me, her place is not in your
(ARIELLE'S POV)The next day was Sunday, and I was grateful it was not a work day. When I roused from sleep, all I did was shower, have breakfast and watch TV as Ashley wouldn't let me raise a pin.“Hey,” she squeezed my shoulder gently, sliding onto the couch next to me. “What's up?”“Hey,” I spared her a glance and returned my eyes back to the TV. “You're done?”The aim of the question was because Ashley had risen at the crack of dawn to prune the flowers flanking her house entrance, and I wanted to ascertain if she was done.“Yup, yup. The flowers look neater now.”“You should go have breakfast, you've been working for hours,” I said, my eyes still fixed on the show. “Well, you've been engrossed on the TV that you didn't realize that I finished pruning the flowers a while ago, have showered, changed into fresh clothes and even had breakfast. Gosh! Are all pregnant women this lazy and less observant?”I paused. “Wait, what?” I asked, and turned to look at her properly. And that was
(ARIELLE'S POV) At the sound of Jared's voice, Sofia quickly withdrew her hand and swirled around to face him. The coldness in her eyes was now replaced with warmth, and I wondered how she effortlessly switched personalities. “Nothing Serious. Arielle , here, just arrived and I was informing her how worried we were in her absence,” Sofia said smiling. “Arielle?” Jared called and hastened his steps, and soon he was in front of me. “You got me worried. Where have you been?” “Somewhere safe,” I mumbled, avoiding eye contact with him. “I was so worried when I called Ashley and she said you were not with her. I wanted to call the cops but Sofia suggested we stall a bit. She was really optimistic that you were fine and would return home, and she was right.” Sofia flashed me a smug triumphant smile. I stifled a scoff. How blind can Jared be? Sofia’s suggestion was not from a place of concern for me, but because she didn't want him to look for me. But as usual, she had played he
(ARIELLE'S POV)I stood rooted to the spot, contemplating my response. Truth was, I had made no plans on returning to the house today. Even though I knew I was going to return eventually, it just wasn't today.“Jared, I don't think I want to come home today,” I blurted.His brows furrowed. “Why? You're still mad at me, aren't you? Come on, Arielle. I promise to explain everything to you if you come home with me.”I hesitated. “But–”“No buts, Arielle. Please, come home. You can't run from your matrimonial home.”I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, a matrimonial home invaded by a stranger,” I murmured.“What did you say?”“I said nothing.”Just then, Rebecca walked past us, waving excitedly. I groaned inwardly, and without another word I walked ahead of Jared to the car. I was not ready to give Rebecca the slightest hint that my marriage was going through some rocky times.I got into the car, and threw my face out the window. Jared got in beside me, almost immediately and cast me a concerned lo