Dinner at Ace's house

Ariel's POV

This shouldn't hurt me so much. I mean, I'm not supposed to even feel pained. But… just but! 

Like a child, I sobbed continuously on Kevin's chest. I'm aware he's bound to be perplexed. Then again, I'm appreciative that he didn't push me aside. Instead, he held my shoulders tenderly as I lifted my face.

“Mind going to a bench?” he questioned softly, and I found myself nodding in approval. 

Settling on an elongated bench, my face was lowered while seconds passed in silence. By now I was no longer crying but felt ashamed to face Kevin. 

I acted like a total freak a few moments ago. What does he think of me now?

“I bet you consider me a freak, huh, Kevin?” saying silently, I clutched my fist tightly.

“Not really. You must have a lot on your mind. It's okay if you feel like crying, my shoulder is always available for you to cry on,” he responded sincerely. I gazed at him, totally tongue-tied to say anything; how considerate can he be? 

Kevin glanced at me back and for some seconds, we kept staring at each other. Since we sat close to each other, he encircled his arms around my shoulder with ease; bringing my head to his chest. 

I hugged him back tighter, feeling so fucking secure in his arms.

“Ariel… I'll protect and be here for you. You're facing a lot, and I promise I won't ever leave you or get tired of supporting you, because that's what mates do,” he whispered affectionately into my ear, unknowingly getting me emotional. 

Maybe this is what I really need to hear; I need someone to stay by my side, needlessly of my flaws or troubles. Perhaps Kevin might be. 

“Ariel!” the annoying tone of Ace disrupted our moments and his footsteps were heard. As he drew closer, I had no choice but to disengage from the hug. 

“There you are. And you're with this bastard,” Ace sent a hard glare to Kevin once he stood near us. Kevin paid obliviousness to his presence and stood.

I also did the same before clearing my throat. “What are you doing here?” My voice was icy and a bit hateful. I never intended to sound so mean, but my emotions were getting the best of me.

Ace, a bit stunned at my response, furrowed his eyebrows questioningly at me.

“Sweetheart, what's the matter?” he asked, advancing closer. Kevin stood defiantly in his path. 

“Dude, want a bleeding nose?” Ace threatened, seemingly annoyed. Yet, Kevin remained wordless and glared resentfully at him.

“Can we leave, Ariel?” Kevin asked hoarsely.

“Leave? Sweetheart, are you fucking with me? You're aware mum's been anticipating your visit. It's been a while since you visited the mansion!” Ace dissented immensely. 

“I'll visit; not today. Come on Kevin, school's over” I muttered while grabbing Kevin's right wrist. Notwithstanding Ace's bulging eyes, I dragged Kevin out of there, heading for the car at the park. We got in and the drive back home began.

During the ride, he observed how glumly I looked. 

Then again, I wasn't glum, instead mad at myself; I was reborn to fuck Ace and Chloe up, yet I acted like a genuine pussy. Ugh!

It's somewhat shaming. “Say Ariel wants to stop at an ice cream shop?” Kevin's question penetrated my thought. Glimpsing at him, I found myself nodding in approval. 

Swerving the steering wheel, we deviated from our original course. 

Half an hour passed by, and we were home.

Once I was done tearing my boots away from my feet, Kevin called from behind.

 

“Today's my turn to cook. Okay? So take a rest. When dinner's ready, I'll call you,” he beamed gleefully.

“Sure. Thanks,” I responded simply before rushing up the stairs. 

I headed straight for the bathroom, to have a long, nice shower.

During my stay under the shower, I reminisced about Ace and Chloe.

“Maybe it's time,” I hushed to myself. Due to how many things have taken an unpredictable turn, it's somewhat hard to predict what'll occur next. Firstly, I have no idea when the food poisoning will take place. There's a possibility that Ace and Agnes might have a change of plan. Sighing, I drove my fingers into my wet hair. When are they planning to poison me again?

Fuck!

I really wish I knew. Meanwhile, my phone had been ringing for quite a while now. With a towel tied firmly on my chest, I gazed down at the phone screen. 

“What the fuck does she want? Isn't it kind of late?” I muttered, a bit pissed off while staring at the phone screen. Then again, I reconsidered and swiped the green button.

 

“Girl! Hey!” Chloe's cheerful voice resounded. Gosh! Even her voice sounds fake; everything literally sounds fake about her. 

“Yeah. What is it? You're aware of how late it is, right?” I scowled into the phone.

“Come on, girl. Don't be like this. I apologize for my recent attitude; I'm just dazed by your discussion,” her voice sounded through the phone. 

“Are you done?”

“Oh, Ariel. Look, I called because you need to come over to Ace's mansion,” she said. 

“The fuck! Why? It's late,”

“Please, girl. We're having dinner, and Mrs. Agnes really wants you here. You're not going to break her heart, are you?”

Chewing slightly on my lower lips, I ended up deciding to go.  

Coming downstairs I met Kevin coming out of the kitchen. I was a bit stunned yet nervous about how he would react once he finds out I'm going over to Ace's mansion at this time of the night. 

“Ariel, where are you going to?” he asked while wiping his hands dry with a napkin.

“Well… the thing is…” I began to stutter unexpectedly, and he arched his eyebrows confusingly at me. 

“Look I'm going over to Ace's, but I'll be back soon,” I eventually spilled the beans, and I could see the shocked look on his face.

“Then I should drive you there,” he spoke sharply. 

“There isn't any need for that, Kevin. I'm not a kid anymore. Aside from that, you have to look after your younger brother. I'll be back, I promise. There's no need for you to feel worried,” I responded reassuringly while advancing towards the door. 

“Then at least take a jacket with you; it's bound to be chilly tonight,” Kevin mumbled, as he picked up his leather jacket from the couch. I had been oblivious with my dressing and ended up slipping into a white singlet and baggy trousers. 

“Oh. I was unmindful. Thank you,” came a low response from me as he placed the jacket on my shoulders.

“Please be safe and come back, Ariel,” he added one more time before I left the house.

On my way to Ace's, I couldn't help but have a tingly feeling in my heart because Kevin is worried about me. I mean, he is literally the second person in the entire world to be genuinely concerned about me. Apart from my late Nana.

It took me half an hour to arrive at his mansion.

Walking gingerly in, I pushed the door aside, only to behold Chloe already there. What a clueless bitch; then again, I blame my gullibility in my past life. I mean, it was so fucking clear how much Chloe wanted to be with Ace. But I was totally clueless and played right into their hands. 

“Girl, you made!” she gushed, practically running over to me. She leaped in the air and engulfed me in a hug.

“Damn.  You're suffocating me,” I hushed flatly, making her withdraw. The scarlet who came over, beaming with smiles, and I had no choice but to reciprocate it.

They took me to the dining room, and we all sat down, Ace exclusively.

“Aren't you at least going to ask after him? You're being a little uncaring about your mate, girl,” Chloe whispered to me as we settled down on our various chairs.

“I'm aware he's upstairs in his room. I will talk to him later. There's no need for you to be so interrogative!” I snapped slightly at her and she went mute. Agnes went over to present our dinner. 

Staring uninterested at the meal, I realized this is what was used to poison me; I became more cautious.

“Is something the matter, Ariel, dear? Eat up,” Agnes urged. Turning over to look at Chloe, I noticed how skeptical she was.

“Chloe's portion looks a lot bigger.  Forgive me for being so gluttonous, but I'll have this instead,” I said instantly swiping our dishes. She wanted to dissent, then again I gulped down her words. 

“Is something the matter, Chloe? Eat!” I persuaded while watching her pick up her spoon with shaky hands...