All Chapters of Second Chance: The Return Of Ariana: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Ariana“I'm sorry, Gabriel but we can't,” I answered and he I don't want to see Gabriel now and I was going to tell him that I was out of town. “What do you mean we can't, Ariana? Can you please tell me what I did wrong? Because you aren't making me feel any better,” he said to me and I almost ignored him. “I will call you back, Gabriel. Just remember that I'm not angry at you. I just have a lot I'm handling currently,” I said and hung up when I heard the bell ring out. I went outside to check who it was, especially now that I wasn't expecting any visitors. To my greatest surprise, there was a document at my doorstep in a sleek black envelope and it was unsigned. Inside, I found the purchase contract for my company which was already signed. The only name missing was mine.At first, I thought it’s from one of my rivals, Damian Cross, the businessman who has been circling around me like he didn't have any other serious business. But then I recognize the other name on the contrac

Zayde's POVI hadn’t heard from Ariana in days, and I was starting to lose my mind. She didn't bother to check up on me and Every time I called, her phone was switched off. The worst part, I kept getting messages from Isabella and I kept deleting it. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Where the hell was she? I tried to push my worries down so that I could focus on the investigation I was already deep into. That’s the investigation concerning my mother’s secret. But I couldn't stop thinking about Ariana.Out of tiredness, I called the hotel where she was supposed to be staying. Maybe they had answers, or at least some clue as to where she might have gone.The hotel phone rang, and I gripped it tighter after a voice answered.“Good afternoon, how may I assist you?” a sweet feminine but professional voice answered the phone. “I’m looking for Ariana Campbell,” I said. “She was staying at your hotel. Can you tell me if she’s still there?” I asked, hoping

Gabriel’s POV The investigation into Zayde’s mother had suddenly become an obsession to me. I was more interested in her matter because Zayde was trying to cover up his mother and the deeper I dug, the clearer it became that there was more to her than I originally imagined. I sat in my office, staring at the files in front of me. There were numerous as the private investigator had sent over the latest findings. There were multiple illegal transactions, coded emails, and bank transfers that could only lead back to Zayde's mother. It wasn’t surprising that this was her life. I had suspected something for a while now, but this? This was bigger than I imagined. This was beyond simple fighting for power. This was a criminal, and must not go unaddressed. I picked up the phone, dialing Ariana’s number despite knowing full well she wouldn’t answer me. She had made it clear that she didn’t want to speak with me. We haven't been having good conversations lately but it was

Zayde’s POV “I love you, Ariana,” I typed on the message box and cleared the message immediately. This was harder than it actually was. I needed to make more efforts so that she would know I was serious. “Do you want to go shopping? I will get you your favourite items. Or, a vacation in Paris,” I typed again but cleared the message for the second time. “No, no! It wasn't working. I need something more convincing. She might ignore this message,” I yelled out, holding my head tight. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I should apologize to myself for feeling this way. I thought seeing Ariana again would make it easier to let go, but it only made things worse. My mind had been consumed with thoughts of her ever since the penthouse incident. I couldn’t shake the image of her standing there, slapping me, and yet, giving in to everything I knew she felt. But that was the problem, wasn’t it? She felt it too. I was quite sure about that. I saw those goosebumps on her skin.

Gabriel’s POVDid she just walk out of me? Oh, wow. That was quite funny. You know what? I’m done playing nice.I have tried to be patient. I have tried to give Ariana space, to give her time to come around. But I can’t do it anymore. Not when every look she gives Zayde feels like a knife to my chest. Not when I can’t stand the way she still lets him hold that power over her. It was tearing me apart.She was never going to love me anyway. The truth is, starting from now on, I won’t stand by and watch her fall for him again. I won’t.So, tonight after the event, I would make my move.I knew exactly what I was doing. I have watched her closely. I have also watched how she reacted to Zayde and to me and it was very different.I had seen her pull away when I touched her, but I had also seen the way she was unable to breathe when our eyes met. I was confused. Was she trying not to fall in love with me? Or was she confused because she was in love with both me and Zayde?That might be