Chapter 5
1759 Words
“Ariel… are you alright?” The deep voice of Johny pierced into her ears, waking her up from her trance.
Her breath was still unstable, but her face and body had started calming down to a normal person.
To let her settle, Johny passed a glass of water to her. “Drink up”
“Thanks” She reached for the water, but her hand paused when she noticed the cold gaze of Johny fixated on her.
The look on his face forcefully compelled her made a clearance of why she became like that after the announcement.
“I don't feel too well these days, sorry to scare you.”
Hun? Scared him?, how sure is she that she made that kind of effect on him?
Johny remained silent, he just kept on looking at her with some sort of unreadable expression.
Did the lie work on him? Johny isn't a man that can be easily fooled.
“I will drive you home.” He said, as he handed her the water. Not giving any sign of concern, like she wasn't asked such question.
Of course she wasn't asked, but her guilty conscience wouldn't let her have peace and the intoxicating gaze of Johny.
Regret, sharp and sudden, pierced through her. The thought of stepping foot in Las Vegas made her stomach churn. Panic clawed at her throat, her heart hammering against her ribs like a caged bird.
She was entangled with him, hopelessly, helplessly. But the thought of revealing the fragile pieces of herself, the cracks in her armor, to him was terrifying. It was a secret she had buried deep within her, a secret that threatened to consume her.
Anxiety tightened her chest, her eyes flitting around the room as if searcing for an escape route. Every casual glance, every fleeting smile, felt like a potential exposure, betraying the turmoil within her.
She yearned to disappear, to vanish into thin air, to escape Johny's prying eyes that seemed to pierce through her.
Distracted, she took a large gulp of water, the icy liquid caught her off guard. She choked, sputtering, her face flushing crimson with embarrassment.
“How about you go easy on yourself, Do I look like I will bite you anytime.”
This statement clearly doesn't make her feel relieved but adds more fuel to the fire.
Ariel gripped on the glass cup so tightly that she felt her finger bones cracked.
Neither did she respond, nor did she look him in the eyes.
Her gaze was fixated on the empty glass in her hand, like scanning the details of the cup.
The silence grew louder, awkwardness filled the air so thick and fierce. Well that's only for Ariel.
At last somebody broke it “if we don't leave now, I don't think you would go home tonight”.
Johny blurted with his eyes still on Ariel.
Ariel stood up hastily and rushed to the door. Her action to exit was futile as the door wouldn't open. She continued jacking the doorknob like, passing her aggression on it.
She turned her back, her gaze met with Johnny who stood straight, with his hands in his pocket, his head tilted one side, staring at her coldly, waiting for the miracle she wanted to perform.
“You're so uneasy, don't think of avoiding me, it's late for you to do that. The contract had been signed. And we will start living together sooner rather than later”.
Ariel tried hiding her shame, she straightened up her back, “I know, I was in a rush because of time”. Was this enough to cover back her blown cover?
When they arrived at their destination, Ariel finally lifted her head, having rested it on the car window the whole time and gazed out at the picturesque views.
“Thanks for the ride, I will get off now.” And she grabbed on the car door.
‘Clicked’
The car door locked.
Ariel's ears pricked, her gaze became widely intense, she slowly turned her head towards Johny who remained calm, his eyes fixed on the empty road, like he did nothing.
“Leave your kid out of our business, I don't want scandals.” Hearing this, Ariel felt offended and her blood boiled in annoyance, but then, she had to admit what he said was true and thoughtful.
For both parties to enjoy the business with no hindrance whatsoever, she needed to do just that and also stay clear headed.
She thought of asking him why he didn't ask her who the father of the baby was, or how she ended up as a single mother. But the questions dissolved in her throat, as though it was all for business, nothing personal.
“Alright… I shall take my leave now.” She responded, and also indirectly hinted to him to open the car door. She hates him so much that she doesn't want to stay in the car any longer.
‘Clicked’ The car door sounded again.
Ariel jacked the door and left, she didn't dare look back as she dashed off to the door entrance. Johny stayed there, waited for her to enter before he started up the car engine.
Ariel felt her heart squeezed out like lemon juice, as the car light showered her figure entirely.
Johny seemed to be a gentleman on the inside and aloof outside. He watched as she entered before he drove back to his own destination.
———
As Ariel entered, she was greeted by the death stare of Anya, who sat on the sofa with her arms crossed against her chest, and her long slender legs crossed above each other.
Her long honey brown hair was highlighted by the warm light of the room.
“Why are you seated like that?” Ariel murmured, scared at the same time.
“Where did you put your phone the whole time?” The question was a hint on why she sat like that. She had called her but she didn't pick. She's obviously angry, which made her voice sound calm but infuriating.
“Oh” Ariel brought out her phone from her bag, only to see 42 missed calls.
“My bad, I put my phone in silent mode, for concentration.” Ariel had put her phone in silence mode on her way to the supposed interview, to prevent any unforeseen interruption call from getting her attention.
‘Sigh’ Anya let out a heavy sigh before losing her face and relaxing her posture.
“Come sit here.” She said, patting on the sofa signalling Ariel to sit beside her. Ariel sat down beside her.
“So how did it go, what's the news?” Anya asked with a serious look, obviously eager to know her friend's luck.
“Yeah I got the job but–” Ariel couldn't finish her statement as she got hugged so tight that she was unable to catch her breath.
“Congratulations my girl, yeah! I knew it, I knew you would.”
“But not the– the exa–ct job!” Ariel groaned in between her friend's intoxicating embrace.
Hearing this, Anya’s milk white set of teeth slowly enclosed, leaving her a displeasure and doubtful expression. She finally released her grip on Ariel's neck, staring at her as if seeking for clarification on what she heard.
“What was that supposed to mean?” Anya blurted with a horror face that gaze intently at Ariel.
“Not the exact job I expected… I got married to him.” Ariel responded with distress tagged on her tone.
Even though she cringed at the bluntness of her statement, she knew the die was cast. There was no turning back the clock.
Anya's horror-stricken expression vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, replaced by a carefree laugh that could burst an earlobe.
“Jokes, marriage is the last thing you wish for sweetie, your jokes are usually cheap, but this one… well, it's expensive, but still cheap .” Anya giggled.
Her laughter abruptly died in her throat, as she met Ariel's gaze. Ariel wasn't smiling back, her usual playful expression replaced by an unsettling seriousness
"Ariel... You got married? For real?" Anya gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Ariel's face hardened, her gaze piercing Anya with an intensity that made her flinch. "Yes," she responded, her voice tight with suppressed anger.
“How did it happen?” This question should surely be asked. She knew for a fact that Ariel wouldn't jump in a marriage boat for anything in the world. She loathes love and everything in between, so bad that she could vomit upon hearing those words.
“He's offering a considerable sum,” she explained, her voice flat. "It's purely a business arrangement, a marriage in name only. I'll be free of the obligation in three months.”
“You mean it is a three month contract marriage?” Anya's brows knitted, her eyes widened in parody of shock.
“Yes, three months… I couldn't refuse it, considering Max's health challenge and education. But I regret it shortly after I signed the paper.” Ariel turned her head towards Anya, with her eyes teary like it could rain tears any time soon.
Anya stayed silent and focused on Ariel's expression, watching as her friend's mood turned shallow in no time.
Ariel's hands started trembling, her fingers digging into her palms. Her eyes reddened. Her breath came short.
“What is it?”. Anya asked in a calm yet worrisome tone.
“Las Vegas.”
Upon hearing this, Anya's back straightened, her mood dropped to zero, a death glare appeared on her face.
“We are moving to Las Vegas next week. He said that, when I was about to leave after signing the paper”.
Anya closed her eyes, a weary sigh escaping her lips. "Fate," she muttered, the word hanging heavy in the air.
A suffocating silence descended upon the room, the atmosphere thick with unease.
“Ariel,” Anya began, her voice low and deliberate. “What about Luis” Ariel's head snapped towards her, her gaze fixed on Anya with a mixture of distress and frustration.
“That scoundrel…” Ariel murmured, her voice shaky laced with desire to kill if she got the chance to.
Her eyes reddened, her gaze deadly, as if the scoundrel was right in her front.
“Hmm?” Anya asked again, hoping to get a response this time.
- Writer
