Chapter 8
1460 Words
Chapter 8
Aria swiped her hand over the racks of clothes in the boutique, she pulled out a red classy dress and stretched it in front of Luciana.
"This will look hot on you," she cooed.
"I don't like it, it is too revealing," Luciana complained.
"And that is exactly what makes it better."
Aria gave it to the sales assistant. She pulled out more clothes while Luciana looked on.
"That's all," Aria dropped the last dress she picked into the shopping basket. "Now we will go to the lingerie section."
Luciana gawked at her. "Why should we go there?"
Aria glared at her, she grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the private section.
"You wanted a change, right? Then you l have to do everything I say without asking any questions."
Luciana kept her mouth shut afterwards and followed her around like a sacrificial lamb. Aria picks out everything she needs and they pay for it at the counter.
"Do you want some ice cream? It will be my treat," Luciana bobbed her head so quickly as if she is a five-year-old kid and Aria smiled.
They crossed over to the ice cream stall with the bags of clothes on each arm.
"One chocolate and one vanilla please," Aria ordered. She turned around just in time to see Luciana settling herself on a seat by the window.
A smile crept its way to her face as she waited for the ice cream to be prepared. Aria had always wanted this for a long time. Just the two of them going places and having lots of fun together, but Luciana was hellbent on living a solitary life.
"Here is your ice cream," the attendant's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Thank you," she stretched her card to the lady and picked up the two ice cream cups.
Once the attendant returned her card, Aria tucked it into her back pocket and walked to where Luciana was seated.
"Here is your vanilla flavour," Luciana was quick to snatch the cup out of her hand, she picked up the tiny spoon and scooped some into her mouth.
"This is delicious," Luciana beamed, her eyes shining brighter as she scooped more of it into her mouth despite the iciness.
"It is, you would know if you had been going out," Aria accused.
"But I do go out–"
"–For grocery shopping? Is that what you call going out?" Aria rolled her eyes.
"Look around you Luciana, do you see anyone living the kind of life you've lived all these years? Do you see anyone looking like they don't have an iota of energy in them?"
Luciana felt her shoulder slump and she bowed her head.
"That is because no one wants to live a pathetic life, and just because they look vibrant doesn't mean they have it better than you do.
"There are those whose stories are much worse than yours, but they suck it in, keep forging ahead because only a clear mind and a cheerful soul can help them overcome their worst fear," Aria placed her hand on Luciana's.
"You told me you wanted to change, right? So trust me and let me help you make that change happen," she gripped Luciana's hand in assurance.
Luciana's eyes glistened as tears threatened to fall. She tried to keep her emotions in but they got the better of her and she soon starts wailing, drawing the attention of everyone in the ice cream shop.
"Every night when I curl myself to sleep and the ghost of my past comes to haunt me," she began. "I desperately wish someone would come to save me and pull me out of the dark abyss that I had fallen into. I wanted to be free of the burden, I wanted to forget everything and bring out the real me, but I-I can't, I just can't."
Aria pulled her into a hug, stroking her back gently. "Let it out," she cooed.
That was all Luciana needed to break down in front of her, she cried her eyes out and Aria didn't hesitate to pull her tighter into the hug, letting her soak her blouse with tears.
It took Luciana about thirty minutes to cry her heart out and pull herself together.
"I am glad you finally lift that burden off of your chest," Aria smiled.
"Thank you," Luciana muttered. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
"You are a strong woman Luciana, don't let anyone tell you otherwise," Aria wiped her tears away. "I know you love her so much, but she would never forgive herself if she should see you in this mess, so don't let anything pull you down."
"I won't," Luciana assured her with a smile.
"You can only achieve your goals with strength not weakness, and you, my dear friend, are the reason why I grew up to be the strong woman that I have become. It is because you wouldn't let anyone bully me back then in school, and I vowed that I would stop letting you get in trouble for my sake, so where is that woman?"
"She is still here," Luciana placed her hand on her chest and smiled. "She wants to be free from the dark room she had been locked in all these years."
"Then let her out, I need that woman now more than ever," Aria teased, snagging Luciana's attention at once.
"Is there someone bullying you?" She asked.
"For now, No. You have strengthened me enough to help me on my feet," Aria chuckled. "I will let you know if anyone is trying to get on my nerves."
"You should, I will beat them up for your sake."
"Finish up your ice cream, there is somewhere I want us to go," Aria picked up her ice cream cup and started to scoop a mouthful of it.
Luciana bobbed her head and continued to eat her ice cream.
Suddenly, a fashion advert came on and Salvatore's picture was displayed as he strikes different poses for the camera. Within minutes, every single lady in the shop dashed to the TV. They almost pulled it down with the way they were fighting to touch him through the screen.
Luciana's jaw dropped open at the scene. She couldn't believe just an image could command such attention.
"What would they do if they saw him in person?" She asked no one in particular.
She turned to look at Aria and was surprised to see her friend staring at the screen with doleful eyes.
"What the hell, Aria? Don't tell me you are just like them?" She snapped.
"What is wrong with having a crush on a handsome man?"
"This isn't a crush girlfriend, this is an obsession," she snapped her finger to get Aria's attention away from the screen. "You are obsessing over what you know can never be."
"Anything can happen, there is something called a miracle," Aria folded her hands underneath her chin and sighed. "Besides, it is a harmless obsession. I know I don't have a chance, but I can't stop my heart."
"Find a way to stop it, babe, obsessing over something way out of your league isn't healthy," Luciana pushed her ice cream cup away. "What was it you said the other time? Ah! Yes! You can only achieve your goals with strength and not–"
"God! Fine!" Aria cut her off with an eye roll. "You sound like a mother berating her child," she pushed her chair back a little, picked up a bag and stood up.
"Since you have decided to ruin the moment, I think it is better we take our leave now."
Luciana smiled, she got up and followed her out.
"Wait for me baby, mama needs to watch over you," she called after Aria, who shot her an angry stare but didn't stop.
Luciana chuckled, she caught up with her and wrapped one arm around Aria's neck.
"Get off me," Aria snapped.
"No," Luciana kissed her cheek, and she made sure to dump a good amount of saliva on it.
"Eww," Aria pushed her away before wiping off the saliva. "You are so dead," she muttered, chasing Luciana who was far away from her now.
********
THE ICE-CREAM SHOP
The owner managed to calm the ladies down after a fight ensued between them, some went back to their seats to finish their ice cream, while some walked out immediately, fuming.
A guy in a hoodie sat in a corner watching all the dramas unfold. He pulled out his phone and placed a call to someone.
"I have found her," he announced, a ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his lip.
- Writer
