"It's my parents Zion! They lied to me!" Aria burst out. "A few weeks ago, my mom called that my dad was terribly sick and we needed to raise two million dollars for his treatment..." She paused to wipe her tears before continuing.
"I gave them the money... And that was all I had... Only for me to get here and find out it was all a lie. My dad was never sick! They just needed money to spend away!"
Zion passed his arm around her as he tried to calm her sobs down. He could feel the pain in her voice as it shook. No one should be subjected to so much pain.
"They didn't even consider what I have been going through! They didn't even Carr about that! All the wanted was the money! All they cared about was the damn stupid money!" Aria sobbed into Zion arms and he let her.
He understood that his friend had gone through so much in such a short while and she had come home thinking she would get emotional support but she got even worst —she got betrayed.
After she had stopped crying, she raised her head from his chest and he gave her a tissue from his pocket, so she could wipe her tears.
"Thank you," she whispered. Her voice hoarse from all the tears she just shed.
"You know, Ethan and I were going to get married..." She started.
"What happened?" Zion asked softly. Back in their high school days, Ethan had been so in love with her, the entire school thought Aria had charmed the school's golden boy.
Aria laughed bitterly at his question. That was a million dollar question indeed.
"I caught him with another woman..." She whispered.
Zion wasn't surprised. Back in school, Ethan could hardly keep his cock to himself. He fucked every girl that said yes to him and he didn't care whether Ariana saw him or not. It was like a game to him.
"...he was sleeping with Sofia..." Aria choked on her tears as the cruel image came flashing in her mind again. Ethan was enjoying it. He didn't even bother to go after her. He didn't care.
"I am truly sorry about that and... It's a shame that Sofia would stoop so low. She of all people should have known better. You are her best friend, why would she do that?" Zion was also hurt. Not just for Aria but his heart was bruised.
He had always had eyes for Sofia. But hearing this about her, bruised his heart. He could never be with someone who stabbed those she called her friends behind their backs.
"Sofia has always wanted Ethan... It was the reason she became friends with me in the first place..." Aria whispered back.
Her voice was too weak for her to raise it to the normal pitch. It hurt too much. Her throat was filled with a huge lump that made it difficult for her to even swallow down hard.
"Are they together now?" Zion asked. Situations like this always ended in the opposite direction but he hoped for Sofia's reputation, it ended positively.
A voice came to the speakers of the train station announcing the arrival of their train. Aria was the first to get up.
"I really don't care what becomes of them. They are in my past now." She picked up her bags before Zion could grab the second one. "Come on, let's go. I have a job hunting to do," she said with a small smile.
That was the only thing she could do at the moment that would help her clear her head. She would have to get a new job to make herself happy. Men and relationships, they were all Heartbreakers.
Zion followed after her and they made their way into the train. They found their seats and settled into them. The journey was going to be long, thank God they had gotten something to eat. Even if it tasted horribly in Aria's mouth.
Aria decided to close her eyes and Zion let her. She had cried a lot she needed to relax for a while. The journey went faster than they had anticipated. They got to the city in no time. As they started leaving the train, Zion picked up her bag again before she could reach it. They exchanged a knowing smile and continued their walk out of the train.
"I guess this is where we say goodbye?" Aria said as she stretched to collect her bags from him.
"No, way! I am not leaving until I know where you stay. Do you think I will want to lose contact again?" Zion laughed.
Aria only smiled.
"Fine then, we had better catch a taxi before I change my mind."
"Oh, we don't need a taxi. The company's car is here to pick me up. They are at the west gate," Zion told her as he started making his way to the west gate.
"Do you think they would appreciate going to my place as well?" Aria was uncertain. She didn't want to inconvenient him or put him in some kind of trouble. It was bad enough that she didn't have a job, it would get worst if her friend lost his as well.
She heard the Lawson's son was very cruel and ruthless.
"My boss, isn't as horrible as people make him sound. He wouldn't mind, come on," Zion insisted.
Left with no better option, she went after him. The ride would even help her save some catch that she badly needed.
The car was a sleek SUV and Aria couldn't help but be happy for Zion's good luck.
"Good morning sir and ma'am," the driver said as they mounted the car. "Where will you like to go?" He asked.
"Good morning Joe." Zion replied to the driver and then he turned to Aria, "where is your place?"
"Good morning," Aria answered. "Single Lane road, Bishop Avenue," she told Zion but it was loud enough for the driver to hear. He didn't wait for her to repeat herself before he started the car and zoomed out of the train station.
There was no traffic so the car as moved on smoothly till they got to her place. the four apartment buildings stood proudly under the morning sun and Aria couldn't be happier that she was finally home.
"Zion, thank you so much for the ride, you are too kind," Aria said as she stepped out of the car.
"You are welcome," Zion said as he gave her one last hug. "I would have loved to go up with you but I am supposed to report my meeting in the province to him directly."
"Ah, okay. There is no problem. My house is probably too messy right now, we'll just reschedule." Aria joked and they shared a laugh.
"Aria, I will tell my boss about you. Hopefully, we might get you something. You are a bright mind, you deserve the best," Zion told her as they parted.
"Thank you Zion, you are truly unbeatable."
Zion waved her off and she laughed again at his actions. Zion was always the shy type. He mounted his vehicle and Aria watched as the car disappeared from her view.
As she marched down to her apartment entrance, there was one thing on her mind —she needed to get a job.