Ariana was shocked to see such an interview of Alice on the television. It felt like the Brentwood sisters were after her. Why did she have to be the one after Calhoun? Why?
Why did she even fall for him?
She stayed hidden in her room refusing to see him. She had told Lisa to stop him from coming to see her if at all he did come. Last time someone lied to her, was Ethan. And he had not even bothered to come offer an explanation until a few hours later.
So, Aria felt Calhoun wouldn't come. Her heart almost exploded when she heard the door bell ring. Now that Lisa was by the door for minutes, she knew it wasn't Zion, it was Calhoun. He had come for an explanation.
She had to admit, this made her feel a bit better but it wasn't an assurance. The Lawson and the Brentwood were really powerful families. It made sense that their children would want to get married with one another. What did a simple girl like her have to offer?
She hugged her pillow and sniffed away her tears. This thing called love was certainly not for her. She was barely touching scraps and nothing more.
Suddenly the door to her bedroom flew open and a very agitated Calhoun stepped in.
"Ariana, please let me explain to you. Alice is setting me up. I do not have anything to do with her!" He said joining his hands together in plea.
"I am sorry Aria, I really tried to stop him," Lisa said running into the room after Calhoun.
Ariana was shocked. She couldn't speak. The pillow in her hands were her only support and she held on to it like it was her dear life.
"Ariana please say something. I can even call her right now. If you want! But believe me I have nothing to do with that woman and will have nothing!"
Ariana felt her heart squeeze at the intensity of pain and fear seeping out of Calhoun. But she didn't want to be carried away. She didn't want to be fooled. Not this time.
Calhoun saw that Ariana didn't believe her. He hissed and took out his phone from his pockets. He dialed Zion's number at once.
"Zion, call Alice fucking Brentwood and pass the call on to me!" He barked.
Ariana frowned at what he was saying. Did it mean he didn't even have her contact?
"Yes, of course sir!" Zion said from the other end.
Calhoun put the phone on speaker and placed it on Ariana's bed. He sat down close to it and waited for the call to get through Alice.
It rang for a few minutes and her shrill voice came on the line.
"Why do you call me, you nerdy boy?" Alice said on the line.
"I asked him to call you. What is the meaning of the interview you did a while back? Are you crazy?" Calhoun vented on the phone.
It took Alice a few seconds to regain her composure and Aria exchanged looks with her friend. They had worked long enough with Alice to know that when ever she lose balance and focus like this then she was lying.
"Calhoun, listen to me. I have proposed this to your grandfather and we all think it's for the best. This was just to give you a little push," she said and Aria didn't fail to catch her shaky breath.
Alice Brentwood was scared of Calhoun.
"Have you lost your mind? Alice do you think I am a child that you can arrange things for me with my grandfather without my consent? Have you gone mad!?" Calhoun was red with rage. He snatched the phone and got up from the bed.
"If you know what is good for you and your business. You will rectify this stupid declaration at once! And please for your own good stay away from me and anything that has my name on it!" With that Calhoun ended the call. He placed his hand on his waist as he took deep breaths to calm himself.
He would really hurt Alice if Ariana decided to hate him for this. But he prayed to the heaven to not take things to that level. He loved Ariana and he wouldn't want this to be the end of them. In real terms, they had barely started dating!
He turned slowly to watch Ariana. She was still on the same position on the bed. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears and looked down on the carpet.
Calhoun as studied her enough to know that she was considering forgiving him in her heart.
"I told you Ariana. It's you I want. And no one else. I don't know what has gotten into Alice's little head but I have never asked her out.. I have never even asked any other woman out, except you!"
He moved back to the bed and held Ariana's hands. "Please Ariana. I don't want you to be my girlfriend. I want you to marry me..."
Lisa gasped as she stared at her best friend getting proposed to. None of them had seen this coming.
"I do not have a ring here with me. Because I didn't exactly plan to propose to you like this but I want you to know that I want you in every way."
Ariana pulled her bottom lips into her mouth and looked at everywhere except at his face.
Calhoun saw the hesitation in her eyes and he got up from the bed and started for the door. Ariana needed them and he would give the little he had to her. He got to the door and turned back. Their eyes locked and in that instant, Aria felt a jolt of electricity in her lower tummy.
"My grandfather requests to meet the woman in my life. I want you to come with me next Sunday, if you accept my proposal. You can take the week off to think about it..." He said before walking out of the room.