RYAN POV
I wasn't sure what I felt about that question from Ariel, but I was angry. I was furious, my body trembling with anger.
Different questions ran through my head as I stared angrily at her. How did she know about Evelyn? And what gave her the effrontery to ask about her?
Just because we were getting close does not give her the permission to pry into my personal affairs- to ask personal questions.
“You should go to sleep, Ariel. Goodnight.” Calming down, I said, making sure my voice wasn't raised.
I walked towards the door, not until her voice stopped my motion.
“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked such a personal question. My inquisitiveness got the best of me.”
Now she is talking, but because I was still feeling tense and angry at her choice of question, I needed more space and time to clear my mind. Her words triggered many things in me.
“If you would like us to still be on good terms, be careful of the question you ask. We aren't so close.” I opened the door, walking out, closing the door immediately.
The least of what I wanted was being around Ariel, or listening to her words of apologies. I still can't believe she asked that question.
In my other room, I allowed myself to get warm water from the shower. I closed my eyes tightly, in an urge to stop the imaginations from coming. It yielded no positive result, prompting me to release my eyes.
I felt my heart sink as I looked into the mirror, the light illuminating. I felt tired, and angry. I thought I wasn't controlled by the thought of Evelyn, but I can't seem to get over it.
The past was ready to haunt me. A picture of the burning house crept to my mind, as I blamed myself. If only we didn't disagree that night, I would have saved her, or possibly, we would have died together. That would have been better, right?
But she died, and I am to be blamed. She was my joy giver, my friend, and lover. “She is gone,” I screamed.
With the remaining life force in me, I got out of the shower, as I draped my waist with the towel. I staggered to the bedroom as I slumped on the bed. I was feeling fatigued.
My eyelids closed on their own, but I felt conscious. I was weak and drifted in and out of consciousness. My brain could not stop with images of Evelyn wandering in my head.
My only resolve that night was to scale through. I need to heal and let go of my past. But can I?
********
The next morning, I woke up with dark circles under my eyes. I could barely sleep a wink. I got up, noticing the time was 5am.
All that was on my mind was to leave the house before Ariel woke up. The thought of her only left me unsettled. After dressing up, I quickly wrote down something, before folding it and placing it inside the other room she slept in. I swept it in through the small space under the door.
With my weak self, I decided to make the final resolve in my mind in deciding.
ARIEL POV
My body aches, as my body shifts from one side to another on the bed. I felt tired and sleepy. The consequences of sleeping late the previous night.
I felt alone last night, as the constant thought of guilt plagued me. I should have listened to Eva, but instead I allowed my inquisitiveness to get the best of me.
Ryan and I were getting along, but I allowed my question to ruin it. At that instant, I knew in my heart that Ryan would start avoiding me. Even the diary Mrs. Selina gave me won't be able to save me this time.
I blinked and my eyes opened, as I let out a yawn. I braced myself up, as I rubbed my eyes with the back of my palm. I yawned again, feeling weary from lack of sleep last night.
I decided to look at the laptop Ryan gave to me, but decided against it, as I felt unworthy of the gift. He showed me care and attention, but all I could think of was ruining his night, with his past.
His past is his alone, not mine. I should have waited for the time when he would open up for me himself. But now, I just ruined it.
'You can't blame yourself forever. You interested in his past showed you care about him,' I felt my subconscious hinted to me.
I performed the breathing exercise, before storming out of the bed. My eyes met with a paper on the floor as I went forward, before picking it up.
With my heart almost at my throat, I opened it, as my eyes came in contact with one of the worst news ever.
“Don't bother to cook for me today. I might not come back home tonight.” I read out, as I felt a tear slip down my face.
I shook my head, cleaning the trails of tears.' I have shed enough tears last night, I won't cry again. And he only mentioned today what could be the worst that could happen.'
I had hope, as I went back to the bed, forcing the paper into the drawer. My phone rang, as I picked it up. My face lightened a bit, as I realized it was my dad. I picked it up instantly.
“Hello daughter. I miss you.” I smiled, hearing his calm voice.
“I miss you too, dad. I hope you are fine.” I heard him sighed, as I felt my heart skip a bit.
“I'm good. We won't be able to meet any longer today. Something came up.” I was slightly disappointed, but decided against showing it.
“Okay. No problem. I really hope we can see soon.” I stated truthfully.
“Me too. Meanwhile, Samantha has been complaining about discovering some spies in the company, do you think your husband might be pulling some strings in order to avenge you?”
My lips formed into a thin line, as my mind rummaged through my dad's words.
“Or maybe he wants to collect the company from Samantha's grip to return it to the rightful owner, which is you?” I shook my head at the words he said.
“I don't think Ryan would do that. And I am not interested in taking back the company.”
“Ariel, but it is yours.”
“Dad, I know. Time will tell what will happen in the future.”
My dad did not pressure me any further, but that doesn't mean I wasn't worried about what he said.
My mind kept wandering around if Ryan was really pulling some strings as dad mentioned. I doubt he was going to get revenge for me. That sounds ridiculous.
I rested my head on the bedtime, only for my thoughts to be stopped by the beeping of my phone, indicating a message. I peeked in and was shocked by the message I saw. The person who sent it appalled me the most. I felt my heart skip a bit.
I felt......