ARIEL POV
'Why the hell will she blame you for the calamity that befell her?'
'Don't fall for her trick. Don't think of helping her. Karma is a bitch. She got what she deserved.'
I shook my head, trying to block the numerous thoughts coming into my head. At that moment, I realized I had been standing for some seconds.
"I do not believe in Karma. I would like to follow the good principles." I mused.
I breathe in and out gently, holding unto the shopping bag in between my hands. I began walking towards the shopkeeper, as I asked her to help keep the clothes meant for Eva. She accepted, leaving me with choices, either to look for Lucille or Daniel.
I wasn't sure what came over me, but I just can't stop the images of Lucille's swollen face on my mind. She must have been going through a lot in the hands of that monster.
I kept walking down the mall, not until I noticed a familiar face flirting with another woman. My eyes widened, and I felt furious just staring at the two of them.
They exchanged contacts, as the lady pecked him on the lips. She turned, throwing flirty glances, as she began walking away. I could not help but notice the ring on her finger, which meant that she was either engaged or married.
I wondered what Daniel was doing with a married woman. “Pervert,” I mumbled, noticing his flirty glances as the lady slid away from the mall.
As if noticing my presence, his eyes darted to mine, as he began to walk closer towards me. I felt my heart beat, as I tried not to focus on my almost nervous state.
I shouldn't be nervous, but be bold instead. He had done something bad to my step-sister and needed to stop.
"Looking for me?”I took a step back, as his breath fanned my face.
"Yes, I was.”I glanced around a bit, noticing two people in the extreme part of the mall.
"We need to talk.”I said, as he folded his arms.
"Okay. Shoot.”I swallowed the lump of saliva down my throat.
"Stop mistreating Lucille. Even if she wouldn't tell me, you are beating her. Aren't you ashamed?”I voiced out my thoughts, my fist closing and opening.
"She deserves it. You shouldn't be defending her. She said countless bad things about you.”He stared deeply at me, as my mouth dropped slightly.
"I don't care. Stop maltreating her. Be warned.”I pointed a finger firmly at him.
I was burning with anger.
He began laughing, almost breaking my countenance. My look had probably changed from an angry one to a shocked One.
"Ariel, the defender of Lucille. Just great. You want me to stop, right?”I nodded, hoping he might change his mind.
"I will. I will even apologize and treat her right, but only with one condition.”His voice was low, yet intimidating.
I felt goosebumps instantly. At that moment, my mind flashed back to the wedding and I knew for a certainty his condition was definitely not going to be good.
"What condition?”I asked, as he took a step closer.
"Have sex with me.”My hand hit his face instantly, as he jeered back, looking at me with contempt.
I felt my heart skip, as his lips curled into a smirk.
"Cocky much, I see. But not for long.”His smile grew wider.
"Next time you slap me, you might not go scot-free. Even your husband won't be able to save you.”He stated, as I felt frightened a bit.
He was even aware I was married.
"There is something about married women that turns me on. Not until I lie down with you, your sister will not go scot-free.”
With a last look at me, he adjusted his collar, before leaving me stupefied, feeling down and tired.
I looked around and that was when reality dawned on me that no other person was in that part of the mall. They must have left. I brought out my phone, as a smile crept to my lips, staring at the little evidence in my hands.
Daniel should be ready to treat my step-sister right?
I got to the reception side, as my phone began ringing, revealing Eva as the caller. I picked, bringing the phone to my ear.
"What's up?” I said.
"Ryan is in the hospital.” Her voice retorted.
Those words alone were enough to make me feel dizzy.
********
I could not help but feel a combination of anxiety and dread. My palms were sweaty, as I hastened my footsteps up the hospital stairs. I couldn't take the elevator as it seemed rather crowded. My heart rate increased, as if it felt as if my heart was almost throbbing out of its place.
I paused, as I glanced at the door in front of me, my heart pounded. I lunged to open the door as I stepped in, as my eyes met with three figures.
I halted, as I stared at Ryan's lying on the bed. Attached to his left wrist was a drip, containing some whitish fluid. I felt mortified as he looked lean.
"Ariel, you are here. Welcome.”Eva rushed to my side, hugging my arm.
"What happened to him? He was fine three days ago.”I was beyond stunned, as I looked at his almost pale figure.
"And how does that matter to you? What the hell are you even doing here?”I got startled at Katherine, who stared angrily at me.
I felt my lips pursed, unable to let out a word.
"She is here to be with her husband. I don't think you should speak rudely to your sister-in-law.”
I felt my heart skip a bit, as Mrs. Selina approached us.
"Mum…" Katherine was speechless.
"Welcome ma.”I greeted, trying not to break down, as I simply allowed myself to rest on Eva.
"It is okay, dear. I apologize on behalf of Katherine.”I simply nodded as she spoke.
"It is fine, ma. What happened to Ryan?”I asked as mum heaved a sigh.
"Well. He got rushed to the hospital after he arrived at the airport today. He just had an eating disorder. Apparently, he hasn't been taking food regularly.”I felt down, as mum spoke.
"He already has an ulcer. The stress coupled with his poor dietary diet must have triggered his health.”
Reality dawned on me that I was at fault here. I refused to speak and ask about Ryan's welfare when he traveled. He can't eat any other food except mine.
My eyes widened in shock as I gasped.
“Are you alright, Ariel?”Eva asked as I nodded.
"I guess my sister-in-law hasn't been feeding my brother well.”Katherine, who hadn't spoken for a while, directed her words at me.
"Weren't you aware Ryan hasn't been around for three days. Should she travel with Ryan to feed him? Ryan isn't a baby.”Eva voiced out as Katherine glared at her.
I was beyond speechless. Silence followed as we all stared at Ryan.
"The doctor said he would be fine. He might wake up anytime soon.”Mum stated, as I felt calm.
I was relieved, knowing he would soon be awake.
These were all my faults. I didn't even send any of my food recipes to him. I knew for a certainty Ryan would find other food repulsive if it wasn't mine or his mum. It was weird.
My heart fluttered with joy as Ryan eyelids began opening and closing. Eva and Katherine rushed closer to him as he opened his eyes.
He tried to sit up, as they assisted him up. I couldn't touch him, as I was feeling guilty and with Katherine throwing daggers at me with her eyes, I didn't feel welcomed.
"I'm fine. Don't treat me like a baby.”Ryan mused, as we shared a laugh.
"You weren't a baby, yet you decided to starve yourself. You got us worried.”Finding my voice, I spoke, as his gaze cut to mine.
I felt his eyes hover over me for a while, making my cheeks heat a bit. The way he moved his eyes were flirty, his eyelids closing and opening slightly, his lips curled up a bit.
"Sorry Mi Armor. That won't happen again.”He folded his hands, before winking at me.
"Enough with the drama. I should prepare something for you to eat.”Katherine made to leave, as I felt my body stiff a bit.
If she prepares Ryan's food, Ryan might not eat it.
"No, don't. I only eat my wife's food. Thank you, sis.”Katherine halted, as she glared slightly at me.
"Ariel, dear, please prepare my son's meal. Walter is downstairs. He will drive you home.”I nodded as I took a last glance at Ryan, who had a lopsided smile on.
I took my steps down the staircase of the hospital, as I couldn't stop thinking of what meal to cook for Ryan.
On stepping outside, I felt a hand grip my wrist, prompting me to look up, as it was no one else but Katherine.
She looked angry.
"Ryan might seem into you now, but know that it isn't for long. I know who my brother is in love with."She released her grip on me, as I took a step backward.
"Enjoy it while it lasts."She walked away as I stared into space.
I felt my stomach churn, as a gust of air blew making me develop goosebumps. That was when I felt a DEJA VU. Reality struck me, and that was when the text message came into view 'Enjoy it while it lasts'