RYAN POV
Anger, sadness, frustration, and guilt welled up in me instantly. I paced to and fro, trying as hard as possible to keep my composure. It was difficult, very difficult.
I couldn't help but blame myself for not opening up sooner. I fucked up already. Not only that, but I've really hurt Ariel. I hope she understands that I didn't mean to hide it from her.
It just seems to be quite a difficult situation at hand. I was lost, torn between two wives. I can't divorce any of them right now.
With waging thoughts, I left the house to calm my growing mind. I knew it would be a total waste of time to try to appeal to Ariel.
She still needed time to accept it. And somehow I was heartbroken knowing she might be at the receiving end of all this. I really hope she will be kind enough to understand.
I drove to Evelyn's as she was my main suspect. The pictures and videos sent to Ariel were taken while we were at the hospital. It was quite crazy because the pictures showed were displayed as if we were in a very close contact.
I bounced out of my car, taking giant strides inside. I breathe in and out, glancing at her, sitting and looking so peaceably as she stared at the screen of the Plasma television. I suddenly felt guilty thinking it could be her.
She had amnesia and couldn't reminder the past. How is it even possible she might be the one to take the pictures and videos?
Most importantly, she was on the hospital bed throughout.
“Ryan, you are back.”Her face lightened up with a smile, as she walked towards me.
She made to hug me as I took steps backward. Her smile suddenly dropped, as her brows raised a bit.
"What happened? Are you okay?”She made to reach me, concern boldly written on his face.
"Ariel knows about you.”I deadpanned, exhaling the air I might be holding.
"Your wife? How come?”She asked, as I tried to read her facial expression.
She looked so innocent, and I was beginning to doubt the fact that I was about to do the wrong thing.
"I don't know. An insider must have taken those pictures and sent it to her.”My stare cuts to hers, as she covered her mouth in shock.
My eyes continued to rove around her, as she wrinkled her face. She slowly dropped her hand as she stared back at me.
"Wait. We're you thinking I was the one?" She asked, as I swallowed.
"I don't know.”I simply replied.
“Seriously? I wasn't.”She brought out her phone as she took my hand, placing it there.
"You can check the phone. I only have your contact. How could I send it? Apart from seeing Ariel's pictures, I don't even know or have her contact.”She stated, her voice rising, as I lost the courage to look at her.
Her eyes started brimming with tears as she gasped.
"I know you don't believe me, but I swear I don't know anything about it.”
My heart suddenly felt heavy. I was guilty for accusing her at that moment. She stared at me for long seconds, her cheeks still damp from tears.
"I'm sorry. I misjudged you. Please forgive me.”I apologize, taking a few steps closer to her.
Her next course of action almost made me withdraw, as she wrapped her hands round me, her damp face against my chest.
I couldn't reciprocate the embrace. I just stood, a burning sensation in my heart at the thought of Ariel seeing this.
I slowly removed his body from mine. Taking one last look at her, before looking sideways.
"I have to leave now.”Without waiting for a reply, I left the house.
I sat inside my car for some time, performing the breathing exercise. I was in a deep mess.
How do I make Ariel trust me?
My last suspect came to mind as I picked my phone. With my jaw clenched, I called him.
"Hello pal, trouble in paradise?”
A wave of nostalgia stabbed me in the gut at hearing his voice. It took me some seconds to think of what to say.
"Obviously, because you sent those pictures to my wife.”
"Be patient. First, I didn't send any pictures to your wife. You need to be careful with allegations. And I really think you should be making thorough research by now.”
His words felt like a slap to my face.
"Ryan, the earlier you realize the enemy lurking around you, the earlier you will be happy. Meanwhile, don't trust your old wife easily. Adios" My mouth dropped open, as the call ended.
I felt more frustrated and angry. He was just rambling in parables. I needed to break it down. But for now, I needed advice and guidance.
The only person my mind went to was Nick. Picking my phone for the last time, I called him, as he promised to meet me.
We met at the part of the city, as he entered my car. We shook hands, and I was glad we were back to being friends again.
I cleared my throat, thoughts wandering through my head.
"Apologies for the last time. I thought you were playing my sister.”I explained as he chuckled.
"It's fine bro. Let not talk about this. We should let bygone be bygone. We have already settled this.”He stated, that smile on his lips.
Some of the qualities I appreciated about him were his humility and readiness to make peace. He reminded me of Ariel's lecture. 'As far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men,'.
I shook my head, reciprocating Nick's smile, as I have him a thumbs up.
"How is work? I hope I didn't disturb you.”
Being the Head of Managing Directors in his dad's company, he must have a lot on his hands.
"Seriously, Ryan, we have been friends for over 20 years. You are more important. So, what is going? Your voice seemed tainted with sadness.”I sighed, as he spoke.
My heart slowly calmed down as I felt more confident and happy he knew me we well.
"I messed up badly.”I facepalmed, brushing my hand through my hair.
"Calm down bro. Firstly,get yourself together. We are imperfect and make mistakes. As long as we are willing to admit it, rectify it, it showed our soundness in mind” My stare cut to his, as I nodded in agreement.
"I found Evelyn. I…" His eyes widened as he looked shocked, stopping me from speaking further.
"Please go on.”He urged me, as I continued.
I mentioned how I rescued her from some pedophiles. How she had stayed hidden in the less remote part of Italy while dealing with amnesia. I narrated how I planned to keep it from Ariel and how she got to know it.
I made sure not to skip any details. I wanted to be honest this time.
"Wow, that was a long story. Something is very fishy. But first, I think you need someone to secretly make findings from the past, especially from the fire accident.”I nodded in acknowledgement.
"Remember, you were in a grieving mode, so you weren't able to do much. Apart from that, you need to do one more important thing.”He stopped talking, as if trying to get my attention, which he did successfully, as my eyes met his.
"You have to explain to Ariel, the way you explained to me. It is the best thing.”I breathe out slowly, thinking of the Herculean task ahead.
"I will. I hate it when she is mad at me. I can't stop thinking about her.”I confessed as Nick burst into laughter.
I frowned, as he stopped.
"You are love struck, even if you will continue to deny it.”I hissed, rolling my eyes in total denial.
There was no way I was in love with Ariel. I like her a lot, but love….
It is a big word.
"Okay. I won't force it until the right time. I need to ask you one question.”I adjusted myself, trying as much as possible to be attentive to Nick's question.
"When you saw Evelyn, how did you feel?”He asked, his eyes locking with mine, as if he was looking for answers there.
"I was shocked at first. But after hearing her side of the story from her and her guardian, I only felt pity and sympathy. The worse and probably one of the weird things I did was setting boundaries between our physical contact.”I lamented, as I felt so struck.
"It is fine. That is good. It shows you value your relationship with my sister-in-law.”He stated, as I nodded.
I thought that was obvious a long time ago.
"What do you plan to do? You have two wives now."
That was the question that kept lingering in my head for as long as possible.
"What do you think?"I inquired, as Nick patted his head slightly, an act he usually does when thinking.
"No idea yet. You are meant to answer the question."He retorted.
"Fine. Since it was obvious Evelyn was dead before, our marriage was null, allowing me to remarry. I later found out, she was alive. I will just take care of her until she recovers her memory. Then we can discuss it."
Nick's smile of acknowledgement says it all. He was proud of my decision, eventhough that wasn't the full details.
I actually planned on divorcing Evelyn, as soon as she regain her memory.
Until then....
*********
I did quite a lot of rethink and came to the final conclusion that telling Ariel about everything I encountered in Italy was the best. Yet, I can't stop the waging thoughts that kept exploding through me like a comet.
Staring at the bedroom door made reality dawn on me. Right now, I had to make the move. I reached for the door knob as I walked in, closing the door gently behind.
My mood tensed at the sight I saw as Ariel was packing some of her clothes in her box. I panicked inwardly.
It was night time already.
Was she planning to leave me?
Today seemed to be turning to the day I dreaded most.