Ariana's POV
Soon, dad was discharged from the hospital, he gradually got better but have not been able to meet my eyes nor had he even utter a word to me since he regained consciousness, it hurt so bad deep inside but I pretended I was okay in front of everyone and they bought my charade, at least I thought they bought it, not until Dylan drew me aside when I was about entering the house, "are you alright?" I withdrew my hand from his grasp, still pissed with him, "what does it matter to you?"
"Of cause it does matter to me, my feelings towards you have not changed"
"Oh yeah! Well mine towards you has changed, just let me be" a pained expression crossed his face, he opened his mouth to say something but I guess the words got stuck because he had to clear his throat before trying again, "I can't do that, I can do anything for you except staying away from you" he said the words with such fervor that I felt my heartbeat skipped a bit and liquid heat pooled in my belly, no Ariana, don't give in, come on girl, be strong, I rose my chin and stared right into his eyes, " you always do what you want, maybe you should try doing what others want for a change" he looked puzzled by my statement so I clarified it for him," I told you to give me space and time did you? No, I told you to stay away, that we can take care of my dad, did you? So I'm not surprised when you refuse this either"
"Ariana" he started but I stopped him before he could say more before we'll hurt each other more by our words, "don't bother, just do whatever you want, whether I'm fine or not shouldn't be your concern"
I snapped, walking around him to get past him but he drew me back before I could walk away, "I'm sorry"
"For what exactly? For the fact that you kept your identity from me or about the fact that my face is splashed everywhere in the newspaper or the press hoarding me?"
"For everything, don't worry, I'll take care of the press," without another word, I walked past him and entered the house, I heard his car drive off, he hadn't bothered entering the house, my continuous insistence that he should stay away from me must have hurt his ego a lot, "well, it good, he should go, I don't need him" I tried convincing myself and stating 101 reasons why I don't need him with me, I decided to check on my dad, I met him trying to reach for the water on the table, his face was twisted in agony, my eyes quickly scanned the room for Samantha and discovered that she was not to be seen, how could she leave him all by himself, I quickly poured a glass for him an offered it to him, he stared at it for a moment and then, without warning, used the back of his hand to hit the glass from my hand and I gasped as it shattered on the floor, "why would you do that? I was obviously trying to help you"
"I have told you numerous times that I don't need your help" he lay down and turned his head away from me as if too disgusted by the sight of me, tears filled my eyes and I couldn't stop the sob that escaped from me, "why do you hate me so much dad, I am your flesh and blood but you keep rejecting me, it hurts dad" he was silent, all I could hear was his harsh breathing and occasional swallow, I held my chest tightly as if trying to stop the pain his actions had inflicted on me, I always try to be the best daughter, I so badly pined for his love, even a little affection from him, anything except the loathe I see in his eyes whenever he looks at me, whatever it is that my mom has done for me inorder to keep me safe but caused her death, she didn't do well, she should have just allowed me to die instead,I stared at my father who still had his face turned against the wall, tears freely flowed down my cheeks, blinded with tears, I ran out of his room, not caring that I had stepped on the pieces of glass on the floor and shreds of it had pierced into my skin and I was bleeding profusely, all I wanted right now was to hide away from everyone, away from Dylan, away from my family, away from the world, I ran into the room that I share with Samantha and was grateful to find out she was not in, I lay on the bed and folded myself into a ball as I wept bitterly.
Dylan's POV
I sat down in my study trying to work with my laptop, I had typed in words and erased severally so many mistakes and why was that? I just lack concentration, as I was still smarting from the hurt Ariana's words, had caused, lien had even whimpered in pain and hd since refused to say a thing to me, I know he was still hurting, she now hated me such that she couldn't bear to stand me, she had said she no longer has feelings for me, although, deep inside I know that she was lying but knowing that did nothing to alleviate the pain and hurt I am feeling, suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my chest, sharper and more painful than any other I had felt, I gasped in pain as my heart unconsciously went to my chest to grab it as if trying to keep my heart in place, it was such a soul deep pain, it felt as if someone dear to my heart is in pain, the only one that has such access to my heart is Ariana, we were bounded, body and soul and I had marked her as mine, she is my mate, was she in any sought of pain? Maybe I should go and see her, I staggered up from my sitting area but thought twice about it, my face was the last thing she would want to see, "please Ariana, be okay, let go of all the pains and hatred inside of you, I'm always here for you because I will always love you."
Samantha's POV
"Speak up, why have you called me out?" I stared at him with impatience, I remember he had worked in the fashion bureau but was sacked by the boss recently, I have seen him once or twice in the company but had no business with him, now, I wondered what could be so important that he wants to say, "I'm Eric..." He started but I quickly cut him off, I have more important things to do, "I know who you are so just cut to the chase," I said flatly, putting on a bored look, "I know you're surprised that I called to meet up with you, but trust me, you'll like whatever I have to say" I made no reply, still waiting for me to say whatever he has in mind, "I need you to work with me, you hate Ariana right? I know how to get her outta your hair for good"
"How?"
"I'll tell you but first of all promise you'll do whatever I tell you" I eyed him suspiciously, why would he suddenly want to help me?
"Look, I know what you're thinking but I can't tell you why I want to help you, it's something personal" I frowned, "how did you know what I was thinking? Are you a witch"
He laughed softly, making me roll my eyes, "your expression is clear like the day"
"Ok, fine, I'll do whatever you say, just tell me what you want me to do" he smiled crookedly, I don't like him but if working with him can get Ariana out of our life for good, then I'm in, "the locket " he stated and I frowned confused, "what do you mean by that?"
"I want you to remove the locket she has around her neck, do it with press present "
"How do I do that? And what will happen if I do that?"
"You'll get to see what will happen and as for how you'll do it, you'll have to figure out a way"
"Is that all?" I asked, wanting to be done with this meeting but he shook his head, "what else?"
"On the day that you'll remove the locket from around her, do something that will make her think Dylan betrayed her"
"What do you mean by that, they only shared a relationship of boss and employee " I argued, although deep inside, I wasn't so sure, "so your boss now goes around taking employees' sick father to the hospital " realization dawned on me at his words, I knew that whore of a sister was having something with the boss, I hated her the more, Dylan is mine, I had known him before you even thought of meeting him, Dylan is mine and mine alone.
"All right, I'll do it, I'll find a way,?
I thought long and hard about it as I walked towards the house, Ariana was going to be the face of the fashion bureau calendar, I smiled as a thought formed in my head, I already know exactly when I'll put my plans into action, "watch out Ariana, this time, I'm going to hit you real bad that you won't ever be able to show your face to anyone ever again".