277: TROUBLED ARIEL’S POV I brought my phone out of my purse, while Bernardo could just stare at me. The worried expression was all over his face, but what could he do in this situation? Absolutely nothing. I couldn’t belleve he would do this, I couldn’t believe he would cheat on the woman he claimed to love with the whole of his heart. It was such a sad thing, you know. And life was fucked up itself. “Are you seriously going to do this?” Bernardo questioned me, walking closer to me. Glaring at him, I wanted to dial Laura’s number. But staring into his eyes–the way he looked so troubled and terrified -I decided not to. I was not like that. But I would now be seeing him in a different way, not the normal Bernardo. He broke my trust, and I could only imagine how his wife would be if she realized what a character he was. It was actually a painful thing to know this. But I wouldn’t be the one revealing his cheating ass. His wife was going to catch him regardless, just like I did today. But he had better change this ugly attitude. “You know what?” I said it underneath my breath. “Just get her out of here.” “Are you telling Laura about this?” “Just get the woman out of here!” I yelled immediately. I couldn’t help it. I was mad as hell. I composed myself anyway. “I’m sorry.” My tone was quite calm, and then I walked away. LUKE’S POV I was driving home, still thinking about what happened earlier and how Leonardo died. The scene where he got shot was still revolving around in my head, every moment and every second of that time. It was really sad, I wouldn’t lie. So many people had left this world, and here I was, still breathing fine and living healthy, even though I had faced different situations where I almost left the earth. But I was still here. What a grace this was. I stopped the car at some point, bringing out my phone, only to see Ariel’s missed calls. Wow, she called me. That was actually nice. But calling her now was not the right thing. I wasn’t in the mood to talk. But fuck that, I loved this woman. So, I would always be in the mood to talk to her. I started calling her, and it didn’t take long before she answered the phone. “Hey, Luke. Wassup, how have you been?” 277: TROUBLED ARIEL’S POV I brought my phone out of my purse, while Bernardo could just stare at me. The worried expression was all over his face, but what could he do in this situation? Absolutely nothing. 1 couldn’t believe he would do this. I couldn’t believe he would cheat on the woman he claimed to love with the whole of his heart. It was such a sad thing, you know. And life was fucked up itself. “Are you seriously going to do this?” Bernardo questioned me, walking closer to me. Glaring at him, I wanted to dial Laura’s number. But staring into his eyes–the way he looked so troubled and terrified -I decided not to. I was not like that. But I would now be seeing him in a different way, not the normal Bernardo. He broke my trust, and I could only imagine how his wife would be if she realized what a character he was. It was actually a painful thing to know this. But I wouldn’t be the one revealing his cheating ass. His wife was going to catch him regardless, just like I did today. But he had better change this ugly attitude. “You know what?” I said it underneath my breath. “Just get her out of here.” “Are you telling Laura about this?” “Just get the woman out of here!” I yelled immediately. I couldn’t help it. I was mad as hell. T I composed myself anyway. “I’m sorry.” My tone was quite calm, and then I walked away. LUKE’S POV I was driving home, still thinking about what happened earlier and how Leonardo died. The scene where he got shot was still revolving around in my head, every moment and every second of that time. It was really sad, I wouldn’t lie. So many people had left this world, and here I was, still breathing fine and living healthy, even though I had faced different situations where I almost left the earth. But I was still here. What a grace this was. I stopped the car at some point, bringing out my phone, only to see Ariel’s missed calls. Wow, she called me. That was actually nice. But calling her now was not the right thing. I wasn’t in the mood to talk. But fuck that, I loved this woman. So, I would always be in the mood to talk to her. I started, calling her, and it didn’t take long before she answered the phone. “Hey, Luke. Wassup, how have you been?” Ariel, I’m sorry.” “Sorry for what?” *For not answering your calls, I was busy. I didn’t even know the time you called.” “I noticed that,” she told me. “I’m sorry.” I apologized again. “It’s okay, It’s not much of a big deal anyway. So, how was work?” “Well, it was kind of great.” “Kind of great?” “Yeah,” I answered in a whisper. “Your voice doesn’t sound too good. Anything wrong? Is there a problem?” She asked. “No, no, nothing’s wrong. I’m just stressed right now.” “Don’t be stressed, okay?” I smiled promptly. “Thanks, sweetheart. Where are you now? Are you still at my…” “No, no, I’ve gone home already,” she interrupted me. “I left long ago.” “Oh, I see,” I said lowly. “Well, can we meet?” “You want us to meet? Like, right now?” “Yes,” I answered. “I believe you’re free.” “Of course, I’m free.” “Then that shouldn’t be an issue. “Yeah, it shouldn’t be.” “So, what about Janice?” I asked her. “How’s my little girl doing?” “She’s fine. Just asleep right now.” “Hmm, I see. I can imagine her cute face.” Ariel laughed. “Where are you right now? Because it’s obvious that you’re not at your house.” How do you know I’m not at my house?” Because you asked me if I was there moments ago. Duhh.” I chuckled. “Right, I totally forgot.” “Or you were just teasing me.” “If you want to put it that way.” “So, where can we meet?” Ariel inquired. “Where do you want us to meet?” You’re the one who’s going to decide that, Luke. My head is blank of different locations. right now because I’m already in bed.” “You’re about to go to sleep?” “I was just resting. But who am I to say no if sleep decides to take over?” She playfully replied. I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “All you need to do is inform your sleep that your spouse is on his way to retrieve you.” She laughed as well. “I hope you’re not picturing us in the DC Universe right now. now “No, I’m not. But now that you mentioned it, “Please don’t,” she cut me off. “Don’t do that, alright?” “Why? You’re not a fan?” “Not really.” “But your mom told me how you were crazy about Wonder Woman when you were little.” “She did that?” “Of course she did. What are you going to say about that now, huh?” “I was just a little kid back then.” I let out a slight laugh. “I knew you were going to say that.” “Yes, I mean, come on. There are some things I did when I was little that’s definitely not. working out for me now.” Like you dancing in the rain?” Ariel gasped immediately. “My mom also told you that, didn’t she?” “No, she didn’t,” I answered, laughing. “That’s a lie. She did. Because there is no way you could ever have knowledge of that.” “What makes you think so?” “Isn’t it obvious? You didn’t spend my childhood with me.” “So?” “Don’t lie to me now, Luke. Admit it, my mother told you.” I sighed. “Okay, fine. She did.” “Yeah, I knew that.” “Well, I admitted it.” “So, Mr. Reynold. Where do you want us to meet?” “Hmm, let’s say…” I trailed off the moment I spotted a little girl running along the road, screaming. “I’ll call you later, Ariel.” “Why? Anything wrong?” Ariel asked. “Hold on, I’ll get back to you,” I told her before ending the call. My eyes were still fixed on the little girl running toward me. I got out of my car, not taking my eyes off the little girl. When she got closer, I realized it was Catherine, my mother’s daughter. What was she doing out here, on this lonely street, at this time of the night? Something wasn’t right around here. As she continued to run, I got in the way. And when she had gotten close, I grabbed her hand. “Let me go! Let me go!” She pleaded, tears going down her countenance. “Calm down! It’s me, Luke, your big brother! Well, something like that.” “Let go! Let me go!” She screamed as she kept on hitting me. And she almost hit my balls, but I was quick to seize her hand–close call. “Stop it, okay? Stop it!” I shook her vigorously till she was finally calm. That was challenging. I squatted to her level, looking into her eyes as if tears were coming out. “What’s the problem? Why are you crying?” She didn’t reply but kept on shedding tears. I cleaned her eyes. “Tell me, what’s wrong? Who’s chasing you?” She sniffled. “It’s him.” “Who exactly?” I heard footsteps forthwith. Catherine turned around while I looked in that direction.