241: FOUND HER ARIEL’S POV Janice was standing right there, holding an ice cream with strawberry flavor. I was glad she was fine, and nothing bad had happened to her–all thanks to Lisa, I’d say. I could only wonder where she was right now. “It seems like you’re looking for someone else, miss,” the lady told me. I refused to give her a reply, as I still had my eyes on Janice. She looked in that direction, catching sight of my daughter as well. “Is that your daughter?” She asked. “Yes,” I answered, taking a look at her. “How do you know?” “It’s pretty simple. No one ever told you that you both look alike.” “Well, not really. But I can see it right there.” “Of course. You are her mother. She was with Lisa anyway.” “And Lisa’s the one who bought her that ice cream?” I quizzed. “I can’t actually tell. But I think so.” “Thanks for the help.” I patted her shoulder. “I should go meet her right now.” “Yeah, you should probably do that.” “You just want me to leave as soon as possible, don’t you?” “If you have no appointment, I don’t see any reason why you should be here.” I laughed. “That’s sort of rude. But I’ll let that one slide since you did try to help me.” “Don’t misunderstand me, miss. I wasn’t talking to you directly. I was just like, You know.“! “Oh, I totally understand,” I told her, fixing my hand on her shoulder. She nodded, smiling at me. “I’m glad you do.” “Still rude,” I stated immediately. “But thanks anyway.” I walked away from her and went straight to Janice, who was still enjoying her ice cream. I watched her, crossing my arms, as she faced opposite directions. I cleared my throat, and she turned around immediately. “Mommy?” “Yes, Janice, it’s me. I finally found you.” I grinned at her. “You had me worried, you know.” I walked closet. “Where’s daddy?” “Daddy’s not here right now. He’s…” “Right here, honey.” I heard Luke’s boy, and I turned around. He was walking next to us, grinning. “Daddy!” Janice ran to him and hugged him. She was short compared to him, but he sat on his heels anyway. “I’m so glad that you came,” she added. And I didn’t know, but I felt kind of jealous. “Where have you been, little one?” Luke questioned her with a smile. “The spa, duh,” I answered, rolling my eyes. “I wasn’t talking to you.” “You are talking to my daughter. So technically, you were talking to me.” He couldn’t help but laugh. “It seems like you’re the one who’s acting stupid now. “So you admit it, you were acting stupid.” “I never denied that,” he answered with a shrug. “But don’t taunt me.” “I’ve got better things to do.” “Yeah, well, you can get the hell out of here.” I gave him a cold face instantly. “What? No?” “You’ve got better things to do, right? Why was your time at the spa?” “Because my daughter’s here. You think I’m just going to leave her?” “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m here for her. You can leave.” “Excuse me, but I came here first when we arrived at this place. You were still in the car doing only God knows what.” “For your information, I was making a business call.” “You never seemed worried about our daughter.” “Because I knew she was in safe hands, and she’s indeed safe. Worrying too much- wasn’t going to change anything. Let’s just be glad that she’s back.” “Of course, I’m glad.” “Nah, I don’t really think so.” “Okay, what the hell is wrong with you?” I questioned him, my voice getting louder. “What’s wrong with me?” “You just keep on talking shit, and it’s pretty annoying.” “You’re annoying yourself,” he retorted. 1 laughed, shaking my head. “Nice one, idiot.” “Okay, the two of you should please stop fighting!” Janice chimed in. “He started it.” I pointed at Luke. “The blame’s always on me, right?” “Are you indeed planning to refute the notion that you instigated the entire shambles in this area?” “Ariel, calm down. We’re at a spa; respect yourself.” “So what if we’re at a spa? That’s not going to stop me from telling you the shit you did.” Luke clapped slowly, giving me a fake smile. “Wow, Ariel. You are on fire.” “Please stop it; there is no need to fight,* Janice told the both of us. Why are the two of you fighting?” “Ask your mother.” Luke gestured toward me.” “How crazy are you?” “Not as crazy as you. You are a psycho. It might be sweet, but you’re a psycho.” “I don’t want to be sweet to you.” “But I love you.” “Keep your love to yourself.” I turned my face away. Lisa approached the three of us. “Ariel, wow. I never thought I’d see you again. Where have you been, girl?” “It’s kind of a long story,” I responded, fixing my palms together. “Did someone try to kill you? Did they try to hurt you or something?” “Yeah, you could say that.” “Why haven’t you informed the police about it?” “I don’t want to.” “So you’re just going to let those guys get away like that?” “Well, karina’s a bitch, and they’ll obviously pay for what they did. One of them is already suffering wherever she is now. “That’s a she? Like, a girl did this to you.” “Yup, she almost sent me out of this world. But thank God, I survived. Thank God I’m not dead right now.” “Well, I’m glad you’re back. Everyone in the family misses you so much. I know it’s kind of weird that I’m saying this since the both of us don’t usually talk in the past, but I miss you. “Oh, you do?” I asked her, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, and I do miss your daughter as well. “Your children, actually,” he said. softly. “I’m sorry for Lukel’s death.” “Yeah, thanks for everything.” I hugged her. “The ice cream, too,” I added, and Lisa laughed. “Okay, you guys can take care. I just have to handle a few things.” “No problem. Take care, Lisa.” I waved her goodbye, and she walked away, smiling at me. “Now, where were we before the…” He had to pause the moment I glared at him, giving him a dark look. “Don’t give me that face.” I ignored him, rolling my eyes and turning to my daughter. “So, Janice. We have to go home. Today’s been an exhausting one, don’t you think?” “No, mommy. I want to go with Daddy.” Janice held Luke’s suit tightly. “Luke, what did you do to my daughter?” “Nothing. I guess she loves me.” He ruffled her hair, smiling down at her. “Of course, she loves you. But she loves me more.” “I can’t argue, but I don’t care anyway. I’m good as long as someone loves me.” He held her chin, still smiling at her. She smiled at him back. “Janice, are you being serious right now? Let’s go home before the day gets dark. The rain might also fall at any moment. We can’t stay here forever.” “We’re not going to stay here forever. We’ll go to Daddy’s house.”
