(ARIELLE’S POV)
After Jared left, I was beside myself with worry. What could be wrong with Sofia? I wondered. It was barely 24hrs Jared and I left the house, and she had developed a stomach pain?
I tried to distract myself with the thought that Jared will handle the situation, but my mind wouldn’t budge. For a moment, I suspected foul play. What if it was a ploy by Sofia to lure Jared back to the house as she never wanted him to leave in the first place? But I shoved the thought aside, trying not to look paranoid and insecure. If she was pretending, she wouldn’t involve Jared’s mother, right? The more I thought about everything, the restless I became.
Then a thought struck me; what if the situation was critical and more than Jared could handle? I jerked up from the bed that instant, I needed to go home too. Just in case Jared needed help.
And so without a second thought, I grabbed my clothes and threw them on. I took hold of my purse and hurried out. Outside the hotel, I booked a cab and read out my home address. As we drove, my impatience grew, and I ordered the driver to go faster. Fortunately, he didn’t argue but complied.
Minutes later, the cab pulled up at the house gate, and I paid the driver before hurrying in. As I entered, I noticed Jared’s car carelessly parked, the driver’s door open and the engine running. I turned the engine off and shut the car door before hurrying inside.
The house was surprisingly quiet, and I wondered where Jared and Sofia were. I was tempted to call out to them, but stopped myself and opted to go searching for them. I had just gotten close to the living room when I heard Sofia’s voice. To my surprise, it didn’t sound like that of someone who was hurting.
And so, I tiptoed closer to listen, and what I heard shattered me.
“You two kissed?” I exclaimed, unable to believe my ears.
Jared looked up at me, his face pale, and he looked like he had been caught red handed.
“Arielle, I can explain…” he started.
But I cut him off, my voice trembling. I was expecting him to deny it, but the remorse and guilt in his eyes spoke volume. “Explain what? You kissed someone you claimed to be just a friend to you?”
Sofia stepped forward at this point, a smug smile on her face. “Arielle, it’s not why you think-“
But I wasn’t having it. I turned to face her, my eyes blazing hot like hot coal. “Shut up, Sofia. You’ve caused enough trouble already! Aren’t you supposed to be writing with stomach pain, huh? Oh, let me guess; it was a ploy to get Jared back home, isn’t it?” I saw her eyes dimmed with anger as she made to talk back, but Jared stepped forward, trying to intervene. “Arielle, please listen…”
I didn’t listen, instead I turned my back on him and stormed out of the living room.
“Arielle, Arielle, please hold on,” he called out behind me, but I didn’t look back.
He caught up with me and grabbed my hand, but I withdrew it forcefully. “Do not touch me!” I yelled, menacingly. And without another word, I continued on my way.
I fought the tears that brimmed in my eyes as I flagged a cab. It was only when I was in the cab, I let the tears fall.
I sobbed uncontrollably, ignoring the
concerned glance from the driver in the rearview mirror. The pain was unbearable, like tiny needles piercing my heart. Jared and Sofia kissed? How did it happen under my nose and I didn’t know? What else have they done that I’m still unaware of?
“How could he?” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “How could he betray me like this? He told me they were just friends.”
The shrill sound of my phone ringing broke the silence. I took it out of my purse, and my face contorted in more anger as I saw Jared’s name flashing on the screen. I hissed and muted it, tossing it back into my purse.
The driver who has been quiet all this while, spoke up. “Ma’am, where can I take you? You didn’t give me direction.”
I sniffed, wiping my tears with the back of my palm. “My friend’s place,” I said. Then I read out the address to him.
He nodded and continued driving. I reclined back on the car’s seat, fighting to hold back my tears. No matter how hard I tried, the pain in my heart wouldn’t stop. It was just so overwhelming.
After what felt like eternity, the cab pulled up at Ashley’s house. I alighted, paid the driver, and hurried to Ashley’s front door. I pressed the doorbell and waited. Seconds later, the door swung open. “Arielle! Oh my goodness, what’s wrong?” Ashley exclaimed, stunned when she saw me.
I burst into tears and walked into her arms. “Jared…Sofia…they kissed,” I sobbed, my voice muffled against her shoulder.
She returned the hug, and we stayed that way for a moment before she left me in and shut the door. “It’s okay, quit crying. I’m here for you. Tell me what happened,” she said and led me to the couch.
I couldn’t speak, and for the next few minutes, I kept bawling like a child. Ashley was patient as she watched me cry. Moments later, my sobs receded and I managed to narrate the incident to her. “They kissed? How did that even happen under your roof?” Ashley asked, upset as much as I was.
“I honestly don’t know. I can’t bring myself to believe Jared will stoop that low. He never struck me like that kind of person.”
“No, you can’t continue this way,” Ashley said, shaking her head. “I have never seen you this unhappy, or cry this much. That lady has to leave!”
“I want that too, but Jared wouldn’t consent to it.”
“Well he has to. He should get her an
apartment, a caregiver or
something. She has to leave, Arielle
Heaven knows it can never be me
don’t care if she’s his mother, sister or whomever. The moment
perceive you as a threat, you’re gone
from my life completely.Content
I sighed and lowered my head, knowing that getting Sylvia away from the house, and most especially from Jared’s life, was not going to be easy. Those two share a bond that transcends mere friendship. “So what do you suggest I do?” I asked, looking up at Ashley.
“Sofia either leaves, or you divorce him!”