399: IN SEARCH OF PEACE ARIEL’S POV Feeling unsettled by the nightmare and still wondering about Luke’s whereabouts, I made my way downstairs to the mansion, hoping to find some answers. As I descended the staircase, the early morning light filtered through the windows, bringing out a soft glow over the grand foyer. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, I heard the faint sound of laughter coming from the living room. Curious, I followed the sound and found Ethan and Randy engrossed in a video game. “Hey guys, what are you up to so early in the morning?” I asked, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. They glanced up at me; their faces lit up with excitement. “Morning, Ariel! We’re just playing this awesome game,” Ethan replied, setting his eyes back on the television. “But Randy’s cheating!” Ethan protested, glaring playfully at his brother. Randy rolled his eyes, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “I am not! You just suck at this game, Ethan.” I chuckled at their banter, feeling a sense of warmth wash over me. Despite the chaos and bullshit of recent events, moments like these reminded me of the simple joys of life. “Alright, alright, calm down, you two,” I said, stepping closer to them. “Let’s settle this like civilized people. Ethan, Randy, remember the rules we talked about? No cheating, and no fighting.” They exchanged sheepish looks before nodding in agreement. “Sorry, Ariel,” Randy mumbled, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “It’s okay, guys. Just remember to play fair, okay?” I said, ruffling their hair affectionately. I couldn’t help but notice Luke’s absence as I looked around the room. “Hey, have either of you seen Luke this morning?” I asked, my brows furrowing in concern. They exchanged puzzled glances before shaking their heads. “Nope, we haven’t seen him,” Ethan replied, his brow creased in confusion. “Is he back from the hospital yet?” “Yeah, he’s back,” I confirmed, feeling a pang of worry gnaw at my insides. “I just don’t know where he could have gone.” The boys exchanged excited looks, their eyes widening with anticipation. “Luke’s back? SEA That’s awesome!” Randy exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Yeah, we missed him,” Ethan added, his eyes shining with elation. I really had to smile at their infectious enthusiasm. Despite everything that had happened, it was heartwarming to see their genuine joy at Luke’s return. “Alright, you two, let’s save the celebration for later,” I said, trying to hide my own apprehension. “You should get ready for school now. Oh wait, it’s Saturday, right?” I totally remembered what Janice told me last night. They both nodded eagerly. “Yep, no school today! Thanks, Ariel!” Randy blurted out, giving me a quick hug before rushing off to his room.” Ethan followed suit, flashing me a grateful smile before disappearing down the hallway. Alone in the living room once more, I let out a heavy sigh, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within me. Where could Luke be? Why did he leave without telling me? The questions echoed in my mind, sending a wave of anxiety coursing through me. Still standing alone in the living room, lost in my thoughts, I heard the soft footsteps of the mansion’s two maids entering the room. I turned to face them, hoping they might have some information about Luke’s whereabouts. “Good morning, miss,” one of the maids greeted me with a warm smile. “Good morning,” I replied, returning the smile. “Have either of you seen Luke this.. morning?” The maids exchanged a quick glance before one of them spoke up. “Yes, he went outside a little while ago. I believe he’s near the gates with Marcus,” she informed me. I furrowed my brows in surprise. Luke had gone outside. That was unexpected. “Thank you, I said to the maids, a mixture of curiosity and concern swirling within me. As I made my way outside, I couldn’t help but wonder what Luke might be doing out there. Was he okay? Was he feeling overwhelmed by his lost memories? When I reached the gates, I saw Luke standing there, his gaze fixed on the horizon, seemingly lost in thought. Marcus, the gateman, stood nearby, watching over him with a concerned expression. Taking a deep breath, I approached them slowly, my footsteps echoing softly on the gravel path. Luke turned to look at me as I drew near, his expression unreadable. “Hey,” I greeted him softly, my voice running through with concern. “Is everything okay?” Luke let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Not really,” he admitted, his voice dyed with frustration. “I’m finding it so hard to remember anything. It’s like there’s a fog clouding my mind, and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to see through it.” I reached out and gently squeezed his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Luke. You don’t have to stress yourself out trying to remember everything at once. It’ll come back to you in time.” But Luke shook his head right after I told him that. “I can’t afford to just sit around and wait for my memories to come back. I need to figure out the things that happened while I was still unconscious or whatever. I can’t just be a dumb piece of crap wandering around without a clue.” His words tugged at my heartstrings, and I felt a surge of sympathy for him. “You’re not a dumb piece of crap, Luke,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze. “You’re a strong, brave person who’s been through a lot. And you have me. You’re not alone in this.” Luke let out another sigh, his expression softening slightly. “He reached up and gently removed my hand from his, his touch gentle yet firm.” Thanks, Ariel,” he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude. “But right now, I just need to be alone.” With that, he turned and walked back towards the mansion, leaving me standing there, watching him go. As I watched him disappear inside, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness wash over me. Standing alone by the gates, a typhoon of emotions swirled within me. His words echoed in my mind, each one piercing my heart with its raw honesty and vulnerability. “I can’t afford to just sit around and wait for my memories to come back. I need to figure out the things that happened while I was still unconscious or whatever. I can’t just be a dumb piece of crap wandering around without a clue.” The pain in his voice was self–evident; his frustration and confusion were almost tangible. And yet, despite the turmoil raging within him, he still pushed me away, choosing to face his demons alone. As I stood there, lost in my thoughts and grappling with the ache in my chest, Marcus’s voice broke through the silence, pulling me back to reality. “Uhmm, miss, is everything alright with the boss?” He asked, his brow furrowed with concern. I glanced at him, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Luke. Without saying anything, I simply shook my head, unable to find the words to articulate the storm raging within me. With one last glance at Marcus, I turned and walked away.
