91 THE THOUGHTS ARIEL’S POV “We need to take him to a hospital!” I panicked, with Lukel still in my arms. Andre rushed to me, concern written all over his face, and I really liked that. The others got up as well, fixing their eyes on me. “What’s wrong?” Andre asked the moment he got nigh to me. “It’s Lukel. His temperature is really high, and I’m afraid something terrible might happen to him.” “Really?” Andre fixed felt Lukel’s forehead. “Yeah, that is true. We better hurry. then.” Andre carried Lukel from me, and swiftly walked to the door, I moved behind him, with the others still watching us. “Can I come along?” I heard Janice’s voice, and I turned around without hesitation. She was standing upstairs, cleaning her eyes. And then she walked down the stairs. “I’d really love to follow you, mommy.” Elizabeth treaded to her, and squatted, fixing her hand on Janice’s face. “No, Janice. It’s too late for you to be outside. You go to sleep, okay?” “But that’s my brother right there. And I also want to spend some time with my mommy.” “You don’t have to worry. Lukel will be fine, and mommy will be back before you know it.” Elizabeth smiled at her. “Let me take you back upstairs, so you can go to sleep.” I looked at Janice, not knowing what to say. And yes, I wanted to spend time with her. But not like this. This was definitely not the right time. “No, I don’t want to go to sleep. I want to follow mommy,” Janice said, and ran in my direction. The moment she got close, she held my leg tightly. “Mommy, please let me come with you.” “Take it easy, Janice. We’re not going to the park, or something,” Andre told her. “I sat on my heels, smiling at Janice. “I know you miss me, and I miss you too. But as grandma has said, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I’ll come back before you know it.” “That’s a lie, mommy. You won’t come back. I don’t want you to leave me again.” She quickly hugged me.“Please don’t leave me.” 1 caressed her back, not knowing how to take care of this situation. I didn’t want. to take Janice outside, not wanting to put her life at risk. LUKE’S POV I was lying here on my bed, thoughts of Ariel swirling through my mind. I kept telling myself that I didn’t like her, and that I never would. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stuck in my thoughts, like an uninvited guest. Tonight, at the party we went to, I noticed something different about her. She seemed broken, somehow. It was just a glimpse, a flicker in her eyes, but it touched me in a way I can’t explain. I couldn’t seem to let go of that image, replaying it over and over in my mind. But it was just a simple fact around here, that Ariel wasn’t for me. She became my wife again because of my late grandfather’s wish. I was only fulfilling his desire, nothing more. There was no room for love or attraction in this equation. It was frustrating, though. No matter how hard I tried to push her away, she was always there, lingering in my thoughts. I couldn’t escape the pull she had on me, no matter how much I deny it. It was like an invisible force, drawing me towards her against my own will. How fucked up was this? On one hand, I despised her, but on the other, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was a maddening contradiction, one that I can’t seem to untangle. But once again, this was all for my late grandfather. This marriage, this charade, it was all a way to honor his memory, because this was what he wanted. She had become an enigma, a puzzle that I couldn’t solve. And it frightened me. I couldn’t stop thinking about all this. The feeling was just not normal. And I refused to like it at all, or follow through with it. I didn’t know, but felt like a movie. Ariel’s eyes, actions, were saying one thing–a passion right there, enkindled within her. I could say it was ignited, but it better be washed away The oceans moves with tranquility, the gentle breeze provides a soothing moment. The trees all stand together, and the cloud stir slowly, unveiling its ‘beauty. Now these were all nature. And we humans, had the way things worked out for us. These thoughts kept on creeping within me. Just as the clouds make its movements slowly. Yes, it was actually the simple truth. It stir within me, leisurely filling my head, translating into a moment of deep thinking. Couldn’t actually be lost in it anymore. And I couldn’t be trapped by it. It did had me drowning, like I was being thrown in the middle of the ocean. Sometimes, these thoughts had me shaking, like the trees that were about to be cut off the ground. Overshadowing me like the cloud up there, and these drops of bewilderment was showered upon me. You could say my life was a movie, it only needed to be flaunted in a Cinema. Love was something that I wanted to lean on. Got shattered after the death of my parents. The people who claimed to love me so much, yet left me. And Harriet, my beloved. The lovely rose that used to blossom my heart. It all had to end so sad. Even when Ariel left our lives, the love between the both of us couldn’t go any further. Had to let go, because she followed through with crazy stuff. All resulting in anger. Riley was also a sweet soul. How painful that she was no more. I failed to protect her, and I couldn’t help but feel guilty. It was all because of me, she had to lose. her life. My house was invaded, with me being the target. But she was the one who got murdered. That terrific scene would always be stuck in my head. Sir Reynold left too. Another huge pain that struck my heart. He was so special. So special to me that I had to marry Ariel because he wanted that. The sacrifice. made here was a huge one. My happiness, my future, my life. Cause Ariel wasn’t someone I wanted to do all the romantic stuff with. But I had to carry out the sacrifice. My grandfather loved me, cherished me, and always showed me the true meaning of love. Even though he was a mad man sometimes, with actions invoked by rage. But it was all in love. Outstanding corrections. Ariel could do what she wanted, I couldn’t care less anyway. Her smile, or whatever could be stuck in my head, but it wasn’t going to move me. I might have made the promise, but the actions were extremely hard to carry out. I stood up from my bed, and treaded to the windows, opening them, getting the nice cool breeze. Even with this massive wealth, I felt kind of lonely. Of course, because I barely relate with others. At least get some friends, don’t be too serious, talking about business every single time. It was something Riley once told me. And now, I think I was going to accomplish that.
