It was a few minutes before seven in the evening. Usually, Carl wasn't home yet during this time of the day. He only gets back an hour or so before midnight. Yet tonight, Carl called for Belle, Arianna and Yago for dinner.
Arianna watched as Carl started eating his dinner. He was unusually quiet throughout the meal. She wondered what his father was up to. She waited for him to announce something important, yet he just focused on his food. It wasn't until he finished eating that he lifted his head to look at the young people at the table.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll be leaving for a business trip and I'll be gone for two to three days."Carl announced. He then looked at the young man beside Arianna. "Yago, take care of Arianna while I'm gone." He looked at Belle next. "Belle, prepare your luggage. I'll take you out of the country once I'm back."
Belle didn't hide her displeasure. She glared at Arianna as if blaming her for her misfortune.
" Dad, didn't you say before that I'm the one who needs to leave? I'm willing now!" Yago was about to leave. What's there for her to stay for? Honestly, she didn't feel like her competition with Belle was worth losing Yago anymore!
However, in Belle's point of view, Arianna was just showing off. Belle failed to chase Arianna away and now it was Belle who needs to leave. Her evil sister must be very happy right now!
"It was Belle who committed such a shameful acts! It was her who has to hide her face!"
It was true that Carl wanted Arianna to leave before, but that was just to separate her from Belle. In his heart, he didn't trust Belle at all! Arianna at that time was all he had left. He didn't want to lose her, the same way he lost her mother! Now though, a s*x scandal about Belle was spreading widely, and this was more than enough an excuse to send Belle away.
After saying his piece, Carl stood up. He returned to his study to finish some urgent documents he needed to leave to his assistant before he fly abroad tomorrow. Not long after, he heard a couple of knocks on the door. He responded immediately and let the person in. It was Yago. He was surprised but he didn't show it. Yago had always been cold and distant to everyone, including him. This was the first time he came looking for Carl.
"I need to talk to you about something." Yago watched Carl's expression. When he saw him nod his head, he went on with his aim.
"Carl, I want to ask you a favor." Yago started."After three days, can you come back for Rian? I'm leaving in three days.... and I won't be coming back for a while."
Carl was startled. Wasn't he the one who's supposed to be saying this things? Afterall, he's leaving tomorrow, and Yago won't be leaving until three days later!
"When are you coming back?" he asked. Since the moment Arianna lived with him, her father, Yago had always been by his daughter's side. It never happened yet that he left Arianna for more than three days. Whenever he leaves for business, he always came back the next day. This is the reason why eventhough he knew Yago and Arianna wasn't related at all, he still allowed him to stay by his daughter's side.
Yes. He knew. How could he not know? He, Carl Reid, was Arianna's mother's first and only man!
"The truth is, I'm not sure either. Maybe next month, maybe next year. Maybe a few years later." Yago answered seriously. In his mind it wasn't really up to him. He planned on just waiting for Arianna's reply. He hoped that she'll accept and call him soon, so he could come back soon. However, if Arianna decides to let him go and just forget about him completely, then maybe he would just choose to stay hidden from her sight forever. Perhaps, this love isn't meant to be?
"Yago, you know, I admire you, child. It's a pity that things didn't go well between Arianna and you." Carl said, shaking his head. "But rest assured, I'll take care of her until the day you decide to come back." Carl said with a smile. He had a feeling that these youngsters will one day find their way towards each other again someday.
***
"How are you, my baby girl!"
Belle glared at the man when she heard the way he called her. She sat across him and took something from her bag.
"I'm leaving soon. But I want to leave Arianna a present before I go." she said as she placed a photo of a man over the table. They were sitting inside a not so well known cafe, but Belle still looked around for a while before removing her sunnies. "This is Arianna's brother. I want you to injure him. I don't care what method you use. I just want him badly injured. I want him to be hospitalized for atleast a month!"
" A month? Why don't we just kill him instead?"
Belle thought for a while before she shrugged her shoulders.
"Do whatever you want." she replied.
The man laughed as if he heard a very funny joke. She didn't know what's hilarious but the man won't stop laughing. "What's funny?" she asked, annoyed.
The man tried to control himself as he turn to Belle. "Nothing. Just that, you're really Jane's daughter! So cruel and heartless."
" I'm not like her!" she quickly rebut. "Those people harmed me first!" she insisted. "Anyway, just do what I say! Kill Yago if you must!"
" Alright! Calm down! Don't shout. I'm your uncle, you should treat me nicer." the man reached out and took the photo on the table. The man looks familiar. Where had he seen this man before?
"You're only a few years older than me. Why should I treat you like an uncle? Just deal with this. I'll send you the money tomorrow."
The man took the photo and put it in his shirt's pocket. "No matter what, I'm still your mom's younger brother. So, can you stop bossing me around?"
Belle stood up, not paying attention to his words at all. "I can't stay longer. Call me if there's any problem." she glanced at the man coldly." Goodbye Drew." she said and then quickly fled from the scene.