"Arianna... are you alright?",Yago asked as he approach the woman after some time. She has been standing there like a statue for a while now with her back facing him and Yago couldn't help himself from checking up on her. He was having a nagging feeling that something was wrong with her.
Arianna quickly wiped her tears before taking a deep breath and facing Yago with a forced smile.
"I'm okay." she replied.
Yago's brows furrowed when he saw her face. Her eyes and the tip of her nose were red and it was obvious that she just cried. Who was the b*stard who made her unhappy? This is unforgivable.
"What happened?",he probed. "Who were you talking with?"
Arianna stared straight into Yago's eyes. The way he speak, the way he shows concern for her, those expressions he makes, those were all Yago's. Why did she think a stranger like Vier would treat her the same way Yago does? He is different; the best.
Arianna shook her head. "It's nothing. I just argued with Jayden a bit. Let's not talk about it anymore." she replied. He didn't tell her he's still alive. Maybe he has his own reasons. She'll just get along with it. The most important thing is, Yago is still with her. He didn't abandon her at all.
Arianna turned to her right and surveyed the rose pergola from where she stood. "They're almost done setting up the place. I'll check up on Mom and Dad.." she said before walking away.
Yago watched her leave. He knew she was keeping something from him but with his status, he couldn't probe further. They argued a bit? How could it be just a bit? She was clearly very emotional. Just what did happen? There are not many things that can make Arianna this shaken up! Just what kind of news did she receive?
***
It's 10 in the evening and all the people in the island are already slumbering, with only a couple of people as exception. One of them, Ellaine lie motionless on her bed. She was staring at the ceiling in a daze. Several minutes has passed since her phonecall to Arianna ended but she still couldn't get the thing out of her mind. Arianna sounded upset before she hung up. Was it an illusion?
Ellaine forced herself to sleep but Arianna's matters kept bugging her. When she realized she couldn't get rid of her curiosity, she decided to get up and take her laptop out. She typed Arianna's name on the search engine, trying to find news about her friend. After a while, an article about Arianna Reid popped out! It was about her and Jayden Bates' up coming marriage!
"Why are you still up?" a voice suddenly echoed from the door. She turned to look and saw Vier standing there. "What are you doing?" he added before approaching her table. He peeked at her laptop and his eyes darkened at once.
"I came across this article. Have you caught wind of this?" Ellaine asked.
"No. I don't like gossips. A lot of them aren't real." he answered in a cold manner. "You should go to sleep now. Why do you have to concern yourself over her matters?"
"She's my friend. If I could, I would love to attend her wedding." she argued. Her response only intensified the coldness in his eyes.
"Believe me. There won't be any wedding. I receive a report that her fiance is cheating on her. I'm sure she wouldn't marry a scumbag like that so just forget about that article and go to sleep." Vier then walked closer and kissed her on her forehead. "Goodnight..." he whispered before leaving the room.
Ellaine chuckled. Didn't like gossips? He even knows of matters he shouldn't be aware of! What a bluff. But was it true? Was Arianna's fiance cheating on her? Perhaps it's the reason why Arianna was upset? Did she sounded like bragging on the phone? Did she provoke her somehow? So many questions. This might become another sleepless night for her.
"Ben," Vier whispered on the phone. "Cut off the signals in the whole island. There shouldn't be any internet or phone signals in ten minutes. Deal with it immediately." Vier clenched her hand holding the phone tightly, as if trying to crush it into pieces. This is a drastic move, but he needs to restrict Ellaine from coming into contact with the outside world by all means.
***
"Yago, you should eat a lot." Dianna told Yago as she observe him closely. "You've been losing a lot of weight lately." she noticed.
Yago just smiled and didn't say anything. He then turned to Arianna who has been quiet since the moment she came back with her parents in tow. She was seated beside him and was busy deboning a fish. Yago smiled as he realize Arianna looks better now. She doesn't seem upset anymore. She's back to being lively again as if nothing happened.
"This is really a beautiful place Yago." Dianna complimented. They were presently seated at a table arranged under the biggest rose pergola in the garden. In front of them, varieties of delicacies were currently being served. Dianna took a plate of dish and passed it to Yago. "Here, try this!" she said.
Yago was about to take the plate when Arianna suddenly beat him to it. She received the plate from her mother and took it away from him. She then put the plate of deboned sweet and sour fish in front of him. "You can't have this mapo tofu yet. It's too spicy. It's not good for your injury. Try this fish, or that chicken skewers instead." she stated without looking straight to Yago.
"You're injured?" Dianna asked in surprise. Yago was injured? She couldn't tell.
"Just a minor injury." Yago replied.
Arianna turned to him and sent him a glare. Minor injury? He calls that minor injury? He almost lost his life there! Yago though just answered her glare with a smile. The way Arianna shows her concern towards him lately is kinda cute... well, at least to Yago, it is.
"I'm glad the two of you are getting along well." Arianna's mother commented as she watch the young couple exchange glances. "You should propose to her again, Yago. Maybe she'll agree this time."she said, teasing her daughter.
"No hurry." It was Arianna who replied this time. "I'm not ready to settle down yet." I can wait for him. She wanted to say that, but she didn't want to expose herself.
"No hurry?",Dianna echoed. "You're not getting any younger Yan! You should be planning for your future now!"
Arianna glanced at her mother with nonchalance, as if saying 'so what?' She finished her lasagna before opening a box beside her, and taking out a cup of egg pudding. She placed it before Yago who was momentarily stunned by her actions. "Here. I asked the kitchen to prepare it. I remember it's your favorite dessert."
"Well that's very thoughtful of you!" Dianna started teasing her again.
Arianna nodded and smiled smugly.
"Of course. I'm capable of taking care of my man. So you should just leave this matter to me and focus on getting better. By the moment my first child learns to walk, I hope you'll be the one to chase him around!" Arianna teased her mother back.
Dianna's eyes brightened. Grand children. Little kids running around. She'll try her best to be a part of those moments!
Yago secretly caught Arianna's left hand and squeezed it. Calling him her man, or discussing about their future children, even if these were all just part of an act, his heart still soar with overwhelming joy. Someday, he will try to fulfill her each and every dreams... He will be the one to share her future.