Erica wiped her tears away before holding Arianna's hands. "Alright. Let's go out and have fun. You'll come out with me, yes?" Erica urged her.
Arianna slowly nodded. Something inside her was aching terribly. She needed something to cure this painful feeling. Nobody wants to talk about Yago, and now she doesn't want to hear about it anymore.
***
"Mamma! There's an uncle waiting for you in the living room!" Albee yelled when he saw her mother descending the stairs. "Quick! Come down!"
Erica who had her arm linked with Arianna's turned to her sister in law after seeing the kid. "Is he... my nephew?" she asked. Arianna nodded and the woman's eyes widened in surprise. "He looks so much like my brother!" she exclaimed before letting go of her sister in law, running down the stairs and picking up the boy and carrying him in her arms.
"Oh! You're so big now! And you're so cute! I'm your aunt. Your dad is my brother." Erica told the little boy.
"You're aunt Erica? My mum told me a lot of things about you." the boy replied.
Arianna watched their interaction from above the stairs. If only Yago was here...
Arianna's heart ached. She has started to think of Yago again. She didn't want to miss him because deep inside, she blames herself. It's because of her, right? It's because of her that Yago's gone? Is he gravely wounded and had to be taken away to recover just like before? She wants to believe that it's just something like that. That Yago will get better and come home soon.
Arianna shook her head and ran down the stairs. No! She's not going to think about it anymore. She walked past Erica and ran towards the living room. She needs a distraction or she'll lose her mind!
"Good day Miss!" a man stood up from the sofa and greeted her with a smile.
Arianna froze when she saw the man waiting for her in the living room. She was unable to take another step as she stared at the man who was walking towards her. "Happy Valentines day, Miss!" he said handing her a bouquet of pink roses.
Arianna stared at the flowers. She fell in a daze that she didn't realize she was already shedding tears. It hurts. She wanted Yago to greet her this way... But now...
"Miss, are you alright?" he asked.
Arianna shook her head. This feeling she's having is very familiar but also very unpleasant. "How are you, Bob! I'm sorry about last time." she said as she hugged the bouquet of roses.
"No... I should be the one apologizing to you. I could have prevented that incident but I came late." he stated before returning to his seat.
"Oh... You're really not our Viper anymore,huh? But what were you doing in Phantom Eagle? What happened to you after you escaped Rojo?", she probed. She was told Viper disappeared along with her and was never found again. Surprisingly, he became a part of the enemy's organization?
"Rojo hunted me, and so I needed a place to hide so I decided to join the Eagles. When I received the information that Maddog was intending to kill you, I was already in the car with Maddog on the way to check on you."
"Uncle! Are you asking mamma for a date?" suddenly, a child's voice echoed from behind them. The adults turned to look and saw little Aaliyah standing there with Albee and Erica.
"Aaliyah what nonsense are you saying? Bob is my friend."Arianna blurted out.
"Isn't it alright to date a friend?" the little girl asked with her head tilted. She then turned to Albee. "Brother, don't you allow mamma Yan to go out with a friend? Didn't you say people go on a date during Valentines?"
Albee raised his hand and caressed the girl's hair. "Of course. Mum can go out with anyone she likes." he told her with a smile. "As long as she's happy."
Arianna held her forehead. These kids are just too innocent. But what's surprising is that her ever protective son said it's alright for her to go out on a date? So suspicious.
"Albee... come here. I need to ask you something." she beckoned to him. The little boy walked towards her and she led the boy outside. "Albee, tell me the truth. Do you want me to go out on a date?" she asked. The little boy nodded and stared at her.
"I know your sad because you miss my dad. I don't wanna see you sad." the boy explained. "Papa already left. If you continue to sulk then I'll be sad too." he then sighed.
"Your father left me once and he came back. He will always come back for me." she mumbled. She had cried for him once and she didn't want to be that broken pieces of soul again. She will carry on and wait for him. He promised before... he'll come back from the dead just to be with her. She just have to trust him.
Albee looked at his mother's face. His mum thinks that way?
"Alright. Erica and I need to go now." she said, ruffling the boy's hair. "For today, she's my Valentines date. I only have your father in my heart, and I will always wait for him."
***
Arianna went shopping with Erica. It took them several hours before they're satisfied. They bought clothes, shoes, bags, jewelries; Arianna suddenly remembered that she hasn't done this for a long time now. Ever since she became a mother, everything in her life was about her son and him alone.
"Tell me... how is Ellaine?" Arianna asked as she was lying on her stomach with Erica lying parallel to her. They were having a body spa to help them relax after a long day of walking around.
"She and Vier are married now. Last year, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl." she told her.
Arianna smiled and then closed her eyes. "Hmm... I want a baby girl too." she whispered.
Erica watched Arianna's face. Did she just fall asleep? She really succeeded in tiring her out. And the massage was so relaxing that even she gets a bit sleepy...
"Oh my god!" Erica exclaimed. She glanced at her phone and realized it's already five in the afternoon! When did she fall asleep? She remembered just watching Arianna nap!
"You're awake. Shall we go home now?" Arianna asked. She was sitting on an armchair nearby.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Erica exclaimed. She then hurriedly climbed down the bed and dashed towards Arianna. "Come! Let's get changed and I'll treat you to some French food."
Arianna chuckled. She just followed her lead and ate something light in a French restaurant. She then brought her to a Styling salon and they both had their hair and make up done.
"Wow, this is what I call a 'girls day out'! We really pampered ourselves today, huh?" Arianna commented.
"Oh, but we are not done yet! We will change to our best dress and eat in a fine dining couple's restaurant later!" she stated.
Arianna raised her brows. "Which one?"
"That one called IMMER DU." Erica answered with a smile.
Arianna's eyes widened. She slowly shook her head in disbelief. "Oh no! That's a nope! That's exclusively for couples! People will think we're gay!"
Arianna protested but Erica only laughed at her. She still dragged her into the famous restaurant wearing a gorgeous red dress.
This is crazy. This is crazy. Arianna chanted inside her head as Erica led her inside the building. Immer Du is a rooftop restaurant so they needed to ride the lift to get there. She was so nervous on their way up but she was stunned instantly once they got there. Erica said they have a reservation at seven PM, but no one was there. The restaurant was empty.
"What? You said you don't want to be rumored as gay. No one's here so you can rest assured. Sit here and check this menu. I need to make a phone call first." Erica told her before dashing away.
Arianna sighed. Erica was really taking things too far. Is this date really necessary? From a distance, a male violinist started playing some music and walked towards her. The violin complemented the serene atmosphere of the place. She looked up at the dark sky and watched the starry sky. This place is perfect with rose petals scattered on the floor and fragrant candles lighting up the place. Somehow, she wished Yago was here with her to enjoy all of this.
"May I have this dance?" a voice resounded next to her. She turned to look and was stunned at once. A man in a white suit was standing there holding a big bouquet of red roses.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The man chuckled. He put the roses down on the table and reached for her hand. He then pulled her up and led her to the dance floor. "Who do you think I am?" he asked pulling her to his embrace, leading her to slow dance.
Arianna was speechless. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck. "Yago... it's you, isn't it?" she whispered.
The man tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Of course it's me. Happy Valentine's day."
Arianna couldn't hold her tears back anymore. She started sobbing on his shoulder. Yago had to let go of her and take out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "What happened? Did they bully you? I told them to take care of you while I'm gone."
"Well, where have you been? I missed you so much!" she lamented. Yago felt her childish expression so cute and couldn't stop himself from kissing her red pouty lips.
"Well, you stabbed me so I was hospitalized. I told them not to tell you because I know you'll blame yourself. Then I went to prepare for this date for you. I only arrived a few hours ago." he explained.
Arianna hugged him and continued with the dance. The wonderful feeling of being in Yago's embrace made her feel very much alive. Suddenly, the music stopped and there was a sudden black out. Only the candles provided them light.
On top of the building next to Immer Du, several letter standees light up at one. Arianna was startled by the words. She stared at the large standees saying 'WILL YOU MARRY ME?' for a while before turning to Yago.
Equally stunning, Yago was kneeling infront of her with a little red box in hand. "Well, my princess... Can you accept me in your life now?" He asked. "Please marry me, my little villainess?" he jested.
Arianna smiled. "Of course my answer is yes."
Yago stood up and kissed Arianna's lips. Right at that moment, hundreds of colorful fireworks decorated the sky. Arianna was very much overwhelmed with the proposal and couldn't help but cling to Yago like a child.
Around them, a round of applause resounded. The electricity came back and the room wasn't empty anymore. Their friends and family were there bearing witness of their engagement.
"Congratulations Yanyan." Dianna told her. She walked closer and hugged her daughter. She and Carl both attended this event.
"When did you arrive?" she asked.
"This afternoon. Yago fetched us from Canada. He asked your hand in marriage from your father first, can you believe that?" she said laughing.
Arianna looked around. Yago's parents and siblings were also present. Roy, Belle and the kids as well. She can't believe they pranked her for five days!
"Mamma, since everyone's already here, why not marry my dad right now?" Albee suggested.
Yago walked towards his son and carried him up. "That's not a bad idea." he echoed.
Arianna chuckled and pinched her son's cheek. "You two are so alike." she commented before hugging them. "I love you..." she whispered.
Yago... Arianna... Belle... Roy... All of them once lived a sad life; which led them to do the things they did; which made them believe they were villains. But love has taught them that happiness exist beyond fairy tales. That everyone deserves to be loved. If you fight for it, it can change your life forever...
***THE END***
Thanks for reading everyone!