The next morning Ariena wake up early as she was not able to get a blink of sleep due to the perpetual and horrid nightmares, of loosing someone precious keep haunting her. She even dreamed of her long deceased mother Sofia leaving her away as she, the little girl at that time, keep running after her, crying her heart out.
She yelped for her mother as she dream of falling down from the cliff, "MOM..." Her whole body was drenched in sweat as she reached out to hold her head in between her hands, to think clearly and to repeat it to herself that it was all a dream. She was breathing hard and her eyes were stingy from crying so long after all that had happened yesterday night.
After freshening up she made her way out to go to kitchen to get something to help herself from the throbbing pain in her head. Just when she was about to go down the stairs she spared a glance over to the Andrew's room, only to find the lights were still on and the door half opened.
' Is he also not able to sleep...' she thought, but soon throwned all the anent out of the windows. She turned to leave mumbling to herself, "It's none of my business if he's not able to rest... Who am I to show concern to him. You are just a compeer in the contract, remember NO feeling attached...."
"Madam you are early today.... you should have rested more..." said Ramy in concerned tone, when he saw her descending the stairs elegantly. There was nothing left unnoticed by the old butler that had folded a few hours before. He had seen the flame of jealousy in Andrew's eyes when Ariena was smiling at the stranger, Evan Smith.
He had saw how Andrew had dragged and then carried her back to her room only to come out with a defeated look. He was guarding the stairs to keep a check on the gossipmongers servant of the mansion.
He descried how his master was regretting his actions while standing there for long. Ramy was concerned that all these tension between the couple will take a troll on her health. As her tired actions and swelling eyes were still visible even after putting some make up.
Ramy was quite fond of Ariena since the girl enter this mansion as it's lady boss. She had never disappointed him and his master by her actions or the way she represent herself as Mrs Johnston. She had acted way more better than what they expected from her. If he had to ask who's worthy of being together with his master, his answer will be fast and clear .... Ariena is the best choice.
"I'm good Ramy, and by the way a very Good morning to you..." replied Ariena with her beautiful smile, but today there was something missing in it. The smile seems forced not reaching out to her eyes.
"Good morning madam, oh I was so surprised to see you so early that I forgot the proper conduct of the house. I beg your pardon madam for my negligence..." Ramy quickly apologies as realization stucked to him.
"Oh Ramy, you don't have to be so formal with me and I'm not upset at all. Instead I feel great to find that a pedantic and fastidious person like you also have weak moment.... Haha..." Ariena chuckled softly as she moved with him to go to the kitchen.
"Haha... you are quite energetic for someone who had a little sleep.... do you want me to serve you some tea or coffee.. ?" asked Ramy as they crossed the sitting area, where a few maids were cleaning up as their usual chores.
"I love to have a coffee... thank you Ramy.." said Ariena as she moved to have a seat near the window from where one can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the blooming garden and chirping birds with the dazzling and warm rays of the morning sun.
Ramy excused himself to get her coffee as the latter loose her pretentious and stared blankly at far away without any thought to process.
Soon Ramy was back with the coffee and some dessert to brighten up her mood. Ariena was really thankful to him for his such a thoughtful behavior. After finishing her coffee, which took more than half an hour, she left the house with a reason that she had some important work at her office.
She skipped the breakfast as she didn't want to have any interaction with Andrew, at least for this time being. She needed time and space to think properly about how she should behave from now onwards.
..... ..... ..... ..... ... .... ...
As expected from Ariena, she was standing in front of Cafe Frosty, leaning on her Bugatti Veyron in her black straight ankle length pants and peach color printed blouse, with her sunglasses on to hide the swelling of her eyes. She was waiting for the owner to open it for her to enter, as she dwelled over the night incident again and again.
"Oh my gosh... Ariena what made you come so early today... don't tell me that you are dying to taste my coffee and cakes... oh I feel so blessed to see customer so early even before I can open my shop...or you are here just to have a glimpse of my gorgeous body ..hehe..." the exciting voice of Johnny was heard as she turned to look at the foolishly smiling handsome man.
Johnny lived to his title of Playboy, as he has a look too good to die for, he was a tall, well built physique with a sweet dimple on his right cheeks whenever he smiles, making it hard for the girls to ignore him. He was a perfect gentleman with a flirtious heart with him.
"Oh please don't flatter so much SENIOR... I have no interest in the man who owns such a flirtious characters... BROTHER Johnny..." said Ariena emphasizing on some words as reminding the former of his childish behavior a few days ago.
"Okay okay, I've apologise for my behavior already how can you show such a disrespect for your lovely and caring senior... just call me like you used to call me ..Johnny... okay.." said the cafe owner in a complaining tone, as he opened the door of the cafe to let her and himself in.
"Just make yourself comfortable I'll be coming to you in a minute okay and anything particular you want to eat dear..." asked Johnny as he started to help his workers in setting the table and chairs.
Ariena quickly tried to make sure she didn't disturb her friend, as she said softly, " Johnny.. you don't have to accompany me I'm good all alone, being myself. Just carry-on with your setup . If I need anything I'll place my order don't bother yourself with me..."
Johnny was not just her senior but also an old good friend to her. This cafe and Johnny have been there for her for a long time. She had pour her heart out a lot of time in this cafe with this flashy man on her favourite table.
"Silly.. go and sit at your favorite table I'm coming to have a good talk with you. I know something is bothering you... just go..." said Johnny affectionately as he patted on her head lovingly.
Ariena obliged his words and move to the window seat thinking what and how much or how to explain her situation to Johnny. She thought a lot about it and decided against telling anything to him.
When Johnny finally came with a cappuccino and blue berry chocolate cake for her, she was ready to misguide him.
"So what's the matter, beautiful junior.... care to share... " asked Johnny as he placed the tray with cake and coffee in front of her.
"Nothing serious.. just that I feel overburden with all these work that has landed on my pocket. I'm dead tired with two two important events to handle...." She sighed as takes a sip from her cappuccino before continuing, "You know Johnny I'm still a rookie, with zero experience in handling such big events. My anxiety is killing me... ''
"That's it... be confident Ariena. You are such a strong girl how can you be so disheartened by such small trouble. Have faith dear and remember we are all there for you no matter what happened at the end of the day. Okay..."
Ariena was not able to control the tears that were waiting for these comforting words since last night, as they made their way out from her eyes, as she said softly in between her son's, "Thanks... thank.. you ..... Johnny...."
' How can you be so weak and helpless Ariena when you have such good friends to back up you...' she thought to herself as Johnny keep babbling about some random stuff to make the environment little more relaxing.
Suddenly, a line from Johnny catched her interest, "Ariena believe me time can heal any pain. Even if you loose now as the time passed you will grow stronger and will be more capable, so just relax and take the things as it comes... don't stressed out... okay...."
Ariena nodded in his response as she pounder over his words, ' "Time can heal every pain" , so the hurt and embarrassment she had faced yesterday night will be forgotten as time passed on ... That's great and relieving...'
Time can only be her ointment ....