Ariel POV:
Today is my mom's funeral. I decided to stay in my mom's house after the meeting with Simon. My aunt wanted me to stay with her for awhile but I decided to stay in my mom's house for one last time before I move with Simon to England.
For these past few nights I had a hard time falling asleep. I would just cry and cry. My aunt would check up on me everyday to see how I was doing and tried to make me go out but I didn't want to. I would just stay in the house unless I had to go to the marketplace to get food. Most of the time my aunt would just watch movies with me and bring ice cream. Simon called me everyday to check on how I was doing. I didn't know how he got my phone number but it was sweet of him to check up on me . Most of the time the call was awkward not knowing what to say with one another.
For my mom's funeral I decided to wear a black lace dress that my mom bought me a long time ago and black heels. Putting my make up on and curling my hair. I look at myself in the mirror and it was like looking at a different person. This person doesn't smile as much, her eyes are puffy from crying all the time, and bags under her eyes from lack of sleep.
Hearing the doorbell ring, I grab my purse and went down to answer the door. When I open the door I was surprised to see that it was Simon. Aunt Karen was suppose to pick me up.
"Your Aunt Karen told me to pick you up. She's at the church making sure everything is running smoothly. Are you ready to go?" Simon asks me.
"Yah" I say to him. I close the door behind me and follow Simon to his car.
...
We arrive to the church and saw all of my family members there. All of them gave me hugs and condolences. Same thing with my mom's co-workers. I saw that my mom's casket was open and decided to go see her for one last time.
Seeing the sight of my mother made me cry even more than ever. My mother was wearing her favorite blue floral dress with blue flats to match it. Her hair was curled and I notice that she had light make up on her for color. But even though with the make up they put on her to make her lively, they failed. Lifeless was all I see. I didn't care if people saw me cry or not. Next thing I know there was somebody that patted me on the back. I looked back and saw that it was Simon. I embraced him with a hug, hugging him tightly. His body was tense but he relaxes and hugs me back.
"It's okay Ariel. Shhh.. I'm here for you now" Simon whispers to me, trying to calm me down.
"The service is going to start soon Ariel. Let's go find our seats" Simons says to me. I nod and start following him. Aunt Karen already saved us seats and we both sat right next to her.
I look at my aunt and saw that her eyes were red and puffy. She also looks exhausted. To be honest all three of us looked absolutely awful.
The service starts and the priest starts with a prayer. Also blessing my mom's body. The rest of the time I wasn't even paying attention to what the priest was preaching. I was busy just thinking about my mom and all the memories we shared.
After all that preaching, the priest asks whoever wants to come up to say a few words about my mom. Aunt Karen went up first. Then some of my mom's co-workers and after them it was Simon.
Lastly it was my turn. I get up from where I was sitting and walk to where the mic was. I take a deep breath and put before speaking. Trying to contain myself from crying,
"Hello everyone. Thank you for coming to Laura Cowell's funeral. My name is Ariel Marie Cowell and I am the daughter of Laura. I just would like to start to off to say how amazing this woman is. Knowing her my whole life she took on both parenting roles. I never met a woman who is exceptional as she was. My mother always made me feel loved and always made time for me no matter what. She always told me that her world always revolved around me and no one else." I say smiling. Feeling a tear roll down my cheek, I quickly wipe it off with the back of my hand.
"As most of you know my mother always loved to make people happy. She never wanted to see anyone sad , mad or angry. So she would do the most corniest dances, make funny faces or tell a really dumb joke. Laura always put people first before herself. That was just her. I could go on how amazing my mother is but that would take days. I could go on telling you all the good memories I have shared with my mother but that would be the same. I'm sure everyone here today agrees with me on what I just said because we all have a memory or memories about Laura that I'm sure we would like to share. Those memories will always be kept in a special place in our hearts. They're all priceless." I start to think more memories that I shared with mother in the past. Slowly feeling my heart ache.
"I just want to say that I will miss my mom so much. She wasn't just a mother to me but also my mentor, my shopping buddy and my best friend. I will miss her singing Endless Love to me every night before I go to bed, her cooking, her hugs, her smile , her laugh and most importantly her saying my name. All of those things I will cherish forever and it will never be forgotten. I know that she is watching over me in heaven. Heaven is really lucky to have a person like her." I finish my speech and quickly went back to my seat.
After the whole church service, we went straight to the cemetery. The whole service was so emotional. My whole family was crying and I even saw Simon shed a few tears. All of the family members who were close to my mother put white roses on top of my mom's closed coffin. I was the last one to put a rose on top of my mother's coffin. Thinking in my mind that this is it. My mom is gone and I will never get see her again, feel her warm embrace or even see her smile.
When the service was over I went back home. I think my aunt and Simon got the idea that I didn't want to be bothered . I decided to watch all of the home videos that my mom made. It made me feel a little better. Gosh how I miss my mom so much.
I decided to go to the Italian restaurant that my mom and I use to eat at all the time. "Hey Ariel haven't seen you for a while" Mark said.
I knew Mark for awhile and he was the same age as I was but older by just a few months. He was like an older brother to me.
"The usual spot Ariel?" Mark asks me. I smile and nod. I follow him to the usual table I sat with my mother. He pulls the chair out for me and I sit down giving him a smile.
"Hey I'm very sorry that I couldn't go to your mom's funeral. I tried getting a day off but my boss didn't approve. But you know if you need a friend I'm always here for you no matter what" he said grabbing my hand with a sympathetic expression on his face.
"Thanks Mark and don't worry I will be fine" I said, assuring him.
I order my food and look around the restaurant. I spot a certain person in the restaurant.
It was Simon. He was eating at the opposite side. All of a sudden he looks at my direction and gives me a small smile. I gave him a smile back. My food arrives and I thank Mark. I start eating and somebody clears their voice behind me. I turn around and see that it was Simon.
"Do you mind if I join you?" he asks me.
"Go ahead. I don't mind at all" I say to him.He grabs the chair across from me and sat down.
"I thought you were going to stay with your aunt."
"No. I wanted to go back home and have some time to myself" I respond back.
"I see" he said awkwardly.
"So tell me stuff about you. I want to know everything about my daughter" Simon said trying to change the topic.
"First of all Simon I am not your daughter. Even though I am living with you in a couple of weeks you are still a stranger to me. Yes, you are my father by blood but by heart you are not. I am still pissed off that you left us and I still don't know why. You have to earn my trust and we'll see by then where that goes" I cut straight to the point.
"You're right Ariel and I promise that I will do everything for you to gain my trust."
The whole time in the restaurant was awkward. There was only small talks and I know he was trying. But right now I didn't want any of it. I didn't want any sympathy or comfort from him.
Yes, I hate the way I was acting towards him but I didn't have the heart to forgive him right away. I just want to show that I am not a person to be pushed around or to be fooled with. Right now I have very little trust with Simon.
"Hey Mark can I have a tiramisu please" giving him the puppy eyes.
"Fine. My treat Ari" Mark says walking away to the back.
"Ari?" Simon says curiously.
"My mom and I have been regular customers here. Plus Mark is a close friend to me" I explain to Simon.
"Are you sure this Mark boy doesn't have a crush on you?" Simon asks me. Seeing his body getting a little tense.
"Psshh.. no. Mark is a really close friend to me. He's been there for me on everything. He's like an older brother" I state the fact.
"Just wanting to know" he simply says to me. I roll my eyes. Typical father trait of being over protective.
"One tiramisu for one pretty lady" Mark puts the dessert right in front of me .
"Thanks Mark." Giving him a 100 watt smile.
"Sorry for not introducing myself sir. My name is Mark Philips. Best friend of Ariel" Mark says to Simon extending out his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I am Simon Cowell. Ariel's father" Simon introduces himself.
"Father?!" Mark said shocked.
"Yes. Father." Simon says with a hint of irritation in his voice.
"It's a long story I will tell you another time" I explain to Mark.
Mark looks at Simon and then looks at me. He just nods and walks away.
"What a nice lad" Simon says sarcastically.
"He's the sweetest" I defend Mark.
"Well it was nice seeing you but I have to get home before it gets dark. Plus I have work tomorrow." Putting money on the table.
"Don't worry I will pay for your food and do you want me to drive you home?" he asks me and tries to give me back my money.
"Don't be silly Simon I can pay for my own food and no it's okay I drove here. Bye Simon. See you around" I said getting up, leaving money on the table and head to the door.