Seeing her expression as she took the call, Steven knew she might take a while so he concluded the meeting internally and walked out without so much as a good bye.
Ariana had the phone ringing in her hand as she glared at his retreating frame.
Who was she kidding? He wasn't retreating. He was merely giving her a break before he returned to torture her again, with his narcissist air surrounding him like a mist, his face haunting her- reminding her of Henry- the last person she wanted to think about right now.
However, she finally picked the call, and as expected, she kept a cool, calm, formal profile as she spoke out loud.
"Hello ..."
"Riri?"
Ariana rolled her eyes at the ridiculous nickname, but nevertheless, she tolerated her because she was the only person she'd let call her that without sending them six feet underground.
"Margaret. How did you get my number?"
"Are you being for real now? We haven't spoken in like... what? Two years? And you act like you just slept over at my place last night."
"Well, whose fault is that? You were so wrapped up with your boyfriend, Drew that when Henry was against your union, you literally eloped with him."
"It was because of Love, Riri! You of all people should understand."
Ariana's grip on the phone tightened. "No... No I wouldn't understand. I will never."
"Look, I ran away blah blah blah, It's been two years, and now, I really need you and you know you can't deny me."
Ariana smirked. Of course she'd remember her when she needs her. She was just like her late parents, Charles and Love Torres. They all felt like they were independent enough to do something- absolutely anything on their own, but when they finally need help from someone, they feel entitled to be helped.
But either way, she always had a soft spot for Margaret, and she was her sister In law after all. She had been around for Henry's burial, but that was the only time she had seen her before she ran off with Drew like she thought she had any interest in their relationship.
"What do you want?" She sighed, rapping her knuckles over the table Infront of her with a bored but anticipating look in her eyes.
"Okay... um... My wedding is in a week's time, and I just wanted to invite you to... "
"You and Drew? You two are getting married?"
"Yes."
"Wow." Ariana was genuinely surprised and she couldn't hide It. Even her knuckles froze over the table for a second.
"What? You don't believe me?"
"No... " Ariana continued drumming on the table. "I just thought he'd probably cheat on you or you'd realize what a douche you were dating."
"Riri!"
"What? He looked like a high school bad boy back then with his leather jacket, neck tattoos, and motor bike. I'm surprised he didn't break your heart."
"I find It hard you got married to my brother with your little faith in men."
Ariana said nothing, but It was obvious from the drumming on her other side that she was waiting for Margaret to continue.
"Anyways. We have our wedding coming up in a week's time, and I'm already done making my guest list and... "
When she paused, Ariana knew for sure she was going to say something really bad or shocking. Either way, She knew It wasn't good.
"And what?" There was an edge to her voice as she snapped.
"You're going to be my Maid of honor."
Ariana almost fell off her seat.
"Excuuuuuse me?!"
"Riri... "
"No."
"But..."
"No."
"Why?" She sounded so whiny like a little girl you'd find It hard to believe she was 24.
"Why?? Don't you have friends? A best friend? Besides, we haven't kept in touch for over two years, and I only saw you once during all those times. And now, you appear out of the blue, tell me you're wedding in a week's time and you made ME your maid of honor? This is the second most ridiculous thing I've heard today."
And trust me, you don't want to hear the first. Ariana added inwardly.
"Oh come on Riri. I'll make It up to you, I promise. I'll take care of booking the flight, and I already have a suite specially made for you in a five star hotel here, and their cuisine is to die for."
"Margaret... I just can't."
"Please Riri. My wedding is in seven days. I haven't gotten anything ready but the guest list and invitation card. And besides, Drew's family's flying in from abroad and will be present at the wedding. You're literally the only family I have."
"What about Chuck Chuck?" Ariana cringed at the name, but that was literally the only thing she remembered about him. She didn't even know his real name, but she knew he was Margaret's half brother.
"Dennis? He's going to be here... But It just won't be the same without you."
Ariana thought about declining again, but she knew how persistent Margaret was, and It won't entirely be a bad Idea If she decided to take a little vacation from working nonstop for the past three months.
Besides, It was her sister in law's wedding, and even though, she never really liked Drew and barely knew him expect for his first name, she knew how much this would mean to Margaret.
"Fine. I'll think about It."
"Yay! Thanks Riri. But you'd be able to give me an answer by Monday right because I'm booking your flight four days to the D-Day. Oh I'm so excited. We have a lot to catch up on. We'll also go dress shopping, shoe... "
"Margaret." Ariana cut her off, already feeling a headache coming in from hearing her talk so much.
"Oh sorry. Okay, I'll call the others now. And thank you so much for this Riri. It really means a lot to me."
"Uh-huh. Anything else? I'm really busy at the moment." Saying that, her wandering eyes landed on Steven's files and she raised a particular one that caught her attention.
An evil smirk suddenly crawled up her lips.
"Tsk. You still act like a sour nanny. No wonder you haven't been able to move on since Henry died."
Ariana froze, her jaw on the floor as her smile disappeared.
"What did you just say?"
"Oh come on Riri. You're like what? 26? You can still find love again you know? The world didn't end when Henry died... and the good looking men out there didn't all wipe out of existence either."
"I chose to be alone and independent. What do I need a man in my life for? To buy me flowers and tell me I'm pretty so I don't feel bad about myself?" Ariana scoffed and rolled her eyes before setting the document down and getting up.
"You see... that's what you're missing in your life Riri. Passion. You just haven't found someone like Henry. Someone that ignited that passion and firy desire in you. Someone who changed your perspective about love being a nuisance and distraction."
"I am not having this conversation with you, and for your information, I'm 28, and you'd know that If you .. "
"I mean... " Margaret continued like she hadn't heard her. "When last did you have sex? Do you even know how that feels anymore?"
Ariana twitched. "Goodbye Margaret." And she didn't give her a chance to say anything else before she cut the call on her.
Right now, she didn't have time to think about Margaret, she had something to take care of.
Someone precisely.