January 9th, 2023
' Arianna! You're up in five minutes.' I heard Riona's voice say.
It's been 5 years and a month since my Christmas in Havana Graceland. Things are going really well in my life.
Ashley and Skyler are now dating and Skyler moved in with Ashley.I know right, Shocker!
Mira's autism has stabilized and she can now engage in short conversation. Not to mention, Mira and Arthur have finally accepted each other and now Arthur is residing not too far from our house. Arthur is also planning to startup his own game company.
Raymond and Riona are still playing their complicated love games.
Fred is still the introverted sweet guy he was before. Bella also decided to exhibit her painting and she got loads of cash from it.
My darling Arian is now a cute, overly mature 4 year old.
I am now a 22 years old woman. I am done with college ( I never have to see Sage again!!!) and I received my settlement fee. As of time, I had a networth of over 50 billion dollars and just like we planned, Ashley, Riona and I pooled our resources and opened up seven ARADEC branches. One in New York another in California, Florida, Washington, LA, Vegas and our headquarters in Chicago.
Today I give a speech to all the workers and dispatch them to their various branches.
' Mom! What are you thinking? You have a speech to say.' Arian says glaring at me with his arms akimbo.
I smiled and pinched his cheek.
' Escort mummy to the podium.' I said.
Arian holds my hand, shakes his head like an old man and says, ' I wouldn't even let you go on your own. With your I.Q, you can trip on someone else's shoelace.'
My eyes twitched.
' Are you calling me dumb? Come here you cute little brat!' I call out. He starts running but his speed is no match for mine, I caught him. He then turned to look at me with those dangerous blue eyes.
' Mummy, are you upset with your little Arian?' Arian says looking like he was about to cry.
' No I am not upset. Don't be sad.' I say panicking. I can't stand seeing his heartbroken face.
' Mummy is the best!' Arian says as he signals me to bend down. I did as he said and he gave me a big kiss on my cheek.
' If the two of you are done with your mother-son love, Can you come and give your speech now?' Ashley says.
' I never interrupt you and Skyler when you are romancing.' I replied sticking my tongue out at her.
I followed her to the podium and looked at the faces of the top 200 in the test we conducted.
' Good morning everyone. My name is Arianna Havana and on behalf of the management of ARADEC, I want to congratulate you on reaching this point in life. I would like to introduce my sisters and co-boss, Ashley Havana and Riona Smith.
You have all being informed of the branch you will be sent to. Sixty of you will have to go to a different city but do not worry, Accomodation, electricity and water supply is covered by the company. We have an employee lodge with the Same design, you have no specific room assigned to you it's a first come, first served arrangement. I want you all to know that this is company is not just our livelihood but our dream come true. And I hope we can work together to make that dream a beautiful reality.' I say.
They all clap and I see a woman raising her hand.
' Go on.' I say.
' Boss Arianna, will the company cover our transportation cost to the new city?' The woman asks.
' Of course. You will be taking the company's plane. Any other questions?' I say.
There was none.
' Those of you going to the new city, you are going there to head a department. Recruitment is also in your hands, do not make a mistake or favour anyone. For now you all will stay in the employee lodge here. After we officially launch our Como, you will be sent to your respective branch. Have a great day.' I say.
They all go out talking and conversing with one another.
' That was great Arianna.' Riona says.
' You did very well.' Ashley says.
' My little cousin has grown up.' Arthur says
' Why is she getting all the credit? I wrote the speech!' Arian says with his cute voice.
There goes the compliments.
' My little man is a champion.' Raymond says.
' Good boy.' Mira says. Arian and Mira are quite close. Always up to mischief.
' Shame on you Arianna! Taking credit for your son's hardwork' Riona says.
' Disappointing.' Ashley says.
' How dare you bully my nephew?' Arthur says.
' Don't judge me!! He offered to help.' I protest.
' It's okay. Arian will share everything with mummy, even credit.' Arian says hugging my leg..
My heart warmed. Arian is truly a blessing to me.
' Mummy loves you Arian.' I say as I bent down so I could see his face properly.
' And Arian loves mummy too.' Arian says as he hugs my neck.
' Argh! Mother and son are at it again. No wonder the air is too too sweet.' I heard Skyler's voice say.
I turned to see him in a windbreaker, dark sunglasses and an ugly hat with a handkerchief around his face.
' If it isn't our very own celebrity, Skyler.' I say.
He ignores me and goes to Ashley.
' Baby Bree, I made something for you. Come and eat you must be starving.' Skyler says.
That's right. Skyler became the househusband Ashley envisioned.
' I also want my boyfriend in the future to be a househusband like Skyler.' I say pouting.
' Me too. All this Public display of affection is killing my single heart.' Riona says.
' My Juliet, you have me. I can be your househusband, should I move in with you?' Raymond says immediately
Dad got Riona a house next to mine and Ashley also bought a house, So the three of us are neighbors.
' Mom! I can be your househusband, When I grow up I will marry you.' Arian says.
Isn't my child so sweet?
' That's very sweet Arian but you can't marry me. You need to get me a daughter-in-law.' I reply.
' I have to marry you. If not with your I.Q, you will definitely be scammed.' Arian says.
Okay, maybe he isn't so sweet afterall.
' You little... How can you say that to me. I'm not talking to you anymore.' I pouted and folded my arms.
Arian sighed and said to me,
'My darling mummy, don't be upset with me. You know your baby can't stand seeing you unhappy. If you smile for me, I will give you two hours extra TV time.'
' Promise?' I ask.
' Promise.' Arian replies.
' And Arianna is meant to be the adult? She got bribed with two hours extra TV time.' Raymond says.
' Shut up and mind your business.' I reply.
Everyone laughs.
'If you all are done with your squabble, we still need to go to Parkville to shoot the advertisement.' Ashley reminds.
We all enter the rented bus and go to the airport.
************
' Boss you received an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of this new company.' Ken's assistant, Leo says.
' Not going.' Ken replies.
' Boss, the new company already built several branches and it will be beneficial for us to be on good terms with them.' Leo says.
' Okay. When is the event?' Ken asks.
' Next week.' Leo replies.
Just then they hear loud noises and arguments coming from outside.
' Find out what's going on.' Ken says and Leo leaves.
Ken had waited for an apology from Arianna for five years till he gave up. Now he despised that shameless woman especially as he saw she was very happy. If she could be happy, why couldn't he?
The door burst open and a woman barges him.
' Brother Ken! You should fire that secretary. She didn't let me see you, she said you didn't want to see anyone.' The woman went on and on in a shrill voice that sounded like scratching nail on a chalkboard.
' What brings you here Miss Thompson?' Ken says visibly annoyed.
The woman was no other.. wait.. none other than Sage. Sage Thompson, only child of the Thompsons.
' Brother Ken, I wanted to ask you if you would be my partner to an opening ceremony next week.' Sage says.
Ken was on his last thread with this woman. She was their business partner's daughter and that was why he was tolerating her.
K & Sons Ltd wasn't just an event planning company but also in entrepôt and the Thompsons were their major investor so he was tolerating Sage.
' I am not going.' Ken replies.
' Brother Ken! You have to come as well.' Sage says.
' I am not going. Excuse me I need to get back to work. Leo escort Miss Thompson out.' Ken says.
Ken had to go to Parkville for something important so he finished his work and went to the airport.
***************
They were shooting the advert in our house in Parkville. It was simple and they were manipulating Skyler.
Skyler is a celebrity and his presence in our ad will make it popular.
In the advert,
Sky is stressed out about the preparation for his girlfriend's birthday and Riona, his friend's wife sees him fretting.
They enter a discussion.
' Oh my Sky! You are here. How's the preparation for the party coming along?' Riona asks.
' Not good. I still don't which caterer to hire, the event planners keep postponing and the dresses do not suit her her taste. I have been running from one company to another. How about your anniversary? Are you still throwing a surprise party for Raymond?' Skyler says.
Riona suppresses her reservation and says,
' I completely forgot! Our anniversary is in three days. I need to call ARADEC.' Riona replies.
' What is ARADEC?' Skyler asks.
' ARADEC is a company that deals in catering, event planning and even design. So if you are planning a ceremony, don't stress just go to their website at aradec.net.com and book an appointment. If you go to the company, you can get Caterers, event planners and even buy your dresses all in one place. If it's too much to carry, they also do delivery.' Riona replies.
' But the party is not in Chicago.' Skyler says.
' Don't worry. If your ceremony is in New York, California, Florida, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Vegas and even Chicago, they will come because they have branches there. If you will excuse me, I need to go and plan my anniversary party. My regards to your girlfriend.' Riona says.
' I am going to plan my party too.' Skyler says.
' Cut!!' The director says.
' That was very good.' The director says.
' When can we get the video.' Arianna asks.
' We'll do some editing and give it to you by morning.' The director replies.
' Let's go watch movies. We deserve a treat.' Raymond says.
The others agreed.
' Sorry guys, I am going to the park.' Arianna says.
' Mom! Can I come too?' Arian asks.
' Sure.' Arianna says.
' Sister M, do you want to come as well.' Arian ask Mira.
' What are you doing Arian? Don't take Mira away from me.' Arthur says.
' Don't mind them. Mummy let's go!' Arian says.
The both of them enters Arianna's car.
' Why are we going to be park?' Arian ask.
' Because the owner encountered some financial issues and I am afraid he might sell the park.' Arianna replies.
' So what are we doing there?' Arian ask
' We are going to give the kind man a financial boost so he won't sell the park. I have a lot of memories attached to that park and I am not sure the new owner will maintain it like the old one did.' Arianna explains.
They arrive at the park.
Arian looks at the Ferris wheel and feels like he has seen it somewhere before. Yes! Wasn't this Ferris wheel the background of the picture of that man and his mom?
He was hiding under Arianna's bed when he saw the locked box, he knew how to pick a lock so he opened it and saw the picture that Arianna hid.
Unfortunately, Arian was under the impression that Ken was the scumbag father that left his mother. This was because of the uncanny resemblance between Ken and Arian. He didn't bother to check on the man as he didn't care about anyone who couldn't care for his mother.
It seemed like his mother still had affection for his scumbag father. He was here, he would make sure that man never cross paths with his mother.
*************
Destiny has a funny way of playing games with someone.
Ken also heard that the owner of the park was planning to sell it. Whether he hated Arianna or not, that Park held good memories and he wanted to buy it.
He spoke with the owner who told him to give him time to think about it.
' Ken my son, are you still in touch with little Ari? I haven't seen the two of you here in while.' The man in his early sixties says.
Those days, Arianna would drag him here every new month for the carnival.
' We are no longer in touch.' Ken says and walks away..
The old man was shocked. He had even thought that they would get married. They came here every month for 6 years.
Meanwhile,
' Mommy! I want icecream!' Arian says.
Arianna looked away. She knew that if she stared into that eyes, her resolve would weaken.
' No icecream. You had icecream this morning. Two cones as a matter of fact.' Arianna replies.
' Mommy please. Look at your darling son.' Arian says
' Noo! You are already too fat.' Arianna replies hitting his soft spot.
Arian frowned. He knew he had a bit of baby fat but he was not fat.
' Don't body shame me.' Arian replies.
' It's the bitter truth. If you are fat, you are fat.' Arianna says.
' Arianna Olivia Havana!! Come here.' Arian says and starts pursuing Arianna.
Arianna runs to the back where the owner's house was.
She's running when she bumps into someone's chest she wraps her arms around the person's waist and pulled herself forward so she wouldn't fall.
She inhaled a familiar scent. Was it..? Could it be?
Ken's heart stopped beating. He could identify that vanilla milky scent anywhere.
Arianna looked up and her heart began beating fast.
Those eyes, that face.
He had grown taller, about 6.4ft, she remembered his rock hard chest and his perfectly sculpted face.
Ken was staring at Arianna.
Her hair had grown longer and her face more beautiful. She still had her milky white skin and also had fat in all the right places. He started reminiscing their past and soon he remembered the bad memories.
He regained his composure and said, ' 11 years ago you threw your self in my arms, 5 years ago you did the same thing and now you are doing it again. Why so desperate Arianna?'
All the happiness Arianna felt instantly vanished.
' Mom!' Arian calls out panting. His eyes land on Ken and he is shocked. How did this scumbag meet his mom?
' Mom who is this?' Arian asks.
' Just some random stranger. We shouldn't talk to strangers let's go.' Arianna says holding Arian's hand.
She brushed past him and leaves.
Ken clenched his fists. How could he forget she was somebody's mother and perhaps someone's partner.
He calls Leo.
' Book a flight to Chicago immediately.' He says. He was planning to stay in a hotel but now he changed his mind.