Arianna smiled bitterly. Even after so many years, he still had his cheap mentality.
Arian noticed her mood wasn't good. That scumbag must have said something to her.
' Mom! Is that the kind uncle's house?' Arian asks.
Arianna looks at him and smiles.
' Is fatty getting tired?' Arianna teased.
' There you go again.You are breaking my heart.' Arian says pouting and hugs Arianna rubbing his hair on her leg.
' I am sorry, I won't tease you for today.' Arianna says ruffling Arian's hair.
' Good enough.' Arian replies.
' We are here. Uncle!!' Arianna calls out to a man in his early sixties seated on a bench outside a bungalow.
' Arianna. Come my dear. You got married? is this your son?' Tim asks all at once.
' No uncle, I'm not married but this is my son.' Arianna replies.
Tim looked at Arian who looked like a miniature version of Ken.
' Hello Uncle!' Arian says with a sweet smile.
' Come sit with uncle. I haven't seen you around in Parkville for a long time.' Tim says.
' I went to college in Chicago.' Arianna replies.
' What brings you here today?' Tim asks.
' I heard you wanted to sell the park.' Arianna replies.
' You also want to buy it?' Tim asks.
' No. I want to make you an offer.' Arianna replies.
' What kind of offer?' Tim asks with piqued interest.
' I want to invest 5 million in the park. I did my research and I know you want to sell the park because finances are running short. I don't want you to sell it because I don't trust the new owner will handle it as well as you did. So you can use the money to maintain the place and generate more profit.' Arianna says.
' That's wonderful. So how many percent of profit do you want?' Tim asks.
' Nothing. But I get free rides and snacks in the park.' Arianna replies.
' If that's the case, I won't sell it. Thank you Arianna.' Tim says.
' Here's the cheque, Arian and I will go and play now.' Arianna says as she hands him a cheque.
' See you Uncle.' Arian says as he follows Arianna.
' Now we will go on the rides and visit the snack stall and win plenty of toys.' Arianna says as stars could be seen in her eyes.
Arian shakes his head. It seemed like God sent him as a parent to this childish adult.
*****************
Three hours later,
' Mom I am so tired.' Arian complained even though he was on Arianna's back.
' It's good. You will burn down all your fat.' Arianna replies.
' Not again!' Arian says.
' Ouch!' Arianna exclaims.
Arian smiled, he had bit her ear ( gently though)
' You cheeky child.' Arianna says and smiles.
They enter the car and are driving back home when they see a crowd surrounding a woman holding a child outside a pharmacy.
' Wait here Arian.' Arianna says.
' I wasn't going to stand up even if you told me to.' Arian says as he opened a book to read.
Oliver had been teaching Arian and Mira cyber security ( hacking to be exact)
He had given them several books to read. Arian's curiosity made him love hacking. He loved looking at the complex codes and he also loved the fact that it would make him have information on anything he wanted. Information is knowledge and knowledge is power.
Arianna got down and heard the woman shouting,
' You are all animals. My daughter is very sick, give me the drugs I will pay for them later.'
Arianna looks at the woman and is shocked.
' S.. Sasha?' Arianna says.
Sasha looks up at Arianna.
' Arianna please help me. My daughter has fainted, they won't give her the drugs.' Sasha says pleading.
' Let's take her to the hospital. Come.' Arianna replies.
Sasha hurriedly entered the car with her daughter.
Arian sensing the tensed atmosphere muttered a greeting and sat quietly.
They arrive at the hospital and Sasha's daughter is taken to the I.C.U.
Arianna calls Raymond,
' Raymond can you please come pick up Arian. I'm at Good Health Hospital.' Arianna says.
' Ari, are you alright? Is anything wrong?' Raymond asks worriedly.
' Everything is fine. I will be home soon.' Arianna replies.
Some time later,
Arian is taken away and the doctor comes out and says,
' The child is fine but she is malnourished and it is weakening her immune system making her susceptible to common illnesses.'
' Thank you Doctor.' Arianna says.
Sasha breaks down and starts crying.
' Sasha, don't cry. What happened? Where's Lucian, Chad, your dad?' Arianna asks hugging Sasha.
' I don't have anyone except my daughter. They have all left me.' Sasha says sobbing.
' What do you mean? I'm confused.' Arianna replies.
' I thought I had everything. I thought my life was perfect but I was so wrong. During my delivery, the doctor told everyone that I was having a difficult labour and they could either save me or my child. My father had to sign a form stating he wouldn't hold the hospital responsible for the aftermath.
One week after my delivery, noone came to visit me.
Not Lucian, Not Chad Not even Dad. It was later I found out that Lucian had paid off the doctor and tricked my dad into signing a property transfer paper. He threw my family out of the house and they thought I plotted against them. Chad took Dad to Canada and Lucian.... Lucian.... Lucian threw divorce paper in my face and threatened me with my child's life. He said if I didn't sign it, he would hurt my Chloe. I had to give in to him. I couldn't even finish college. I do menial tasks, I live from hand to mouth, I owe almost everyone in Parkville. Sometimes I feel like committing suicide but my Chloe.' Sasha says and tears fall down her eyes.
Arianna was shocked! How could Lucian be so heartless? And to his own child?
' Nothing will happen. It's all in the past now. I am also a single Mom and I am still surviving. Don't give up, I am here now.' Arianna says stroking Sasha's hair.
' Thank you Arianna.' Sasha replies.
' Dry your face. Chloe won't be happy if she sees you sad. I will order something for her to eat.' Arianna says.
Thirty minutes later,
Arianna is returning to the ward with fresh clothes and food.
' Mommy the bed is very soft. Where are we?' She heard a little voice say.
Arianna enters.
' Am I interrupting?' Arianna says.
' Of course not. Come on in.' Sasha replies.
' Mommy, who is the pretty lady.' Chloe asks.
' You can call me Aunt Arianna. I am your mommy's friend.' Arianna says.
' That's very good. Now mom won't cry in the night again because she's no longer lonely.' Chloe says with a smile.
Sasha looks away embarrassed.
Arianna was deeply affected.
She couldn't believe Lucian. This taught her something.
No matter who breaks her heart, she would be strong for her family. She resolved to help Sasha, after all they were both friends and single Moms