' I got food for little Chloe. Come on eat up. You need to grow big and strong.' Arianna says.
She brings out the dishes.
Honey baked chicken, Chicken noodle soup, Conn salad, green Chile stew, steak with gravy sauce and pasta.
' These look so good. They smell even better. Mommy you haven't eaten, eat with me.' Chloe says.
' I will leave you two alone.' Arianna says as she leaves the room.
She sends a text to Ashley and explains that she might be late.
Havana house, Parkville.
They were all watching a movie except Arthur and Mira.
Mira was reading a book while Arthur rested his head on her lap while playing games.
Riona's phone interrupts the movie.
' Don't watch without me.' Riona says as she drops her apple juice. She looks at her phone and sighed.
' Ashley it's the doctors. I will be back.' Riona says and goes to her room.
She answers the phone.
' Yes, tell me.' Riona says in a bored tone.
' Is that how you speak to your father? Where's your respect?' Mr Smith replies angrily.
' Don't beat around the bush. Why did you call?' Riona says.
' Why didn't you tell us you returned to Parkville? We had to hear about your return from the neighbors. They saw you earlier today.' Mr Smith replies.
' I am returning in two days, what's there to talk about?' Riona says, impatience brewing in her chest.
' Come to the house tomorrow. We have guests.' Mr Smith says.
' You could have said so five minutes ago. Just wasted my precious time.' Riona says and hangs up.
She goes to the living room.
' What do they want?' Ashley asks.
' I think it's another blind date.' Riona replies.
Ever since her 20th birthday, her parents had been setting her with colleagues sons or the son of some big shot in the medical world. As if she didn't have enough doctors in her life.
' I think it's becoming too much.' Skyler says. At least twice every month, Riona gets called for a blind date.
' I know I have to find a way to stop this.' Arthur says.
They all turn to him.
' If Riona has someone in her life, she wouldn't need to give face to others. In simple terms, Riona should get a boyfriend.' Arthur says.
' Bro you're a genius.' Skyler says.
' Now hold on, where am I going to get a boyfriend in less than 24 hours?' Riona ask.
' How could you insult me? I'm right here.' Raymond says with frustration. Why wouldn't Riona let things go according to his plans? This girl was ruining everything.
' That's right. Raymond can be my temporary boyfriend.' Riona says.
' Temporary? Why can't I be permanent?' Raymond asks with a dark face.
' If you aren't willing to play along that's fine. I can ask someone else to do it. Arthur or Skyler can do it.' Riona says.
' What?' Arthur and Skyler chorus.
' Fine.' Raymond replies..
Riona goes to her room and Ashley follows her.
' Riona you should try to give Raymond a chance. The guy has been by your side for five years. And there's nothing wrong with him.' Ashley says.
' Exactly the point. He saw me for the first time in his life and he suddenly proclaimed he was in love with me. What do I know about Raymond James? I know a few of his habits but do I know his family his past and most importantly the reason for his love. I made a mistake once Ashley, I won't repeat it ever again.' Riona replies.
' I know you can't forget the incident but don't close your heart. True love is waiting for you, you just have to be open hearted to feel it.' Ashley says.
' I will quote Arianna. She said something I will never forget. I don't doubt the existence of true love but love is a gamble and I am not willing to take a risk.' Riona replies.
Arianna had said this when she was asked her romantic opinion of Fred.
' I just want what's best for you.' Ashley says.
' I know Ash. But you don't have to worry about me. Let's go check on Arian and then continue our movie.' Riona says.
*********
After Sasha and Chloe finish up, Arianna offers to drop them off. They drive to the desolate and worn down part of Parkville.
Arianna sighed internally. She would never have imagined that the prom queen runner up and the princess of the class would live in such a state.
' We are here.' Sasha says.
Outside the house two women were standing , a middle-aged woman and another who looked in her early thirties. Some people were peeping from their windows.
On getting closer she could hear what they where saying.
' She can't stay here anymore. She's owing me three months rent. Her daughter's illness is just a charade. She must leave tonight.' The older woman says
' Landlady, her daughter is really sick please give her some time.' The younger one pleaded.
' Landlady, what's wrong?' Sasha asks holding little Chloe's hand.
' You have the guts to ask me that? You owe me 300 dollars.' The landlady says.
' Give me some time, I will work out something.' Sasha says pleadingly. She felt ashamed at the judging stares the other neighbors were giving from their windows.
' Keep quiet. Immoral women like you taint our society. You think divorce is the answer to everything. Do you really think you can raise a child as a single mother?' The landlady retort.
' Sasha, take Chloe to my car.' Arianna says.
Sasha takes Chloe away and returns so
' What's your name?' Arianna asks the landlady.
' Mariam Benedict.' The Landlady replies.
' Ok. See you in court. I will sue you for mental trauma and slander.' Arianna says.
' Wh.. What do you mean by that?' Mariam says fear evident in her face.
She saw the expensive car this lady brought and her clothes looked expensive and she had a very majestic aura.
' She owes me rent.' Mariam says justifying her self.
' Account details,' Arianna ask.
Mariam quickly gives Arianna the account details.
' I have given you 400 dollars. The extra is for whatever damages may have incurred during her stay here. What is your name?' Arianna says as she turns to the younger woman.
' My..My name is Gretta Arnold.' Gretta says.
' Nice to meet you. My name is Arianna Havana, can you give me your account details?' Arianna asks.
Gretta gives Arianna the account details.
' Ah!' Gretta screams in shock. She had received 100,000 dollars.
' What's with you woman?' Mariam says.
' 100000 dollars! Miss you gave me 100000 dollars.' Gretta exclaims.
' Thank you for helping me take care of Sasha. You should leave this toxic place.' Arianna says.
The neighbors start coming out.
' Miss you are very pretty.'
' Are you taking Sasha away? We'll miss her.'
' Yes Sasha was like a sister to us.'
' We'll miss little Chlo-Chlo.'
Sasha's lips twitched. These were the same neighbors who cursed and abused for being shallow and promiscuous.
' And you what did you say? A single mother can't raise a child? Wrong! I'm a single mother, am alive aren't I? my child's father left five years ago and I am still kicking.' Arianna says. Okay she didn't know the father but still the guy did leave 5 years ago.
Unknowingly, she planted a theory in Sasha's head.
Ken also left five years ago, so Ken was the father.
' Sasha pick up your important things. You won't stay here anymore.' Arianna says.
' Thank you very much Miss. Sasha has been struggling alone for a long time. It's good to know she has someone.' Gretta says.
Arianna smiles. Sasha comes out and They both leave.
The neighbors crowd Gretta who ignores them and goes to her room. She couldn't wait to tell her husband the good news. Now they wouldn't have to worry about their daughter's school fees.
In the car,
' Thank you so much Ari.' Sasha says her eyes glistening.
' What are friends for?' Arianna replies.
Arianna's phone rings.
' Speak.' Arianna says.
' Lady Boss there's an emergency.' Thunder says.
' I will be there in an hour.' Arianna replies and hangs up.
' Sasha, the two of you will stay at a hotel for a while till we figure out what to do next.' Arianna says.
' Thank you Ari.' Sasha says.
Arianna drops them off at one of her dad's hotels. She gives Sasha a card.
' I will come see you some time tomorrow evening. Don't be frugal with the card. At least think about little Chloe.' Arianna says.
Sasha nods her head. Arianna enters the car and zooms with maximum speed. She ran 5 red lights till she arrived at the mountain in the forest.
She sends Ashley a message telling her she would be back in three hours.
She takes out her hairpin and presses the button.
She walks stealthily to the house and she hears.... laughters?
She enters and sees the four guys seated drinking and laughing except for Brainstorm who had his usual expressionless face.
' So what was your emergency?' Arianna asks with furrowed brows.
' Ah, Lady Boss. It was all D.D's idea.' Thunder says immediately shifting blame.
' Lady Boss, I missed you sooooooooooooooo much. It has been two years since you last had a drink with us.' D.D says.
' Lady Boss please stay.' Bullet pleaded.
Arianna smiled. These were guys who were supposed to be 7 years older than her.
' Fine let's drink and have fun.' Arianna says. She had actually missed their wild energy.
D.D, Thunder and Bullet jumped around in happiness while Brainstorm sat quietly even though excitement could be seen in his eyes.
The group drank, played with guns, drank some more, played some board games while drinking.
Arianna went to her room in the house, freshened up and got ready to leave.
She hugged each of them goodbye while they lamented at how soon she was leaving.
' Lady Boss you must come back soon.' Thunder says.
' Yes. And bring us lots of gifts.' D.D adds.
' And find a way to introduce us to young master.' Bullet says.
' Take care Lady Boss.' Brainstorm says as he dotingly pats her head. Brainstorm could never forget the night they had met their Lady Boss. He was amused at the fact that she got slashed with a knife but she was still arrogant and demanding not scared.
He remembered how she scolded them when she woke up.
She kept worrying what she would tell her sister neglecting the fact that she commited murder and got hurt.
He could also remember her angry face when she discovered the knife wouldn't didn't completely heal but left a scar.
He still couldn't understand her method of thinking.
' You all must come to the opening ceremony of my company next week. Then we can go out at night and continue our drinking.' Arianna says.
She enters her car and when she gets home, she sees everyone watching a movie ( except Mira who had started on another book.)
Arian was seated facing the door and immediately he saw her, his face lit up.
' Mom!' He called out.
Arianna hugs him and kissed his forehead.
' Sorry mom is late.' Arianna says.
' Where have you been? It's 11 pm.' Riona says.
' Arian go to my room. I will be there with you soon.' Arianna says to Arian.
Arian gets the hint and goes to the room.
' What's wrong Ari?' Riona asks.
' I met Sasha.' Arianna replies.
' Who's Sasha?' Raymond asks.
' We attended her wedding five years ago.' Ashley replies.
' She is not doing well. Lucian cheated her and....' Arianna explains Sasha's ordeal.
' Lucian is a monster!' Riona exclaims.
' The guy is an animal.' Arthur says.
' Such things happen in real life?' Skyler says
Mira was silent but obviously shocked.
' I can't believe he did that to his own wife and child.' Ashley says.
' I'm speechless.' Raymond says.
' We'll go see her tomorrow. Not Arthur, Mira, Skyler and Raymond, she would feel uncomfortable.' Arianna says.
' We can't go very early. The doctors set up another blind date. I should have taken two apples instead of apple juice.' Riona says.
' Argh! Don't they give up.' Arianna replies.
' Don't worry, we came up with a plan.' Ashley says and explains the plan to Arianna.
Arianna freshened up and returned to the living room with Arian. The group settled and had midnight snacks while watching MSA.
Arianna turned and saw Mira still reading.
' Let me see what you are reading.' Arianna says.
' Noooooooo!' Ashley and Riona chorus.
' Is it a fantasy novel?' Ashley asks Mira.
' No. Sci-fi.' She replies
' No fun.' Arianna says as she slouched on the couch.
' Why are you guys so paranoid?' Skyler asks.
' When Arianna read her first fantasy novel, Married to the devil's son. It took her two months of Bible study and Sunday school before she was convinced that the devil is not a pitiful handsome creature longing for love.' Riona says.
' Are you kidding me?' Raymond asks and they all start laughing.
' Do you remember when she read Hellbound with you? Only after three months of running background checks on several royal families, it was then she was convinced that there wasn't a royal family that were secretly vampires.' Ashley says.
Arian laughed the loudest. This was something that his mother could do.
' Don't judge me! Haven't you seen books that makes you feel like you are present there? Besides I was young then. You all are bullying me!' Arianna says pouting.
' Sorry sorry. Our darling Arianna Olivia Havana, we wouldn't dare bully you.' Arthur says
They all laugh and talk till it is time to go to sleep.
There were only four rooms,
Arian and Arianna to her room. Ashley and Skyler to her room. Arthur and Mira to Arian's room and Raymond and Riona had to share her room.