670 Is That Your Excuse
Music Recommendation: Grace:- Lewis Capaldi
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She does need her mother, Arianna realized that she had been fooling herself all this while. Itâs just that she had been alone all this while it felt like she was good on her own. But the truth is that she wasnât. It was nice to know that she had a family member, one that would look out for her; a mother that loves her.
But then, it was complicated at the same time because this mother of hers was a threat to her happiness. She didnât want her to be with Marcel and that alone was a hindrance. Arianna did nothing but lean on the womanâs shoulder as she ran her hand soothingly through her hair. It felt so nice and she didnât want the moment to be ruined just yet.
Natalie began to hum that tune her father used to sing for her when she was little bringing tears to her eyes. Fine, she was wrong. She missed her mother greatly! She wanted to know what it felt like to have one! The both of them didnât meet in the best of circumstances but there were still chances to make things right.
She wanted her in her life.
Sure, she was mad at her mother, but if thereâs someone to be mad at, it should be Daniel for ruining her life. If not for his selfish cruelty, Arianna knew that she would have grown up with both of her parents, and perhaps, who knows, her father wouldnât have succumbed to his illness and he would be alive by now.
Thinking about it now, Arianna might be able to understand her motherâs fear a bit. After what she experienced at the hands of Daniel, it wasnât surprising that her mother didnât expect much from Danielâs son and wanted to keep her away from him. But no one knew Marcel as much as she knew him. Marcel was not like his father and would never be him.
Although he liked to put on a mask so people couldnât see through him, unlike Daniel, Marcel had empathy and that was his greatest strength and the reason that she fell for him. People say you donât know what you have until you lose it, Arianna has been able to review all that Marcelâs done for her now theyâre away from each other.
.....
Honestly, she was too stubborn and not an easy person to love, but Marcel treated her with patience and loving-kindness. Even when he was supposed to offer her up for dutyâs sake, he didnât and instead made sure that she was protected from those that wanted her for their selfish interest. What did Marcel get in return? Nothing. She was difficult and messed things up for him.
She fucked up!
Arianna finally realized the level of damage she had done.
She was lost in her train of thought when Ericâs phone rang, however, Arianna didnât give it much thought and only leaned into her motherâs warm embrace. She needed a shoulder to lean on in this vulnerable time and her mother provided the comfort she needed.
It wasnât until Arianna heard Eric say,
âYou must be Marcel.â her interest was piqued and her ears perked up at once.
She pulled apart from her mother who looked confused as to the sudden change in her attitude as Arianna slowly got up to her feet. Her gaze was glued to Eric with a hopeful look in her eyes.
What was going on? Why was he speaking to Marcel? Did he have a sudden change of heart? Did he pity her because of her breakdown? Arianna didnât exactly hold Eric in high regard, but she could work on that if helped her.
âI didnât. It was Arianna,â
He said and Arianna turned to see her motherâs lips pressed in a thin line. She figured it out and didnât like what was going on. Ariannaâs heart began to pound in her heart, hoping that Eric would give her a chance to speak to Marcel before she decided that it was a bad idea.
âI think you should ask her that yourself,â Eric said, meeting her gaze and her heart soared. This was it! He was giving her a chance to speak with Marcel! Yes! The lord finally answered her prayer!n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
However, before Eric could hand the phone to her, her mother stood in the way, âSheâs not speaking to that boy! You of all people should know that!â
âMom!â Arianna shouted out and silence descended. That was when Arianna realized what she did or rather called her.
Eric and Natalie looked at her with surprised expressions and Arianna couldnât say a thing either because she too was stunned â she didnât know when the title left her mouth.
Natalieâs mouth was hung open, her eyes slowly tearing up as if Arianna had done her a huge favor â even though her cheeks were on fire right now. But then if calling her âmomâ would let her speak with Marcel, she would do it over again.
Natalie was too emotional that she didnât protest when Eric handed the phone over to her and Arianna accepted it immediately else she changes at the last minute, putting a little space between them as she breathed,
âHello, Marcel,â
Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest, her hands clammy with anticipation as she waited for Marcel to say a word. Although it was less than a day since she was taken, Arianna missed his voice. He was usually the first thing she woke up to, but not anymore.
âWhat do you want?â That crisp cold voice shattered every illusion that Arianna had about this moment. She immediately broke out in cold sweat. What had she been thinking? That Marcel would welcome her with open arms after what she had done.
She said to him, âI know that youâre mad at me â
âMad? I think thatâs an understatement, donât you think so?â He cut her with sarcastic laughter that made beads of sweat form on her face.
Arianna knew that Marcel had a mean streak but this was the first time that she was receiving it at maximum capacity and it made her uncomfortable.
âIâm sorry, Marcel. I should have told you the truth, but I was scared. Moreover, when I finally made up my mind to tell you, there was no time and you were too busy to hear it until it became this late.â She tried to apologize to him but Marcelâs answer left her dumbfounded.
âIs that your excuse?â
And her throat went dry like sandpaper.