Ariana flashed a smile and began, âMelon is doing better, so I thought it was time to come back and kickstart my career here.
Iâve even started a company and been in talks about some collaborations.
â
âReally? Thatâs fantastic!â
You could practically see the excitement vibrating off Sarah.
She also managed to mix in a light complaint.
âYou used to swing by Eleymond and then vanish before we could even catch up.
Over the years, weâve spent more time apart than together.
Now that youâre here for work, itâll be so much easier for us to hang out.
â
Sarahâs excitement was impossible to miss as she looked at Ariana.
âSpeaking of which, whereâs Melon? He didnât come with you? Itâs been ages since I last saw him.
â
âHeâs not at the airport.
It was too packed, so I had Sonia take him to where weâre meeting up,â Ariana explained.
âOh, so Sonia was your partner in crime, keeping me out of the loop,â
Sarah said with a playful sigh.
âCome on, youâre Sarah, the beautiful and kind-hearted star.
You canât be that mad,â Ariana said, trying to lighten the mood.
Sarah shot back with mock anger, âWho says I canât be? Iâll shower Melon with so many ki*ses, he wonât know what hit him!â
âThat sounds like a threat.
Melon might just make a run for it,â
Ariana said, letting out a laugh.
Soon, the car pulled up to a high-end spot that was tucked away from prying eyes.
They headed up to a private room on the third floor.
Betsy was already there when they arrived.
Five years had done wonders for Betsy.
Gone was her youthful naivety, replaced by a sophisticated polish that befitted a competent manager.
There were also a young man and woman in the room, both known musicians from Sarahâs studio.
Betsyâs eyes sparkled as she saw Ariana.
âYouâre back! It feels like forever!â
After they exchanged some quick hellos, Betsy looked past Ariana and asked, âSo whereâs Melon? Didnât he come with you?â
Just then, Sonia burst into the room, her face etched with worry.
âHave any of you seen Melon? I stepped away to the restroom for just a second and heâs gone!â
âWhat? Melonâs missing?â Sarahâs voice reverberated with urgent concern.