Chapter 14; An encounter

Arianna’s face twitched. She stared at Genesis for a while. She cannot reveal Jace Hudson’s identity as her son’s father. First, neither of them knew each other but after these few years, Jace Hudson found her as the woman he had a one night stand with.

Only she knows about Eli being Jace Hudson’s son. She’s not going to reveal that truth. She would hide it as long as she could.

“No” Arianna shook her head. Seeing that Genesis squinted, staring at her she added “I wish I did, I would have gone to him already and punched his face” Arianna frowned, her palm fisted.

“Don’t worry, one day you will meet him and when you do, take me along for a good punching” Genesis declared.

“Why should we even waste our time on a gigolo?” Arianna discouraged. “But you said you don’t know him. How did you know he’s a gigolo?” Genesis asked, holding Arianna into a hug.

“Who else will be at a club at night to meet the needs of women if not a gigolo” Arianna declared, holding Genesis and both women hugged each other.

Richard checked his phone, it will soon be lunch time. Arianna is avoiding him again, like she did in X-city. He would call her over for lunch.

Richard called and quickly Arianna answered. He asked her if they could have lunch together and she agreed. She told him she would come with her friend and Richard said that’s fine as well.

“I want you to come along with me to have lunch with a friend of mine”Arianna announced and Genesis said okay, she’d dedicated her day to Arianna.

As they drove to the direction of the address, Arianna asked “How about you and Analdo. Why aren’t you Married yet?” She glanced at her finger to confirm the fact that she’s still single.

Genesis pulled up by the roadside. She placed her head on the steering and tried to prevent herself from sobbing. She sniffled and suddenly raised her head and laughed awkwardly.

“Analdo is having his second baby in a few months. Does that answer your question, girlfriend?” Genesis replied, her eyes going reddened.

“I’m sorry, Gene. I didn’t mean to bring back old memories. I didn’t know he also was an asshole” Arianna replied.

They arrived at the restaurant and walked in. Richard sighted them and smiled standing up to welcome them.

Arianna was walking first and Genesis after her. The latter was attracted to the cute looking man. He wondered how Arianna was able to surround herself with cute guys.

Eli at home and now another cute looking man. She wished that she would find happiness again. She deserved to be happy.

“Arianna,” Richard said and hugged her. He felt so pleased to meet her again. She looked dazzling and sweet.

“Good to see you again, Richard,” Arianna said, smiling. Richard looked better than he was when she saw him last.

Richard nodded and looked past Arianna to the woman behind her and he got stuck gazing at her. His eyes lingered on Genesis and eventually he said “Hello”

Genesis smiled and said “Hello. They shook hands and next gestured to the women to take a seat. He sat opposite the two women and exchanged a few lines of pleasantries.

At every interval, Richard would glance at Genesis and a few times, their eyes met. The waiter came and took their orders.

“How is Eli? I saw him when at age two months” Richard chimed and Arianna replied “His doing well. I hope you guys meet soon. And maybe you will be his godfather after all”

“My honour, Arianna. You have no idea how happy I will be to have him as my godson” Richard replied.

“Sorry, my manners. This is doctor Richard, my good friend. I met him in X-city” Arianna introduced and glanced at Genesis. “This is Genesis, my best childhood friend” she said and glanced at Richard.

“Nice meeting you, Genesis” Richard said and the latter replied “my pleasure”

The Waiter soon brought their orders and they started eating. It wasn’t long, Genesis saw a man and a woman walk into the restaurant.

Ethan and Daisy had come to the restaurant as well. They didn’t see Genesis and Daisy when they walked over and sat down on the table next to the three friends.

Daisy was looking unhappy. Ethan wasn’t looking good as well. They sat down and the waiter came over to them. Arianna had seen them and Genesis as well.

Richard didn’t because he sat with his back to them. Genesis reached out to Arianna’s hand under the table and gave it a soft squeeze. She was giving her reassurance.

Arianna smiled and nodded, she was actually fidgeting and sweating already. After that day that she caught them in bed, she hadn’t seen them again.

The pain seemed to want to resurrect in her heart again. But needs to be strong for herself and for Eli.

“Are you alright, Arianna?” Richard asked. He was wondering why she suddenly smiled and nodded in between meals.

“Yeah…I’m…fine” Arianna stuttered. She was no longer composed. She looked at her meal and seemed to force food into it more than what she could chew, just so as to stop her from talking.

Richard squinted. He glanced at Genesis and the latter shrugged. He stopped eating and turned to look at his back. He saw a man and a woman sitting. Are they the reason why Arianna suddenly couldn’t keep still?

“Arianna, please calm down” Genesis whispered. She can’t lose face now. Four years have past, she should move on and forget about the rascal.

She nodded. “I have to be strong,” she told herself. But she was saying it and couldn’t do it. Her eyes became moist and she started sobbing.

“Arianna, will you just stop this?” Genesis said frowning. If the two betrayals and cheats see her, they will feel that she is still in love with Ethan.

Richard just held her hand in his. “If you don’t want to stay here anymore, we could go somewhere else”

Suddenly, Ethan perceived Arianna’s presence. He concentrated on his mind and tried to figure out if she’s truly there or he was just imagining.

‘She’s here’ he mumbled silently and looked around. He didn’t see her and felt the impulse that he should look back. He did and he locked eyes with Arianna!

He was dazed. He least expected to see her at the restaurant. In fact, he had forgotten that he has an ex by that name. His eyes fixed on her.

“Arianna!” He mumbled quietly.

Daisy heard her husband’s words and saw Arianna and Genesis. They sat with a man and had lunch with him. She stared at her friend, her bestie and a flood of guilt gushed through her conscience.

But she quickly dismissed the guilt and had a grin. She shrugged that condemnation aside as her stare became a little hostile.

Arianna saw them both and glanced sideways at Genesis. The latter was quiet, waiting for Ethan or Daisy to make a move and she would give them both a piece of her mind.

“Let’s leave please” Arianna said, her eyes apologetic and she fixed her gaze on Richard. She must have ruined his lunch and she owes him an apology for that.

“Okay. Let’s go somewhere else and have lunch” Richard declared. And stood up. He beckoned to the waiter and gave him his credit card.

But Ethan stood up and came over “Good to see you again, Arianna” he said, giving her a quick glance and his eyes, resting on her ring finger.

He saw she was not wearing a ring. So she’s not married yet, she hasn’t found a man to slip a ring through her fingers. Poor her, he went for the smart one.

The latter glared at him and said nothing. She wanted to talk. But if she did, she would sob. She can’t stand the face of this betrayer, this mistake of a fiance she’d once loved.

Genesis came to her aid and said “she doesn’t want to talk to you. So Ethan gets the hell out of her sight” she said trying her best to control her temperament.

“Let’s forget about the past, okay. I do hope you would have moved on with your life” Ethan said. His words sounded reasonable but his tone was a sarcastic one.

“What past, huh Ethan. The past where you betrayed your finance and fucked her bestie? Is that a past that should be forgotten? And the next day, you had a wedding with the slot that was supposed to be the chief bridesmaid of your wife. If you were in her shoes would you be able to forget it easily?” Genesis snapped at him rudely.

Everything made sense to Richard now. Ethan and his wife had been his patients for a while now. So he was supposed to be married to Arianna?

“Watch your words, little Genesis” Daisy declared and came over, standing before her speechless husband. Ethan seemed to be touched by Genesis’ words. She won’t let her win against her husband.

“Are you hurt that you are that shameless supposed Chief bridesmaid who opened her legs for her friend’s fiance and eventually became the bride?

The next time you use that word ‘little’ for me, I will ensure you lose a tooth. You filthy slot” Genesis seethed.

“Why are you taking medicine for someone else’s headache? What the hell is your business? You should get yourself a husband if you don’t want to be addressed as ‘little’ “Daisy tongue twisted the accusation.

“If there are fewer you and less Ethan, sweet innocent women like Arianna and I would have been happier. You even got pregnant for Ethan before getting married to him.

But four years have passed and I can’t see you carrying any baby. Your womb will never Carry a child Daisy, because Karma is right there, as a forever guest in your home…” Genesis mocked and laughed provocatively.

“You!!!” Daisy was filled with fury, raised her hand to hit Genesis and the latter intercepted it and threw her hand off violently and Daisy staggered until she was held by Ethan.

“Let’s go darling” Ethan declared and gave Genesis a disgusting stare. He wanted to pull Daisy away but she wouldn’t.

“You know what Arianna, you are a fool not to notice that Ethan and I were dating each other right under your nostril. You are also too naive to think being a virgin was enough to keep a man glued to you until the wedding night.

I was the smart type and I got him. Yes, I gave him my body and I gained his heart. I have always been the smart one. So I wish you nurse your wound forever, Arianna Jason” Daisy yelled at her.

A crowd had now gathered and some were whispering. They gave her a disgusting stare and Ethan knew she just ridiculed them both.

Arianna started sobbing loudly. She couldn’t hold back. Her emotions let loose and she started sobbing profusely. She was sniffling and sweating.