Chapter 152: A day with Susan

Arianna arrived at the cemetery. She saw her Dad. She alighted and walked towards him “dad” she said, beaming with smile. She’s happy, they both can be left alone by themselves.

“Arianna,” Adrian Delmark said, standing up and pulling Arianna into a hug. He hugged her and kissed her hair before asking her to sit on the tomb, next to him.

“How’s my mom?” Arianna asked and Adrian smiled. She asked as if Susan was a living being, sitting by him all day.

“Susan is fine I know. I’ve been with her since morning and I feel she’s around me. I feel her presence and my pained heart seemed to get relieved.

“She probably might be happy to have you around her. You’re the only man she loved” Arianna said, glancing at the tomb, and running her hand over the white granite.

“Probably” Adrian said and glanced at Arianna with a smile. Susan was an amazing woman to have had his daughter then.

Back then she wanted a part of him in her. He gave in and made love to her and she preserved the fruit of that singular act.

But today, he is happy, to have a part of her with him. He could feel her flesh and blood in his daughter and he appreciate her for that.

“What happened father, why did you leave your family and come to spend time with my Mom?” Arianna asked, placing her head on his shoulder.

The excitement that flooded her heart when he said he’s with her Mom cannot be described. He left everyone else and came to be with her. It’s so sweet.

“Don’t say my family, Arianna. Because you are a part of them. I left Jane and Richard to be alone here. Richard insulted me and I expected Jane to go even with him but she didn’t.

So I lashed at her and she did the same. Then I left home. Somehow I’m glad because I missed Susan a lot and I’m glad to spend time with her” Adrian declared.

“Whatever they both have done, please forgive them, okay” Arianna pleaded and Adrian chuckled aloud.

“Can we forget about everyone else and talk as father and daughter?” Adrian Delmark asked and Arianna said yes, raising her head off her father’s shoulders and sat upright.

Adrian was unhappy that she raised her head. He wanted her to remain that way, feeling that closeness with his daughter. He missed her growing up.

He held her hand and took it to his lips planting a featherlight kiss on it. He didn’t let her hand go again, but still held it.

“Abby Santiago, do you remember him?” Adrian asked, turning to glance at Arianna. The latter nodded and said “yes, your co runner for the position of a prime minister”

“Good girl” Adrian said and then continued “he is your uncle. He is Susan’s brother and my friend. I met Susan through him but we feel apart when he realised that I left his sister.

I wanted to introduce you to him after the contest that day but got caught up with the happiness and excitement of the time. If you don’t mind, I’ll take you to see him and your grandma one of these days” Adrian suggested.

Arianna was dazed. She has such family? She really was related to him? When she heard his name was Abby Santiago, she wished he was her mother Susan Santiago’s brother.

So then, it turned out so? She would gladly go to see them Her grandma was still alive? She really was still breathing while her daughter was dead? Hmmm, there’s no seniority in death.

“Sure, when you are free, I would appreciate it if you take me there” Arianna said.

“I feel Susan’s presence more. Can’t you feel her? She’s obviously here. She appears to be closer now that you are here than before” Adrian stuttered, looking around as if he would see her.

“I can’t dad. I wish I can. I really want to” Arianna said, holding her dad tightly but felt scary.

“You are feeling scared, Arianna. You won’t feel her. She wouldn’t want to make you scared or uncomfortable. But since I am not scared, she let me feel her presence.

Susan is one sweet woman back then. We kissed first in Abby’s room. She’s so beautiful and innocent. We were together for a few months before she introduced her friend to me.

The first day I saw Jane, I fell in love immediately. At that moment, I felt Susan and I were not meant to be together. The feeling was different, the emotions were different, the connection and the immediate bonding.

I realised what I felt for Susan was mere friendship, good friendship bond. That’s how we drifted, or better still, I drifted away from her to Jane.

I’m sorry Arianna, but even today, that feeling of bonding and love for Jane seems to get stronger. I keep falling in love with her every single day.

If I still went ahead to be with Susan, we would never have been happy. Three lives would have been tangled together in an unhappy union.

Me, Susan and Jane. But besides that, Susan was a great friend. She had a beautiful heart and a warm embrace for everyone, just like you.

I see my traits in you but I see more of Susan. Besides your facial looks, you took after her in every other physical attributes…” Adrian Delmark said a few more things to her.

It was getting dark and he said “let’s go. We need to leave here now” Adrian said and let Arianna’s hand go.

He turned and said “Thank you today buddy. I really had a nice time with you. I hope to see you soon again. And you can visit me too, in my dreams” Adrian said and blew kisses to her.

“Say something to your mom, honey” Adrian Delmark urged Arianna. The latter smile and said “Goodnight mommy. I love you very much”

Like her dad, Arianna blew kisses and turned around to go. Adrian suddenly paused, turned back and saw a fading shadow.

He didn’t say anything to Arianna. She’d probably feel scared. He perceived it to be Susan, the impression in his heart was strong, it’s Susan. She wanted him to see her.

He turned around and started going towards the car. His hands on Arianna’s shoulders. He waited for her to get into her car before sliding into his.

He let her go first before getting into his own car and go. He wished Susan would just appear to him then. But she didn’t, she’d gone too.

When Arianna arrived home, Jace was already home….