402: TUMULTUOUS REUNION
ARIEL’S POV
After finishing the last bite of my meal, I reached for my purse, intending to pay for the food and leave the restaurant. However, a nearby table’s commotion caught my attention as I stood up.
A heated argument was taking place between two women, both of whom appeared quite angry. Their voices rose in volume, and soon their insults filled the air. I paused by the door, watching as the situation escalated.
“You think you’re so special with your designer handbag and fancy clothes, huh?” One of the women shouted, her face contorted with rage.
The other woman scoffed, tossing her hair back. “At least I don’t dress like a cheap knockoff Barbie doll!”
Their words were like daggers, cutting through the tense atmosphere of the restaurant. I could feel the tension building, and I knew I had to intervene before things got out of hand. Since everyone was just watching the scene, it was like some goddamn movie.
Stepping forward, I positioned myself between the two women, hoping to diffuse the situation. “Hey, ladies, let’s calm down and talk this out, okay?”
But they seemed oblivious to my presence; their focus was solely on each other. I watched in dismay as they both reached for bottles on the table, brandishing them like weapons.
“Enough!” I blurted out, my voice firm with authority. “Put those down right now!”
For a moment, it seemed like they might listen to reason, but then one of the women swung her bottle at the other, narrowly missing her head. Before I could react, the other woman retaliated, and chaos ensued.
I moved quickly, trying to separate them, but in the heat of the moment, one of them accidentally struck me on the head with her bottle. Pain exploded behind my eyes, staggered backward, feeling blood trickling down my forehead.
and I
Security arrived just in time, dragging the women apart and escorting them out of the restaurant. I leaned against the wall, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
The manager approached me, his expression filled with concern. “Oh, miss, so sorry. Are you alright? We should get you to a hospital.‘
I shook my head, trying to steady my breathing. “No, it’s fine. I’ll be okay.”
402: TUMULTUOUS REUNION
2/4
But before I could protest further, a nurse appeared at my side, her face kind and gentle. ” Let me take a look at that wound, dear.”
She cleaned the gash on my forehead with a gentle touch, applying ice to reduce the swelling. I winced as she worked, grateful for her expertise.
Once she was done, the manager apologized profusely for what had happened: “I’m really sorry for the actions of those women. I never expected such a thing to happen around here.
I waved away his concerns, trying to assure him that it wasn’t his fault. “It’s okay. Don’t worry, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You’re feeling better, right?” The nurse asked me.
“Yes, I’m okay, thank you,” I told her, almost in a whisper.
She nodded, and then she placed a hand on my shoulder. “You should get some rest. So for now, just sit down in this restaurant and don’t move. You’re going to have to wait for some minutes. Okay, dear?”
“Okay, thank you,” I thanked her, closing my eyes for a few seconds before opening them
back.
She fixed her gaze on the manager, not giving him a friendly look. “And you! You bet, make sure this shit doesn’t happen again.”
“You don’t have to yell at him. It’s not his fault.” I tried defending him in an inaudible tone.
“Yeah, I know. But still, this is his building; he gets the praise, and he gets the criticism as well.” She turned back to him and said, “Listen here, mister. Everything should be done in order. You should be grateful that I’m not this lady right here. Because if I were the one to whom this sh*t happened, I ain’t going to take it likely with you!”
The manager gazed at the nurse for a moment before he responded, “Well then, I’m glad this didn’t happen to you.” He adjusted his tie. “Now, if you excuse me, I have some things
to take care of.”
After that, he turned to me and patted my shoulder. “Take care of yourself.”
I nodded, and after that, he walked away.
The nurse set her eyes on me. “You’re going to be alright, okay?
“Yeah,” I uttered softly, nodding once again. She walked away. I noticed that some people in the restaurant were staring at me..
After several minutes, I stood up and left the building. I was tired of sitting down, and I was
402: TUMULTUOUS REUNION
3/4
glad those women didn’t smack my brain out. Violence was never the answer.
Well, not in all cases. Concerning the Harriet situation, violence should be the only thing that goes through your mind. That idiot deserved all the most terrible things in the world.
I could only wonder where she was now. She is probably hiding somewhere, ready to carry out her evil schemes.
I entered my car and started the engine, and my thoughts immediately drifted to Luke. I couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at me, wondering if he was okay and if he was free from all the strain and stress from thinking. And this kept on moving in my head as I navigated through the bustling streets.
However, the traffic jam ahead quickly overshadowed my concerns.
“Fuck!” I blurted out, frustration bubbling within me as I sat behind the wheel, the minutes ticking by with agonizing slowness. The honking of horns and the distant sound of sirens added to the cacophony of the city.
As I waited impatiently, the voices of two people arguing nearby caught my attention. I glanced around, my gaze landing on the car next to mine. And to my astonishment, I saw her -yes, her. I couldn’t believe this.
It was Tessa, my long–lost friend who had vanished to England years ago, leaving me
behind when I needed her the most.
“Tessa!” I exclaimed, my voice barely audible over the din of traffic.
She turned towards me, her eyes widening in surprise as they met mine. For a moment, we simply stared at each other, the weight of years of separation hanging between us like an unspoken barrier.
Then, with a mixture of disbelief and relief, Tessa rolled down her window. “Ariel? “Is that really you?” She called out, her voice tinged with incredulity.
I nodded vigorously, a rush of emotions flooding through me at the sight of her. “Yes, it’s me! Oh my God, Tessa, where have you been all this time?”
Her expression softened, her features reflecting the regret in my own.
“I… I had to leave, Ariel. I couldn’t stay here, not after what happened with you and that man.
She was talking about Luke.
My heart ached at the mention of that, the memories of that tumultuous time threatening to overwhelm me.
402: TUMULTUOUS REUNION
4/4
“I understand, Tessa,” I said softly, my voice filled with sadness. “But you left without a word, without saying goodbye. You left me alone.”
Tessa’s gaze faltered, guilt flickering across her face. “I know, Ariel. And I’m sorry; I truly am. I should have been there for you, especially when you needed me the most.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to contain the surge of emotions threatening to consume me. “It’s okay, Tessa,” I whispered, forcing a small smile. “We can talk about it later. Right now, I’m just glad to see you.”
She returned my smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, “Me too, Ariel.“Me too.”
“Can you guys get going already? The traffic’s gone!” A man shrieked from behind while Tessa and I were just staring at each other, still submerged in… everything.
