Chapter 62: Chapter 62

ARIEL POV

Ryan pressed his lips against my forehead, my heart suddenly felt too full and tight. He locked eyes with me, as he gave out a groan.

"I will miss you.”He mused, his eyes with hidden emotion I could not easily decipher.

Ryan had to travel with his dad for the next three days, and to be honest, I felt a big part of me not willing to let him go. Slowly, I was becoming attached to him day by day.

"I will miss you too. Don't forget to get me some presents.”I let out a lopsided smile as he chuckled.

"I will never forget that.”He paused, as his stare left me for a few seconds.

He held my arms, as he looked in my eyes.

"Why am I feeling reluctant to go? Maybe I should just cancel the trip.”He rasped out.

My eyes squinted, not sure if I heard right.

"This is because of your dad, right?”His facial countenance changed immediately.

"What do you mean?”He didn't meet my eyes again as his grip on my arms slowly left.

“You are still angry with your dad, aren't you? I felt that tension the first time I met your family. What is wrong?”I inquired, as Ryan facepalmed.

"Ariel, you are too observant.”He coed at my ears, as I blushed.

He breathes out.

"It is a long story, which I will tell you when the time is right. For now, I have to catch my flight.”He briefly explained.

I knew there was more to it, but I wasn't going to bug him for now.

He intercepted me for a quick kiss before leaving the porch.

I waved at Mr. Walter, who seemed to have been looking at our romantic display.

Taking one last glance at Ryan, who just got into the passenger's seat, a thought came to my mind.

I took a few steps closer to the car. I leaned in through the open space, as the window was down a bit.

"As far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. Who knows? You might end up making peace with him. I love you.”

I saw his smile widened, as my heart hammered. It wasn't just his normal smile. It was a new one, filled with affection and probably happiness, maybe love.

I watched as Ryan left, and just like being hit, I felt alone.

Just me and my thoughts for the next three days.

I settled on the dining table, as I updated the few chapters I have written on Ryan's and I love story. I looked at the comments section and no doubt was filled with happiness.

Everyone's comments showed how people appreciated a love story. But one thing is certain. Love is not always a feeling.

It made me remember the few heated arguments we had, yet we still tolerated each other. The bad and the good times combined. Marriage and love are sweet when you are with the right person. The one who will be ready to put you first in his or her life.

The knock on the door interrupted my sudden thought, as I raced to the door.

Has Ryan changed his mind?

I opened the door, as I saw the least person I never expected. Her eyes with streams of tears, as her curly hair fell over her shoulder, a few strands stuck to her wet face.

She looked sad.

"Ariel, can I come in?”Her question brought me back to earth, as I nodded, opening the door wider for her to enter.

I closed the door behind, as I felt glued to the position I was in. She, on the other hand, found a comfortable spot on one of the cushions.

“Ryan isn't home. You must have….”

"I know. I came to see you, not him. I'm really mad at your husband.”She interrupted my statement, as I swallowed.

She was bold, angry, and sad.

"Apologies on behalf of my husband. He thought he was looking out for you, “I voiced out, as she hissed.

"I'm 27 Ariel. Do I look like a baby? The only person who really loved me had left. We intended to take our relationship further, but Ryan just ruined it.”Her voice kept getting on a higher note.

At that moment, I felt her pain. It was as if something were stuck to my heart. Maybe guilt coupled with concern.

I moved closer to her, and after much consideration, placed my hand on her shoulder.

She was still, her face still damp from the tears.

"Sorry about what happened. Ryan really loves you. He was and still is Nick's best friend. To him, he felt he hadn't left his player's way with ladies, and thought he might be playing around with you.”That seemed to do the trick, as she exhaled.

"I know right. We got into a relationship a few days before your marriage. He confessed about his former way of life, but wanted our relationship to work. He gave it his all, Ariel. I loved this man within months of our relationship. Now, everything had gone down the drain due to my overprotective brother. I lost Nick.”She wailed, as I pulled her closer to me.

I allowed her to shed those tears. Letting it out was going to be the best thing ever. I really felt my heart downcasted all of a sudden. Heartbreaks are probably the worst. It can make one crazy.

Yet, it still amazed me that she came to me. I could still remember the last time at the restaurant, her words to me. Why was she here?

I sighed.

All that didn't matter. I wasn't even angry with her in the first place. Putting myself in her shoes really prevented resentment from growing in my heart, towards her.

"Nick won't pick my calls. He would rather not see me. He avoids me. Furthermore, he hates me.” She hiccuped, raising her head off my body.

I cupped her face, staring at her.

"It is fine, Kathleen, just take it easy. Your boyfriend still loves you. Give him some time. Breathe.”I explained, as she bit her lips, trying to stop herself from crying.

She cleaned her face with the back of her palm. She breathed in and out as she regulated her airflow.

"Thank you, Ariel. Whenever Eva says you are the best, I never believed fully until now.”She paused, as she sneezed.

Oh! She had caught a cold.

And it was quite surprising to hear Kathleen feeling sorry for her actions.

"It's fine. Just don't overthink. Both of you can still make this relationship work.”I summoned more courage to encourage her.

She smiled weakly, holding my hands.

"I hope so. I have been single and gotten into different relationships, only to be left heart broken. I was the bad sheep. A snobby, bad fellow with pride. But Nick tolerated me. He slowly helped me to be a better person. He was the only one who understood me.”She rambled on, her grip on my hands suddenly firm, before releasing it slowly.

"I need your help, Ariel. Please help me, beg Nick. Just call him.”

My mouth dropped slightly at her words. I was stunned, appealed, and surprised. Yes, three words in one, or rather no perfect word to describe how flabbergasted I was.

I swallowed once, as I closed my eyes. I stood up to pick up my phone at the dining table. Likewise, I felt Kathleen's gaze following my every movement.

It was really difficult to say no to her. Not that I have said NO. I was speechless, and simply moved in action rather.

I settled beside her, locking eyes with her.

"Whatever the outcome of this, please be strong.” I announced, as she rubbed her face nervously.

I placed a call to Nick, my phone on loudspeaker.

"Sister in-law, how are you doing?”His voice rang over, as I glanced slightly at Kathleen.

Her face was suddenly turning crimson.

"I'm fine. How are you, too? And I am deeply sorry about Ryan's action. I almost broke his head that day.”

He chuckled.

"I am fine. It was just a misunderstanding.”I nodded, finding my next set of words difficult to spew out.

"Hmm. Kathleen and you? Is there any hope? Ryan promised to apologize.”I stated, closing my eyes momentarily.

"Ryan already did. He called me. As for Kathleen, I just want us to take a few weeks break. I really love her, just to let her go.”

I let out the breath I must have been holding. Clamping her palms against her lips, Kathleen's countenance changed instantly. That radiant glow suddenly appeared on her face.

"If you see Kathleen, tell her I still love her. And I will surely contact her. I just had one or two things to clear off before we get back on. I hope she understands."

"She will."I winked at Kathleen, who seemed to be all happy.

We exchanged our last few pleasantries, as he ended the call.

Kathleen's hand flung around me, as she nudged me closer.

"I thought I would go crazy. Thank you Ariel."I released under the embrace, glad she was finally happy.

"I will kill Nick so much, when he comes around. He will suffer for this. That idiot refused to pick my calls."I burst into laughter, at her words, as we released ourselves from the hug.

She cleared her throat, as she looked at me.

"I'm speechless. I'm sorry for disliking you all this while.No doubt,Ryan really married a good wife."

My smile widened and somehow I found it difficult to put into words my thoughts. It felt like a dream, but it was actually reality.

Kathleen and I are slowly becoming friends.

Today was really full of surprises.....