ARIANNA MEETS DAMIEN KHURANA

I landed on soft cushion, scraping my hand and I saw everyone shaking their head tutting at me. Why did I do that?

I am born on Halloween so I strongly believe that I should have a hidden power. Maybe, I'm a vampire or witch. Something mythical. I try to find my superpower every year. Last year I hid from the sun the entire week till I was convinced I wasn't a vampire, the year before that I was a demon, before that was the ghost, the Seer, Zombie.

This year I tried to float on a broom like witches but that didn't turn out great either.

' Arianna Olivia Havana! When will you grow up. If we hadn't anticipated your stupidity and placed cushions around the house you could have broken a bone or two.' Ashley lectured me.

Just great! Just what I needed. Where's family support to encourage you to follow your dreams?

They all took turns scolding me and after a long earful I was finally allowed to go to bed after all I still have college tomorrow. I went to my room with a slice of cake and saw Arian sitting happily in his cot chewing his toy. Arian's already teething so he can eat normal food as long as it is soft enough for him to chew( with his invisible teeth. I mean I see him munching but his first tooth was yet to show itself).

I fed him the chocolate cake and he cooed. I fed him and then went to sleep.

**********

In the morning,

Ken was up and at the table going through some documents, he had a two-day conference that was important to broaden their company's growth.

Damien came down with a cup of coffee.

He and Ken nodded at each other. Father and son were not used to using their words, they had a mutual understanding.

Damien passed a file to Ken. Ken read the content and frowned. Apparently there was a mole in the company that was looking for a way to steal information and sell it to a rival company. The only thing missing was the name of the rival company. Ken would have tailed the spy but he had to go to the conference and now Damien would have to do this mission.

To the world Damien had retired, but he still supported Ken behind the scenes. Now he had to step in once again.

The plan was simple. The mole visited a grocery store near a close junction, Damien was to dress up as an old man and secretly tale the mole ( with back up at safe distances), They would catch the mole and interrogate him. What could go wrong?

********

I woke up and got myself and Arian ( or is it Arian and myself?). I had a simple breakfast and left the house in my car. ( Yeah I got my licence, I already knew how to drive at 16). I drove to college and got Arian's stroller and we entered the building.

' Hey Arianna! ' A voice called. I turned to see Raymond.

Raymond's my new friend, he's studying law. We met at the parking lot when he nearly crashed into Arian's stroller then he took us out for icecream and all was forgiven.( How'd you expect me to win an argument against a lawyer?).

' What's up Ray?' I asked. ' Happy Birthday and Happy Halloween.' Ray says as he hands me a box. I smiled and thanked him.

' How sweet. Raymond and the Single Mom.' A shrill voice says. It was Sage. I used to think that rivalries between girls took place in highschool but no my fate sent my rival to college.

She was also studying event planning and she made it her sole aim to always oppose him. ' What do you want now Sage?' I asked.

' I wanted to rub my victory in your face.' She replies.

' What Victory?' I asked. ' I got a pass to a huge conference in the world of event planning.' She replied proudly.

' So what? I don't care about stupid conferences.' I replied.

' This is hosted by event God, Ken Khurana. ' Sage says waving a flier while saying something. I zoned out when I heard the name. My Ken was now a big name in the event industry. Then I felt a tinge of sadness, why didn't he look for me? Maybe he was busy, it wasn't an easy feat to become a big name in the event industry. I snatched the flier from Sage and looked at it. It was my Ken, he looked more handsome and muscular. Two years is a lot of time.

I immediately took Arian back to the car, I needed to see more info on that conference. I stopped by the grocery store to get more baby food for Arian. Then I saw a man discreetly placing a macaroni pack into an old man's bag. He ran away and the old man ran after him but was stopped by the store alarm.

*********

Damien was watching the mole buy some provisions completely oblivious to the fact that something was placed in his bag, the man brushed past him and he looked exactly like the mole he was watching. There were two of them! He immediately chased after the man signalling his men by earpiece to follow the men. He watched as all his men chased after the two men. He was stepping out of the store when the alarm sounded.

He was surrounded by security who searched his bag and found the macaroni pack. Damien was stunned.

People around began murmuring on how facial looks deceived. He was asked to pay the money for the item, but he parked his car about half a mile away and came here on foot. They wouldn't believe him if he told them. His men needed to catch the mole. Someone mentioned calling the police when a voice says ' Dad!'

Damien turns and sees Arianna holding a baby. ' Dad I told you to wait inside for me. My apologies my dad isn't very familiar with big city stores. Here this should cover the bills.' Arianna says as she hands a thousand dollar bill, takes Damien's hand and walks out.

Damien ( with feigned voice) says to Arianna, ' I'm not your father. I don't even know you.' Damien looks at her suspiciously. Did she know him?

' I don't know you either uncle. I saw a guy placing the pack in your bag that's why I did all that. Can I call someone to pick you up?' Arianna asks. Damien couldn't call up anyone. If he called his men they would abandon the mission, if he called Ken he would leave his conference.

' I was waiting for my son here he is coming to take me home.' Damien lied. ' How could he leave you here? Come stay with me till your son finishes his work.' Arianna says as she sits Damien in her car.

Arianna is driving and whistling happily. Damien wondered what made her so happy. ' Child you are smiling so much. What's the good news?' Damien asks.

' Uncle I have been waiting for someone for two years. I waited patiently for him and searched for him. Now I found him. I am upset that he didn't come to find me but it's okay. My joy overwhelms my anger. I waited so long and soon I will find my senior Ken and trouble him. Oh how I missed him!.... I'm sorry, I am speaking too much right?' Arianna says remorsefully. ' It's okay my dear, is the child his?' Damien asks. So this Arianna was still in love with his son, so what about the child?

' I am sorry Uncle, I can't say anything about Arian but I will explain it to Ken and he will be so proud of his little kitten.' Arianna replies happily.

' Can I hold him, child?' Damien asks.

' Of course you can. His name is Arian, I'm Arianna.' Arianna replies.

Damien held the sleeping baby and it reminded him of his late son Daniel.