Chapter 40

BACK TO PRESENT,

" and that's what happened" Ariana said.

" Wow Ariana, I guess you're not so emotional anymore" Santiago complimented.

" Thanks" that was Ariana.

" I'm proud of you" Mariana told her.

" What do you plan to do next?" Cassandra asked.

" Nothing" Mrs Lambert said. " Ariana will do nothing"

" What" the trio chorused.

" How could you even suggest a thing like that mum" Casey queried.

" Exactly. Ariana almost lost her life because of what that did so why shouldn't she get back at her?" Mariana asked.

" Listen Ariana, you getting back at her is not you getting justice. It's just you stooping to her level. You survived and that's all that truly matters. Listen dear, if you wanna get back at her, just let her be. Let the guilt of poisoning you do the trick alright?"

" Alright" Ariana replied.

" Good, now go freshen up." Mrs Lambert told her.

" Yes mum" Ariana said and left.

" Thank goodness I made it home in time. If not, Ariana would have done something stupid" Mrs Lambert thought to herself.

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" Hi baby" Raymond greeted Ariana.

" Hi" she replied with a smile on her face.

" what's up" he asked.

" The sky is up" she said and chuckled.

" For real, what's up" he asked again.

" Nothing really" she said. " But seriously, stop calling me baby. It could be misinterpreted for us dating"

" So? What's wrong with that? Is it now a crime to date?" He asked with a smirk on his face.

" Not that. I just don't want people thinking I'm in a relationship when I just got out of one" she told him.

" Oh, so it means you just broke up right? What was the cause? He doesn't kiss well? He's too boring? He's too stingy? He has boring taste? Tell me, what's wrong?" Raymond asked.

" He cheated on me" Ariana said and the smile on his face disappeared.

" What do you mean he cheated on you?" Raymond asked as if he was getting ready to beat the hell out of Max.

" You don't need to worry about me" Ariana told him. Left for her, she'd have told him the truth. She'd have really hoped for him to beat the hell out of Max but she couldn't let him. At least right now she was not thinking of Max as a boy friend but a best friend.

" What do you mean Ariana. From the look in your eyes, I can see you're hurting. Tell me what's wrong" Raymond urged.

" It's nothing, please excuse me" Ariana said and ran from him.

" I should give her some time. We just settled so I should not take things too far" Raymond thought and left.

" What's going on here?" Beatrice asked herself. " Have Ray and Ariana really resolved their differences?"

" Don't you know?" Alen asked holding her waist from behind.

" Know what?" She asked turning to look him in the eye.

" Before I tell you, you have to pay" Alen told her.

" What's the price?" She asked.

" A kiss" he told her.

" Ugh" she said rolling her eyes and groaning.

" Well then, I'll keep my information to myself" Alen told her and made to leave.

" Hold on, I'll do it" 

" Now that's a good girl" he said and put his hands around her waist again.

 She quickly planted a light kiss on his lips.

" I gave you the kiss, now tell me what I need to know" Beatrice said.

" Are you kidding? What am I supposed to do with that?" Alen asked.

" You asked for a kiss and I kissed you. Now tell me what's going on between Ariana and Raymond.

" I didn't ask for an American kiss. I want a french kiss" he told her.

" Fine" she told him.

She kissed him french style and when she was about to break the kiss, he grabbed her butt and before he could do anything else, she pushed him aside.

" That's enough" she said using the back of her palm to clean her lips. " I gave you wanted now tell me what I need to know".

" I'm afraid Raymond and Ariana are no longer enemies. They've now become friends and Raymond now addresses her as baby" Alen told her.

" What? If anyone is to hear him address her as baby, they'll think their dating and I've already announced to the world that we're dating. What am I gonna do" she asked Alen itching her hair.

" I could tell you but you have to pay" he said with an evil smile relaxing on his lips.

" Don't worry, I'll think if it myself. I've had enough of you already" she said and left.

" Push me away for all I care, I'll never stop loving you" Alen said.