BREAK UP

"Say, Yago..." Arianna said after getting in Yago's car. "... what do a prodigal person like you needs an assistant for?" she asked while looking at the young man sitting on the driver's seat. He looks clumsy and unreliable to her. Can he really do a fine job as an assistant? And what for? Yago just hang around the house all day!

"Prodigal? And how did you come up with that? I'm a very reliable and sensible man, you know!"

Arianna laughed and then nodded.

" Ahuhh... I can see that." she said sarcastically.

Yago raised his brows. This woman really think so little of him, huh? Well, who can blame her? In her eyes, he's just a happy-go-lucky person who pass his time tailing her all day. It was also true that he's making a living by investing, but he hides the fact that he owns the biggest investment firm in the country, and owns a lot of other properties, too. But he managed all those behind the shadows.

"Stop making it look like I'm a lazy freeloader! I just prioritize taking care of you above all things alright!" he refuted.

Arianna chuckled." Yes! yes!" she said teasing him. It was just a joke she usually make but somehow, Yago was quite different that day. He didn't laugh with her. Instead, he looked away from her, trying to hide something in his eyes.

"You think that way because I'm here with you. One day, when the time comes that you can't see me anymore, you'll realize how well I treated you." he said in a soft voice.

Hearing those words, Arianna's heart skipped a beat. Was Yago just sulking, or was he really planning to leave her? Did she offend him too much?

Ariann's heart suddenly ached. She turned to look away too. Thinking of the possibility that Yago really was planning to leave, it was like something strong was squeezing her heart. Her chest felt heavy and her throat was blocked by something. It seemed like what happened last night made Yago very upset. He's more sensitive than usual and looke more gloomy.

***

"Jayden, did you come to see me?" Belle happily sat next to Jayden when she saw the guest sitting in the living room. She hugged his arm and leaned on his shoulder while smiling widely. To her surprise though, Jayden shook her hands off and moved a bit farther from her. Belle was stunned after the gesture. Jayden wasn't even trying to hide his disgust now.

Belle's smile disappeared as she lower her head. "Jayden, you misunderstood. I didn't meet Roy. There's nothing between us. It's just Roy's wishful thinking. The kiss, the marks, it's because he forced me that--"

" Stop." Jayden cut her in. "I don't really need your explanation. And I don't want to hear anything about those anymore." It only made him more disgusted. He didn't want to be reminded of how some other man managed to touch and have a taste of his woman! Even if he didn't want that woman anymore.

Yes. Jayden started disliking the woman beside her. The reason he came today was to check on Arianna, as she wasn't feeling well last night and so left first. Just a moment ago, he was informed that Arianna was still in the hospital, but will be discharged soon. He was contemplating whether to visit her in the hospital or wait for her to come home when Belle approached him.

Jayden gave Belle a side glance. Looking at her now, Jayden's heart doesn't go wild anymore. There wasn't the fondness there was for her in the past anymore. Maybe.... maybe this is their limit. Maybe they have reached the end of the line.

"Belle, actually I came to tell you something." Jayden started. He watched as Belle stared at his face anxiously. "I have thought about it and I realized that..... our relationship is not experiencing any growth and.... I mean, let's break up." he announced.

Belle shook her head but couldn't come up with anything to say. It was so sudden that she can't process what he said at once. She even refused to believe it. Jayden? Did Jayden just say he wanted to break up with her?

"I hope you understand. This relationship is going no where. After all this time, we saw how incompatible we are. We're not meant for each other, Belle. So let's not see each other anymore." he added.

" I.... I don't understand! What are you saying! We've been together for four years! Why are we breaking up?" Belle finally found her voice but it was shaking. Tears threaten to fall from her eyes. "Was it because of Roy? I swear I don't like him one bit! Please believe me! I only have you in my heart!" Belle cried. If it was before, Jayden could've been moved. But right now, and also after hearing Roy's name again, Jayden's heart was enveloped by ice.

"Yes. It's because of him. But not solely because of him. I'm tired, Belle. I'm tired of your issues with him. I'm tired with your arguments with my mother. I'm tired of having to worry about you while I was struggling myself! I don't want this relationship anymore. I'm all worn out!"

Belle inched closer to Jayden, trying to touch him but he stood up to keep the distance. Belle felt more heart broken.

"Don't you love me anymore?" she asked as tears come running down her cheeks. "Don't you want me anymore?"

"Yes." Jayden answered without hesitation. "I don't love you anymore."

Jayden thought his heart will ache a little while he say those words, but it didn't feel anything. It was as if he was talking to a stranger. Maybe all those troubles in the past already numb his heart. Their relationship was never sailing smooth. There were so many obstacles along the way but he stubbornly fought for her. Right now though he felt burdened. He had enough. He wants an out.

"Hello guys!"

Just as the conversation had come to an embarrassing silence, a voice greeted them from the door. "It looks like you're having a serious conversation. Sorry for interrupting. I'll go ahead upstairs." Arianna said smiling. She really didn't want to interrupt, but they were talking in the living room, and she can't come in without being noticed.

Jayden turned to see the girl and was startled. Arianna was unusually dressed in pink which made her look a few years younger. She looked really charming. Combined with her calm demeanor, she was like graceful princess. She wasn't exuding the arrogance and coldness like she did before. She's mesmerizing this way and it made Jayden dazed for a while.

Seeing Jayden admire her sister made Belle's heart feel heavy. She wiped her tears and looked away. Arianna looking at her with a smile, felt like she was mocking her. Did she hear everything just now? She couldn't have, right? Belle held back her tears. How can she show Arianna her weakness?

"You're here sis! I've heard it was your boyfriend who took you to the hospital last night? Where is he? Why didn't you bring him with you so that we could meet him?" Belle said. It was intended for Jayden to hear.

Arianna stopped on her tracks and turned to face Belle "Ow?" she exclaimed while raising her brows. "Who could that be? I fainted and didn't know what happened after that. Could it be that you're mistaken?" Arianna chuckled as she remembered something. "And where did you even hear that gossip? I didn't even know what happened to me, but you do? Could it be that you were spying on my date with Jayden?" she said tilting her head, which Jayden found cute. But then her words started to sink in and he looked at Belle in suspicion.

"Were you there?" Jayden asked.

"Ofcourse not!" Belle answered. "You can ask dad! I was just here all night!"

Arianna laughed merrily.

"Don't be so defensive, sister! I was only teasing you!" after that, she turned to leave. "I'll be resting first."

She then turned to Yago who was now entering the main door. "Where have you been, brother? Come to my room! I have something to discuss with you."

Yago stared at Arianna's back as she walk ahead. Those words....she really had the guts to say those words to him as if inviting him for something?

Yago laughed as he followed her upstairs.