BETWEEN LOVE AND BETRAYAL

Arielle's POV

“I'm getting married.” My best friend, Zara, squeaked the moment I stepped into her apartment.

“OMG, that's such good news, I'm really happy for you.” I congratulated her excitedly. It has always been part of our wishlist to get married this year. “You didn't even tell me you were back to dating.” I pouted my lips.

“Yes girl, I'm so happy. He literally proposed to me today. And I didn't tell anyone before until recently, because I was afraid it wasn't going to last just like the rest of the relationships I had.”

“I understand.” I nodded, as I unconsciously pressed my hands against my flat stomach.

“Come on in.” She took my luggage from me. “I’m happy you came back, I really missed you a lot. What was it you wanted to tell me initially? You said it was important.” She reminded me.

I didn't know how to start it, especially with her announcing her marriage. I felt ashamed, how would I tell her that I'm pregnant, and the father is nowhere to be found. Neither does he know that I'm pregnant.

I yawned deliberately. “We can talk about it later, right now I need to freshen up, the trip was really exhausting.” I purposely avoided her question.

“Alright, I have prepared the room you will be staying in. Hurry up so we can have dinner. I have already placed the order and my fiance will be coming over soon. I can't wait to introduce you guys to each other.” Zara's cheek turned red as she spoke about him.

“You still haven't mastered cooking by yourself?” I arched my brow.

“Go and freshen up.” She sighed while folding her hands dramatically.

“Ok ma'am.” I chuckled loudly as I left the room.

As I closed the door behind me quietly, easing it shut until the click barely made a sound.

The room smelled like vanilla and clean laundry. I slowly dropped my bag on the chair by the dresser and leaned back against the door, closing my eyes while counting my breaths.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my hand before l could pull it out of my pocket. The screen lit up, and my stomach sank instantly.

Mum, of course.

I stared at the name for a while then swiped to answer before the call could go unanswered and raise suspicion.

“Hello, Mum.”

“Arielle.” My mother’s voice was sharp with concern. “Where are you?”

I swallowed and pushed myself off the door, pacing slowly across the room. “I’m… I’m not back yet.”

“What do you mean you’re not back yet?” my mother asked. “You said you were returning today. You were supposed to have landed yesterday.”

I stopped pacing. My reflection caught my eye in the mirror, I looked tired and stressed out.

“Something came up,” I said carefully. “I just need a little more time to sort it out.”

“So you aren't in New York?” My mother pressed on like she was feeling suspicious.

My grip tightened around the phone. “Yes,” I lied. The word tasted bitter but I couldn't tell her the truth.

I moved to the window and pulled the curtain aside slightly, staring down at the quiet street below.

“I hope you aren't avoiding me? Or purposely delaying yourself from coming home because you have done that before.”

“I needed space,” I tried to put her at ease. “That’s all.”

“You’re not getting any younger, Nicole,” my mother said softly but the softness didn’t make it kinder. “You can’t keep drifting like this. All your mates are settling. Look at Zara—”

I flinched a bit, of course she was aware.

“I know,” l cut in quickly, my voice sharper than l intended. I inhaled and softened it again. “I know, Mum.”

My free hand moved unconsciously to her stomach, fingers pressing lightly and protectively. I froze the moment l realized what l was doing and dropped my hand immediately.

My mother sighed on the other end of the line. “I just worry about you. You finish school, you disappear, you avoid coming home. I don't want you to end up like me, without a husband.”

My heart pounded. “I’ll be home soon,” l said quickly. “I promise.”

“When?”

“Soon,” l repeated, because anything more specific felt like a lie l couldn’t manage.

My mother hesitated. “When you come back,” she said slowly, “we need to talk. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

I closed her eyes.

There it was.

“Mum—”

“He’s a good man,” my mother continued, already convinced. “He is stable, serious and not like these boys you young girls waste time on.”

I bit down on the inside of her cheek.

Images suddenly flashed in my mind, a strong hand on my skin, a voice in the dark, the heat of a body beside mine.

I quickly shook my head, I shouldn't be thinking about him. A man l couldn’t afford to remember.

“I’m not ready,” l said quietly.

“You’re never ready,” my mother replied, firm now. “That’s why you need guidance.”

“I’ll call you later,” I said before her voice could break. “I need to go.”

My mother paused, then softened. “Just don’t run from your life, Arielle.”

The call ended.

I lowered the phone slowly, my hand trembling as I sank onto the edge of the bed, staring at nothing, my mind racing.

“Finally, you came down, I thought you were going to sleep in the bathroom.” Zara teased me lightly as she set the table.

“I still can't believe you don't know how to cook, is your fiance aware?” I asked her as I grabbed an apple from the fridge.

“He is aware and he loves me regardless.” She said proudly.

But before I could say another word the door bell rang.

“Arielle please help me with the door, I'm sure he's the one. I need to finish up quickly.” Zara asked me politely.

“Alright.” I reluctantly agreed.

The moment I opened the door, it felt blood drained out of my body. I was dumb struck at the person before me.