Pain And Pleasure 18+✓

Sixty-nine

"What's with the rush? Where are you going?" Adrian asks.

He's coming straight from the bathroom, a white towel hanging around his neck.

"Home." I grab my clutch, my facial details the least of my concerns.

"Why so early? Did something happen?"

I don't need to look at him to understand the dread in his voice. I wanted the whole day with him, sorting our reserved issues, but plans tend to change.

Now I'm agitated. Nothing works fine except for my speed as I walk toward the door, ready to storm off. I feel anxious and confused, and I don't know what to expect.

"Arabella, I'm talking to you!" Adrian blocks my path, distasteful of my silence. "What's going on? Did something happen at home?" he demands gently.

"Yes, something happened! But I don't have time, Adrian. I'll tell you later."

"Hold on." He grips my hand, eyes narrowed down at me condescendingly. "What is it?" He's concerned, but I'm not up for this.

"Fine!" I sigh heavily. "I heard my mother is back. She's at home," I say, the name feeling so bitter on my tongue.

Mother? I scoff.

"Your mother?" Adrian is as stunned as I am, but I'm petrified.

"Yeah." I nod nervously.

"Okay, I'll drive you there. Wait for me," he enunciates calmly.

"No need. I'll manage on my own." I pull my hand away.

"Arabella—"

"I can't wait, Adrian! I have to go right now. Sorry." I breeze out, for a mere second wasted here could mean chaos in my peace of mind.

I can't let that woman talk to Isla. I don't want her anywhere near my siblings. To my little sister, our mother is dead. I don't want her to learn that she was abandoned when she was just a baby. No, that would traumatize her.

"Jake! Is it true?" Phone in the ear, I slip into the first taxi I see. "Is she really back? Is it really her?"

"She's in the living room," Jake replies, his voice growing with myriad emotions that revolve around pure anger, needles for me to see him. "It's really her," he adds bitterly.

My neck stiffens as I grit my teeth. I'm hardly holding myself together by now, because I can't handle this one. Mixed emotions boil inside me like lava, searching for an outlet. I can't believe that she's back after almost seven years.

"And Isla?" I ask immediately.

She's the one I'm concerned the most about.

"She's with her." Jake's blunt answer turns my body limp, paralyzed.

It can't be!

Laughter echoes through the walls as I walk into the house. It's Isla, probably playing with her puddles. It suddenly dawns on me that the anonymous sender could be no one but the same woman I behold when I finally reach the living room.

"Ara!" Aunt Lara stands up abruptly, worry painted all over her face.

My eyes stalk the slender woman seated next to Isla, a puppy basket placed between the two of them. y hands tighten into tight fists as I watch them with uncontrolled resentment hidden deep inside my heart until this moment.

"Ara, you're back!" It's Isla, sounding giddy. "Do you know Aunt Laura? She's the one who sent you the puppies!"

Aunt Laura? I nearly laugh.