The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

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" Are you sure this is okay? " Ari asked as she settled her small luggage at the corner of the room. " I didn't want to trouble you or Mia. But they need a week to fix the plumbing and I can't possibly stay there with no water. And with Marco away,  I don't know who to call and-"

" Hey, hey, " Melissa chuckled as she held Ari by the shoulder. " It's fine, Ari. I'm glad you called me. I mean, come on. You're my friend, too. Plus, you're practically family. "

Ari bit her lower lip. " I didn't mean to trouble you or Mia. "

" It's no trouble at all, " Mia said from the doorway as she came inside the room pulling Ari's other luggage and parked it by the door.

Ari called over an hour ago to tell them about the water leak in their apartment. Marco left two days ago for another business trip and was not due to return til later that week.

Immediately after hearing about Ari's living situation, Melissa volunteered their spare room  which was Marco's old room before he moved out. Mia was more than happy to pick her up and help Ari pack up her things.

" Thank you, " Ari said as she gave the two women grateful looks.

" As Iz said, you're family, " Mia said smilingly. " You're always welcome here, Ari. "

" Thanks, Mia, " Ari murmured.

" Anyway, I'll let Iza help you settle in, " Mia said as she clasped her hands together. " Rob and I have an appointment with a realtor and they want us to look at a few houses. "

" Oh right, I almost forgot you have that today, " Melissa nodded her head. " I'll take it from here. Good luck on the house hunting! "

" Thanks, " Mia said as she started for the door. " I'll see you both later! "

Melissa gave Ari some time to get herself settled in Marco's old room as she prepared lunch. It was almost two in the afternoon when they both get to sit at the dining table.

It didn't escape Melissa that Ari was unusually quiet. Considering that she was pregnant, she also couldn't help but notice that she had lost weight and there were dark circles under her eyes.

" Is everything okay? "

Ari blinked when she heard her question and quickly forced a smile. " Yes, the food's great. I...I just don't have much of an appetite lately. "

Melissa pursed her lips together. " I wasn't asking about the food. "

Ari opened her mouth to say something and then closed it after a few seconds. She pushed herself against the chair and let out a heavy sigh.

" Marco has been acting pretty strange lately, " she said in a frustrated voice. " Something is up with him but he wouldn't tell me. If anything, I think he's avoiding me. "

Just as she suspected, Melissa thought silently.

" Maybe you're just paranoid, " Melissa said instead, not wanting to alarm her friend with her suspicion. " Or maybe it's the hormones, it's making you too sensitive. "

Ari shook her head as she moved her fork absentmindedly through her plate of pasta.

" It's been almost three weeks since he came back from Singapore, a week since he told me he'd make it up to me, " Ari said in a dejected voice. " But until now....I couldn't even talk to him. I tried several times but he would always use work as an excuse. I don't know what's going on, Iz and why he's acting so cold and distant lately. "

Melissa bit her lower lip not knowing how to console Ari or defend her brother from his fiancee's accusations.

" We haven't sat down for any meal since he came back, " Ari went on. " Not even breakfast. He leaves before I wake up and then comes home when I'm asleep. He's avoiding me and I don't know why. "