Their Princess

Ch. 3- Welcome Home

Aria's POV:

I don't know what exactly had happened but I had woken up with puffy eyes and a pounding headache. The tears were gone but the pain was still there deep down and it was hard to hide.

I had woken up in a black, luxurious van that was driving further and further away from the huge airport. Dragging myself to the window, I rested my head exhaustedly against the car window as I watched the buildings pass by.

My eyes widened at all the signs and massive billboards saying, WELCOME TO NEW YORK with blinding, bright colors. Looking outside the streets were vast yet it felt so overcrowded with the rush of cars.

Why am I in the U.S.?

Listening to the two men from earlier, I had eventually picked up on their names and some other unfamiliar ones. 

Jaden was the man who had grabbed onto me as I demanded to be returned home. He was a tanned olive-skinned man with light brown, fluffy hair. He was dressed formally with suit pants and a navy polo shirt.

The man that I had grabbed onto, on the other hand, was Adrian and it was very clear that he hated me. 

He had piercing grey eyes that stood out from his honey skin tone. He had soft, dark curls sitting on his head messily and he was dressed formally in all black. 

I wasn't sure if it was his attitude or how he usually acted but it was dark and uncomfortable. He seemed to be the type of guy that would ruin your life with the lift of his finger and I hated that I was becoming overwhelmed too.

"...what was he even thinking? Hope was the one that left us and all of a sudden when things go wrong we have to deal with it?" Adrian's voice raises slightly, gaining my attention.

How did he know my mother? I didn't care now that he was saying all this bullshit about her.

"Why are you talking all this shit about my mom? Do you really have nothing else better to do?" I blurt out defensively, both of them spinning their heads back in surprise.

Jaden recollects himself as Adrian continued to focus on the road, gripping the steering wheel. 

"You shouldn't talk so much when you know nothing," Jaden eerily warned me but all I could do was scoff at his response.

"Take me back home," I demanded, crossing my arms across my chest. "Your friend clearly doesn't like me so you might as well just leave me alone."

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Aria." Jaden sighed as he spun back into his seat.

I wanted to scream in frustration. "Why can't you just take me back?"

"Because your mother asked us to bring you here," Adrian said through gritted teeth. Glancing at him uncomfortably, I could tell for sure that he did not like me or my mother.

But what had my mind twisted was why Mama wanted me to be here instead of with her. I know my mom always had a plan for everything but this one might be the only one I didn't understand to the slightest.

"Who even are you?" I asked, digging my nails into my hand hoping for an answer.

"I'm Jaden," Jaden refers to himself before pointing at his friend. "Adrian."

I roll my eyes at his useless answer before reiterating my question. "Yeah, I know your names but how does my mom know you?"

Jaden gives Adrian a look, almost as if he were asking if he should tell me or not. Adrian says nothing so Jaden proceeds to answer me.