The Fallen Angel

24.Edition

"Taxi!" I called out, waving my hand frantically as a car pulled over. Rushing inside, I implored the driver, "Can you speed up? It's urgent." He nodded, meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror, and accelerated swiftly.

"Where's your destination?" he asked, noticing my nervous demeanor as my hands pressed together. "Drop me by the medical center next to the Hotel Empress," I replied quickly. He nodded and drove the car faster than usual, understanding the urgency.

Upon reaching the medical center, he started to decelerate, but I intervened, realizing we were at the wrong place. "Not here, not here, go the other way," I directed urgently. Glancing behind, he questioned, "The supermarket?" Nervously, I nodded, worried about my anime collection. Angrily, he slapped his forehead. "Just get out!" he shouted, frustration evident in his tone. Bewildered by his outburst, I met his annoyed gaze and remarked, "You're incredibly rude, sir," before swiftly exiting the car and slamming the door behind me.

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Amidst my joyful dance down the street, I felt compelled to share my news with Aria. Hastily, I grabbed my phone and sent her a message, filled with anticipation.

**You**: 😎 guess what ? I have a huge news 

**Aria**: 🤨 

**You**: 😑

**Aria**: I have a surprise too 😗

Confused by her reaction, I couldn't help but express my disappointment with a simple emoji. Before I could dwell on it, Aria's follow-up message hinted at a surprise of her own, igniting a fresh wave of anticipation and curiosity within me.

As I stepped through the door, the usual greeting from Dizzie was conspicuously absent. "Mom, Dad, I'm home!" I called out, expecting the usual flurry of excitement. Making my way to the kitchen, I proudly announced, "I got my latest edition, Mom!" Mid-dance, I froze in astonishment at the sight before me. Aria was seated at the dining table, surrounded by an array of delicious dishes, their aroma tantalizing my senses. And there, nestled in her lap, was Dizzie, blissfully asleep as Aria gently brushed her fur. "What are you doing here?" I exclaimed, utterly surprised. A mischievous glint sparkled in Aria's eyes as she simply replied, "Surprise," accompanied by a playful wink, while my mom chuckled at the unexpected reunion.

"So this is your surprise," I remarked, walking over to Aria and giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder as I settled into the seat beside her. She nodded, sporting her signature pink glasses and exuding an air of coolness that reminded me of the 😎 emoji. Chuckling at her playful demeanor, I couldn't resist playfully slapping her shoulder in response.

"When did you come?" I inquired, reaching for a succulent roasted prawn, only to be met with a swift slap on the hand from my mom. "Wash your hands first, Isabelle," she warned with a stern look. Flashing her a gummy smile, I relented and stood up to rinse my hands. As I returned, dripping water, Aria's eyes lit up at the sight of my anime collection. "OMG, did you purchase this? We have only limited edition!" she exclaimed excitedly. With a proud flourish, I presented my clean hands, declaring, "Ta daaa!"

As she pouted, expressing her longing for one as well, I couldn't resist a teasing remark. "But you're not really into anime, so why the sudden interest?" With a smile, I carefully unwrapped the item and held it close, emphasizing, "Aiden's the one who's really into it." Catching my mom's eye as she busied herself with the dishes, I promised, "I'll make sure to get him one in the next sale." Her face lit up with joy at the prospect. Just then, my dad joined us, his warm remark reminding me of how much I had missed these family gatherings.

The table was adorned with a mouthwatering array of dishes, each one more enticing than the last. The aroma of spices and herbs filled the air, teasing our taste buds and igniting our appetites. Aromatic steam rose from the dishes, adding to the anticipation of the flavors to come.

There was a platter of succulent roasted prawns, perfectly seasoned and glistening with a hint of butter. Beside it, a bowl of fragrant jasmine rice awaited, fluffy and inviting. A colorful salad, bursting with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers, provided a refreshing contrast.

Tender chunks of chicken and vibrant vegetables mingled in the fragrant sauce, promising a burst of flavor with each bite.

And for dessert, a decadent chocolate cake sat proudly at the center of the table, its glossy ganache glaze inviting us to indulge in its rich sweetness.

Amidst the laughter and conversation, we savored each delectable bite.

Aria's whispered "Adrian requested your contact information" ,caught me off guard, causing me to choke on my food. In a panic, I clumsily tossed aside my plate as I struggled to dislodge the food stuck in my throat, coughing uncontrollably. Aria and my parents were immediately concerned, their worried expressions mirroring my own distress. With quick thinking, my mom handed me a glass of water, her voice filled with concern as she asked, "Are you okay?" I gratefully gulped down the water, my face flushed with embarrassment as I nodded.

"That was rough," I managed to say between coughs, shooting Aria a meaningful glance as I shook my head in silence. "Dad's here," I added quietly, noticing my parents engrossed in their meal. Sulking slightly, I leaned in closer to Aria and whispered, "No more talk about Adrian, okay?"

My dad's sudden question caught me off guard. "You aren't pursuing that boy, are you?" he asked, his tone filled with concern and perhaps a hint of disapproval.Aria visibly shaken, her hands trembling as she placed them over her neck. In a tense moment, she shot a warning look at my dad, silently conveying that he was treading dangerous waters.

"I don't," I responded, trying to reassure my mom. However, her questioning gaze lingered as she mentioned finding a letter inside my book while cleaning my room. Feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me, I smiled and admitted, "That was from a long time ago, Mom. Don't worry about it."

"Aria, you should stay over tonight," I suggested, glancing at my parents who readily agreed. "Yes, dear, that's a wonderful idea," my mom chimed in, echoing my sentiment. "It's been too long since we had you here," she added with a warm smile.

Disappointment crept in as Aria turned down my invitation. "I should head back home," she insisted, citing her worry for her mom. Wanting to persuade her to stay, I handed her the phone. "Just give her a quick call to let her know you're safe," I suggested, hoping to ease her concerns. Meanwhile, my dad, with wet hands from washing up, interjected, "Let me have a word with your dad. You're welcome to stay over, especially since we'll all be leaving for work in the morning." His offer provided a solution to Aria's dilemma, giving her a sense of reassurance.