The Fallen Angel

56.Aria's Discovery

Isabelle POV

Chomping away on my favorite dish, I was in my own little world, being all clumsy and whatnot, eagerly awaiting Ero's arrival. But in my distracted state, I somehow managed to scroll through my phone only to realize—oh snap!—my nuggets were history. Talk about a major bummer!

I couldn't help but pout and mumble to myself, "Well, ain't this a pickle." I let out a dramatic sigh, pouting like a kid who just lost their favorite toy. "I want more," I mumbled with a touch of melodrama, making sure everyone around knew the direness of my nugget situation.

A mountain of nuggets materialized on my tray, and pure bliss washed over me as I glanced up to see Ero grinning like the nugget savior himself. "Here you go," he chimed in, and I couldn't help but beam back at him, greeting him with a nod and a smile.

Without wasting a second, I wasted no time in tackling the nugget bounty, stuffing my face like it was a competitive eating contest. And there was Ero, casually sliding into the seat next to me like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Mmm, this is so yummy," I exclaimed between mouthfuls of nuggets, relishing every bite. Ero chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Seems like you're really digging it," he remarked, taking a bite of his own food. I glanced over at his tray, noticing that he wasn't exactly diving into his meal with the same enthusiasm.

Deciding to share the joy, I pushed my milkshake toward him. "I'm stuffed, you can have it," I insisted, nudging the drink toward him. He hesitated for a moment, but I wasn't taking no for an answer. With a playful smirk, I practically shoved it into his hand.

As he sipped on the milkshake, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. "You know, we don't really know much about each other," I admitted, furrowing my brow. Setting my empty tray aside, I continued, "I'm worried things might get complicated for us down the road."

He didn't respond, and I let out a sigh. "Ah, forget it. I'm probably just overthinking," I muttered, trying to brush off my worries. He nodded and offered a reassuring smile. "I need to take off," he said, his tone apologetic.

I couldn't hold him back, the worries gnawing at me. I forced a smile. "Yeah, me too," I said, though my heart was heavy as he walked away.

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As I walked, feeling empty, someone called out, "Hey Belle, give these books to the staff," and thrust the books into my hand. "Hey, wait, I can't take them," I protested, but they just laughed.

"Go on, go on!" they teased, their laughter ringing through the hallway. "Don't be shy now, just lend a hand," they added playfully, nudging me forward. With an eye roll, I gave in and started walking towards the staff room, grinning despite myself. "Alright, alright, but you owe me one," I barked at them with a playful glare, earning more laughter from the mischievous bunch.

I spotted Aria standing there, a smile instantly lighting up my face, and my hand instinctively rose for a wave. But then I noticed Adrian, and the smile slowly began to fade as our eyes met. I tried to keep a neutral expression, but with the books in my hand, I made my way towards them.

"Hey, Aria," I said, my smile faltering slightly. She didn't respond. "I heard you're in a relationship with that boy," I blurted out before I could stop myself, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Is he telling the truth?" I asked, my heart racing as I awaited her response. The air suddenly felt heavy with tension, and I couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that crept over me.

I couldn't keep my emotions in check any longer. "Yes, I'm dating Ero," I admitted, the heaviness of the confession lingering in the air. Aria's shock was unmistakable, and Adrian didn't waste a moment to chime in. "Didn't I tell you? She's gone crazy for him," he remarked, his tone dripping with bitterness.

Aria's grip tightened on my shoulder, her frustration evident. "What the hell are you doing? He's a monster. Don't you know how much he has hurt you?" she exclaimed, her concern pouring out like an unstoppable flood.

I sighed, feeling the weight of her words. "I'm sorry for not telling you about it earlier," I confessed, guilt gnawing at me.

Aria's frustration only grew. "I don't care if you've hidden it from me, but why him? He hates you so much. How could you—" she trailed off, her words heavy with worry and disbelief. The tension between us was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of her concern.

"I didn't mean to hide it from you, Aria, but I was afraid—" she cut me off with a scoff. "What are you afraid of? You're scared of him, that's why you couldn't control yourself. You knew this was the wrong decision," she said, her words hitting me like a ton of bricks. Tears filled my eyes, and I shook my head. "No, it's not too late," She whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the weight of the moment. Aria's concern was overwhelming, and her words stung with truth, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I can't, Aria. I like him, and don't ask me to leave him," I pleaded, my voice trembling with emotion. Adrian pulled me back. "Are you out of your mind? Don't you know who he is?" I shook my hand away from him. "Don't tell me what to do. I know what I'm doing," I retorted, my tone firm, though my heart was heavy with the weight of my decision.

"Fine, do whatever you want, Isabelle," Aria brushed her hair off. "I'm not gonna get involved in your relationship," she added, her tone tinged with frustration. Adrian let out a frustrated sigh. "You'll regret it soon," he warned, his voice heavy with concern, but I remained firm, my heart torn between my feelings and the warnings of my friends.

The weight of their words lingered, leaving me conflicted and unsure of what to do next. Aria's exasperation was evident, and Adrian's frustration added to the tension of the moment. Despite their warnings, I couldn't bring myself to let go of my feelings for Ero. It was like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, torn between the safety of retreat and the exhilaration of taking the leap.

As I watched them walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in my chest. I knew that my decision would have consequences, but I couldn't ignore the pull I felt towards Ero. It was as if an invisible force was drawing me closer to him, despite the warnings and the fears.

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