AUTHOR'S P.O.V
"Why are you late? It's almost midnight." Ariana's aunt, Nicole, stood in the doorway, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.
Ariana shrugged, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks as Nicole's gaze narrowed. Did she know she'd been kissed senseless by the one and only Alistair Belmayne? Ariana couldn't believe it herself.
Nicole's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Who's car was that? Who is that?"
Ariana groaned, feeling a sense of dread wash over her. "Oh, come on, Nicole. It's late."
Nicole glared, her voice firm. "Glad you noticed and decided to come home after your late-night endeavors."
Ariana sighed, feeling exhausted. "Drop it, Nicole. I'm exhausted. Let's do this another time, please. Besides, you're hogging the doorway."
Nicole relented, stepping aside for her niece. Ariana smiled gratefully and made her way to the couch, slumping into it with a heavy sigh. Nicole followed, her eyes fixed on Ariana with an unnerving intensity.
"You've been busy," she stated, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ariana rolled her eyes, feeling a sense of annoyance wash over her. "Guess what - The Alistair Belmayne seduced me, and we were all over each other in his very expensive car."
Nicole's eyes widened, her expression shocked.
"Did you say Alistair Belmayne?" Nicole asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ariana rolled her eyes. Obviously, she only heard that part of her rant. Who wouldn't? It's Belmayne they were talking about- Nicole's all time favourite. Ariana didn't understand why she worshipped him so much. She was way older than he was. She couldn't be interested in him like that, right?
Nicole's glare reminded her she had to explain. She sighed and recounted everything to her aunt who listened raptly. Nicole was torn between reprimanding her for her behaviour or congratulating her for her "awesome catch."
Nicole's gaze softened, her expression curious. "Do you like him?" Ariana licked her lips, the memory of their kiss playing in her mind like a sensual melody.
"Well... He's nice. Incredibly hot and sexy as hell. Who wouldn't want him?"
Nicole stared at her and she wondered what the older woman was thinking. She wasn't shy talking to her aunt about these things. Nicole was like her best friend.
Nicole smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. "Fine. Let's hope you two get married. And fast."
Ariana's jaw dropped, horrified. "You're impossible, Nicole. We all know you're this cooperative because obviously, it's Alistair Belmayne."
Nicole laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Since you guys probably had car sex on your first encounter, then technically you're on the road to becoming a married couple. You could have like six kids 'cause -"
"Nicole!" Ariana exclaimed, beyond horrified.
Nicole chuckled, her expression teasing. "I'm just messing with ya."
Ariana scoffed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "You're unbelievable. How are you feeling now? You weren't okay this morning."
Nicole rolled her eyes, her expression dismissive. "I'm okay. You like worrying so much. You forget Ava's here to take care of me."
Ariana nodded, feeling a sense of concern wash over her. "Speaking of Ava, where's she?"
"In her room," Nicole replied, her expression softening. They settled into silence, worry etched on their faces.
"Is she... fine?" Ariana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nicole nodded, seating beside her. "Her condition's improved a lot. The drugs are helping too. But I don't think she's emotionally okay. I think we're not doing enough. Maybe she doesn't need us... maybe she doesn't need me, and I..."
Ariana grabbed her aunt's hand, squeezing softly. Nicole smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "Nicole, you know that's not true. Ava needs us. She needs you. At this point, we're the only ones she has. She's adapted. I know she's not living normally like us, but we'll be there every step of the way, like we've always been. She's your daughter. I'm her cousin. We're family. She knows that."
Nicole nodded, her expression resolute. "But we all know the truth. I'm not -"
"That's the truth, Nicole. You love her. I do too. And I know she does. It's hard for her especially, you know that. The way she's living is tough but she has us to get through life every day. She's Ava Russo, and don't you forget that."
Nicole sobbed, her body shaking with emotion.
"B-but..."
"Sshh... You're only overthinking. I'm quite jealous. You love her more than me."
Nicole laughed, her brown eyes filling with warmth. "You're both my daughters. I love you equally."
Ariana hugged her, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "I know. You're our mom. I have you only."
"And Ava."
"Yes, and Ava."
Ariana kissed her on the forehead. "I think I'll be heading up to bed. Goodnight, Nicole."
"Goodnight, darling. I'll sit here for awhile."
Ariana sighed but nodded. She made her way upstairs. She paused at her Ava's door. After much hesitation, she turned the knob.
Ava's sleeping form greeted her. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Ariana made her way inside. She stared at her sleeping face. Ava was incredibly beautiful. Her distinct dark red hair was something she'd always envied. She never understood how anyone could be this effortlessly beautiful.
She'd never disliked her. On the contrary she'd loved her. She reminded her so much of her. Her chest tightened in pain. No wonder Nicole couldn't help but love her.
She kissed her on the forehead and turned off the lamp. She made her way out, feeling emotional. She entered her bedroom and crashed on the bed, exhausted.
She would skip a bath tonight. To distract herself, she thought of Alistair Belmayne. She couldn't believe she'd behaved so wanton with him. He'd awakened feelings in her. Feelings she'd thought she'd buried long ago after that incident.
She sighed and was about to switch off the lamp when her phone rang. She grabbed her bag and fished out her phone.
The unknown number that glared at her from the screen had her heart skipping a beat. She remembered he'd promised to call.
It couldn't be him, right?
"Hello." Her voice came out in a whisper.
There was no response and her heart sank. What if it was one of those creeps who lusted after her in the neighborhood, who'd somehow gotten her number?
"Ariana."
His voice sent shivers down her spine. Her hold on the phone tightened, feeling aroused. Damn, how could she be so turned on by a voice? She would be needing that shower now.
"You called. I thought..." She trailed off, realising she probably sounded like some awestruck teenager with a crush.
"Thought I wouldn't call you like I said, huh?" He questioned. She could already see him smirking.
"Love, I can't stay away from you even if I tried."
Her heart fluttered. She laughed. "Really?"
"Yeah. You know something?".
She shook her head. "No."
The exhaustion she'd felt initially disappeared. She felt alive, her heart thumping furiously.
"You're beautiful did I tell you that?"
She giggled. They talked for hours until they both inevitably fell asleep on the line.
