AUTHOR'S P.O.V
Ariana was excited and nervous. Alistair was such a prominent figure and she'd be lying if she said his status didn't intimidate her. They were world's apart.
"You look stunning."
She turned to Nicole who stood in the doorway of her bedroom, smiling approvingly at her. Ariana smiled staring at the silk blue dress Alistair got delivered to her, a matching black one for Ava.
It was a beautiful, strapless piece that hugged her figure like a second skin, with a slit up at the side, exposing her thigh. He'd gone as far as getting her jewellery to match, her hand traveling to her neck where a crystal necklace sat.
"He's a good man, Ari, and he loves you."
Ariana blushed. "Alistair doesn't love me, Nicole. We're just friends."
She knew what she said was a lie. He wanted her as much as she did him. But to say he loved her was a bit extreme. What they felt for each other was purely lust and nothing more.
She felt her heart constrict in pain. No, what she felt for Alistair wasn't purely lust but something more and it terrified her.
"Tsk. You don't see the way he looks at you, do you?"
She did. Alistair looked at her as if she was the only woman in the world. It was frightening and exhilarating at the same time.
Nicole walked towards her, taking her hands in hers. "Ari, I know why you're fighting this. You're broken but not damaged," she began softly, tears filling in her eyes."You've got to stop living in the past. Everything happens for a reason. Recognize the good things that come to you."
Tears pooled in Ariana's eyes. "She didn't want me! He never wanted me!" She cried, sitting on her bed. Nicole sat beside her.
"Shush." Nicole said. "They didn't deserve you, it's that simple. Forget about them, you have me. Don't cry, you'll ruin your makeup. Get up now, princesses don't cry."
Ariana laughed. "Oh Nicole. I love you, you know that right?"
Nicole smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I know. Now get your sexy ass up. You have an event to attend."
They both stood up just as a cry had them glancing at the doorway.
They rushed to Ava's side as she clutched her head, her face etched in pain.
"Are you okay?", They asked, faces etched in worry. They led her inside the room, setting her on the bed.
Ariana glanced at Nicole, frowning in worry. "I thought these headaches had ceased. What triggered them now?"
Nicole shook her head, looking worried.
They stared at each other then at the suffering Ava, who whimpered in pain. Her pale skin looked paler than normal, almost sickly.
"Hopefully she hasn't fainted." Nicole said sitting beside her.
Ariana's concern for Ava shifted to anticipation as the sound of a car honking outside, signalled their departure. Ariana stared at Nicole. "We need to go It must be the driver Alistair sent."
She glanced at Ava's sorry form and sighed. "We can't go." She said miserably, disappointed.
"You should go." Ava said, flashing a weak smile.
Nicole agreed. "I'll be here with her."
Ariana shook her head stubbornly. "No. I won't go without her, I'm sorry." With that, she walked out.
