Brooklyn

Chapter Six - Arielle

Zac,

Sorry I haven't responded sooner. I made the most of being with Jaxon while he was here. I need closure and confirmation... Is it true? Did his mom die? Jaxon was a complete sweetie to me though during our time together. He took me to Manhattan! It was great! We went everywhere. He called me in sick for the week, I just found that out when I went back to work today and my boss asked if my diarrhoea was better. Don't know if that was a sweet gesture too or if it was a dick move.Confirmation please? How is it over there?

Arielle.

Arielle,

Yeah... It was true. His mother died in action. I'm not surprised he didn't tell you and don't take it personally. He's a closed up kinda guy. He's back here though now. He told me to tell you. Though if he asks... I didn't tell you about the mother thing. Just between us 'kay? Nah the whole thing was very sweet of him but gotta say, it cracked me up to hear that. Talking of Jaxon, he asked me to ask you if you liked his present. I'm curious. What was his present? Over here is interesting. We fixed up a couple of planes and the soldiers are heading out on the front lines tomorrow. I'm meeting up with the Navy SEALS tomorrow. Can't say too much but it's definitely something interesting for me.

Zac.

Jaxon,

I loved your present. I love you. So much. Stay safe for me please? I've made a couple of dress ideas. I'm thinking of taking another trip up to Manhattan and getting my designs looked at. Maybe that'll kickstart my ambitions. Taking a leap for you so don't you start taking risks! I love you. And thanks for the work thing. I don't know how I can look my boss in the eye anymore!

Arielle xxxx

"So how's it going?" Cheryl asked. They were sitting at their favourite bar and Arielle had to try to not look over at the counter where she had first caught a glimpse of Jaxon. Instead she looked down at her drink. Cheryl was pretty and got a few looks off some of the guys in the bar but she ignored them. It would be a lie to say she only had eyes for her finacé but she never flirted with them. She knew when to keep her eyes away, when her friends were struggling with something. She was a good friend. Kirsten, the other brunette, was too. Kirsten was not the type to go looking for a relationship, she let it come to her and focused mainly on her career. As a result, she was the manager of a chain of different businesses. It was a widespread rumour that Kirsten had got her hands in so many buckets because of her father and mother also being managers and CEOs of businesses in many states across America. It was a lie, Kirsten had done this all off her own back and although she too was attractive, she ignored all stares no matter where she was, who it was and so forth. There was only one person she even cared about and showed any love towards. Robert Pattinson. She even had the pure luck of having met him in person at some conference. So unless the subject of Robert Pattinson was brought up, she was an attentive and supportive friend too. As a result, Kirsten too paid attention to Cheryl's question. Arielle held her glass of red wine maybe a little too tightly as she considered that question.

"I don't know..."

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Kirsten exclaimed. She jumped up as she spoke and splashed a little of her red wine onto the table. "You have an exhibition tomorrow! This is really exciting news!" Arielle's heart had never felt so heavy. It was true, she had an exhibition tomorrow to showcase all her work and she had even managed to get some very important contacts to come, mainly thanks to Kirsten. She had been making designs for dresses for well over two months. Her regular correspondence with Zac and Jaxon told her that both of them agreed with it, loved what copied designs she sent in the post and supported her full heartedly. But both of them were at war and neither would be able to attend. This made her heart heavier than it had ever been.

"I know..."

"You miss him."Cheryl observed. Of course, everyone knew what she was on about. Arielle tried to speak but no noise came out so she just nodded her reply and continued to avoid their stares.

"It will be hard, Arielle but you have to pull through it. This is important, far more important than a relationship. This is your future! This means you get out of customer service and you'll be in dress making for as long as you wish!" Kirsten's motivational speech was as it always was, inspirational and it also helped Arielle to remember that she didn't want to be stuck in the job she was in now for the rest of her life. Dress making was where she wanted to be.

With that in mind, she cheered up a lot more and drank with her friends in a happier state of mind. They turned in earlier than usual but Arielle had to be up early, she had the morning shift at work as the afternoon and evening would be dedicated to her exhibition.