Mercy

Chapter 54

I have mixed feelings right now and I just need some time to really let all of the negativity about my mother and I sink in.

I walked over to my car and drove to the nearest restaurant just so that I could sit and breathe.

"Ma'am, would you like to order anything? Perhaps something to drink?" A waitress asked as she walked up to me.

"Some water please." I said.

"Okay, I'll bring it right out." The waitress smiled before walking away.

Momentarily, the waitress came back to me and set a glass of cold, ice water on my table.

"Water? Out of all the drinks in the world? How boring." Arlen laughed as he walked up to my table and sat down.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in confusion.

"I was eating dinner but then I looked over here and saw you sitting alone, looking all sad." Arlen laughed.

Right.

"What's wrong though?" He added.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Life."

"I hope you're not sad because of the news. Negativity and fake news spreads around about people all the time Ella."

"Not everything is fake news though." I said.

"So... what your saying is that everything that was said about you and your mother is true?" Arlen asked.

   I looked Arlen in his eyes. I'm sure that he can tell that I'm annoyed.

"—Actually, lets change the topic. How are you? Like... how are you really doing?" Arlen asked.

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"Great... now that I'm here with you." Arlen smirked.

     I shook my head as I rolled my eyes.

"I'm kidding, relax." Arlen laughed.

"I'm relaxed." I said.

"—You know, I'm still hurt knowing that you gave Justin a chance a year later after you didn't want to give me a chance."

   I laughed as I faced down and shook my head.

"Wow, that's funny?" Arlen asked.

"Yes, it's really funny actually. —Like, that was years ago... so why bring it up?"

"Because I'm curious. —I seriously want to know why you didn't give me a chance."

"I didn't give you a chance because I wasn't ready for a relationship at the time, and you know that. Also, let's not act like you didn't do some grimy things that hurt my feelings." I explained.

"Okay, we don't have to bring that up... But what you're telling me is that you were ready for a relationship a year later?" Arlen asked.

"Mhm, and yes." I said as I nodded my head confidently.

Arlen shrugged his shoulders. "Cool."

"—So, Justin makes you happy?" He added.

"Yes."

   Arlen shook his head as he faced down.

He then looked me in my eyes. "I miss you."

I shook my head. "Aren't you supposed to be Justin's friend?"

"—Justin and I are good friends and I respect him, but I have feelings too Ella. I'm human."

"I feel like this is the real reason why we stopped talking— it's because you kept pushing me away."

I shook my head. "Arlen–"

"Wait no. Forget the past. —I want to know how you feel about me now." Arlen interrupted.

"I—"

"Just tell me that you don't have any type of feelings for me and I'll stop talking about this situation." Arlen interrupted again.

I looked Arlen in his eyes. "I don't have feelings for you..."

"Okay—I respect that." Arlen said as he nodded his head.

    We sat in an awkward silence as we looked each other in the eyes.

"—Congratulations on your engagement by the way." Arlen said.

"Thank you.."

   Arlen nodded his head and we then sat in an awkward silence again.

"I'm going to head home now." I said as I stood up from my seat.

Arlen also got up from his seat. "I'll walk you too your car."

"I'm a big girl Arlen, I can walk myself."

"Okay."

I said bye to him and walked out of the restaurant.

  As I walked towards my car, someone grabbed my arm.