My Father's Best Friend

Chapter 4

A/N

Hi! This chapter is kind of sad, so bare with me. I know it took me way too long to update, but I had horrible writers block and wasn't sure what path I wanted to take with this story. But please enjoy this, and I will update again by next week, Promise.

xoxo Janan

Mark's P.O.V.

"So yeah...its me mark, just wanted to see how you are. Call me back soon? We need to talk." I sigh as I finish recording the voicemail I have practiced sending to Aria a billion times.

I keep texting her, calling her, even emailing her, still nothing. Out of pure and utter desperation, I showed up to her dorm, which is against the rules of course, but no luck with that. Her roommate, Emily, who I have met before and grew fond of, rudely slammed the door in my face.

I haven't talked to Aria in 2 weeks and it's driving me insane. I want to explain everything to her, which seems weird to me, because I am allowed to date, and it isn't any of her business. And I want to think like this, but I can't. Every time I try to, the hurt expression on her face just pops up yet again. I can't shake it off for some reason. I feel the need to explain to her what really happened.

What really happened, is nothing. Literally. Leslie was fired moments after I trudged back upstairs upon Aria zooming away from me. The nerve of my secretary drives me mad. How dare she? She has always been attracted to me, and I have always been well aware of that, but never thought she would actually take action on her feelings. She is crazy!

She called me, said she wanted to ask me a few questions about the paperwork I gave her to do overnight, and insisted we meet in person about it. I reluctantly agreed, because I knew Aria would be coming any time. Leslie got there before Aria, and pushed me down on the chair, straddling me. I was so shocked, so taken aback that I didn't know what to do. I tried several times to push her off of me but my arms were turned to jelly, trying to process what was happening.

Just seconds after she sat down on my lap, Aria walked in. Something about the expression on her face made me muster enough energy to throw Leslie off of me but what was seen was seen and there was no way I could admit to Aria that I have feelings for her by explaining to her what happened. I shouldnt've felt guilty but I did and she knew it.

I am pulled out of my thoughts as my phone rings. My heart leaps (which is ridiculous), thinking it may be Aria, but it's not. Just my dad.

"Hey, dad. What's up?" I breathe out, trying to make small talk.

"Mark, your mother...she had a stroke. She's in the hospital but in bad condition. You can't visit until tomorrow, but I just thought I should let you know. Hey kid, she will be alright, okay? You know your mom, the old fighter she is. Won't let a weak little stroke take her out. She will be okay. She will be okay, Mark." I can hear in his voice that he is trying to convince himself this more than me. My breath hitches, as I hear the line hang up.

The tears come, and they come fast. My mom is a fighter, I tell myself. She really is. But this doesn't stop me from feeling completely hopeless. I drive to the only girl who will make me feel safe, even if she is mad at me. I need her.

Driving, I can't focus on the road. The image of my mom in a hospital bed, and the image of getting to Aria distracts me. I need her. I need her to hold me. I need to cry in her arms. I don't feel strong now. I feel weak, very weak. This isn't the Mark everyone sees, the one that can handle anything, any time. The only person that has seen the Mark I am right now is Aria. Just once, though. It was when my grandfather passed, and I completely broke down, right in front of her. She comforted me, and we don't speak about that ever, because she knows how prideful I am. She knows how I want to portray myself. She respect me more than anyone I have ever met, and I need her.

I pull up to her dorm, and bolt up the 4 flights of stairs. I reach her door, finally, and I knock. Emily comes to the door yet again, and almost slams it for the second time, but when she sees the uncontrollable flow of tears falling from my eyes, she knows better. She quickly shuffles into the other room and then I see her. There is Aria, sitting on the couch reading, looking like an angel. And when I sniff, she looks up from her book and worry covers her beautiful face. She hurries over to me and hands me the box of tissues on the table by the couch. And I break down again. Between sobs, I am able to get out what is wrong. She rubs my back and whispers in my ear.

"Mark, listen to me. Your mom is brave. She is strong, willful, and one of the most endured women I have ever met. She will definitely beat this. Okay, baby?" My chest tightens at the sound of baby, but know that this is her way of comforting me. I nod, and pull myself together. Wiping my eyes, she continues rubbing my back. I want to stay like this forever.

"I'm sorry, Aria. I am so sorry." I blurt out. She has to know.

Confusion crosses her face before realization takes over. "Mark, it's okay. Really. You are allowed to be involved with woman. I overreacted, that's all." She half smiles at me.

"No Aria, you really don't understand." I say, then continue on letting her in on what really happened. After I finish explaining everything, she sighs.

"Oh."

"Yeah." I say back.

We stay like this for a while, and I call my dad again. He sounds better, and I am glad. He tells me to be there early in the morning tomorrow, and I say of course. We hang up.

Aria convinces me that I am in no condition to drive back, and after many protests, I finally give in at the sight of her puppy eyes. God, I am such a sucker for her.

I make my bed on the couch, and we both head off to sleep.

And after a few hours of tossing and turning, I know I won't be able to sleep. So, I walk into her bedroom, and I lie down next to her. The strawberry smell of the shampoo she uses filling my nose. And I feel safe.