Chapter 2 Chapter Two
“Arielle, who is at the door?” Zara's voice brought me back to reality.
The guy standing before me was Zara's fiance, her soon to be husband but that wasn't just the shocking part, he was also the father to my unborn child.
He looked at me like he didn't recognize me at all.
“Hi, I'm Ethan.” He smiled lightly at me.
Before I could ask him any questions, Zara ran towards him, he embraced her tightly, planting small kisses on her cheeks.
“Ethan, this is my best friend, Arielle and Arielle this is the love of my life, Ethan.” She smiled as she introduced the both of us.
“It's a pleasure meeting you. Zara has been talking about you since I came.” I said awkwardly.
“Likewise, she talks about you a lot.” He replied to me, stretching his hands for a hand shake.
I accepted it not wanting to make Zara suspicious.
“Come on, let's have dinner.” Zara pulled him.
I sat across from Zara who put her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her hands. Her engagement ring caught the light every time she moved, flashing softly like it wanted attention. While Ethan sat by her side.
I pressed my lips together, I couldn't ruin my friends happiness, because of my mistake, that would be selfish of me.
Ethan dished out a portion of food on Zara’s plate then passed the bowl to me, I dished out a small portion on my plate too.
I could see the way he pampered her, I turned away, I didn’t look at him again, I couldn’t.
Zara talked about different things, events she attended, and how her dream of becoming an influencer was going well.
She then talked about wedding venues, color palettes, how her mother cried when she said yes, how surreal everything felt.
“I keep thinking I’ll wake up and it’ll all be fake,” Zara said, smiling at him. “Like—surprise! It was just a dream.”
He reached for her hand without hesitation, lacing their fingers together.
“You won’t,” he whispered. “I won’t let it be.”
My fingers clenched around her water glass, I didn't know why I felt betrayed.
Zara deserved honesty, and I was sitting there with a secret growing heavier by the minute, one I hadn’t even fully accepted myself yet.
Ethan opened the wine, with it making a loud pop sound. He turned some of the content into his cup and passed it to Zara who did likewise.
“Here, Arielle.” Zara passed the wine bottle to me.
“I will pass for today.” I politely rejected it.
“So you are not drinking?” Zara scoffed. “You’re no fun anymore.”
I smiled thinly. “I don't feel like it, must be due to jet lag.” Even the smell of the food made my stomach twist unpleasantly.
“Are you sure that you're okay?” Zara asked, brow creasing slightly. “You’ve been quiet, which is unlike you.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
“Say something normal…” I warned myself.
“I’m just tired,” I said. “It’s been a long day.”
Zara nodded, accepting it instantly.
“So,” Zara said brightly, turning to me, “what do you think?”
“About…?” I looked at her in a questioning way.
“Us,” Zara said, laughing. “Be honest.”
I looked at them. Zara, hopeful and open.
“I think,” l hesitated a bit but then composed myself quickly, “that you look happy.”
Zara beamed with joy. “That’s all I need.”
Ethan smiled brightly as he then whispered something to Zara, his lips touching her ear.
“Excuse me, I need to sleep and it was really nice meeting you, Ethan..” I rushed my words while trying to hold back the tears that threatened to gather.
I ran towards the room not waiting for their response.
Back in the room, I couldn't hold it in anymore, tears streamed down my eyes like water.
“What should I do? I can't tell Zara about the truth and I don't know if I would be able to see him without thinking about the fact that I'm carrying his child.” I murmured painfully.
“Gosh.” I felt so overwhelmed with emotions, I wasn't even sure if it was because of the pregnancy.
I always hated the fact that I grew up without knowing my father, and now I'm considering doing the same to my unborn child. I allowed my back to hit the bed.
Ethan's POV
I didn't know why I couldn't shake off the feeling that Arielle looked a bit familiar. I tried recalling but still no memory of her. Even the way she gave me side glances and her expression when she opened the door made me feel uneasy.
“Is your friend alright?” I asked Zara casually.
“Yeah. Although she's been acting weird, she will get over it.” She shrugged like it didn't really matter much.
“She's your friend, you shouldn't just wave her feelings aside.” I said feeling a bit annoyed, but I didn't let it show.
“Alright, baby. Can we focus on ourselves now? You barely have time to visit me or even answer my calls.” She blinked her eyes at me trying to act cute.
“You know I'm busy, it's not my fault.” I told her plainly.
“That’s what you always say. Anyways, when are you coming to see my parents officially? So a date can be fixed for the wedding. I have made a lot of arrangements.” Her smile returned as she went on about the wedding.
“I will come soon, just relax babe.” I reassured her, but then I suddenly got a message from my phone.
“She's the one. We can proceed with the marriage, but you need to come now so we can talk.”
I quickly stood up. “I need to go, something urgent came up at the office.” I didn't wait for her response, I hurried towards the door.
“By this time?” I heard her complaining but I didn't care to listen.
My only goal was to make them pay for what they did, especially her family.
