"But I’ll be glad if you choose to trust in our love. I love you Ria. I never stopped and won’t ever. Let’s forget everything and move on."
"I... I don’t know if that’s even possible anymore. Not after everything," Ariel said skeptically, refusing to et George’s earnest gaze, especially after hearing that affectionate nickna he always called her in the past... My Ria.’
George took a deep breath, his voice trembling but determined. "I’ll do whatever it takes to make it possible for us, Ria. Just give the chance to try."
The air between them was thick with tension as Ariel fought the greatest battle of her life.
anwhile, Lauren and Cheryl watched silently, hoping that Ariel would make the right decision. It was clear her so-called friend was indeed the enemy that drove them apart clearly out of jealousy. Who can tell she didn’t have an eye for George while she was pretending to be Ariel’s friend.
After what seed like eternity, she drew in a deep breath and said, "I’ll need ti to think about it."
"Oh, My Ria, you don’t know how happy you’ve made by this answer. Take your ti to think about it. But also rember that ti can also be an enemy if not properly utilized."
"Are you...?"
"No, no, darling. I’ve already said it... take all the ti in the world." George said but already had started strategizing on how to propose to her in the most elaborate way. So much ti has been wasted and he still needs to et their child and be a good father to him or her. He even forgot to ask about the sex of the child, but that was secondary for now.
What was more important was getting her forgiveness and of course teaching that witch of her friend an everlasting lesson for interfering in their lives that would have been perfect all these years.
Now he’ll have to introduce himself to his own child and start cultivating a relationship that should have co naturally. Damnation!
"Mr Wellington... are you still here?" Lauren called out when George seed to have been transported to the unknown.
"Huh? Oh, Ariel,"
"I’m Lauren, you fool. ’Your Ria’ is already leaving," Lauren teased and George turned around to see Ariel at the door and hurried after her.
Lauren shared a look with Cheryl. "What do you think?"
"I should be asking you that."
"My cousin is so handso and also capable, which woman in her right senses will be able to refuse him? It shouldn’t be long before we hear another announcent," Lauren said with certainty.
"I agree with you. George almost swept off my feet the first ti I saw him, but fortunately I am already a blissfully married woman. And my Jason is still far more handso, if you must know."
"But that aside," Cheryl continued, "Ariel is no fool. I believe she’ll act wisely. Moreover she can see that none of this was George’s fault apart from that initial shock that he was going to be a father out of the blues. It must have scared his young mind silly. I think she’ll understand that it was that awful friend of hers that ssed things up for them."
Lauren released a deep sigh. "I still can’t believe Ariel has a child. How could she have kept this secret for years? From us too."
"It must have been hard for her too. I never saw her with any child all the ti we’ve interacted. Do you think Janice is aware?" Cheryl asked.
"I doubt, but even if she did, she hadn’t ntioned it to ."
", neither. Hmm! This is heavy, I’ve never been more shocked in my life. And here I was, bragging that after Janice, I’ll be the oldest mother among our little sisterhood."
"You now have one more senior ahead of you that you need to learn from, poor you."
"Don’t you think you’re the poorest, seeing Steffan have not even seen the color of your undies?"
"Really? I can still recall soone calling the morning after her first night with the handso president so years back, to ask if first tis were always that painful,"
Lauren retorted.
"I knew I wouldn’t win against you, It still baffles why you never pursued a degree in law. My victories would have been child’s play compared to yours."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Ms Moore. I love my coffee. It’s the best thing that happened to ," Lauren said with a disarming smile.
"I hope Steffan never gets to hear that... best thing indeed," Cheryl snorted and dug into her hot pot.
"He sure won’t... at least not from ," Lauren said and joined in Cheryl’s example.
*************
anwhile, George, who had caught up with Ariel, called out, "Ria, don’t go yet, please!"
"What else do you want," Ariel snapped despite knowing the reason he still ca after her after promising he’d give her ti to think things through.
George hesitated just for a few second, then said,
"Ariel, I know I might seem to be pushing my luck which is very wrong of . But please... I have a huge favor to ask of you."
Ariel slowly turned to face him, her expression guarded. "And what is it?" She asked sharply.
George took a step closer. With slightly trembling hands, he tried to reach out, only to stop himself short.
"I know it’s not simple. But... I just... I want to be part of our child’s life. I want to be part of your life if you’ll have , but I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give, even if it’s just the chance to see our child."
Ariel’s lips pressed into a thin line as her gaze flicked away from him. "You don’t even know what you’re asking for, George. My child doesn’t know anything about you. How do I even begin to explain this to..."
"I’ll make it right, Ria," he cut in softly but with a desperation that she hadn’t heard from him before.
"Let et our child, and we’ll go from there. You don’t have to trust yet even if that is what I sincerely crave for. But I want you to know that I’m no longer the sa scared and indecisive youth I was back then when you told about the pregnancy."
"You think it’s that easy? That you can just show up and suddenly be a father, George? This is not..."
"What’s the na of our child?" George interrupted in a voice that sounded cracked. "Tell , Ria. Please. Is it a boy or a girl?"
Ariel didn’t know how to cope with the man who suddenly jumped from asking to see their child to demanding to know the na of the child.
She wanted to ignore him and continue with the previous argunt but the raw emotion in his voice made Ariel pause.
She crossed her arms tightly over her chest as if to protect herself from the vulnerability she felt. Finally, she looked him in the eye, and for a mont, George thought he saw a glimr of the warmth she once had for him.
"Her na is Georgia," she said quietly. "She’s seven years old. And she’s the best thing that ever happened to ."
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