A little time out.

(ARIELLE'S

POV)

I was startled by Ashley's question, totally thrown off guard. "I...I don't know," I stuttered. "For now, all I want is to return to work."

"I understand," she said, patting my shoulders. "Come on, let's go back to what we were watching."

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. The following days were uneventful and the cycle repetitive. Ashley went to work and returned in the evening while I stayed at home, doing almost nothing.

I missed my job, and made up my mind to return to work, damning my mother's and Ashley's advice. I planned to tell Ashley when she returned from work today.

As for Jared and Sofia, I had no option but to block them on all social media platforms as I kept seeing pictures of them together at every turn. I deleted Jared's numbers and blocked them. I would protect my sanity at all costs.

My mom was still in the dark about the divorce, and presumably Jared's mother too. I was not going to tell either of them. I'll let them find out for themselves, and if Jared and Sofia had the balls they could do it themselves. The familiar sound of the doorbell suddenly went off, alerting me of Ashley's return. I rose and walked to get the door.

"I'm home!" Ashley examined her usual mantra whenever she returned home.

I smiled and we exchanged hugs and pleasantries. I let her settle down, before bringing up the topic.

"Ashley, can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course, what's up?" She responded, giving me her full attention.

"Look, I know you're and my mom wants the best, but I have to return to work. I have recovered fully, and I don't feel the pain on my waist anymore. Please, let me resume work."

"Arielle, you've been through so much. So much for one person to handle, you need to recover fully. Your workplace gave you enough time to recuperate, so what's the rush?"

"I know, but staying at home is making me feel even worse. I need something to keep me engaged. Staying home, and away from what I love doing is driving me crazy."

Ashley sighed in resignation. "Fine. Your mind seems made up already. When do you plan to resume?"

"It's the weekend already. I'll resume by Monday."

"Alright, but you're putting me in a tight corner. Your mother will come for my head if she discovers I let you resume work," Ashley grumbled.

"She won't. I promise, I'll tell her I convinced you," I said, throwing my hands around her.

She asked, giving na a

you think,

burst into

phone suddenly rang, and she gasped when she saw the caller's ID. "Oh, my God, I totally forgot," she mumbled, answering the phone. "Hi, Juliet. I'm so sorry, it

raised a brow, curious about the conversation. The moment the

it's the weekend, and

"Okay, so you're going?"

look in her eyes. "And you're coming with

can't" I started to protest, but she cut me

leave you at home alone." And before I knew it, she was pulling me to my

Quit being a party pooper. We don't have all the time," she chided, tossing

hesitant. "Ashley, I don't know... I'm not really

rummaging her closest and turned to face me. "That's exactly why you need to come. You've been cooped up in this house for

came to

"Fine, deal."

to get dressed. Ashley insisted I wear something "party -worthy," and so I

before I knew it, we were walking into a

spotted us and waved us over. "Hey, girls. So glad you made

With Ashley and Juliet, the atmosphere

was a little too hyper active tonight.

chuckled, unfazed. "Why don't you join us and

head vehemently. "I'm not good at singing. I sound like a frog and wouldn't want

wouldn't

the microphone. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Half of the people here sing worse

the song selection machine. "What song

a young man in dark shades approached us. He spared me a glance before turning to Ashley. "Do you need

felt goosebumps at

Why was

good look at him but he had his face on

make out his facial features from

for my friend. You see, she's an introvert who knows nothing but work, work, work. Can

young man responded. And then he turned to me, "Madam, do you know any song you can sing from start to finish. A

"I know a

"I'm

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