The Love From Vengeance

82 BITTER MEMORIES

ARIEL’S POV

“Why are you laughing? I’m only spitting facts,” I told Luke, making a puzzled face after he laughed to my recent words.

“Well, Ariel, you are spitting nonsense,” his tone was full of mockery. “You don’t have to start pretending now. One thing I finally realized, is that you don’t care for me. You don’t care about anyone in my family. You’re only concerned about your business.”

I took a deep breath. “I know why you’re saying that.”

“I know you do,” Luke responded immediately.

“It’s because of Riley, isn’t it?” I asked, and set my eyes on him. “You’re still mad at me for showing up late at her funeral.”

“Showing up late?” Luke glared at me. “Fuck that Ariel! You didn’t even show up

at all.”

“I know and I’m sorry. It’s just that I was…”

“Busy with business, am I not right?” Luke cut me off.

I sighed, being silent for a moment before I finally replied, “Yes.”

“Riley was an angel. She was so nice to you. And that’s how you repay her? Remember she died all because of you.”

“I know, and I felt guilty for that,” I vocalized, trying to find the words. “I felt guilty for not showing up. I felt guilty for not spending so much time with her, even when she wanted to. I felt guilty for so many things, Luke!”

I didn’t know what he was thinking at the moment, but he became hushed after I

silence. But

an expressed anger at him would never

feel guilty?” He asked softly, his eyes still fixed on me. I nodded, and he turned his face away,

and you didn’t

“I didn’t want

uttered underneath my breath. “But you were angry with me, weren’t

of wine on the table, along with his

quite clear,” I hushedly said. “But you should have at least brought it out to me. We could have find a

what?” He broke me off. “To fix things?” Luke chuckled promptly. “You’ve started

mean?” I slowly asked.

pictured in your mind; the two of us dwelling together in Heaven.” Luke laughed softly. “It

did for me. You took poison all because of me, and you’ve gone through terrific moments all because of me. I appreciate that. And I know this is my grandfather’s promise; to treat you nice. But I have to

say now?” I aksed

trying to say that I’m not in love with you. The feelings can’t just unfold in my heart. And even if I’m going to fall in love, I don’t think it’s going to be any time soon.”

also don’t love me. So please, let’s not act like we’re actually crazy over each other. Let’s not start talking like

You’re addressed as Ariel Reynold in anywhere you are, wherever you go. It’s actually a good thing. That can at

“And by that, you want things to go back

Ariel?” Luke asked, sipping from his

think it did,” I replied, looking at him once

BV BITTER MEMORIES

hold of the glass of wine. “I remembered when I first saw you after five years. You came back, looking bold and ravishing. And we had a huge argument back then, which literally made no sense.

and dropped the glass back on the table. “And then we had to get involved into another silly argument at