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!”

he was thinking at the moment, but he became hushed after I had spoken those

into his eyes, with no words escaping my lips. And having no knowledge of the silence. But I knew I had to compose myself, and keep it together at

the option, and an expressed anger at him would

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

passed Luke, and you didn’t speak to me,” I

more wine. “I didn’t want to, Ariel. I

alone,” I uttered underneath my

dropped his bottle of wine on the table, along with his glass. And a

said. “But you should have at least brought it out to me. We could have

“To fix things?” Luke chuckled promptly.

do you mean?” I

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

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, Ariel, the feeling

to say now?” I

heart. And even if

“I know you 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 there’s something actually going

Reynold in anywhere you are, wherever you go. It’s actually a good thing. That can at least bring a smile on my grandfather’s face from up there. But the fact that we’re

out deeply, looking downwards. “And by that, you want things to go back

Ariel?” Luke asked, sipping from

replied, looking at him once more.”

BV BITTER MEMORIES

it did, but it didn’t,” Luke enunciated, his hand perked up a little, as he had a hold of the glass of wine. “I remembered when I first saw you after five years. You came back, looking bold and ravishing.

on the table. “And then we had to get involved into another silly argument at the forest, where we met Foster. It still