BELLE IS BACK

"Aunt Coree, here's the menu."

Arianna politely passed the menu to the elderly woman. She and her mother invited her to lunch and found a nice Spanish restaurant to dine in.

"Yanyan, watch how you address the madam!" Dianna scolded her. The woman however just smiled at them.

"It's alright! She can call me however she wants." the woman replied. "I like this daughter of yours. After my son wakes up, I would like to introduce him to you two." she added. She then focused on the meals presented on the menu.

Dianna smiled. It looks like the madam's spirit was lifted a little. She didn't look as troubled as before. She'll bear in mind to pray for her son's quick recovery as well.

Just after they decided on the dishes from the menu, Arianna's phone vibrated. Earlier, she put it in silent mode in fear that it'll be a distraction during their temple visit. Now though, as the food weren't served yet, she still has time to pick up a call.

"Mom, have a chat with Aunt Coree. I'll take this call first." She said as she stood up from her seat.

Arianna found a quiet corner to answer the call. As usual, it was Jayden. For the past three months, Jayden had been constantly calling her everyday. Somehow, the nice Jayden she remembers during her teenage years was back. If it was the her, back then, maybe they'll be together now.

"When will you be coming back?" Like always, Jayden asked that question again. "I really miss you already."

Arianna was amused.

" Master Jayden, your flirting is getting better!" she teased. "I think I can't make it back yet. I don't know. Maybe in a month or two?"

"Hmm... alright then. I'll wait for you but.... " Jayden stopped mid-sentence. He paused for a while before carrying on. "... i hope you come back soon. Maybe you can help me deal with your sister."

Arianna's eyes darkened.

" Sister? Belle is back?"

She didn't hear about that. What was Tiger doing? Arianna took Viper with her, silently looking after her from the shadows. Tiger though was left in Dan city. Why didn't he send any report about that matter?

"She came to me asking me to take her back. She's been pestering me everyday. It puts me in a bad mood everytime!" he complained.

" Alright." she answered. "I'll look into the matter. I'll see if I can come back sooner."

"You're really going to help me?" Arianna chuckled when she heard Jayden's delighted voice.

"But of course! When did I ever turn you down? We've been friends for a very long time now." It was true. Arianna valued friendship very much. She only had a few friends and she cherish each one of them. Anyway, she needs to deal with Belle, too. She didn't have any evidence, but she believes Belle was the culprit behind Yago's ambush. If she ever find evidence to prove that Arabella was the one who ordered Yago's assassination, she promise to not only take her life, but take everything she has away.

***

After finishing the phonecall, Arianna strolled back to their table. To her surprise, a young girl was now sitting beside the foreign woman. She has short hair, and a small cute face. Her fair skin has a youthful glow of those in their teen years. Such a pretty little lady!

"Arianna, this is Erica." her mother introduced the girl at once. "She's madam Coralina's daughter."

"I originally came here with her, but she suddenly have to leave to deal with some important matter." the woman explained.

Arianna nodded and greeted her.

"How many children do you have, Aunt?" she asked out of curiosity. The woman was stunned by her question though.

"I..... have two."

she said lowering her head.

When the woman said that, the young girl beside her suddenly turned her head to look at her mother as if her mother just said something wrong. Although Arianna noticed that, she didn't probe further. Every family has a secret. It wasn't her place to meddle.

***

In Dan city, Jayden was sitting in his office, readind some documents when his secretary knock on his door.

"Sir, Miss Reid is here again."

Jayden frowned instantly. He just finished talking to Arianna on the phone which put him into a good mood, but now came the disaster of his life to ruin his day.

"Chase her away."

he answered. Seriously? What's with Belle? Can't she find someone else to pester? Suddenly, Jayden's phone was ringing. There was no question as to who was making a call. Jayden picked up the phone as he sensed a headache coming.

"Belle, go home! I'm busy. I won't see you!" he immediately fumed.

" Jayden, I just want to talk." he heard Belle say. "Can't you meet me just this once?" Arabella was almost begging, but Jayden's heart was cold.

" I can't. I don't want my girlfriend to misunderstand."

" Girlfriend?"

The word put Belle into silence for a while, obviously surprised. "Your lying! I had you investigated! You weren't seen together with anyone since we broke up! Stop lying to me!"

How could that be? The report she received stated that Jayden was busy with company matters these past few months and weren't spotted dating even once!

"That's because she's out of the country." he replied. " Arabella, I'm now dating Arianna." Jayden closed his eyes as he said those words. His left hand clenched into a fist.

The call was suddenly cut off.

Jayden stared at his phone bewildered. Did Belle receive too much of a fright and fainted? Seriously, he hoped that this is enough to disheartened Belle. Now he'll have to call Arianna again later to apologize and explain himself. He wouldn't want any misunderstanding between them. Not now of all times.

'I'm sorry Arianna. I hope you'll forgive me...' he said in his heart.

Arianna suddenly sneezed.

The weather wasn't very cold in Pian city. Is she going to catch a cold?

"Bless you!" she heard Erica say from behind. They just finished lunch and was now heading back to the temple.

Arianna smiled.

"Thank you." she answered.

"Some people think that when you sneeze, a person was missing you. But there were also those who think that sneezing means someone's cursing you. What do you think?"

Arianna furrowed her brows at Erica's question. She didn't know that to her at the moment, both were true. Jayden was thinking of her while Belle was fuming in rage, cursing her as she exit the building.