Waiting..

Ariena was arranging their designs and reports in a more presentable way with the two girls, when Bruce came to inform them that the meeting has been postponed to later afternoon.

"As we all know that the wheather in country A is not good due to the tropical storm that had stuck there, so Ms Stella flight has been delayed. As a result of which, we will be having meeting later on until then you can go through your work and check if there any place for improvement. Girls you have to give your best today..., make your leader proud..." Bruce literally pleaded at the end, making the girls giggled.

"Don't worry Bruce we are all set and Ariena has already checked everything twice and thrice.." commented Lenny while hugging Ariena's arms lovingly.

"That's wonderful then, keep everything safe and clean up your table.... Get ready girls today I'll take you to a place for your lunch, my treat.. " told Bruce with a smile.

"Really !! where are we going? I guess it would be some renowned place.." asked Lenny again with curiosity in her voice.

Bruce laughed lightly while shaking his head, "I really want to know why this head of yours is so obsessed with famous and wealthy things... and sorry to disappoint you, we are not going to a luxury five or seven star hotel.... but that place is also a well known local restaurant and known for it's steaks. I usually go there when I'm very happy or want to celebrate something...so it just that I thought to celebrate Ariena participation there .." he informed them and turned to Lenny while continuing , "For your satisfaction, that place is not so cheap and you have to get through a long que usually to get in there, so feel free to enjoy the free meal Lenny.. " Bruce teased her and ruffled Lenny's hair which made Stacey and Ariena giggled loudly.

"Hey don't mess my hair, I don't want my head to look like chicken head" Lenny complained sulking in her chair.

.... ..... ... ...

At the Hale's Kitchen eatery...

The restaurant was not a high-end but it's ambience was very soothing and pleasing, the staff were welcoming and polite . With cozy sitting arrangements and the aroma of foods that had filled the environment was giving the feeling of being home, very likeable.

Bruce guided them to his favorite table which was near to the kitchen but was away from it's hassle at the same time, from there one can easily see how's the kitchen was functioning.

"I like sitting here because I like to observe the kitchen, how patiently and lovingly they prepare each and every dish. They remind me of my mother she also used to prepare food for me and my brother very affectionately.." Bruce revealed his thoughts to the girls.

As soon they made themselves comfortably a waiter approached them with menu cards and said, "Hope you are liking here, please take a look at our menu and do tell me what would you like to order, when you have decided. I'll be right there, just call me...."

The waiter left them to decide and tend to attain the other table meanwhile.

"Wow this place is really nice Bruce, and it's surely not so light for the wallet also, just look at the prices of the food.. " Lenny conveyed her thoughts in a little high tone immediately as the waiter left them, gathering the attention from the neighbouring tables. Her words and actions really shocked three of them, they pass a look at each other and shook their head in defeat.

"Surely it's not cheap but once you try their dishes you will surely say it worth spending at least this much on such delicious foods. So stop looking at the prices just find what suits your taste Lenny .... BEHAVE GIRL " whispered Bruce in a warning tone while maintaining a sweet smile on his face.

Lenny gulped at his words and said laughing awkwardly, "Hahaha.. sure let's find something amazing to eat...'

They started discussing some random stuff and cracking jokes mostly on Lenny while they waited for their food.

Ariena was zoning out. Her full attention was on her cellphone. She was checking it from time to time without realizing that her friends were noticing her every moves and her minimal response from time to time.

After sometime Stacey couldn't help herself as she was concern about her so she grabbed her attention by holding her hand while asking her, "Is there something wrong Ariena, why are you so restless dear.."

Ariena was shocked from Stacey's direct question and action, she lift her eyes in confusion to look at them not knowing what to say. She immediately processed her thoughts on how and what to reply them so that they didn't suspect something is off.

"Ah... oh no there's nothing to worry about, it's just that Mrs Dan had said that she will send me some documents regarding the contest by this afternoon and she hadn't sent it yet..., Sorry for not paying attention to your talk guys.." she answered in apologizing tone. She felt really bad to lie to her friends but at the same time she can't tell them the truth.

In her disappointment she was not able to enjoy their conversation, she excused herself to use the restroom to sort out her feelings alone for sometime.

"I'll be making a quick visit to restroom, call me if food comes early.." she said with a forcing smile on her face to hide her sour mood.

"Do you need me to go with you Ari.." asked Stacey softly. But Ariena immediately decline the offer and makes her way to the restroom.

.... ..... .... ....

Ariena locked herself in a cubicle and sighed loudly looking at the blank screen of her cellphone... no notification.... no message, no call.

"Yes I myself had told Ron that he didn't need to call me back and I will talk to him when he will get back here from his five days long trip. But that doesn't mean he had to follow my words so obediently. Can't he guess that I might had said those words in spur of moment.... Aaaghh why is he so dumb.." Ariena mumbled softly to herself.

Suddenly realization stucked her, their relation is not at that level or one can say that they are not bound to understand each other unsaid words and feelings. She is the tool to his success and the same goes with him too.

NO EXPECTATIONS was the first and foremost clause in the contract. How can she be so dumb to forget all these things and act like a cheated wife. When she is not even a true wife to him.

She gets up from the toilet seat to go out of cubicle. After washing her face and eyes with cold water, she plastered a beautiful business smile on her face to go to her friends.

"Let's enjoy the moment Ariena, Bruce had been so thoughtful, you can't ruin everything... it's your day girl.. " she retell herself while walking out the restroom to the place where her friends... Her well-wishers were waiting for her.