Chapter 159

"Sofia wouldn't even look at you twice," Noah said amidst the tearful cackle.

"Says the one who has had a thousand encounters, yet has left no impression," Matt fired back.

"Both of you, cut it!" Lilly ordered. "We've got a bigger fish to fry and you're here fighting over what's not really important for now. I told you we'll deal with Sofia's case later. Can't you see what I'm doing? It's all for the better good of you two. Don't you care that your share of inheritance is at stake?"

Matt and Noah regained back their selves. But for the time being. Their mother was right. That silly wannabe girl cannot tap into their family's inheritance just like that. It's all they've been living for. They would have to die than allow some stranger snatch away that which was rightfully theirs. No way.

"I'll need you two to get yourself together," Lily continued, "I'll call on you when I need you. Matt did good today and he has gotten his reward. Noah, you're up next."

Noah shrugged his shoulders distastefully. "I'm no good for this, let Matt continue what he's started, he seems to be very good at it. Besides, I've got a date with Sofia later this evening," he lied.

"Stupid boy," Lily lashed out at Noah, "you have got no idea what is going on. You're going to force me to say this, but you'll have to choose between Sofia and your inheritance."

Noah couldn't say a word again. Sofia was his meal ticket, but she wasn't even showing positive signs of accepting him. He's been unsuccessful so far with his advances. Nevertheless, he would not give up. But the family's inheritance was what was definite. All he needed do was to get Calhoun and his good-for-nothing girlfriend out of the picture.

"So, how do I come in?" Noah gave in.

Lily grinned like the witch that she was.

In the garden, little Rosa was digging around the sunflowers with her hands. Ariana came unnoticed and stood behind her watching her innocence. Ariana wished she could be a child again. Worrying less about anything.

"I'm sorry for what had happened at the table," Rosa said, still pruning the beautiful yellow plant.

Ariana was shocked Rosa knew she was there. Not only were little children carefree, they were very sensitive. Ariana bent down on her knees to help Rosa.

"You don't need to apologize. You did nothing."

Little Rosa turned to look at Ariana, "you're very kind aunt Aria. I'm not sorry for what I've done or anything anyone did or say to you. I'm only sorry that you have to go through all these. But you don't have to if you want. You can call uncle Calhoun to come pick you up."

Ariana marveled at the intelligence of the little girl. Rosa was right. She didn't have to go through all these. She had earlier on thought of packing up and leaving when she got to her room. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want to call Calhoun either. He would just make a mountain out of the molehill. And she didn't want any more drama than the one that had happened.

Ariana hoped it wouldn't happen again. But deep down, she was certain that this was probably the beginning. She would have to brace herself up for the battles ahead. Maybe if they saw how resilient she was, they would have no other option rather than to give up.

"Do you love uncle Calhoun?" Little Rosa asked without looking at Ariana. It was like she wasn't the one who asked. Ariana was tongue-tied. How much did this little girl know?

"Yes, I love him, with my heart and with my soul," Ariana said, and wished the whole family was witnessing her profession.

"But does he love you?"

Ariana felt like this was some kind of a test. Like her emotions were being tested and she had to reaffirm what she had already known —what she already believed in.

"Yes he does," she finally said.

"And how do you know?" Rosa pressed on.

"He has this look in his eyes," Ariana explained dreamingly, "when I look into his eyes, I just know it."

"So, love is seen in the eyes?" Rosa desired to learn for herself.

"Yes. No, the thing is..." Ariana was now struggling to explain, "if you love someone, you'll know it, because it's a feeling that's inside of you and only you can truly know that it exist for you. But if someone loves you, you can't know for certain, all you have to do is just believe it's true. For me, when I look into his, I see a spark that makes me believe it's true that he loves me."

Little Rosa didn't fully grasp this understanding. But she could tell that Ariana knew what she was saying and that she believed that her big cousin Calhoun loved her. She had got the information she had wanted.

"My mother told me that she knew father loved her the first time they met because her heart skipped a beat and she felt uneasy."

Ariana now understood the Genesis of little Rosa's adventurous inquisitivity. Bianca had been entertaining the little girl's sense of philosophy. Ariana felt uncomfortable discussing these things with a little girl. But unfortunately, little Rosa was the only company she could afford to have.

"Did you also feel the same way when you first met uncle Calhoun?" Rosa continued.

Ariana could still remember that night at the bar. It was an experience that remained pleasantly mysterious. Who would have thought that that night, and at that bar, and at that time, she would meet the love of her life. Ever since, her life had never been the same.

"Yes, of course I did. Your mother is right. Now, let's wash up and go inside the house. I'll make us some pancakes."

Little Rosa giggled at the sound of pancakes. She sprang up and held Ariana's hand as they made to go inside.

"Have you ever kissed my cousin Calhoun?"