Chapter Ninety six

I marveled at the beautiful house Brianna owned. It was so chic and classy just like her.

Her call came in the nick of time. She just had just gotten back from rounding up a shoot in England and reached out when she heard the news.

I got emotional and let her know about my new living situation and she sent me her address.

And, here I was staring at the drool worthy sight she called home.

"Welcome Ariana." She said, majestically strutting down the stairs.

My gaze followed her until she stood in front of me and gave me a hug.

She ushered me to a seat and had my suitcase taken by one of her helps up to the guestroom.

"Thanks for letting me stay here for a while Brianna. This means a lot to me." I said, expressing my gratitude profusely.

"Oh it's alright." She said with a dismissive wave.

"How are you? Really?" She asked knowingly, holding on to my hand.

I let out a shaky breath.

"I feel like my whole world is crumbling into pieces and I don't even understand anything going on anymore." I said honestly.

"I'm so sorry to hear that sweetie. It's okay if you can't talk about it right now, okay?" She gave my palm a comforting squeeze and I nodded.

"I'm here if you need anything, alright? Make yourself at home." She said warmly.

"Thanks a lot."

"And, if you ever feel like you need to talk I'm all ears." She added

"Sure thing." I nodded.

"One more thing," she raised her index finger and walked over to the other side of the sofa we were seated on.

"Aha!" She exclaimed softly.

"This little guy is always here if you need company."

She handed over the cutest little puppy I had ever seen. It was so adorable, I just wanted to cry.

"He's Mico." She introduced us.

"Hi Mico, I'm Ariana, your new friend." I said in a tiny voice, softly rubbing on his fur.

"He's so cute." I said to Brianna.

"I know right." She had on the same mushy smile as me.

****

"Hello," Brianna chirped, standing in the doorway.

"Good morning." I turned from the mirror in the beautiful lavender themed bedroom and faced her.

"Can I come in?"

"It's your house, Brianna." I stated with a chuckle.

"You're heading out so early?"

"Yes. I have to go tender my resignation at Avilla Corp."

"Oh?"

"I don't want to see him until the divorce and resigning from my job is one way to avoid that." I explained.

"What about your income?"

"I have enough money saved up to start up a business. I just need to figure out what I want to set up." I said with a sigh. I was clueless as to what I was going to do with my life. I had great plans for myself, working with the company but now, all of that wouldn't come through.

"I'll see you when you get back then." She said and gave me an encouraging pat on my shoulder.

"Yeah. See you later."

She left and I took one last look at my plain white maxi pants with the form fitting black long sleeved turtleneck shirt and black platform heels before picking up my hand bag.

"Oops, my ride is here!" I checked my phone and rushed out.

***

"Ariana!" Stephanie exclaimed the moment she set her eyes on me. She came over and gave me a friendly hug.

"Oh my goodness! I haven't seen you in forever!" She exclaimed.

"I know right. How are you?"

"I'm great! How are you?" She asked back.

"I'm good." I shrugged.

"I'm so sorry about your father. Accept my condolences."

I nodded.

"Thank you Stephanie."

"So what brings you here, I thought you were working from home?"

"I'm here to tender my resignation." I said reluctantly. She gasped.

"What?! Why?!"

"It's a long story." I said.

"Let me go speak to the head of department, I'll see you later."

She was too gobsmacked to speak.

I walked over to the office at the end of the hall.

There was nothing exceptional about my exchange with the man who headed the department. With all said and done, I had resigned and was saying goodbye to this place for good.

I said goodbye to the few acquaintances I had made during my short stay including Stephanie.

Phew.

"At least that's done and over with."

***

Back at Brianna's house, I was busy brainstorming on what to do and surely she noticed because when she came in, she sat next to me.

"Your phone's ringing." She pointed out.

"I didn't even hear it. I'm sure it's Damien calling again." I said disinterestedly.

I was avoiding his calls and he still had been calling non stop.

"Answer him at least." She suggested.

I shook my head vigorously.

"I don't think I can. I need some space."

"In that case, I think you should leave Los Angeles."

I frowned.

"Where should I go? I don't want to go back to my father's place in New York because he'd surely find me there."

Surely, I did not want to see him until it was time for the divorce. I wanted him to be happy and focus on having his child. There was nothing between us and there never would be, so there was no point in answering him.

"I have an idea." Brianna said and I swiftly turned to her.

"What is it?"

"Why don't you head over to San Diego? It's not so far away from LA."

I was puzzled.

"Why San Diego though?"

"Well, I have a beach house over there and I'm sure you'd love it. And when I'm done with work over here I'll come join you so you wouldn't be all alone."

"Oh Brianna! What would I do without you?" I cried out and pulled her into a hug. She giggled.

"Anything for a friend." She said and I gave a grateful smile, thanking the heavens for sending me such a friend in such time of need.

My phone buzzed again and I picked it up about to block Damien's line so he would stop bothering me but I saw that it was mom who had been calling.

"Ariana?"

"Hi mom." I said.

"Sweetie where are you? I've asked Damien so many times and he's been unable to speak to me. I know you're angry but please come back." She wasn't even catching a breather.

"Mom, I'm fine. I just," I paused and licked my lips wondering if I should let her know the truth or just give her a little hope.

"I just need some space from all that drama."

"Of course you do darling, but where are you?" She inquired sounding concerned.

"Mom I'll see you tommorow. I'll come over to the villa." I said in haste.

"That's great news!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"But wait! Promise me one thing."

"Alright whatever it is, consider it done."

"Please don't let anyone know that I'm coming over tomorrow,"

"Of course."

"Especially Damien." I said emphatically. I wouldn't know what to do if I came face to face with him.

"Mhmm alright then. I give you my word." She reluctantly agreed.

"Thank you." I exhaled in relief.

"Take care."

"Bye." I dropped the call and let out a shaky breath.

"You're going back there?!" Brianna exclaimed in disbelief.

"I'm just going to get my stuff. I need to pack well for my trip to San Diego." I said.

"Are you sure about this?" She asked, eyeing me concernedly.

"Yeah, I'm just going to take some of my stuff and get out in no time." I said.

"I just hope you don't run into your husband's mistress." She muttered in distaste.

"You sound like you've had an altercation with her."

"Of course I have. A few years back I was at a premiere event with my ex fiancee and she just kept popping up in our conversations because they're both models who have worked together. She kept making me feel awkward because of the way she knew a lot of things and had lots of memories with him from when they worked together." She narrated.

"My my my! She did the exact same thing with me when I just married Damien. She even sat on my spot at the dinner table and didn't budge when I came in." I said back, reliving that annoying day in my head.

I was appalled at how Aleena kept proving that she was an attention seeking bitch. Forgive my language but that woman was really annoying and she seemed to bring out the worst in me.

"She's just the worst! No wonder she didn't attend your wedding, she's always had eyes for Damien." Brianna reasoned out and I concurred.

"Well, she can have him if that's all she wants."

"Are you sure you would not want to go back to him? I mean, from all you've told me, it seems like that man is in love with you."

My heart skipped a beat at what she just mentioned.

"I doubt that."

I vehemently disagreed with a vigorous shake of my head as if to throw the thought out.

"Damien isn't in love with me or anyone for that matter." I stated confidently.

"Don't be so sure." She said in a singsong manner.

"Even if he is, there's no way it can work out." I shook my head and pursed my lips accepting the fact that that man wasn't for me. I couldn't stand the drama.

"You think so?" She asked.

"I know so."