Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

|| Savannah's POV ||

" Wow! I can smell love in the air!", Aria chimed in, gripping a big bowl of nachos. Her food cravings amazed me weirdly.

I looked down at myself in alarm, praying that my walk around the house didn't see?m awkward. Last night left me sore and we had a few more rounds after that. I had a feeling like cooked till overly burnt. Glaring at Ariana, I heard her childish laugh, uttering shamelessly,

" I saw a hickey on your left breast today inside the bathroom!"

Oh Fuck! How did I forget that she went inside my bathroom during the shower accidentally?

My cheeks burnt quickly, too shy to continue this topic. It wasn't a pure relationship with Finn but having sex for the first time gave me this crazy awkward hormone. Ariana grinned big, burping after a big mouthful gulp,

" Bitch, I am happy for you!"

Her eyes lit up in happiness and that's what I loved about her deeply. She never tried to hide her emotions from me whether it was hatred or pain or anger, unlike Kelly who always put on act to distract my attention from her cheating behavior. Chuckling at her comment, I dropped the beer that she asked for before in front of the center table.

After fucking me throughout the night, Ares left the house early in the morning to join his practice session. He was accusing me that it was all my fault because whenever he started doing exercises, he always thought about me.

Serves him right!

I could tell the same since he had done the worst to me. He let another girl kiss him, in front of the public eyes. But having sex with Ares didn't make me regret it because I knew that he was the one, I wanted in my life. His dirty words still buzzed in my ears and made my core throb in need.

It's worst to fall in love with the bad boy!

Ethan appeared from the stairs, jogging fast before snatching the beer from Ariana's hand. I wanted to laugh at Ariana's expression when her desired beer was being snatched away. Ethan turned out to be the babysitter of this house. After they won their lost cup, Ares had been the center of attention of the media. Hence, he wanted to make sure that Ariana was safe at home. Ethan volunteered to become his helping hand which made me more suspicious.

Wait, was I missing something?

" What the hell?", Aria barked, giving Ethan a death glare. Ethan remained calm and mumbled, switching her beer with a fruit juice,

" I am craving beer. Drink this!"

Aria opened her mouth to say something but she quickly paused having another thought. Her cheeks blushed when she accepted the juice from Ethan without any more tantrums.

Was I seeing things?

According to my best friend's character, a guy couldn't make her submit so easily. For some reason, they made a perfect couple example in my eyes where the husband took care of his wife's needs during pregnancy. I saw the look in Ethan's eyes. He loved Aria. I overheard their conversation from Ares once and knew that he liked Aria but not to that level. After returning to Ares's house today, I was one hundred percent sure that Ethan was in love with her. But poor Ethan! Aria had Lucas in her heart already. The way she was obsessed with Lucas, she would never leave him because of Ethan or anyone else.

Lucas..that good student...

I didn't hear from Aria about Lucas for a long time. Perhaps, I was too engrossed in my own emotions and didn't pay attention to my best friend. A smile crept across Ethan's face when Ariana drank from the juice obediently. Some people do love without expecting anything in return.

The doorbell rang at this unexpected hour. I furrowed wondering who could it be, hoping that it wasn't some noisy reporter. Ares doesn't return before evening always and it was only 5 pm at the clock. Just when I wanted to get up to head for the door, Ariana jumped off the couch, ran for the door,

" Let me see!"

" Careful!", Ethan warned in a caring voice from her back. I gave him another doubtful glance which he ignored with an awkward smile. The door was pushed open and all I could hear was a loud gasp crying voice of Aria,

"MOM!"

_____

" What makes you return to this house?", Ares with a stern voice spoke to his mother, his features hardening each second. I gave a better look at Mrs.Thatcher whose memory was too vague in my brain. She wasn't that sweet, harmonious aunty to me. Now, years passed and the change in her attitude awed me. Although she was passing her late forties probably, she dressed like those reckless teen girls. A loose top, skinny jeans, a big hat on her head, and a pair of big sunglasses were giving me off those villain aunty vibes from movies.

She didn't try to recognize my presence except for some dissatisfied glares as if she didn't wish me at this house. Aria's eyes were zoomed at her mother, so pleading and astonishing. I knew that she missed her mother's presence terribly. She was too little when they broke apart. Ares from his early years of childhood started doing everything for her as a guardian.

Despite his cold demeanor, Mrs.Thatcher stayed unfazed and greeted back with a bigger smile. I felt like she was being sweet here unnecessarily. Her voice sounded singsong, dripping with sugarcoating,

" Oh honey, you are my son! Why can't I come to our home? Of course, I missed you and Aria baby."

She added more, peering at me and Ethan who was standing cluelessly in this stiff atmosphere,

" I guess, we have outsiders here. Let's talk somewhere else."

Wow! She didn't appear in years and already started poking her head like a mistress of this house. For whatever reason, I didn't get good vibes from Mrs.Thatcher whose smile seemed wolfish to me.

Ares corrected her, without showing any respect,

" They aren't outsiders, Mother. One is my girlfriend and the other is my close friend. Just say it here!"

I smiled at his reference. That sweet feeling in my heart didn't stop spreading more. Ares admitting that I was his girlfriend was the best thing that happened today. Mrs.Thatcher let out a chuckle of mockery, giving me and Ethan a distasteful glare,

" Wow, I didn't know that this house has become a guest house!"

That was fucking disrespectful!

Ares rebuked back, curling his lips into a small,

" Just like you who come and go as per her wishes. What do you need now, money or the car?"

Her smile didn't falter as if she wasn't even affected by Ares's insult. Turning around, she plopped down on the couch, giving all of us a lazy glare,

" Don't be so rude Ares! I came to spend some time with my children, can't I? Besides, you need your family beside you during your celebration. I was upset that I missed your last winning match. But I won't miss any more. Mumma will be there for you!"

It took everything for me to stop myself from spatting a few harsh words. Where was she all this time when Ares was struggling? Where was she when her children needed her the most?

Now, it was clear to me this woman cared to come into this house. Ares had more money, and fame now and she wanted to make use of it. If she cared about them, she would have appeared earlier in their lives. But guess, I couldn't speak out loud even if I wanted as it wasn't my place to speak and this was their family discussion.

Ares let out a grunt, opening his mouth to say something to their mother when Aria appeared next to him, clutching his hand tighter. Ares stopped himself and gave Aria a strange glance who began to speak in a pleading voice,

" The day after tomorrow is my birthday. Let her stay, brother. Please!"

Ares didn't want to say 'yes' but looking into Aria's tearful eyes, he debated his decisions. Aria longed for her mother always and wanted her presence in her life. After a long sigh, Ares muttered, glaring back at her mother who was eyeing around the house,

" Just for 2 days!"

Aria smiled back in gratitude and kissed her brother's cheeks happily. Well, I didn't get a good influence from this woman. I could only hope that she wouldn't shatter their peaceful life once again. Little did, I feel that she didn't like me at all and would cause trouble for me. But I was going to wait, wait for her to observe her activities. This time, Ares wasn't alone and I wasn't going to ruin them for the second time because I loved both of them.