Arianna's POV.

I sniffled, cleaning up the tears that were already trailing down my eyes.

I didn't have the time to show weakness or any form of pain.

“Just let me do what I want,” I said, pulling my arm off her grip immediately.

But Celine grabbed me again. This time, her grip was tighter than before.

“Not until you tell me what you're about to do. I can't sit back and watch you try to do something reckless,” she said firmly, pushing my bag away from me.

“What do you even want from me? Why do you still care? I'm weak and you know that!” I yelled, breaking slowly into my emotions.

“I care about you so much. Here, look at me,” she snapped her fingers at my face, urging me to turn towards her.

I slowly lifted my eyes, gently turning my head until my eyes got locked onto hers.

Deep within her beautiful eyes, I could see trails of pain.

“Do you think I'm happy seeing you like this, huh?” she said.

“But why do you care so much? What use am…”

“Shhhhh!!” She placed her index over my lips.

“We grew up together, Arianna. We promised we won't leave each other's side. What do you think I'll do if you walk out that door and I don't know where to go if I start looking for you?”

Finding it hard to hold back the tears any longer, I broke down in her arms, waiting and crying profusely.

She wrapped her arms around me, offering her shoulder for me to cry on.

“Let it out, baby. Let it out,” she whispered while patting my back softly.

“I wasn't any better for him. Why?” I sobbed.

“Maybe he doesn't deserve you,” Celine replied.

*****

Grandma finally succeeded in making me eat something after a long night.

I hadn't realised I was so hungry until I watched Celine savour her meal while moaning over it.

“Just look at you. It's good to have you back,” grandma smiled, rubbing my back softly.

I let out a forced smile while eating my food.

I was hungry, but that didn't mean I felt so good to let out a natural smile.

“Where were you going to go if I let you pack up your bags this morning?” Celine asked.

“What do you mean by packing up her bags? What are you both not telling me?” Grandma's eyes darted between me and Celine.

All Celine did was wink at me with a soft smile over her face.

There was no doubt she obviously knew what she did.

“Answer the question, Arianna,” Celine added, hands locked as they supported her chin.

“I don't know what Celine is talking about,” I attempted to deny with a straight look on my face.

“Uh… Uh. Come on, Arianna. We're all family,” Celine urged.

“Fine!” I sighed frustratingly. “I actually had no idea. All I just wanted to do was get as far as possible from him.”

“Ohh poor Arianna. It's definitely hard to move on from what Damien did to you. But you have to live with it,” Grandma said.

I sighed, kissing my teeth silently. “I don't want to talk about this.”

“It's fine. But you can talk to me about anything you want,” she added.

“I'm done!” I angrily pushed the plate away from me and stood up as I angrily stormed out of the house.

I was fed up with having constant conversations about my rejection.

I took to my heels as I raced towards the lake a few metres away from my house.

I needed some space to let out some steam, and luckily, that was the best location I could come up with in my mind.

I quickly dipped my face into the lake, letting my face get completely submerged in the water.

Then, I immediately pulled my face out, breathing heavily as I tried to catch my breath.

“Refreshing, right?” Celine's soft voice broke the silence that coursed around me.

“Why can't I get some time alone?” I asked, keeping my back faced towards her as I kept staring at my reflection in the water.

“You just ran off all of a sudden. Of course, I would be worried,” she replied.

“I just need a quiet place to let off some steam,” I said softly.

“I need to be here to make sure you don't run away,” she replied, walking towards me as she took a seat right next to me by the shore of the lake.

“You know, I feel pathetic right now,” I said, turning towards her.

“It's normal to feel that way after being humiliated in such a manner,” she replied, throwing stones into the lake.

“But I guess it happened for a reason,” I forced a smile on my face.

“That's more like it. That's the spirit I'm looking for,” she smiled, giving me a nudge on my shoulder.

“But I want to leave town. I need to grow stronger,” I revealed.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she averted her gaze towards me.

“What do you mean?” She asked confusingly.

“I guess we'll find out tomorrow.”

Dusk had come, and everyone had begun to return back to their houses to reunite with their families after a hectic night.

But I sat out in the cold, arms crossed and feet crossed as I glared straight into the distance while pondering on several decisions I had to make.

I was growing desperate to find strength and build myself, and I knew that was totally impossible for me to achieve in this land.

I needed to go as far away as possible, but I had no idea of the direction I needed to be pointed towards.

All I knew was I had a zeal and courage to achieve something, and I wasn't willing to be stopped by anyone.

“Who's that?” Celine tapped me, causing me to turn my gaze towards the direction she was pointing to.

My gaze narrowed slightly as I glared at the horse slowly walking towards us while trying to get a clear view of the rider.

Eventually, he walked into the light. I gasped in shock, and a well of mixed emotions swelled within me upon setting my eyes on him.