Cruel Love

Chapter 7

Excitement and a flutter of nerves danced in Aria's stomach as she prepared for the evening ahead. It had been ages since she last hung out with David, and the anticipation was almost palpable. Memories of their after-school hangouts flooded her mind, reminiscent of the carefree days of their childhood.

Those were great days indeed, she thought, recalling how almost every afternoon they would treat themselves to ice cream, laughing and chatting as they savored each sweet bite. Sometimes they'd venture to the rides in the park across their neighborhood, spinning and twirling on the carousel until they were dizzy with joy.

And when she returned home, her mother would always be there to welcome her with warm hugs.

Raiding through her clothes, she tossed aside garment after garment in search of the perfect outfit. Nothing seemed to quite fit the occasion. But then, her eyes fell upon a soft pink sundress tucked away in the back of her suitcase. Without hesitation, Aria slipped into the sundress, feeling its soft fabric envelop her as it swirled around her knees. Pairing it with matching pink sandals, a donation from Loren that she had deemed wasteful.

Leaving her hair, a cascade of baby blonde with a natural shine, loose around her shoulders, she opted for a natural look. Makeup was a luxury she couldn't afford.

The doorbell's insistent chiming sent Aria scrambling down the stairs. Reaching the door, she threw it open with a nervous smile plastered on her face. There stood David, and for a moment, his eyes widened, taking in her entire appearance. He seemed speechless.

Then, a blush crept up his neck, mirroring the one blossoming on Aria's cheeks. "A-Aria," he stammered, finally finding his voice. "You... you look amazing. Perfect, even."

His words hit Aria like a wave of unexpected warmth. No one, not even her own family, had ever called her beautiful. Loren's taunts of "frizzy-haired freak" echoed in her head, but David's genuine compliment pushed them aside for a few minutes.

A shy smile tugged at Aria's lips. "Thank you," she mumbled, the compliment warming her like stolen sunlight.

David, still flustered, cleared his throat. "So, are you ready? Let's go!" He gestured towards a beat-up but well-maintained car parked across the street.

"Yeah," Aria said, her voice gaining confidence. "Just let me grab my bag."

She darted back inside, the thrill of defiance chased by a flicker of worry. Would her stepmother notice she was gone? Stuffing a worn leather clutch with essentials, she locked the door with a silent prayer.

Emerging, she saw David leaning against the car. He opened the passenger door, and with a quick glance back at the house, Aria slid in, the promise of adventure tingling in the air. They pulled away from the curb, leaving behind the confines of her home and the weight of her unspoken rebellion.

The car pulled up to a gleaming hotel, its glass facade reflecting the city lights. Aria's stomach lurched. This place oozed an elegance that screamed expense, a far cry from their usual ice cream outings. David, oblivious, beamed, his excitement contagious.

A knot of worry tightened in Aria's chest. "David," she started, her voice barely a whisper, "This place looks... expensive."

He stopped mid-stride, his brow furrowing slightly. "Hey, what's wrong?" His smile softened with concern.

"Maybe we can go somewhere else," she suggested, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. The thought of racking up a bill they couldn't afford sent shivers down her spine.

David chuckled a warm sound that calmed her nerves a touch. "Don't worry about it, Ari," he reassured, squeezing her shoulder gently. "Everything's taken care of. Now, come on." He took her hand, and before she could protest further, he was ushering her towards the grand entrance.

Inside, the opulent lobby buzzed with activity. Crystal chandeliers twinkled overhead, casting a warm glow on the richly decorated interior. Aria felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over her. Her simple sundress suddenly seemed out of place amongst the designer outfits. Her palms grew damp, a signifying sign of her anxiety.

David, oblivious to her internal battle, approached the receptionist, his usual confident swagger on full display. "Table for two, please," he requested, a charming smile playing on his lips.

Aria trailed behind him, her eyes darting nervously around the room. The other patrons seemed to exude an aura of luxury, a world far removed from her own.

"Come on, let's go," David's voice cut through her thoughts. He gestured towards a table near the window, offering a breathtaking view of the city lights. As they walked, Aria couldn't help but steal a glance at the other diners, their expensive attire and confident demeanor further fueling her self-doubt.

The arrival of the waitress brought a welcome distraction. David, ever the gentleman, insisted on ordering for both of them, his choice settling on a luxurious New York strip steak for each. While David opted for a glass of red wine, Aria stuck to her usual apple juice, the thought of alcohol making her wrinkle her nose.

The food was a revelation. Tender and perfectly seasoned, it was a far cry from the simple meals she was used to at home. With each bite, a flicker of guilt danced at the edges of her enjoyment. How could David afford all this?

After a delightful dinner, David whisked Aria away to her favorite ice cream shop, a gesture that filled her heart with joy. As they indulged in scoops of creamy goodness. Aria savored every moment, reveling in the simple pleasure of the sweet treat. For a while, she felt carefree, the worries and problems of her daily life fading into the background.

However, amidst the cheerful ambiance of the ice cream parlor, Aria couldn't help but notice David's strange behavior. David's gaze lingered on her a beat too long. His touch lingered a fraction of a second more than necessary.

A hint of mischief danced in David's eyes. "Do you want to go somewhere else? Your Highness?" he teased, a playful bow making Aria giggle.

"The beach!" Aria blurted out. A sudden yearning for the open sky and calming waves washed over her. "It feels like forever since I've been there."

David's grin widened. "Excellent choice," he declared. "Anything for my princess," his voice took on a new edge, a hint of something deeper lurking beneath the playful words. Aria, however, remained blissfully unaware, caught up in the innocent joy of the moment.

The beach welcomed them with a gentle breeze and the rhythmic whisper of waves. Kicking off their shoes, they sank their toes into the cool sand, leaving a trail of footprints in their wake. The quietness between them wasn't awkward but a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the sounds of the sea.

Aria let her mind drift back, memories of carefree days spent with her parents flooding back. Building sandcastles with her mom, the spray tickling their faces, the warmth of her dad's hand in hers as they chased the retreating waves, these memories enveloped her like a comforting blanket.

A cool breeze swept across the beach. A shiver ran down Aria's spine, making her pull her arms tighter around herself.

"It's getting freezing now. Let's go," David suggested gently. Aria nodded silently, as they made their way back.

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

Zane sat in his car, parked discreetly across the street from Aria's house. The darkness enveloped the neighborhood, and the switched-off lights in Aria's house signaled that no one was home. Despite the late hour and the rational part of his mind urging him to go home, he found himself driving here to seek out the object of his fixation.

Lost in his thoughts, Zane was jolted back to reality by the sound of a car stopping nearby. His senses sharpened, and he looked up, his gaze locking onto the vehicle that had pulled up beside Aria's house. Curiosity piqued, Zane watched intently as the car's occupants emerged, his heart quickening. There she was, the blue-eyed girl who'd haunted his thoughts since their encounter. As she stepped fully into the light, a familiar heat flared in his lower abdomen, an unwelcome reminder of his earlier struggle. Her creamy white legs, glimpsed beneath a summer dress, felt like they were displayed only for him. He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly parched. An unconscious flick of his tongue darted out to dampen his dry lips. She was f*****g beautiful that it sent a tremor through him. It was infuriating. How could he be consumed by such desires for the daughter of his misfortune? Just then, a boy emerged from the car, his arm brushing casually against Aria's. The action sent jealousy through Zane, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to charge out and unleash his fury on the unsuspecting boy. But reason, thin as it was, held him back. This wasn't his place, and acting on impulse would only lead to disaster.

Aria beamed, a broad smile stretching across her face. "Thank you, David, for everything. Today truly was the best day of my life." Her voice shimmered with genuine gratitude.

David leaned back, a playful glint in his eyes. "Don't mention it, cutie," he teased, his voice warm and friendly. Then, in a surprising move, he extended his arms and pulled her into a sudden hug.

Aria, for a fleeting moment, froze, unsure how to react. Then, she tentatively wrapped her arms around him. There wasn't anything inherently wrong with hugging a friend, was there?

As David said goodbye to Aria, Zane watched from his car with a mix of disdain and envy as their hug lasted longer than usual for friends. The sight of another man embracing the girl he couldn't seem to get out of his mind ignited a fierce jealousy within him, stirring emotions he struggled to comprehend.

"f*****g bastard," Zane muttered under his breath, his grip on the steering wheel tightening involuntarily. His heart raced with an intensity that surprised him, fueled by a possessiveness he couldn't deny.

As David departed, Aria turned to retreat into her house, unaware of the turmoil within Zane. With a deep breath to steady himself, Zane watched her silhouette disappear behind the closed door before finally starting his car and driving away into the night.

But even as he left the scene behind, the image of Aria's blue eyes lingered in his mind, her presence plaguing him in a way he couldn't shake.