The Encounter 1
1313 Words
Months earlier, at one of Néarbi Valley’s most exclusive restaurants, Jupin A-List, Renwar Vallée took his childhood sweetheart out for a birthday celebration. It was both their birthdays as they were born on the same day, only hours apart. Their parents were childhood friends too, which made their relationship that much stronger. The restaurant was buzzing with customers around this time of the year, and people just came off the holiday season and settled down for work and the meetings that had not been missed during the New Year festivities.
“You look beautiful, Ari,” Ren beamed, smiling, as he took Ari by the hand.
“Thank you, Ren,” Ari chimed, blushing, as she pulled a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
As the waiter approached them, Ari told Ren to make her order as she was starving.
“Are you ready to make your order now?” the waiter asked.
“Yes, we are,” Renwar replied as he looked over at Ari, who nodded as he ordered their favourite food and dessert.
“I can’t believe we will be graduating in a few more months after our final exams. It seems so far, but by the time you blink June is here.” Ari rejoiced.
“Yeah, hopefully, it all works out just like we planned it,” Ren replied.
“Of course, it will. With God, all things are possible,” Ari answered.
“And if God is involved, then I might as well say goodbye to it then,” Ren whined.
“Ren, honey, you can’t blame God for everything that goes wrong in your life. At some point, you must take some responsibility and grow up,” Ari replied.
“Take responsibility, grow up? In case you haven’t noticed, Ari, I have taken the responsibility of leaving God and my mother out of my life. I believe I am doing quite well without any of them,” Ren ranted.
“I wish you could find some peace and love in your heart—and forgiveness—before it’s too late,” Ari said as she sighed.
“Ari, have you looked in the mirror lately? Because I seem to remember you have not forgotten or forgiven the man who r***d you years ago,” Ren sneered.
Ari looked stunned as she couldn’t believe what Ren had just said, knowing how sensitive her childhood past was to her.
“I can’t believe you just said that Ren!”
“I-I-I’m sorry, Ariel,” Ren said, but it was too late. Ari had gotten up and ran from the table and ran outside into the rain to escape the world that was closing around her as the memory flooded her mind like a nightmare rerun of Jason.
Ren got up and went after Ari. Finally catching up to her in the rain, he said, “That was a dumb thing to say. It’s just that my mom, just gets under my skin. It’s no excuse either for what I just said. Please, can you please forgive me, and can we go back inside?”
Ari looked at Ren and, seeing how sincere his apologies were, sighed and said, “Okay, fine, let’s go back.” And they walked back to the restaurant and dried off before sitting at their table and eating in silence.
“I want to go see my dad in Bráanzalia before we explore the world together,” Ari said as she finished the last of her chocolate-chip-cookies ice-cream dessert.
“Okay, sure. We can go together after graduation. I think your dad has it in for me, though,” Ren said, taking a sip of his water.
“Why do you think that?” Ari asked.
“Your father caught us in bed, Ari. I don’t think he is all that fond of me since our last visit,” he replied.
“Oh, right. But we were just talking. He knows I am not ready for that yet, so he knows we are careful, and he knows I love you and you love me,” Ari explained.
“If looks could kill, I think I would have died that day,” Ren remarked.
“You know, we could always run away together,” Ari joked.
“Now I know you’re messing with my head. If we don’t do things right, your father will hunt us to the ends of the earth. Don’t you know he would do anything to protect you from harm?” Ren replied.
“I know. But as long as we are together, he won’t worry,” Ari added.
“I’m sorry, what? Do you remember when we went to the movies and stayed out until morning, he sent one of his bodyguards to come to find us?” Ren said.
“I remember, and boy, was he furious. I believe that was the day he gave me my first phone,” Ari said.
“Oh yeah, he gave both of us a phone. I still think he put some sort of tracking device in it though,” Ren said as he looked over his phone.
“Really, what makes you think that?” Ari asked.
“You know, sometimes your dad calls me and says I must ensure that the area is secure before I take you anywhere. Little things like that, it’s like he knows where we’re going before I do,” Ren said.
“What? My dad knows you’re taking me here?” Ari asked.
“I don’t know, but I get the feeling he is always watching,” Ren replied.
Suddenly, Ari’s phone rang. As she searched her purse, she removed it and noticed it was her dad’s number. She looked at Ren as she answered the phone.
“Oh, hi, Dad. Yes, everything is okay. No, we are not fighting, Dad. We are just about finished eating, and he’s about to take me home. Yes, Mom knows where we are. Okay, Dad. Love you too.
Renwar immediately started looking around for anyone or anything suspicious in the restaurant and called the waiter, signalling for his bill, and paid him.
“What are you looking for?” Ari inquired, wondering what Ren was searching for.
“I’m looking for your dad or anything suspicious,” Ren said.
“You’re silly, Ren. Dad would never do that.” Ari laughed.
“C’mon, let’s go. I’ll drive you home before he actually shows up,” Ren replied, still looking over his shoulders as they walked to his car.
Moments later, Renwar pulled up in front of Ariel’s home and sat in the car for a little before walking her to the front door.
“Hey, Ari, I am sorry about earlier.”
“It’s okay, as long as you never speak of it again,” she replied, looking up at the night sky, trying to hide the hurt she felt.
“Pinky swear and cross my heart. I promise I will never bring it up again. I will try to hide the jerk side of me,” Ren said as they shook on pinkies.
“I want you to be yourself, Ren, just not the inconsiderate one,” Ari replied, smiling, as she held his chin in her hands.
Ren smiled, tilted her chin up to his, and bent to kiss her on the lips while Mrs. Saunders stood at the open door, waiting patiently for them to say their goodbyes.
Ari blushed as Ren gently brushed her cheeks with the back of his hand. He then noticed Ari's mother standing at the door.
“Good night, Mrs. Saunders,” Ren said while waving to her.
“Good night, Ren. Drive home safely, okay?” Mrs. Saunders smiled and waved.
“I will, Mrs. Saunders. Thanks,” Ren said as he got in his car.
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- Writer
