My Way To You

Ariana looked at her adoptive mother with so much doubt and confusion . "He was in his last year when she came here . . . How did they even met?" Ariana asked . Lady Zula looked a little uncomfortable, she shifted in her seat then looked out to see if she could catch sight of Gregory . Luck was not on her side, no one had arrived or dared to approach their table . Lady Zula turned her gaze to Ariana and tried to reach out to grab Ariana"s hand but decided against it at the very last second . "Your . . . Cough, Evangeline fell in love with him at first sight . " Lady Zula said awkwardly . "So they were together before . . . Everything happened? They were in a proper relationship? There was legitimate love?" Ariana asked .

"Well at first no, afterwards I"m not sure . I was only here for the first year and part of the second year then I left remember? I have regretted leaving . . . Evangeline ever since . . . There are days when my thoughts automatically go to her . I drive myself insane always wondering if I had done things differently would she still be alive? Or I try to picture what life was like here and try to imagine what happened? How did she live? Did she feel lonely? Did she write to Shevar after graduation?" Lady Zula asked herself pitifully as sadness started to seep into her heart .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Mom?" Ariana called out gently as she placed her own hand on top of her adoptive mother"s .  

"I"m fine . I didn"t mean to worry you . " Lady Zula said as she patted Ariana"s hand gave her a bittersweet smile . "It was a great year and a half . I met the love of my life in town when we went out to have some fun . We talked about boys, we attended functions, school events and . . . And . . . And I miss her so much . " Lady Zula said a she started to choke back her tears .  

Ariana felt her heart break into a million pieces . Her adoptive mother never showed weakness but when it came to her biological mother, Evangeline, her best friend, her guard came down . Ariana could relate . If she suddenly left Edlyn without a way to stay in touch, it would devastate her to no end .  

After a moment of silence, Lady Zula let out a deep sigh and pulled back her hand slowly . She brought her hand up to her face and wiped away her remaining tears . "Do you understand now why Gregory slapped your face?" Lady Zula whispered . Ariana pulled back her own hands from the table and crossed her arms over her chest . "Barely . " Ariana said with a giant pout . "Trust me, it took all my will power to not rip out his eyes . " Lady Zula said with a dark chuckle .

"Honestly, no I have no idea why he"s acted the way he has . Mom, please tell me what"s going on . " Ariana asked as she brought her arms down and leaned her body towards her adoptive mother . Lady Zula did one more scan of the area with her eyes and spotted Gregory . "I think it was to distort your face but we can ask him when he gets here . " Lady Zula said as she used her eyes to signal his approach .  

Davita zoomed in front of Gregory as he slowly approached their seating area . Davita quickly coiled herself around Ariana"s shoulders and laid her head in the crook of Ariana"s neck . "Thank you Davita . " Ariana said as she gently rubbed the top of Davita"s head with the tips of her fingers . "Any time . " Davita replied lazily as she snuggled further into her spot . Ariana turned to face Gregory as she continued to rub Davita"s head . "Why did you slap me?" She asked bluntly .  

Gregory looked at Lady Zula and waited for a response . "I can only a.s.sume . " Lady Zula said with a shrug . Gregory pursed his lips as he stared at the two women . Shoulders were back, stance was straight and arms were perfectly placed on either side of his body . He looked like he was ready to give a report rather then join them at the table like a family .

"Sit down already . I will keep a look out for anyone who is approaching . You need to explain yourself . " Lady Zula said with a light sigh as she brought her arm up . She placed her elbow on the table and cupped her tight cheek . She looked like she was extremely bored as she looked out into the library . Gregory shook his head slowly before he brought his gaze to Ariana .

"Where did you disappear to last night?" Gregory asked in return . "I asked first . " Ariana reb.u.t.ted . Gregory clicked his tongue before he pulled out a chair and sat down . His brows were still knitted, face colder then ice but he looked more approachable then yesterday . Gregory dropped his gaze and saw the year book, he instinctively curled his hands into fists . "Have you see the picture?" He asked in a low voice . Ariana glared at Gregory before giving his a slow, head nod in . "You were stupid . " Gregory started off . Lady Zula quickly brought her gaze to Gregory and shot him a deadly look .

"You"re supposed to keep watch!" Gregory hissed as he tightened his fist, practically breaking the skin on the palms of his hand with his fingernails . "Drop the act already and just explain things to her . " Lady Zula said flatly before a.s.suming her look out duties . "You!" Gregory exhaled with great force, his careful planning was being ruined by his cousin and he did not appreciate it . He then brought his gaze back to Ariana and started to take deep breaths as he released his fists . "I needed people to forget what your face looked like . " Gregory explained slowly .

"Sure . You did a great job with that . They"ll never forget the girl who had her face beaten to the point it looked like she had apples for cheeks . " Ariana said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes . Gregory pursed his lips again but the strength was harder then before . His lips started to turn white as he held in his rage . "Sweetie, give the moron a chance to explain himself . You just need a little more patience when dealing with him . " Lady Zula explained as she vigilantly kept a look out for intruders .