Chapter Nineteen: The Meet Up

Chapter Nineteen: The Meet Up
Aria’s POV 

Since it was just a simple lunch date I didn’t have to do much. I was wearing a deep blue mini floral dress which I paired with three inch white heels. I noticed my hair was beginning to get out of shape and I would likely have to visit the salon soon. But I made do with the few products that I have. I have a very lovely hair texture. I never really had to do too much to keep it healthy and silky. 

I didn’t want to do too much on my face so I just applied my moisturizer and sunscreen then I went in with a little eyeliner and filled in my brows as well. With a nude and pink lips combo to tone up my lip color, I was done fixing myself up. 

I looked at myself in the mirror and I loved what I was seeing. I have the most beautiful skin and body. I never really appreciated it but I always got compliments for my looks. 

I picked a few things and placed them into my hand bag. I was already getting late. Demein proposed the idea of assigning me a personal bodyguard to take me around but I declined the offer. I needed my own space and he understood. 

I had to somehow come up with the best explanation of how I passed out in the middle of nowhere. I pretended to have forgotten what happened to me and luckily, the doctor confirmed that I could have actually forgotten because of mental stress and it would take me sometime, but I would remember. 

Regardless, no one should pressure me to remember. Demien understood and ever since then he never mentioned the incident to me again. I felt relieved. 

I was ready and I threw myself a kiss at the mirror before leaving. 

I got to the beautiful restaurant Celeste chose in less than thirty minutes.The interior design was beautiful. I wasn't expecting anything less and the staff were friendly too. I walked in and saw her seated at our reservation. I knew I was late. 

“Hi Aria..” She seemed relieved to see me. 

“You didn’t think I was going to stand you up right.” I teased her, she seemed tense. 

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” She chuckled and I did the same. She seemed cute. 

“Please sit,”she added.

“I already placed an order for us, it will be here soon.” She tells me. I’m sure she must have ordered something delicious but I still feel a little full from having a large breakfast with Demien. With the determination he has to feed me I know I would have to hit the gym a lot after giving birth. Just then the waiter came in with our food. 

The steak looked tasty. There was also mashed potato salad and dessert. The kind of dishes I like. The waiter carefully placed the dishes on the table. 

“Can you get me a bottle of wine and get a fruit drink for my friend here, she is pregnant.” Celeste tells the waiter as she smiles from ear to ear. 

“Sure ma.” He was very polite and with that he left. I wasn’t feeling hungry but the beauty of the food suddenly made my mouth watery. We dug in and just as I thought the food tasted amazing. 

“So tell me what happened between Lucian and you?” I started the conversation, Celeste seemed unsure of what to say or how to say it so I helped her. I wasn’t allowing my curiosity get the best of me, I actually cared for me. 

“Aria I can’t tell you how sorry I am.” She placed her cutlery back on her plate. I also did the same, giving her the cue to continue. 

“That morning when the news came out to the public that you were having an affair with Lucian, I had no idea what was going on until he reached out to me. He told me to check the news and to quickly come to his house. He instructed me not to make any calls because my phone might be tapped and he couldn’t trust anyone. I panicked and did exactly that.” She continues. 

“I made sure no one followed me and I was fast enough to get to his mansion before the press.” She swallowed. 

“I knew you were screwed and I advised Lucian to take action by going out to the press to protect your relationship and to tell the world that he really loved you and cared for you.” Her words brought painful flashbacks in my head and my stomach twisted. 

“But Lucian was too scared. It was all his idea and I had no choice than  to play again since he said that we were doing it to protect you, and when everything was settled and the attention was away from the both of you he would explain things to you, but I was just stupid to have believed him and I treated you badly. A sob escapes her. 

I clenched my fist my chest tightened. How dare he use me and also use my best friend. Celeste has been nothing but good to us. She has covered up for me many times when I would go to visit Lucian. She even faked to be his girlfriend to take away attention from us so no one would suspect that we were having an affair and yet he goes behind our backs like this. If he was in front of me I would throw a slap across his face.

“The plan was for us to get engaged and make sure the news was everywhere, to drive away the attention from the sandal and that was exactly what we did and it worked perfectly well. I thought he must have reached out to you and explained the plan to you when I first saw you hanging around with Demien but I later came to realize it as just a friendly hangout. I knew you love Lucian too much to turn your back away like that.” She tells me just then the waiter arrived with our drinks. 

“The whole thing worked out perfectly and I had to make it believable by claiming to be pregnant.” She finally said the part I was really confused about. 

“It was all Lucian’s plan and I just acted accordingly. After the birthday of Mr Laurent I talked to him and I told him it was time we came clean at least to you, but he refused and he tried to force me to really get married to him for real and I refused. He is such a jack.” Her eyes were teary. 

“I should have known better when the news of him being your father came to the public. He didn’t flinch. I saw how evil he was but I turned a blind eye and I hurt you with my actions.” A tear rolled down her cheeks. I reached out for her hand and patted it gently. 

I clenched my other hand so hard beneath the table that I could feel my nails piercing through my palm but I didn’t mind. The pain I was feeling in my chest was nothing compared to that. My heart aches to know how much pain and suffering my best friend had to go through for my forbidden relationship.

It wasn’t worth it, Lucian was never worth it. I couldn't see it then because I was madly in love with him, but now my eyes are wide open to who he truly is.

I saw the signs. I saw the red flag in him when he always spoke about how we should stop seeing each other and end our relationship, but he always came back. He wasn't true to himself and I saw it all but I was so blind in love that I ignored it. I regret all of it. I regret ever falling for him. I regret giving myself to him. My heart hurts even more knowing the truth. I would have been better off thinking of him as my ex lover than a woman user. 

“It’s fine Celeste.” I handed her a napkin to wipe her tears.

“I’m so sorry you had to put up with all of that because of me.” I had to apologize if it weren’t to me she wouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. 

“No Aria I should be the one apologizing.” She held my hands into hers. At that moment I already crossed my heart to get my revenge on Lucian. 

Thanks to the strings Camille pulled I wouldn’t have known who Lucian truly is. I am no longer that girl people can choose to step on when they feel like it. I am going to get my revenge on all of them. I felt like spilling my findings to Celeste but I couldn't. I already put her through so much, the least I can do is let her have her peace and live her own life. I am tired of always dragging people into my mess. I crossed my heart that I was going to fix all of this.