Chapter 14: Unexpected

Arielle sat on her bed quietly while the growing silence filled her room. Even the critters outside were shockingly quiet, only a few sweeping through the sky. Arielle wondered if her mother could see it in her eyes. Could she see the conflict begin to bloom in her? Was it as apparent in appearance as it was in feeling because to Arielle it felt as though she were drowning.

There was a war being waged within and it was taking more than she had given. The emotions were growing rapidly once she recognized them. Each one tugged at her heart.

Releasing a heavy sigh, she stood from the solace given by her blanket and reached for the small mug atop her dresser. She wondered if she should have said more. Would it have made a difference? It was difficult to comprehend how she felt about his presence and his perseverance, yet he began to grow on her. Her eyes fell back onto the large gift basket that he had brought for her. It was large and filled with considerate items, including a small teddy bear. One so small and quaint that she found herself hoping that it had been hand-picked for her.

"I can't think of this right now," she mumbled quietly to herself. She darted out of her bedroom, preparing to grab a cool drink, and that was when she heard it. They didn't see her nor did they hear her when she entered the kitchen earlier. She heard him and the words he spoke with certainty. He didn't plan to return.

The cool glass in her hand could have shattered and it wouldn't have pulled her from the depths of her stupefaction. Rushing back into her bedroom, the yearning for refreshment gone, she paced back and forth, rubbing her face as she went, she couldn't place why this bothered her so. Her sickness, now a memory. It felt as though it melted away with the news. And her heart began to hum a tune that she wasn't quite prepared for.

Pray.

A small aching could be felt and that's when the realization hit. He would soon be gone and she would possibly miss him. Pulling the hair from her face, into a neatened ponytail, deciding that a warm shower and some basic self-care would help distract her. The cold was practically gone it seemed, but she still had crust by her eye and her hair had become extremely dry.

Arielle reached for the beige towel and a new product when her phone rang. She paused for a moment. What if it was him? She wondered. Glancing over at her bed, the bright screen lit up with his name and for a moment, she wondered what to do.

What if he forgot something?

"I shouldn't be rude..." she mumbled to herself. "Lord please help me. I don't know how I feel."

"Hello?" She answered. A moment of silence ensued as she heard his breath stop abruptly and then continue again.

"Hi." He replied.

"Is everything okay? Did you leave something here?" She asked. Arielle placed down on her shower items and walked toward her bedroom door, peering out to see if she could spot anything noticeably out of place. Yet everything she saw was as it had always been.

"No, no. Everything's okay. I've left nothing there, well nothing I can freely take with me." He spoke the ending quietly to himself.

Arielle's brows furrowed. "Nothing you can freely take with you?"

"Never mind that. I wanted to apologize for my stoicism. If I may confess, some things aren't okay." Emitting a shaky breath, Alexander sat up straighter, loosening his grip on the wheel. His silence was palpable, but she remained calm, refusing any overactive thoughts and casting each one down.

"You're not driving right now, are you?" She asked glancing out her window. She glanced up the street, yet not far enough to see him at the top of it.

"No no, I've parked." He replied quietly.

"Then... Then why have you called?" She asked. "I'm so sorry if that question is rude."

"It's not rude. I wanted to hear you." He spoke each word slowly due to the inward battle he felt. Should he admit to this?

Arielle was astounded. He had become plainer in his speech over time, never hiding how he felt. Yet even with that growing history, this was more than she had expected to hear from him and her shock confirmed that. What could she say in return? She couldn't encourage something that she, herself, was unsure of. Yet he spoke again, relieving her of that task.

"I'm going away to Italy for the next month. I have some family there that I'll be helping and maybe adding to my business here. When I come back... Can I see you?" His heart, beating erratically, pleaded with him to stop. Going from the chased to the chaser could weaken him if he were to become too distracted. Lorenzo took note of that early on. Alexander's eyes continued glancing back, a few houses down, to where she sat. She couldn't see his hand hovering over the gear shift as he pondered the thought of taking her with him.

"I-" Arielle paused. "I need to figure something out first. I can't encourage you to pursue me- or even see me unless I know." She added.

"Unless you know what?" He pressed. This time, his voice became far away. Not in proximity, but in connection.

"If you're the man, I'm meant to marry," Arielle replied. The prior shock she felt seemed to have melted away. She felt the Lord's peace wash over her and she knew that if she simply sought Him for an answer, she would know exactly what to do next, but she couldn't entertain a man's heart without knowing. Alexander didn't deserve to be toyed with and her own heart would likely try to run off without her.

"Well, then I must be going. I wish you all the best. Goodbye, Arielle." His voice had returned to its stoic tone from before, but Arielle didn't feel hurt by it. He possibly didn't realize.

"Goodbye Mr. Marquee," she replied and ended the call. With a sigh, she picked up her bathroom necessities and made her way out of her bedroom with no anxiety attacking her heart. She knew what to do.

The click from the ended call echoed throughout Alexander's car. He gripped the wheel tightly, blowing out a deep and heavy sigh. His dark eyes scanned her street, looking for danger, he told himself. Yet really it was to memorize it. A part of him wondered if he would ever have reason to return here again, to return to her. Would she ever ask him to?

His hope was growing dim.

1 Week Later

Arielle's body had long since healed. Her mother had returned to completing regular shifts at her job and just as Alexander promised, she began receiving her payments. The first payment arrived a few days prior and she felt extreme gratitude toward her generous boss, as it was her usual salary. He didn't cut back on it due to her absence and she appreciated that. There were bills to pay after all.

She cringed at the thought of her student loans. It wasn't much, but any debt made Arielle feel physically sick.

She pulled her hair away from her face in a small bun, adjusting some of the curls that wouldn't stay put. The curly fringe had quickly grown out and her brown eyes were brighter on this day. With the way her skin glowed and her room had been so tidy, no one would have even an inkling that she had been fasting for days.

Five days had gone by so far. Once her body had recovered, she began. She found that her mind was constantly being filled with thoughts of him. Prying and curious thoughts. Many of which, she cast down, pushing back against the temptation. She couldn't allow her heart to fall for someone who wasn't meant for her. If he wasn't meant for her, which she still didn't know.

She would catch herself sighing by her window pane on a sunny day, wondering what it would be like to run around under the golden sun. This daydream wasn't anything new. She'd have them once in a while when she'd think of the peace of Heaven or going on a private picnic all alone, but now- now he began to make an appearance in them and she had to stop it all abruptly. That's what made her feel it was even more necessary to fast.

Arielle blissfully hummed as she poured the cool liquid into a small cup. The sunlight shined brightly, overtaking the glass window and bringing warmth to her face. Ironically, although she sought the Lord diligently on who Alexander was to her, her mind wasn't filled with him during the fast compared to the assault of thoughts before her fast. Instead, it was filled with peace as she basked in the presence of God.

"Hm," she breathed out happily.

Ring! Ring! Her phone blared. She jumped in surprise and checked the ground for any rogue droplets of water. Glancing down at the phone, she saw Julia's name illuminated. Arielle smiled. She hadn't heard from her best friend in over a week and the reunion calls were always so sweet. She answered while taking a sip.

"Hey Jules," she sang into the phone but soon stopped in her tracks when the unexpected sound of sniffles was given in return.

"Is everything okay?" Arielle asked. In haste, she placed down her cup and leaned against the kitchen island. Instead of a response from her close friend, choked sobs could be heard. "Julia?"

"B-Ben b-broke up w-w-with me!" She cried into the phone. Arielle's jaw fell open and she quickly placed down her cool drink.

"He- he did? Why don't you come over?" Arielle suggested hopefully. Comforting someone over the phone had never been her strong suit, but in person, she was hoping to provide hugs, an ear to listen to, and some tasty snacks for her friend.

"W-Well, that's also why I called," she stuttered through the tears.

"Hm? What do you mean? You know you're always welcome to come by." Arielle replied, sipping on her water.

"It isn't that. I- I didn't tell you because I don't know how." Julia's words came out sloppily past the tears and Arielle wondered what could make her friend think that she couldn't share something with her.

"Julia, what is it?" Arielle gently pushed. She could hear Julia releasing a breath over the phone.

"I moved in with Ben around graduation. My parents were moving out of state and when he found out, he kept asking and asking for me to stay with him. I didn't think it was a good idea, but I didn't want to move states away either. I thought, well I'll most likely marry him someday so why not? And I was wrong, I was so so wrong. I felt really bad about it, but I didn't know how to say no after initially agreeing and I didn't know where I'd go." Her words were fast and choppy, but easy enough for Arielle to understand.

"Oh Jules, I'm so sorry. You never told me your parents were moving." Arielle was surprised that her parents would want to make such a big move around their retirement, but she understood that New York wasn't for everyone.

"Yeah, I feel stupid for that now," she mumbled.

"Hey, don't call yourself that," Arielle replied.

"I'm sorry, well- I wanted to ask, and I understand if the answer is no, but could I stay with you guys until I figure out my living arrangement? Maybe I'm not meant to stay here after all." She whispered the last line and Arielle's heart ached for her friend.

"I'll help you figure this out. Let me ask my mom first okay? Did you want to come over in the meantime? Just to get away?" Arielle offered.

"Please."

"Okay, them come by. I'll see you soon." She offered a small, unseen smile and ended the call.

Click.

That wasn't the call she was expecting neither was it the news that she was expecting, but her friend needed her. Arielle looked around her home to see what she could do to amplify the comfort needed. She began typing away at her phone and ordering from her friend's favorite restaurant. She wanted to keep her fast fairly private, so she would likely have to busy herself while Julia ate her meal.

Arielle drummed her fingers against the kitchen counter while thinking of other comforts she could offer. What else could be done?

"Aha!" A lightbulb went off as she raced toward her room. She grabbed a fluffy blanket from her freshly done laundry along with her Bible, art supplies, and her Bluetooth karaoke mic. Julia and Arielle would always sing their hearts out, even when they couldn't stay in tune and coloring was something that they never stopped enjoying.

Once Arielle arranged the living room space to be at its coziest for her guest, she pulled up a single seat for herself along with her own pillow and blanket. She grabbed her Bible and flipped it open while she waited patiently for Julia to arrive. Within a few short minutes, there came a knock at the door.

"Phew, that was fast." She spoke to herself while quickly making her way to the door until-

Stop.

She stopped in her tracks. With a puzzled look, she glanced over to the door. She stood only a few feet away from it, yet it was at an angle where she could glance out the window. For a moment, her breath got stuck in her throat and her heart began to beat rapidly.

Calm.

"Okay," she thought to herself. She took a few steps back quietly and moved from where she could be seen. She noticed that Alexander's men had also disappeared from their usual spot.

"Lord, please help me. What do I do?" She asked. She waited quietly as she stooped down in the corner. Her phone wasn't too far from her. She felt the strong urge to dial the cops and then afterward she could alert her mother, Julia, and maybe Alexander. She didn't have much time. There was a jingling at the door. They were trying to get in.

She grabbed her phone and quickly dipped away down the hall, to the small back exit, but something made her stop.

No.

She entered her mother's room and closed the door behind her. She then hopped into her mom's closet and felt grateful for the organizing racks and shelves she installed last summer. There were gaps behind both shelves that her mother used for storage.

As she dialed 911 with one hand, she skillfully moved the laundry bags of clothing stored along with her mother's luggage and she slipped behind the tall wooden shelf.

"911, what'd your emergency?" A woman's voice could be heard on the line.

"Someone's trying to break into my home." She whispered with wide eyes straining to see in the darkness.

"Okay, please find a place to conceal yourself. What's your name and address?"

The sound of a door bursting open in the main living space caused Arielle to jump. She pulled the large laundry bags close to herself so that she could remain hidden.

"Arielle. My address is 23 Montgomery St. Please hurry, they're inside now. I can't speak much." She replied quickly in a low, yet coherent tone.

"Okay, we'll stay on the line with you so that we can alert you when the cops have arrived." The woman on the line assured her.

"Okay," she whispered as she moved the phone from her ear briefly. She began to type, including both of those close to her in a group message. Her heartbeat sounded off like a drum, never allowing her mind to wander too far from her reality. She decided to leave Alexander out of it for now. She didn't want to worry him but also wondered if that was a smart idea.

"Someone's in the house. It's not safe to come in. The cops are on their way." She sent it to her mother and Julia.

After sending it, she lowered the volume on her phone. Her breathing grew quieter as she listened. More than one person could be heard rummaging through her home. Their footsteps grew closer and she quickly realized that they were searching her room and the bathroom.

Minutes ticked by and then silence.

Finally, one of them spoke, "She's not here."

"That's impossible. There are men out back and along the front. They would have seen her leave. Are you sure you checked everywhere?" The other voice asked persistently. Out back. She had almost walked into that trap until...

"Thank you." She whispered in prayer. She didn't always understand His instructions at first, but they always made sense to her as time went on and she's learned to obey now and ask questions later.

"Everywhere that counts." Another voice mumbled. It was a woman's voice.

"That doesn't sound like everywhere. Did you check the second room?" He questioned.

"I glanced in it, she wasn't there." The woman replied.

"Move," he could be heard walking past the living room, down the short hall to Arielle's mother's room.

She gripped the phone closely and leaned further into the corner behind the tall, wooden shelf. He briefly paused before the closet and could be heard moving something by the bed, but it wasn't long before he grabbed onto the closet doors. Arielle's breathing came to a halt as light poured into the closet. Thankfully, she remained in the shadows, out of his sight.

He pushed at the clothes, likely wondering if she was hiding behind any of them. In one of his swoops, he banged his hand against the shelf, which successfully pushed further against her, causing a string of pain to erupt throughout her body. The phone slipped from her hand from the push and she quickly shot down the other hand to catch it, barely getting it.

Her lungs were burning from the lack of air filling them, but then the announcement of her freedom rang through. Sirens.

"We have to go!" The other man could be heard yelling. The man near Arielle growled and slammed the closet door shut, leading her to wince at the loud sound. He stormed out of the room and Arielle sucked in a deep breath. Her head rested against the cool wall behind her as she continued breathing in a stream of gasps.

"Arielle? Arielle?" Arielle glanced down at her side at the phone. She pushed the large shelf forward and lifted her arm. The gasps mingled with her words.

"Hello. Yes?" She replied.

"The cops have arrived and are surrounding the property, two officers have entered the home. It's safe to come out." The woman stated calmly.

Arielle nodded although the operator couldn't see her. She pushed at the large laundry bags and the suitcase and clumsily climbed over what couldn't be moved any further.

The direct light of the bedroom caused her eyes to sting very slightly.

"Arielle," one of the cops asked while he walked forward.

"Yes," she replied, still squinting as her eyes adjusted to the light. Her breathing had begun to level out and exiting the room, she was swarmed by a swarm of police officers lining her living room. Mich more than what she expected. She furrowed her eyebrows, puzzled. She glanced back at the tall bald officer. His badge read Rodriguez.

"Thank you so much, all of you. I'm- Uh may I ask, why are there so many cops here? I've never seen so many at once?" Her eyes scanned the room and she lost count after the 7th one. Some of them were clearly not on duty based on their apparel which in my confused her more.

"Alexander called." He answered briefly while shoving a notepad into his pocket.

Arielle's eyes widened. "You know Mr. Marquee?"

"Who doesn't around here?" He chuckled. "We're gonna do one more sweep around the property and then we'll have two cops stationed outside throughout the night."

Arielle nodded and held her arms close to her chest. How could this happen again? And how did Alexander know?

Arielle's phone vibrated in her hand, causing her to jump again. One of the cops glanced over to her with brows raised. Her nerves had gotten the best of her. The officer's face said it all, "Are you okay?" Arielle nodded, smiling sheepishly at the woman before quickly averting her attention.

She tapped quickly at her phone, pulling up Julia's contact. The smiling face of her friend in the contact photo. Arielle felt happy to know that she could alert her friend to the level of danger she would have been in if she arrived a few minutes earlier.

A new message from Julia lit up the screen. "Is it safe to enter?" She wrote.

Arielle sighed. "Thankfully," she whispered to herself.

"It is," Arielle replied and clicked send. Placing her phone away in her pocket she crossed her arms, feeling cooler all of a sudden. It only made sense as their front door stood wide open as officers entered and exited her home.

A few seconds ticked by and Arielle's arms dropped in relief as her friend ran n passed the officers. Some nodded over to her, but they parted to make space for her.

"Oh, my- what in the world, Ari are you okay?" Julia cried as she inspected her friend. She searched her face and pulled her back into another hug. Arielle sighed into her friend's shoulder. The scent of vanilla conditioner wafted past her nose. Julia never stopped using it after she bought it for her as a gift three years ago. Due to constantly rebuying it, it became her signature scent over the years.

"I'm okay. They didn't see me and they didn't hurt me." Arielle replied, offering Julia a weak smile, and gestured to the worn-out couch. "Care to sit?" She asked with an awkward smile.

Julia shook her head, breathing out a small laugh. "Sure."

The cops began shuffling out. The tall Hispanic man waved over, capturing her attention. His dark eyes held contact with her own as he pointed outside of the door, gesturing to his vehicle. Arielle could tell that he would be on the first shift, especially if Alexander called in for extra help. The image of the guards he had set to guard her stuck around in her mind.

Where had they gone?

"Ari?" Julia's voice pulled Arielle from her mental investigation.

"Hm?" Arielle hummed. Her eyes were still staring far away at no one and nothing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Julia asked. Arielle looked over at her friend, noticing her bloodshot eyes for the first time and the large bags below them. Her nose was still a light hue of red and her cheeks remained blotchy.

Arielle sighed and shook her head. "There's no use. Not right now." She leaned forward, placing her elbows against her knees. Glancing over at her shaky friend, she spoke up. "Are you sure you want to stay here? I want to help you and be here for you, but this isn't your safest bet."

Julia glanced down briefly. She wouldn't blame her best friend for retracting her request. The unexpected dangers only became more rampant. Yet her friend, seemingly desperate, looked back up with defeat displayed on her countenance.

"I would rather you and your mother go elsewhere, somewhere safer, but I know that's not an option right now. Hotels are expensive. And I don't have anywhere else to go unless I plan to catch a bus to carry me a couple of states away." Julia paused while squeezing her own knee and shaking her head. "I'm not ready for that." She whispered. "Is it bad that I'd prefer taking this risk than taking that one?"

"What's so scary about moving?" Arielle asked.

Julia's eyes became glassy, filling with water quickly and Arielle began to regret her question.

"My dreams are here. The love of my life was here. Everything I ever hoped for was meant to be here. If I leave, there's no bringing any of that back. Not any time soon." She murmured as fresh tears sprung to her eyes, clouding her vision, and springing down to her cheeks. Julia pulled in a deep breath, closing her eyes to take in the few options laid before her. None were good, but one was much worse in her eyes.

Arielle sighed. "Well fine, I won't fight you on this. You can stay in my room. I'll take the couch." Arielle replied as she began to rise to a stand.

"Are you sure?" Julia looked up at her friend with clear worry in her gaze. Even though she wondered if the intruders would return, her frail state didn't give her the energy to fight anymore to remain in the most vulnerable location.

"Of course. I'd rather be out here too, just in case those men come back." Arielle assured her friend. She quickly averted her gaze, catching sight of her mother's car pulling in, knowing that soon enough, she would need to explain this to her. She prayed inwardly, hoping it wouldn't bring fear to her heart. "I can't risk anything happening to you guys. If they come back, at least I'll be right here and they'll have no reason to hurt either of you." Arielle knew that she'd rather them take her than those she loved.