It was the sixth day of their vacation and practically the last day, Sammy and Rosie’s wedding was going to happen the next day so they had to be on their way back to Las Vegas, tonight.
Oliver walks into the large sitting room, where they had all gathered. They were preparing to visit the Volcanoes National Park. Susan had just left; she had spent the night there as Oliver had insisted that she had to stay till the next morning; just to make sure that she was alright.
Susan had spent the night in one of the free rooms, but that did not make Aria any less worried and restless. She was scared of having anything happen between Oliver and Susan under that roof, or any other roof; she might have moved on from him but she was not ready to see him get intimate with another lady yet, or ever.
She had been restless throughout the night, she had even come outside when she heard the sound of the door open, that was the door of the room that Susan was staying in, it was the one right next to hers. She was glad that Oliver had given Susan the room next to hers so that she could monitor movement from there.
** * * * * * * * * *
The moment Aria heard the sound of the door opening; she rushed out to see if it was Oliver and her guess was right, he was standing in front of Susan who had just opened the door. Oliver turned to his left and noticed her; he was of the impression that she must have fallen asleep because it was past midnight.
“Hey Miss McQueen, I thought you would be asleep,” Oliver said plainly.
She forced a smile. “No, I am having a bad time falling asleep, but what about you two… from the silence, I could tell that everyone had fallen asleep, why are you two up?” she queried.
“Oh, I was feeling thirsty and there was no water in my room, so I had to disturb Olli’s sleep. I asked him to get me some water,” Susan replied.
“Olli?” Aria muttered, wearing a puzzled face.
“Oh… Yeah, that is what I used to call him back in those days at high school, it was kinda catchy,” she giggled and punched Oliver softly on the stomach.
Oliver chuckled. “True and I think it is way better than Papa bear,” he added.
Aria groaned and clenched her fist silently, she hated how this woman giggled and touched Oliver whenever she pleased. She had even invited him to her room in the middle of the night just to get a bottle of water, who knows if she had other plans, what if something more than consumption of water happened in there? She did not even want to imagine that.
“Papa Bear? Who would give you such a lame nickname? That is horrible,” Susan said with mouth agape.
“I know right? I thought so too,” Oliver replied and chuckled.
Aria sighed. “Alright guys, I had mistaken the noise for something else, that is why I came out, but since I have confirmed that it is just you two giving and getting a bottle of water, I should just slide back into my room before my smart daughter realizes that I am gone. You know she can’t do without me,” Aria smiled nervously.
“I think you mean it the other way round, Miss. McQueen, you can’t do without her,” Oliver replied and smirked.
“Either way, we need each other and no one else, so goodnight Mr. Gomez and Miss Susan,” Aria retorted and turned back into her room quickly, she didn’t want to get any more pissed off than she already was.
She banged the door quite hard and went to lie on the bed beside Lena. She didn’t like this feeling that was swirling in her; she didn’t like it at all.
** * * * * * * * * *
“Alright guys, listen up… I have information for you all,” Oliver said with a smile on his face.
Aria was seated silently on a couch; she had barely spoken to anyone this morning. She examined Oliver’s face as he spoke, she could see the smile on his face, just like she could see the sadness behind it. He was only acting to be happy when he wasn’t, and that was something he could not hide from her even if he wanted to.
Aria wondered what information he had for them, he was just glad that Susan had gone away, even though she had the feeling that they would meet her again at the Park; she was like a bubble gum, when attached… it becomes difficult to get rid of. Hopefully it ends in this state.
Not like it would change anything though, she didn’t care if they met again in Las Vegas because she had already booked a flight. As soon as the wedding was over, she would be on the first flight to London the next day.
“Alright… so this might come as a surprise to you guys; I am getting married to Susan!” he yelled.
The whole room froze the moment he announced that, all eyes were on him, and then suddenly… Sammy burst into laughter.
“Nice one Oliver, you think you are funny but you are not that good,” he said in a mocking tone and the others except Aria joined in the laughter.
“Wait, wait! No guys, I am actually serious here, I want to propose to Susan today,” he said again with a solemn face, that was the face that says ‘I ain’t kidding here bro’
Everywhere was silent again, then Sammy spoke. “Um… Okay,” he said slowly, “Are you sure of what you are saying?” he queried.
“Yeah… Why?” Oliver queried with a scrutinizing face. Aria stood transfixed like a statue, she was not even blinking as his announcement had temporarily spooked the life out of her, she was hoping that this was another one of her crazy imaginations caused by her fears and insecurities.
“Because dude, you just met her again after nine years or ten and you have a family already.” Sammy replied.
“What family are you talking about Pal? I only have a daughter and I think she would be good with it, right Princess? You wont mind me making aunt Susan your stepmom, would you?” Oliver queried.
All eyes turned to Lena, she looked at her mom, then her eyes darted back to her dad. “Well I do love aunt Susan, she is nice and sweet and caring, so if she makes my dad happy, then I wont mind calling her stepmom,” She replied with a smile.
They all gasped simultaneously. “What?” Aria muttered, and then she shook her head in disappointment and stormed off to her room. Rosie sighed and followed her immediately, this vacation was about to end in a tragedy, it was not the happy ending they all expected. No one saw this coming!!
To be continued!!