As Ariel followed Grandma Nari inside, she found the restaurant already bustling early in the morning, but not your normal street bustling rest.
It was a five-star restaurant with richly dressed men and women trooping in for some breakfast or something else; chefs carried those huge-lidded trays around, heading to different tables to serve people their chosen menu.
The sound of utensils could be heard as people ate, and the delicious aroma of food wafted out from the kitchen, filling the whole place and making people eager to order and fill their tummies with such delicious and appetizing food.
They passed a table, and the old woman suddenly turned as if she’d remembered something, “You don’t have to stress yourself, dear. Sit right here and I’ll order for you,” Grandma Nari turned to Ariel, gently patting her upper arm.
“Alright,” Ariel replied, smiling.
She was sure her fine lines were going to to very visible by the time she separated from Grandma Nari. She’s been doing a lot of fake smiling for a while now.
She watched the old woman walk away, going to the desk to place their order. She wondered what type of food she was going to get her, and she also wondered what kind of condition the old woman thought she had.
Wait… Did she think was pregnant?
Ariel chuckled softly and shook her head. That would be ridiculous.
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” A chef who was carrying a tray of food said beside Ariel.
“Oh! I’m sorry,” Ariel quickly stepped back to make room for the Chef.
“Oh!” Ariel gasped as she tripped on the chair and almost fell.
“Easy, I got you,” A voice suddenly spoke behind her.
Ariel thought she was going to cause a scene in the restaurant by falling to the floor, but she surprisingly found herself caught against a broad muscular chest.
“You alright?” The beautiful manly voice asked above her head.
Ariel lifted her face and stared into unfamiliar yet warm brown eyes that stared down at her with worry.
She quickly righted herself and removed herself from his hold.
“Um, I’m sorry… thank you for… catching me,” Ariel said, looking up at the young man’s face.
He was handsome, his warm brown eyes complimented his dark brown hair and tanned skin. He looked like he had just come in from a morning run; his white shirt clung to his lean toned muscles, leaving nothing to the imagination, the black joggers matched his black snickers perfectly.
But why, again, was she trying to compare him with Aiden?
“You’re welcome…” He paused, giving her a dazzling smile that reached his eyes.
Ariel was lost in his smile for a second, “Oh, Ariel, my name is Ariel,” Ariel said, getting her reactions in check.
“You’re welcome, Ariel. Nice to meet you,” He said, stretching his hand out to her for a handshake.
Ariel reluctantly shook his hand; his hold was warm and gentle, and she didn’t feel threatened by him.
“Here with someone?” He asked, still gently holding onto her small hand.
“I-”
“Ah, my dear boy, when did you return?” Grandma Nari asked cheerfully.
Ariel swiftly removed her hand from the young man’s hold, not wanting the old woman to get the wrong idea.
“Grandma!” The young man looked behind her Ariel, a big smile appearing on his face as he walked past her and engulfed the old woman in a warm, gentle hug.
He kissed Grandma Nari’s cheek and smiled down at her.
“I’ve just returned, Grandma,” He held her hand and led her to the table beside Ariel.
“You’ve met my daughter-in-law?” Grandma Nari asked as she lowered herself on the chair he drew out for her.
“Your daughter-in-law?” The young man asked, looking at Ariel in disbelief.
“Yes, Ken, my wife,” Aiden suddenly appeared from behind and placed his hand around Ariel’s waist.
Ariel stiffened as she felt Aiden’s hand wrap possessively around her waist; she felt him draw her close to himself, making sure he left no space between them.
She felt like a deer in a headlight as the two handsome men stared at her, each with a different expression.
Why did it feel like they were having a silent stand-off?
“Oh, Grandma, I never knew my best friend found himself a wife,” Ken said, smiling at Grandma Nari, but Ariel noticed that his smile didn’t reach his eyes this time.
“It’s a long story, Ken. Come, let’s sit together, the food will be here soon,” Grandma Nari said, tapping on the table.
“Thank you,” Ariel said politely, sitting on the chair Aiden had drawn for her.
Did she want to be here? No.
She felt suffocated as the two handsome men lowered themselves on each of her sides.
The man to her left was cold and unapproachable, while the man to her right felt like a ray of sunshine, warm and inviting.
She didn’t know what to make of her situation.
“So, tell me, Ken, do you plan to remain here or will you be returning to Canada?” Grandma Nari asked as they waited for their food.
“I’m here to stay, Grandma; I need to focus on my company, and perhaps it’s time for me to settle down, just like my friend did,” Ken said, sending a smirk to Aiden.
“Oh, that’s lovely, dear. Have you found someone yet?” Grandam Nari asked, excited about the topic.
“Sadly, no. You know, Grandma, I almost thought I found one a few minutes ago,” Ken said, looking intently at Ariel.
Ariel saw this and bit her lip. She lowered her face to the table. Why does she feel like this man intended to flirt with her even though he’s found out that she’s married?
“Hahaha, it happens, dear; we think we’ve found the one, but then, we realize it was just an infatuation,” Grandma Nari said, bringing out something from her bag.
“It’s alright, Grandma. I believe nature will always give us what is rightfully ours,” Ken said, again, staring at Ariel.
Ken couldn’t bring himself to believe that Aiden, his best friend whom he had grown up with, suddenly decided to get married. He knew his history, and he believed that this marriage wasn’t his idea. His adversity to women was a worldwide proven fact.
He was convinced that there was a backstory to this marriage, and seeing the subtle body language Ariel was making confirmed his thoughts.
Aiden has been glaring at Ken since they sat down. He didn’t like the way he kept staring at his wife… yes, his wife.
As long as she was still legally married to him, she would remain his wife, and he wouldn’t condone any unruly act from her with anyone.
He had been standing outside, watching Ariel as she followed his grandma inside the restaurant, he had planned to remain outside, not wanting people to see him and Ariel together, but the moment he witnessed the scene between Ariel and Ken, something snapped within him, and he immediately matched forward, striding his long legs straight to them.
He didn’t like it. The way Ken was looking and talking to his wife, he didn’t like it.
“How about you order your food, Ken?” Aiden asked, slightly frowning at him.
Ken looked up to Aiden, “Aww, he still cares for me just the same. But don’t worry, best friend, I already did,” Ken replied, smiling brightly at him.
Aiden looked beside him and saw the chefs carrying their food over, he sighed and took out his phone to text someone.
He caught Ariel smiling, and frowned, immediately turning his face to look at her.
Why was she smiling? She never smiled beside him; could it be because of Ken?
Whatever. He didn’t care; she could do whatever she wanted. But why was he leaning his face closer beside hers and placing his hand on her thigh to draw her toward him?
“Mind sharing what’s amusing you?” He whispered against the shell of her ear.
The smile immediately fell from Ariel’s face. She’s been caught. She had been smiling at the way Ken talked to Aiden; he was the first person she had met who seemed not to give a shit about what Aiden thought or felt; it made the atmosphere a little lighter, not cold and tense as it usually was with Aiden alone.
But her joy was cut short when Aiden placed his hand on her lap. She shook a little as his breath fanned the side of her face.
“Nothing,” She whispered, shaking her head.
She tried moving her leg away but he held her firmly and brought her leg back beside his, calmly drumming his finger on her lap.
Ariel was about to remove his hand from her lap when she saw the Chef place her food in front of her.
“Bon appetit,” The Chef Said, bowed and left.
Ariel looked down at her plate and almost frowned at the dish. It was Grilled salmon with roasted vegetables and quinoa.
How was she supposed to tell the old woman that she was allergic to Salmon?
“Enjoy, my dear child; it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, fiber, folate, iron, protein, and fats. It’s good for your condition,” Grandma Nari smiled, placing the cutlery on Ariel’s plate and urging her to eat.
Ken frowned a little.
“What’s her condition, Grandma, is she sick?” Ken furrowed his brows, staring at Ariel.
“No. We’re expecting, Ken. My wife is pregnant,” Aiden said, placing his hand over Ariel’s shoulder.