Chapter 87
A R I A N A
It has been two days since Asher came home, two weeks since Sarah and I had that fight, we haven’t really talked since the incident.
I resume work today, I was currently on my way to Mr Davies office to report after being off for a while.
I knocked on the door hearing a slight come in before I twisted the door knob and slipped inside.
“Ah Ariana come in and sit down,” he said.
I sat down my hands were a little sweaty.
“I heard about your son,” he said his voice was not unkind. “I hope he is better now p>
I nodded. “Yes, sir Much better thank you p>
“Good good.” He looked at some papers on his desk. “The work here has been very busy. You were gone for over a week with the big project in hand, you know it’s an important collaboration p>
I sat up straight. “I understand sir I can catch up. I will work extra hours p>
Mr. Davies held up his hand. “It is already handled. Mr Russo insisted on a change of assistant so I assigned Phil”
My heart sank a little.
Dante was really serious when he said it was over, he didn’t want anything to do with me, must be why he asked for a new assistant.
“That’s fine sir” I said.
Then he looked at me. “It was Mr Russo’s specific request, he asked for you to be removed from the project p>
I gulped a lump his words feeling like a slap on the face.
Of course Dante would say that.
He did not just walk away he was pushing me away.
He was making sure he did not have to see me.
The pain was sharp like a knife.
“I see,” I whispered.
Mr. Davies must have seen the look on my face. He tried to smile. “Do not worry. You are still a valued employee. In fact we are having a business dinner tonight to celebrate the collaboration all senior staff must attend. Including you p>
A dinner.
Where Dante would be.
My throat felt tight. “Sir, I… my son is just home from the hospital p>
“It is mandatory, Ariana,” he said. His voice was firm now. “It will look very bad if you are not there be at the Grand Hotel at 7 PM p>
I just nodded unable to refuse.
I stood up.
My legs felt weak as I walked out of his office.
My mind was spinning.
I was not paying attention I turned a corner and bumped right into someone.
Strong hands caught my arms.
“Whoa there Ariana Easy p>
I looked up.
It was Phil.
“Phil I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking p>
He smiled. He has a nice smile. “It’s okay. You look a little lost. Everything alright p>
I forced a smile. “Yes. Just… a lot of work p>
“How’s Asher?” He asked.
Phil had come in a couple of times to see Asher and he brought him a lot of gift too.
“He’s much much better”
“Well that’s great news” he says.
I nodded, “Uhm I should go p>
He cut me off “I heard,” he said as he was still holding my arms. I gently pulled away. “I heard about the big dinner tonight at the Grand Hotel. Very fancy p>
“Yes,” I said. “Mr. Davies just told me p>
“Are you going with anyone?” he asked his eyes were hopeful.
“No. It’s a work dinner. I’ll just go alone p>
“Don’t be silly,” Phil said. “A beautiful woman shouldn’t go alone… Let me take you I can be your date p>
My first thought was no.
A loud strong no.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Phil p>
“Why not?” he asked. He stepped a little closer. “We’re both going anyway we can sit together. It will be more fun I don’t want to be stuck talking to the old guys from finance all night p>
I thought about Dante.
Maybe taking Phil won’t be a bad idea.
“Please Ariana,” Phil said. “It’s just one dinner as friends p>
“Okay,” I said, the word felt heavy. “Okay, Phil as friends p>
His face lit up. “Really? That’s great! I’ll pick you up at 6:30? We can go together p>
“Okay”
“Sure,” he said looking satisfied. “It’s a date. Well, a work date I’ll see you tonight Ariana p>
He walked away, whistling.
I stood alone in the hallway.
What had I just done?
I agreed to go to a dinner with my Phil to a dinner where the man I still love would be.
The man who hates me.
I was scared to face Dante
Tonight I would see him again and he would see me with another man, a man he’d think is my husband.
Maybe just maybe it would make the pain a little easier to bear.
Or maybe, it would make everything much, much worse.