72: SEE YOU AGAIN


    ARIEL’S POV


    I slowly stirred from my deep slumber, my eyes fluttering open as the morning light trickled through the


    curtains. Stretching my arms above my head, I let out a contented sigh, relishing the warmth of the


    nkets covering my body. Aslo remembering the exhausting moment with Lukest night.


    And at this point, my consciousness fully returned. I became aware of the empty space beside me,


    where that husband of mine should have been.


    He slept by my sidest night, and it was still early in the morning. Luke wouldn’t leave for work around


    this time.


    Slightly puzzled, I furrowed my brow and sat up, scanning the room with bleary eyes.


    “Luke?” I called out, my voice tinged with a hint of concern. Why was I even concerned?


    But anyway, there was no response, only the echo of my own word reverberating in the silence.


    Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I slipped my feet into my slippers and rose to my feet.


    I walked to the bathroom and opened the door. But I still didn’t see him. Where could he have gone


    now? I didn’t even know why I was concerned about him. Oh gosh, what the hell is wrong with me?


    LUKE’S POV


    I stood at the entrance of the cemetery, my heart heavy with a mixture of grief and dejection. The air


    was crisp, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the towering trees that lined the ” path leading to


    my parents‘ resting ce.


    Today marked the anniversary of their tragic passing, and I hade to pay my respects, just as I had


    done every year since that fateful day.


    I walked along the winding path, and memories flooded my mind. I remembered my parents‘


    warm smiles, their loving embrace, and the sound of theirughter that seemed to fill our home back


    then.


    They had been taken from me too soon, leaving behind an empty void that time had failed to heal.


    Sometimes I wondered why these bad moments had to strike us on earth. Why did it have to assault


    me? What wrong have I done to receive this?


    Finally, I arrived at the familiar spot where their gravestones stood side by side. I kneeled down, gently


    cing fresh flowers on each grave. I took a deep breath, my eyes filled with


    tears.


    “Mom, Dad,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I miss the both of you every day. I know the two of


    you can see me from up there. And I just want to let you both know that life hasn’t been the same


    without you.”


    I sat down next to the gravestones, leaning against a nearby tree. Memories continued to flood my


    thoughts, transporting me back to happier times.


    I remembered the countless evenings spent in the backyard, my father teaching me how to ride a


    bicycle, and my mother’s gentle voice reading bedtime stories.


    My father had to sacrifice most of his time back then, not going to thepany business meetings, all


    because he wanted to spend time with me.


    and ignoring


    Tears streamed down my face as I traced the engraved names of my parents on the cold stone. I


    whispered my apologies for all the moments I wished I could have shared with them, all the


    conversations left unsaid.


    “I wish the two of you were here,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “There’s so much I want


    to tell you, so much I want to ask the both of you.”


    Silence filled the cemetery, broken only by the distant chirping of birds. I closed my eyes, allowing the


    memories to wash over me. In my mind’s eye, I could almost hear my parents voices, offering words of


    encouragement and unconditional love.


    “I love you, Mom. I love you, Dad,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you both for everything.


    I don’t know if it’s going to take me a long time to join you guys. But I can wait to see you again.”


    With a final nce at the gravestones, I turned, and as I was about to walk away, my phone started


    ringing. The caller ID was unknown.


    I gazed at my screen, wondering who was calling me now. It took me quite a few seconds before I


    answered the phone call.


    “Luke Reynold, I see you don’t love your life, right?” The caller spoke.


    “Say what now?” I made a puzzled face, filled with curiosity. I wonder who was talking. “Can I please


    know who’s talking?”


    He chuckled. “You still haven’t gotten used to my voice yet. That’s weird.”


    After he said that, I finally remembered who was talking. It was that guy who kept on blowing my phone


    with calls. The guy who sent me that video of Harriet.


    “You?” I vocalized.


    Heughed. “Yes, me”


    “What do you want now?” I asked him.


    “Hold on, hold on. There’s no need to start rushing things. Before we get to that, I need to show some


    concern. So, how have you been?”


    “Just get straight to the point, will you?”


    “Why are you sounding so mad? I didn’t call you to threaten you.”


    “I’m not mad. And I don’t have time for silly talk right now. Can you please just tell me what’s going on?


    On ourst call, you had to let me know that my life was in danger. Is that true, or not?”


    “You’re asking me if it’s true? Do I look like someone who cracks cocaine to you?”


    “Haven’t seen you before,” I responded.


    I could hear himugh. “I’m only trying to help you. And you’re here, being rude to me. You know, I can


    just keep this information hidden from you, and don’t be surprised if you see yourself in hell the next


    minute.”


    I breathed out deeply and softened my tone. “Okay, fine, please let me have knowledge of this


    information of yours.”


    “Now that’s more like it,” he said. “I will give it to you. But not for free; you’re going to have to pay to get


    this information.”


    “How much?” I asked.


    “Five hundred million dors. Since you’re a billionaire.”


    “What?” I blurted. “That huge amount of money? Are you crazy?”


    “Do you love your life or not?” He aksed.


    “Of course I love my life, but five hundred million dors? Are you kidding me? Can you even hear


    yourself right now?”


    “When you’re ready, let me know. If I were you, I’d make a decision as soon as possible. Tomorrow


    might be toote,” he said, and hung up.


    I couldn’t believe what that guy was telling me. What was this information that he even had to give me


    anyway?


    ARIEL’S POV


    I stepped outside on a crisp morning, dressed in vibrant jogging gear. I had decided to take a leisurely


    stroll, hoping to enjoy the scenery and clear my mind.


    As I made my way down the path, I spotted Daniel, who was not too far from me. He was carrying out a


    jogging exercise, and the moment he got close to me, he stopped.


    72. SEE YOU AGAIN


    “Ariel, what are you doing around here?” He asked, trying to catch his breath.


    “I live close by,” I answered. “My house is just a few feet away.”


    “Oh, I see,” he said, still breathing heavily.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “It looks like you need some water.”


    “Yeah,” he uttered beneath his breath.


    5/5


    Daniel’s eyes widened immediately. “Look out!” He pushed me to the ground, getting on top of me, and


    a car drove past our previous direction with exhrating speed.


    “What the hell was that?” I asked, looking at the car, which had gotten far from us. Daniel was still on


    top of me.


    “Crazy drivers. I don’t know,” he replied, slowly getting to his feet.


    “Ariel, what the heck?” I heard Luke’s voice. He was standing a little bit far from us.