Love after marriage

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Flashback...

Ariana sniffled, tears running down her face. " Why do you like bullying me Tessa?, I have always done everything you wanted".

Tessa gave her a mean smile. "I like seeing you in pain. It gives me joy to see you unhappy and scared".

"But I love seeing you happy, I always try to do things that makes you happy" Ariana's voice trembled.

"Then why can't you do what I'm currently asking for" Tessa scoffed.

"You... you want me to drown myself?, but you know I can't do that" Ariana whispered, as she tried to move away from the pool.

"Then let me help you" Tessa said. She moved to pull Ariana into the pool, but Ariana pushed Tessa away, making Tessa lose balance and fall into pool.

Ariana watched with wide eyes as Tessa struggled to get out of the water, she didn't know how to swim so she couldn't save Tessa.

"Help!!!, someone please help us!!" Ariana screamed. A maid came running towards them and she immediately called an ambulance.

Ariana couldn't move, her body trembling in fear. Everything became blurred and moved in slow motion for her, the siren sound echoing in her ears.

"We are sorry ma'am, we couldn't save her" the doctor said

TESSA WAS DEAD...

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Present Day...

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Kieran stood at the airport gate, arms crossed as he waited for Ariana's flight to arrive. He's parents had forced him into picking her up and he wasn't happy about it, he and Ariana always argued with each other since they were little and he wasn't expecting any change now that they were all grownup

As Ariana emerged from the crowd, his eyes narrowed at her, she looked.... different. He was only able to notice them because Sage was waving her hand crazily at him

He sighed at Sage's behavior, she will always be the same Sage he knew since they were little.

Sage smirked at Kieran, "Hey Kieran. Didn't recognize you with your grumpy face on"

"Shut up, Sage" Kieran scoffed at her

"Whatever. Where's my baby boo, why isn't he here, doesn't he miss me?" Sage asked, looking around.

"Chill girl. You sound like you love him, when you've actually been giving my brother a hard time by not reciprocating his feelings" Kieran scowled at her.

"I will keep on saying it, Kai doesn't love me, our relationship can only be platonic" Sage argued.

Ariana, Kieran, Sage and Kai were childhood friends. While Kieran and Ariana hated each other's guts, partially because of their arranged marriage, Kai and Sage weren't having an easy friendship.

Kai had a crush on Sage since they were little, but Sage didn't like men, not that she was a lesbian.

" Are you guys done arguing with each other?, because I'm hungry and tired" Ariana whined

"Let's get this little glutton home" Sage tapped Ariana's hair, knowing well that Ariana hated people touching her hair.

The drive home was awkward and silent, with Sage trying to make conversations with Kieran and Arianna, but they were both lost in their thoughts, they didn't even say a word to each other at the airport.

"Thanks for the drive, grumpy face" Sage smiled at Kieran, after he had dropped them off at Ariana's place.

"If it weren't for my parents I wouldn't have been here" Kieran frowned, not happy with his pet name, especially as it was from Sage.

Kieran turned to face Ariana, "Aren't you going to invite your "FIANCE" to your welcome home party?" Kieran asked Ariana, while pouting his lips and giving Ariana puppy eyes.

"Eww, that was cringe, don't ever do that again" Ariana shook her head, like she wanted the picture of Kieran pouting, to fly from her brain.

"I will be here by seven, our parents said they had something to tell us" Kieran announced

"I really hope it's about breaking this stupid arranged marriage" Ariana muttered under her breath.

"Me too baby" Kieran smirked, before zooming off.

"Don't forget to bring Kai with you" Sage ran after Kieran's car, screaming at the top of her lungs

Ariana looked at her family's home, letting out a sad smile she pulled Sage towards the house. She was here again and she didn't know what's in store for her.

Sage could see that Ariana was scared, so she tapped lightly on Ariana's hand, silently reassuring her that everything was going to be fine.

As Ariana stepped into her family's foyer, her father, with a warm smile on his face, opened his arms to her. "Ariana dear, welcome home. We've missed you so much"

Ariana face brightened up, as she ran into the arms of her father. " I missed you too dad".

"How's my old man doing" Sage said, playfully pulling Ariana out to her father's arm to replace her position.

"Hey!!" Ariana said between giggles.

"Hi mom", Ariana said quietly, trying to sound normal

Her mother's gaze didn't waver, her voice cold. "You must be tired from your trip, your room is ready"

Ariana felt sad, she wished her mother could look at her with affection again, but she wasn't going to let her mother's coldness ruin her homecoming.

"I'm a bit tired dad, I need a nap" Ariana forced a smile on her face

Sage shot her a sympathetic look, before she lead the way to Ariana's bedroom. Halfway up the stairs Sage gently tapped Ariana's shoulder.

"Don't let her get to you" she said.

"AAAAAARGH" Ariana screamed when she slammed the door shut.

Sage burst out laughing. "Girl, I said do not let her get to you. Now your parents will think that I'm trying murder their daughter"

"I know what you are doing Sage and trust me it's not going to help" Ariana let out a frustrated sigh.

*Knock knock

"Who's at the door" Ariana yelled

"I'm sorry Miss, but your parents asked me to remind you about your party", the housekeeper said in an apologetic voice.

"Tell them I don't need a reminder for that"

"You don't need to be harsh on her Ari" Sage scolded Ariana

"I'm just frustrated and I wonder what was so important that my parents asked me to leave Paris and come back to New York". Ariana let out a frustrated sigh, running her fingers over her face.