With little David gone, Ariana and Azaiah felt more relaxed to talk about what they had in mind.
"Your relationship with him is nice" Azaiah remembered how loving and cute David was.
It wasn't part of his plan to spend time with a kid but it was a nice experience.
"Thank you. He has always been so sweet, I genuinely hope he stays that way" Ariana said, smiling.
"It was nice to know he liked you" she added and Azaiah agreed. He never knew he'd be doted over by a child he just met.
"I know you don't want to talk about this but I've been seeing several hate posts or comments about you online. I take it that things hasn't gotten better with your family?" Azaiah was cutting through a piece of salmon when he said that.
Ariana wasn't surprised he was asking her that, she remembered she told him about her family issues when they met at the club. Then, she didn't understand why she felt familiar with him but knowing his identity now, she understood.
"Things aren't better. In fact, it feels like it's getting worse" her mind trailed to Rodrigo and a glimmer of sadness was evident in her eyes. As quickly as it came, it vanished but Azaiah had caught sight of it anyway.
Ariana didn't feel the need to hide certain things from Azaiah, though they weren't really close. Most of what was going on in her life was already on the net so what was the use of hiding it? It felt better to talk about it.
Azaiah knew it was because of Rodrigo she had that look in her eyes but he didn't want to bring the man into the conversation unless Ariana does it herself.
Ariana's phone buzzed and both their eyes fell on her phone. Azaiah noticed the caller ID was saved as "My love" and he knew it was none other than Rodrigo who was calling.
His expression turned cold and Ariana noticed it. She was yet to change the way she had saved his name and now it made it seem like she was still with Rodrigo.
"Please excuse me" she said before picking up the call.
"Why are you calling me?" Her voice came out sounding harsh.
"Babe, please stop this. Remember I told you we needed to talk, I'm at our spot. I'd be waiting for you" Rodrigo said, ending the call without waiting for her response. Unwilling to hear her retort or decline.
Ariana had a disgusted look on her face and she quickly edited his contact to "Rodrigo Sanchez" before placing her phone on the table.
"Sorry about that" she said to Azaiah but the man didn't seem pleased.
Though he didn't want to talk about Rodrigo, the anger had already welled up and he couldn't take it anymore.
He hated the fact Ariana was with someone like Rodrigo who had different women flocking around him for money and status.
"You know, I can help you if you want" Azaiah said placing his fork down and crossing his arms, ready for a serious conversation.
"Help me how?" She asked.
"That was your cheating fiancé right?" Azaiah didn't plan on being kind with his words and though it hurt, it was the truth.
"What about him?" She asked, not entirely interested because the topic was about someone she didn't want to think or care about.
"He hurt you right?" Azaiah asked though he already knew the answer.
"Obviously" Ariana rolled her eyes.
"You can repay him, just as much" Azaiah said and a sinister smile adorned his face.
"As much as I want to him to regret what he did to me, I don't think I can do anything to hurt him. I loved him".
Her last statement made Azaiah tighten his fists in anger. But he was glad she spoke in past tense.
"If you don't teach people a lesson at times, they come back to hurt you even more. I won't force you, it's just a suggestion but I do have a plan to help you make everyone who has hurt you regret their actions. You don't necessarily need to do anything, I'd just need you to play along with me" Azaiah said. The smile was now long gone from his face.
Ariana knew the part he spoke about people coming back to hurt you even more was indeed true.
Her family and Rodrigo had all taken her for granted and she needed to show them she wasn't a doormat they could walk all over or a puppet they could control and manipulate into doing whatever they wanted. But she harboured second thoughts.
"I don't know..." She said looking away from Azaiah.
"Like I said, all you have to do is play along and I'd handle everything" He said.
Ariana began to consider his offer but she didn't know what to expect from Azaiah. The man had always had an extreme side and she knew that.
Still trying to make her decision, her phone lit up. She received a text from Rodrigo "Ariana, don't make me seem like a fool! I've been pleading with you. Come let's talk damn it!".
She read his text and felt anger fill her heart that she didn't realize the moment she agreed to Azaiah's proposition.
"Wonderful" Azaiah said, smiling from ear to ear.
"If you help me, is there anything you want in return?" Ariana questioned and Azaiah's smile widened, he knew she'd surely ask him that.
"I'd let you know later on. But trust me". He said staring straight into her eyes.
"If I may ask, why was he calling?" Asked Azaiah.
"He wants to meet up to talk" Ariana answered.
"Mmm" Azaiah hummed.
"How about you meet up with him? But I'd come along and help you" he added.
Ariana's mouth formed and "O", she wondered what was going through Azaiah's mind but she didn't decline.