"We'd show up as a couple. That would certainly throw him off and let him know you want nothing to do with him" Azaiah explained to Ariana and she didn't mind it.
It wasn't real so she felt there was no problem.
After they finished their meal, Azaiah made a call to Miguel. Asking him to come pick up Ariana's car.
Though Ariana didn't agree at first, Azaiah convinced her it was part of his plan. They couldn't show up to meet Rodrigo in different cars, it might mess up their plan.
Miguel showed up after some minutes and took Ariana's car, driving it to Yvonne's house.
Azaiah opened the door for Ariana to get into his car and after mounting the driver's seat, they headed straight to where Rodrigo was.
They finally arrived at the restaurant and they got down from the car. Azaiah walked to her side and offered his hand. Ariana was surprised by his gesture and it clearly showed on her face.
She momentarily forgot they were supposed to act like a couple in love.
"Trust me Ariana" Azaiah said and she slowly slipped her hand into his. Deciding to play along.
They entered the building and it was an Italian restaurant. It had low music playing through the speakers and very few people present.
They looked around and finally noticed Rodrigo sitting at a corner gulping a glass of what looked like wine or beer.
Ariana felt her heart skip a beat. She felt disappointed in herself for still letting Rodrigo have that effect on her.
Azaiah who noticed the change in her demeanor, gently squeezed her hand. Making her remember he was right by her side and she didn't need to feel bad or alone.
She turned to Azaiah and stared into his green eyes which somehow made her relax.
But before they could get to Rodrigo's table, he noticed them first and abruptly stood up. Walking towards them with an expression of unbelief.
"Ariana who is this and why are you holding him like that?" Rodrigo asked, looking like if he could produce smoke, there would be some coming out of his nose and ears right now.
"You don't have the right to question me Rodrigo. You lost that right the moment you cheated on me". She stated and Rodrigo laughed mockingly.
His breath exuding the smell of what seemed to be beer and Ariana guessed he must've been drinking it for a while now.
"I've been waiting for you for almost an hour and you come to see me with a man! You've become so bold now haven't you?" Rodrigo asked and he scoffed.
"Watch yourself Sanchez. She's not yours anymore" Azaiah gave a more possessive hold on Ariana's hand and Rodrigo chuckled once more.
"Who do you think you are to meddle in a couple's business?" Rodrigo seethed.
"I'm someone you definitely don't want to mess with. If I were you I'd be careful with my words" Azaiah said staring down at Rodrigo who was shorter than him.
"Save it. Ariana, go sit down now!" Rodrigo ordered and Ariana was surprised he could speak to her in such a tone.
"I'm not going anywhere. You cheated on me! With not one but two women and you think I'd be willing to hear anything you want to say? Don't be a joke Rodrigo!" Ariana said, fumming.
"Ariana do you know the kind of mistake you're making? Our parents would be mad at both of us and you know it!" He explained.
"And I don't care! I don't! I'm not anyone's puppet anymore. The only reason you want me back is solely because of business benefits between our families, not because you actually love me".
"Stop acting like a child Ariana, I'd take care of you either ways. Let go of this loser and go sit down before I lose my temper!" Rodrigo said slightly raising his hand at Ariana and that was when Azaiah finally lost it.
He had been trying his best to be composed and allow Ariana air her mind but this bastard attempted hitting Ariana and that made the rope of self control in him snap.
Azaiah let go of Ariana and grabbed Rodrigo by the collar. "Don't you dare think about hitting her unless you want to find your back against the wall. You don't deserve her, so let it be. She's not yours and she'd never be yours. Understand?" He let go of Rodrigo's shirt and the man staggered backwards.
Ariana and Azaiah where about to leave when Rodrigo wanted to cover his shame by trying to connect a blow to Azaiah's face but missed it. Making him dive forcefully into a table.
The noise drew the attention of others present and Rodrigo felt humiliated. He was about to hit Azaiah once more but the man got a hold of his hand and whispered into his ear.
"You already lost her, give up. She's mine now. Mine to keep". Hearing Azaiah's words, Rodrigo struggled to free his hand from Azaiah's grip.
Azaiah finally let go of him and looked at Ariana, cupping her face "Are you okay love?".
Ariana knew this acting was part of Azaiah's plan but those words rolled out of his mouth with so much care in them that for a minute, it felt real.
"Yes I am" she answered quickly, wanting to break eye contact with Azaiah.
Rodrigo laughed like a maniac. "You call me a cheat but the moment I slipped you suddenly found someone else. Seems like you've been waiting to run into another man's bed. We're exactly the same then, stop the pretence Ariana and come with me" he said stretching his hand out for her to take.
"You're insane!" Ariana said. She couldn't take Rodrigo's attitude anymore.
She couldn't believe that he raised his hand on her, almost hitting her. He had never seemed like the type who would beat a woman but seeing him now, she had thought wrong.
She was relieved she didn't make the mistake of getting married to him. The chances of him laying his hands on her even after marriage was high.
"Ariana, I know you probably paid whoever this is to get back at me but it didn't work. I see through all this, you both should drop the act. Ariana is too naive to even cheat on me now I think about it. So this drama, you both should end it and let's get out of here peacefully" Rodrigo said and Azaiah was about to say something but Ariana beat him to it.
"You really think I'd be crying over you? Dream on, at least I know he was there for me when you weren't!" Ariana referred to Azaiah.
"Then prove it! Prove it that you didn't pay this guy to do this just to get back at me!" Rodrigo said and Azaiah scoffed.
Baffled at Rodrigo's display of foolishness.
Ariana bit her lips, thinking of what she was going to do to make Rodrigo swallow his words.
A thought came to her mind and she quickly acted on it; not thinking twice.
She turned Azaiah's face towards her and stood on her toes, landing a soft kiss on Azaiah's lips, taking him by surprise.
But he didn't pull away. With one hand on her waist and the other holding her face, he returned the kiss with more intensity.
Rodrigo stood watching them, perplexed and dumbfounded.
Hate flowed through his body like blood flowed through his veins and there, he decided to make Ariana pay for her mistakes. One way or the other.
Ariana pulled away from the kiss with her heart beating uncontrollably. But Azaiah didn't wait for her or Rodrigo to say another word, he held her by her hand and they walked out of the restaurant and back to his car.