The Love From Vengeance



7 THE RETURN

LUKE'S POV

I couldn't believe what I was seeing at the moment-who I was seeing stepping foot inside the building. A lady with red hair was putting on a red dress, her neck adorned with jewelry, and behind her were two young men who were looking bold in their red suits.

She held her purse, walking slowly, and those who recognized her were all surprised, just as I was. She was looking prettier than before, and the bold expression on her face could tell that she was stronger and better than ever.

She looked around, and her eyes met mine. I couldn't take my eyes off hers, and she couldn't take hers off mine as well. We gazed at each other for what seemed like eternity, and I was just short on words; I didn't know what to say. I thought she had left and was never coming back. I thought she was gone for good. But she had to prove me wrong. Ariel was finally back.

ARIEL'S POV

Oh, it felt so good to be back. After five years-five good years I finally came back home. And I could tell these people were surprised to see me. They were acting like they had all seen a ghost or something. It wasn't like I was dead. I just took a flight out of the country.

The little music that was playing stopped, and I noticed how many people couldn't take their eyes off me, including the young man standing upstairs. What was his name again? Oh, right, Luke. He did look familiar. Oh yeah, he was my ex-husband, the person who treated me so badly and made me feel like I didn't deserve to be loved.

We both stared at each other, and the glass he was holding fell from his hands, shattering on the floor, and that caused him to take his gaze off me. But I kept on looking at him as he hunkered down, along with his assistant Jack, who was helping him to clean up the mess he had created.

It was actually nice to see him again. I have to admit, I really missed his handsome face and his grumpy attitude. He still had the stunning features that could make thousands of ladies go crazy, but let's not get to that. I came here for business, so nothing but business.

"This place is beautiful, isn't it?" I asked one of the men standing close to me. His name was Michael; he was part of the Vitality Group and also a good friend of mine.

"Yes, it is," he answered, looking around. "But how come there's no beautiful lady around here?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Who told you that?"

"Uhhh, I'm seeing it," he answered in a chaffing tone, and I giggled.

"Will you too just stop it?" Seth held a serious face. He was the other guy standing next to me. "Just act mature; for once, Michael, we are at the party of one of the most notable men in New Haven."

"You think I don't know that?" Michael raised his brow at Seth.

"I'm not sure you do." Seth glared at him.

"Okay, okay, no fighting, you two." I tried to calm the both of them down. "This is supposed to be a moment of happiness."

"Yeah, it's just that this guy's taking things too seriously. I mean, come on, can he even smile for once?" Michael crossed his arms, returning Seth's glare.

"Maybe if you act mature for once, I'll actually smile at you," Seth told him.

"Go to hell!" Michael scoffed and walked away.

"Where is he going now?" I gave Michael a weird look as he took some steps away from us.

"Just let him be; he's useless anyway," Seth continued with his cold tone.

I glared at him promptly. "I think it'll be best if you can just walk away too."

Frowning at me, Seth growled, but he left my sight anyway. Just like Michael said, that guy did take things too seriously.

"Sorry, I'm late, ma'am; I was just finding a suitable place to park my car." Andre approached me.

"It's okay." I grinned at him. "Shall we?"

"We shall." He smiled back, and he crossed arms with mine as we both moved forward.

Andre and I had been friends for five good years now. He was a nice guy, filled with humility. At the time I arrived in Canada, I was robbed by a group of thugs, leaving me shattered and completely broken. I had no money to buy food and no place to go. I was hopeless at that time.

But Andre saw me lying helplessly on the road and took me to his apartment, where he provided for me and treated me like family, to the point that people thought we were a couple. He was the founder of Vitality Group, establishing the company after breaking out of his father's business.

Still walking with Andre, I noticed how Luke was staring me from upstairs. His look wasn't that great, and I had no idea if he was jealous or whatever. But I shouldn't even care anyway. He was no longer an important part of my life.

The both of us halted the moment we spotted Sir Reynold heading in our direction. He was dressed in a black suit, and the buttons on his shirt were made of gold. He was really enjoying the lavish life, wasn't he?

"Ariel!" Sir Reynold exclaimed the moment he got close to me. His face was filled with surprise, as he was open-mouthed. I would be too if I were in his position.

"My daughter, is this really you?" He asked, still keeping that stunned expression on his face, scanning me from up to down. He held my hands, while I did nothing but smile at him. I could see tears coming out of his eyes. "I miss you so much!" He hugged me directly.

I slowly embraced him back, smiling with my eyes both closed. "I miss you too."

After letting go of each other, he continued to look at me; his hands were fixed on both of my shoulders. "I can't still believe it; after all these years, you came back. You've finally come back." He hugged me for the second time. I literally had no idea he loved me this much.

Sir Reynold eventually broke the embrace; his eyes went on to Andre, who was standing close to me. "Who is this?"

"He's a good friend of mine; his name is Andre." I introduced Andre to Sir Reynold with a huge beam on my face.

"It's nice meeting you." Andre shook hands with Sir Reynold as the both of them laughed slightly.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Nice meeting you too," Sir Reynold uttered, and their shaking of hands came to an end.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you." I playfully slapped my head. "Andre right here is the owner and founder of Vitality Group."

Sir Reynold gaped at Andre right away, more surprised than directed at him. "Oh my, I had no idea." He turned to me. "Are you also part of the Vitality Group?"

"Yes." I beamed joyfully at him. "I'm the CEO," I added.

Sir Reynold slowly nodded, his mouth partly open. "That means I'm standing in the midst of a powerful businessman and woman."

I chortled. "Please don't say that; it is your birthday, and you're the only one who deserves all the respect

here."

Sir Reynold smiled at me, pleased with my words. "That's why I like you."

I nodded, smiling back at him, and after a few seconds of staring, he told us to get a seat. He walked away, going to discuss it with other individuals.

Andre's phone began to ring. "Excuse me, please." He brought his phone out of his pocket and answered the call, treading away.

Just as Sir Reynold had said, I decided to go take a seat. As I began to walk, someone pushed me from behind, and I was about to fall, but I was caught in the hands of another person at that very moment.