Arianna, Mimi, and Adele finally decided on a simple restaurant that was just around the corner and didn't have to trek too far. Although the late-night air cleared their head just a little bit and in no time they were basking in the warmth the restaurant provided.
Picking up the menu, they made their orders before relaxing for a conversation that wasn't going to end anytime soon.
"So…" Mimi started, which honestly wasn't surprising. She was a natural at initiating conversations even with the most awkward company, "How is married life going for you?"
The question was directed at Arianna and she blinked in surprise, pointing a hand to her chest, "You mean, me?"
"Yes, you. Who else was I going to start with?" Mimi shrugged, looking between the both of them - she and Adele.
Arianna said, "You practically know everything about me. I thought you were going to start with her, she's the most reclusive person in this group."
Adele in question lifted the glass of water to her lips and took a long sip, pretending not to have heard her. She did not sign up for this, no one should drag her into it.
"Just like in games, you have to start up from the easy to the difficult level even in conversations," Mimi argued.
Arianna flinched, her mouth slack in disbelief, "I'm the easy level?"
Mimi shrugged, saying defensively, "You said it yourself, I practically know everything about you. Isn't that what you call an easy level?"
Arianna huffed and thankfully, before she could continue quibbling with Mimi like housewives, Adele interrupted her by asking, "Has there been any news of Daniel?"
There was instant silence at once and Arianna stiffened involuntarily having not seen that question coming. Her mouth opened and closed without a word, swallowing down her saliva nervously. That name "Daniel" was a sensitive topic to bring up even while with Marcel. Marcel chose to believe that his father was dead and dealt with the loss by pretending it never existed in the first place.
Arianna knew that was an unhealthy way of dealing with his emotions because no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, Daniel was still alive somewhere. And one day - she knew it - he would surely return, If not for anything, but to get to know his grandchild - and she dreaded that day.
"No, nothing. There's no sign of him, not that Marcel has bothered to search. He thinks of his father's voluntary departure as good riddance and doesn't want to talk about him."
Arianna swallowed down saliva and continued, " As much as Daniel was a horrible man, he is still his father. Had he died, it would have given Marcel closure but Daniel is pretty much alive somewhere and I know Marcel misses him. Perhaps, that's why he loathes himself so much. He's not supposed to long for his father, but he does. Marcel doesn't understand that's what makes us human and is not like we have a choice to choose our parents. I'm sure you understand that as well." She hinted at the fact that even her - Adele's- mother chose to leave her and go with Daniel.
There was a shift in Adele's expression and the mask she put on cracked, revealing the pain that ate her up from the inside.
Arianna told her, "Perhaps, that's why Marcel works so hard to be the perfect father to his daughter. Also, I think the both of you should talk to each other since you're going through the same pain and seem to understand each other so well. I think he might open up to you. "
"I'll consider that," She said, her voice low and husky from the raw emotion stirring in her chest.
"Your mother… " Mimi probed carefully, "Has she initiated any form of contact with you since she left?"
"She wrote me an untraceable letter."
"A letter." Arianna's brow lifted in interest, this was the first time that she was hearing such a thing.
"Yes," Adele smiled mirthlessly, "She explained that it was for my own good. She could not be a burden to me and Daniel promised he was going to get her to walk once again. To be honest, I was angry at first. Angelica was weak, pathetic, and a coward when it came to raising her daughter. She always made the wrong choice when it comes to choosing men. I swore I would have nothing to do with her ever again. She already made her decision and I should accept that. But…" Her voice caught at that end, Arianna and Mimi's eyes met at that point knowing how hard it was for Adele to open up to them like this.
Arianna reached out from across the table and covered her palm with hers while Mimi placed her hand on her shoulder and squeezed soothingly.
A tear slipped down her cheek as she confessed, "I should leave her, it's not worth it, but I feel so god damn alone. You don't know how jealous I feel when I see the both of you with your mothers, " She pointed at both Arianna and Mimi "I want something like that, is that too much to ask? She's the only family I have left. Why do bad things keep happening to me? I feel like I'm cursed or something." Adele broke down in more tears.
"Shhh, it's okay." Mimi was the one comforting her now since she was seated so close to her and Adele buried her face into her. She knew how weak this made her seem right now, but she was so sick and tired of always being in control! Of always getting her acts together.
"And you are not cursed," Mimi said.
"Also, your mother is not the only family you have, Adele." Arianna was up on her feet and went over to the opposite side of the table where she wrapped her arms around her.
"You have us now. Me. Marcel. Mimi. Victor. Elijah, your triplets, and even the Draven family, " She kissed her on the forehead and embraced her tighter.
"You are not alone, Adele Draven."
And Adele wept hard.
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