Chapter 3 Decision

Chapter Three

I got up and headed to the trash can after accepting Emily's gifts.I opened the trash can and drew the gifts. Emily, who was passing through the walkway, noticed my gift, which she had given to me a few hours earlier, in the trash and confronted me about my behavior. "How could you do something like this, Aria, if you knew you would not appreciate the gifts you should not have received?" I walked past Emily without looking at her, hissing hysterically. "Was that the reason you choose to disturb me".

Brian came in and interrupted me. He had been watching everything from a safe distance. He turned to face Emily and noticed her dismay on her face. "What is the matter with you, Emily?" "You do not look so good, sweetie." He inquired about her touching her face softly. "Aria chose to discard a gift I gave her out of kindness. With a frown and a contemptuous expression, he asked me to apologize to Emily. When Brian was not looking Emily turned and gave me an evil look. I ignored her and I started to walk away, shocked by Brian's response, when Brian's words stopped me. "If you apologize to Emily right now, I would reconsider staying in this loveless marriage, or you might as well kiss this marriage goodbye." "Really, you would do that." "This is my chance to stay in the Rodriguez family". I uttered those words desperately, realizing that I had no choice but to seize the opportunity. By the look on my face, you could tell I was desperate. But forcing me to stoop so low and apologize to Emily after she had stabbed me in the back perplexed me. I could not think clearly because all I want right now is to protect my parents' business and not be concerned about a cheating friend. "I am sorry, Emily; I should not have treated you or your gift in that way." I said, though not very cheerfully.

"Retrieve the gifts from the garbage cans." she commanded me. I watched as Brain observed her yelling at me. "You heard her, pick it up Aria", and I bent over like a puppet to pick it up and turned to face both of them angrily. Next time, make sure you obey quickly and not lazily like a grumpy fool. I felt as though I was under a hypnotic state, and I was sorry that I had taken the gifts out of the trash. I watched as they both embraced tightly, laughed at each other, and Emily kissed Brain on the cheek. "Can't you two at least feel a little embarrassed?" I spoke with anger in my voice. "I understand that you feel envious, but that is not healthy since Brian has always been mine, not yours." "You may be married to Brian, but he is madly in love with me." "He has been with me the whole time, do you know why? He adores me, married or not, and he is mine". The words echoed in my ears, and I froze for a few moments. All I could see around me was complete darkness and silence, interrupted by her voice of laughter, which made me wonder what would happen to me if Brian chose to leave me for her. No way, that is not possible in my mind. I silently prayed that Brian would at least not choose to take such drastic decision. What would become of me and our marriage. I couldn't imagine it.

Talking to Emily, I made an excessive effort to appear brave, but on the inside, I was as broken as a baby who had lost everything. "Who said he loved you, by the way? Emily, who made that revelation to you? She laughed so hard and walked close to me, raising my chin, "poor Aria, daddy's girl, we both know this marriage was nothing more than an agreement, Brian has never loved you, you were a tool for both families to use." I pushed her hands away from me. "You became a part of his life as a result of your family deal; the sooner you accept the truth, the better." "I know the truth is bitter just accept it." "You have been taken advantage of; have you ever wondered why Brian agreed to have you as his wife?" "Go away and quit meddling in my married life." Please keep in mind that I would not leave my husband, Emily, regardless of what you do or say". I said to her not willing to appear like the looser. Emily has the audacity to say those words directly to my face. The person I considered a friend and confided in with my secret has blatantly decided to give me a backstab. "You are such an ingrate, Emily.

Why did you choose to treat me like this? You had my trust". "How shameless can you continue to allow yourself to be when you know all along that Brian has been my arranged husband and you choose to sleep with him?" "I suppose he is no longer a baby, so could you please give him the freedom to choose who he wants? While giving Brian a passionate kiss, she spoke, still clinging to him. I was walking faster to avoid getting lost in the crowd, clicking my heels and dragging my gown, because I could not stand it when I saw them both teasing each other and having a good time. I have seen more today than I could have ever imagined. From the most trustworthy person in my life, my best friend, I have received the shock of my life. Emily has stabbed me in the back without feeling guilty and has not stopped shoving it in my face. I lowered my head, to take my mind off the whole thing. I was sick and tired of the whole dreadful experience. It was too much for me to take in on my wedding day.