SEDUCED BY DARKNESS

-----~[ARIEL'S POV]~-----

I gulp down hard with my breath on hold, waiting longingly in anticipation for the good news I ache so dearly to hear.

I have dreamed about it.

I have fantasized about it.

I always knew it would come.

The thought of knowing brings chills to my bones.

I can already perceive the good news from afar.

But why the hell is he taking time?

It's not so hard a thing to say.

Why is he hesitating?

Why does he relentlessly keep giving me that look of pity?

Does he need my help?

If he does, he should say it.

I will definitely do everything within my power to help him..

Is he shy?

Doesn't he know how to form the right words?

Is he that solo and withdrawn that he can't get his wits together and speak to a girl in need....or rather, the girl he wants?

I watch him glance at the table biting his lip..... nervously.

Yeah....that is absolutely so obvious.

What the heck is he nervous about?

I watched him toy with his fingers as if thinking of what to say.

Okay.

I can't take this anymore.

I sigh deeply and nod.

"I have an appointment at work..."

I begin and pick up my hand bag pretending to look for my lips gloss.

"Wait!!!"

He says Immediately stopping me and I turn to him, glancing at him softly.

He sighs and I clearly hear his teeth gritting together as he looks at me with a look that....that terrifies me.

The kind of look you give someone when you want to give them a bad news.

What is so hard for him to tell me?

"Okay. I can't hold myself any longer, what is the matter James?"

I observe his Adams apple bobble down and up.

He twists his lips and sighs.

"I uh.... I've got something to tell you...."

"Obviously. I know that. You have been telling me that for over almost an hour. What is it? Talk to me. What's so hard to tell?"

I ask and he looks at me.

" I have uh...I have been doing some therapy lately. The one you suggested I do to get rid of my ferocious inner beast."

I nod. " So? That's good news. It means you finally accepted your fault and you want to get rid of it to make the best out of you." I say and he chuckled.

" I wish it is that good a news."

I frown.

Something doesn't sound right.

" What?"

I ask with a little enthusiastic voice and he gulps.

" The doctor...the doctor....the doctor...."

"What in the freaking heavens happened to the doctor that I need to know??!!!!"

I can't keep my patience in check anymore.

What the hell is wrong with his thinking faculty?

He sighs.

I am already fed up with the suspense.

The air around me already feels too choked up despite the air conditioners all over the restaurant.

If this is not a good news, then I don't want to hear it anymore.

I hurriedly pick up my hand bag and start stand.

"Ariel, wait...."

"I don't want to hear it anymore, James. This has been an absolute waste of my time. Just call me next time you have something meaningful to tell me."

I say and walk away from the table towards the entrance door.

"The doctor said it's your fault."

He says aloud to the hearing of the rest of the costumers in the restaurant and I pause.

I furrow my eyebrows and turn back to him.

"What?"

We soon become the center of attraction in the restaurant as almost every gaze is on us.

"She said you are the cause of my uncontrollable ferocity. After a long talk and discussion about us, she concluded that your constant persistence and desperacy in the relationship has triggered a dominant resentment for it in my brain causing me to overreact."

I am not actually bothered about the fact that he spilled out the entire episode of our relationship to the therapist, but the fact that he believed that crap and called me here to tell me this.....is he sick in the brain?

I stand at a spot, staring at him, unable to form words for this charade going on right now.

I look around to see the the gazes of almost everyone in the restaurant on us. .

"So, what are you planning on doing about that?" I ask folding my arms.

The entire evening just got bad.

This is totally not what I anticipated.

He sighs deeply and walks slowly to me amidst the stares and observations.

He gets to me and stands upright gazing down at me with his hands in his pockets, confidently.

"Trust me, Ariel. I don't want this at all but, I think it's best we break up."

I blink slowly and finally burst out laughing.

I laugh and lean against him tapping his chest playfully.

Everyone else in the restaurant probably thinks I am going crazy.

Or insane.

Infact, I am.

Who wouldn't?

I glance at him chuckling.

"That's a joke, right? Oh please tell me you are kidding. You are up to one of your silly pranks again aren't you?"

I say and with a big smile and wiggle my eyebrows at him.

He sighs deeply.

"I wish I am joking. But I am not."

I finally stop laughing and glance at him with disbelief.

"You can't be serious. For what purpose? For what reason? I haven't wronged you in anyway."

I say briskly with a shaky voice.

He sighs.

" I am aware of that ,Arey. But in some way unknown to you, you are the reason for my ferocious outbursts so, I need to get rid of you to eliminate it. "

Lots of gasps fills the restaurant and I feel tears slip out of my eyes.

This has to be a dream.

This can't be real.

Here I was expecting a galant proposal, but I am getting dumped instead.

I am so not going to believe this.

He tries to leave but I hol5 his hand.

He definitely can't be leaving after all the entire episode of embarrassment in the very eyes of these people?

He really must be joking about this.

Not after everything we have been through.....

"James....wait. You are not really concieving that thought are you? I can't be the reason for all this you know that. Come on let's talk about this."

"Accept the fact Ariel. It's over between us. I am no longer your boyfriend and you are no longer my girlfriend if you don't know what that means!!!"

He suddenly yells making me jerk and exits the resturant immediately leaving me in my embarrassed spot.

I stand at a spot watching the door shut close at his departure.

Oh man, this can't be real.

No no no no.....

I had better wake up from this silly dream if not, fire is gonna burn!!!!

I am gonna....

Aaargh!!!!!

-----~[ARIEL'S POV]~-----

This issue is yet to be settled.

It isn't over yet.

The stupid bitch of a friend that....that decieved my boyfriend to....

SHIT?!!

She must pay.

I have to see her.

This day just became the worst day of my life.

How the hell did I turn from having a very big graceful expectation to having to deal with a heavy heartbreak?

I step slowly into the large hospital and head for the receptionist table.

I stop at the table where a cute busy brunette sits unaware i am right before her.

I sigh and slowly tap the table to draw her attention.

She sharply looks up at me and sighs deeply.

"Sorry ma'am. We are closed. If you have any query, you can visit the emergency center by your left."

She says but I didn't move.

She finally pauses and gazes at me.

"Sorry. How may I help you?"

"I need to see Dr Linda."

She blinks.

" Uh....I am so sorry. She's busy at the moment..she will definitely not entertain visitors right now." She says.

" I am not a visitor. I am a friend. Call her and tell her it's Ariel, she will allow me in."

The receptionist looks at me deeply and chuckles..

" I am sorry ma'am but I am under strict instructions not to let anyone in no matter who it may be. Why don't you try calling her yourself?Unless you do that, there is nothing I can do to help you."

She says and I stared at her for a while a bit exasperated.

I really need to see her urgently.

I can't let this slide till the next day.

This has to be settled today.

I bite my lip and glance at the receptionist for a long while.

"How about I pay you let me in? It's an urgent matter I need to see your boss for. I can't come tomorrow. It has to be now."

She looks at me like I was going crazy and chuckles.

"i sorry ma'am. I think you should leave. Or I will be forced to call the security."

I blink.

When the hell did it get to that?

"Okay. Okay. I am sorry. I am not bribing you again. But come on, please. It's sincerely urgent. I need to see her, you have to help me."

She looks at me for a while and shrugs.

" Well, if you are really that desperate to see her even to the extent of bribing me then, I guess it must be really urgent."

She says and I nod briskly.

" Yes. It's so urgent. I can't....wait till tomorrow."

She sighs.

"Well. What's the ailment? I can quickly create an appointment for you with her within a few hours..."

" No!!"

I say Immediately and she looks up sharply at me..

" Like I said....it's not an appointment. It's a friend to friend visit."

" Then I can do nothing. Except it's an appointment, no. I am sorry."

She says and frowned.

Something does sound right.

Linda doesn't...she doesn't make such request.

Infact, I come to her office almost every single day and we usually end up chatting and making merry till the moment we both return home together.

Why did she have to create this restriction today of all days?

Something is fishy.

I turn my head and glance at the long hallway that leads to her office.

"Madam. If there is nothing else, I would like you to leave. We are done here."

The receptionist says and I gritt my teeth gripping the table.

"Your boss, does she have anything important doing in her office?'

I ask and the receptionist scoffs.

"How is that my business, ma'am?" She asks and I turn back to her.

" I am sorry but all I was asked is to not get anyone in except it's an emergency."

I smile.

" Okay. It's an emergency."

I say and lean against the table glancing deeply at her.

She looks at me for a while and sighs.

She takes out a card and pen.

"Alright. What type of appointment?"

"Therapy."

I reply immediately and she glances at me.

" I am sorry. Therapy isn't available right now."

She says and I scoff.

Something is definitely fishy.

I bite my lip and nod slightly..

I look up at her and chuckle..

"What games are you and your boss up to? I come here everyday and get in as I want, as her best friend. What happened to today?"

She chuckles.

" I am sorry you see it that way madam but you can't always expected the entire world to remain crawling at your feet the way you want."

She fires back and I look at her stunned.

Such guts!!!!

Such......

I take a deep breath..

I didn't come for her anyway.

I don't need her help.

I will sort this out myself..

I pick up my bag and head for Linda's office with full speed..

Maybe if Linda sees me, this isolation charade would stop.

"Madam!! Stop!! You are not allowed in there....!!!"

She yells but I don't stop.

I soon hear her footsteps coming after me and roll my eyes..

If she dares to touch me....

Man I have no idea what I will do to her..

I get to Linda's therapy office and our personal relaxation chamber after work and didn't hesitate to barge in not minding the outcome of that act.......

"Bloody hell!!!"

I hear a groan and pause to see two naked bodies entangled on her office sofa.

They Immediately detach themselves and the naked male frame hurries to cover up his nakedness.

The firmness and bulkiness of his muscles catches my attention.

I can recognize that muscle anywhere.

That.....that....

I turn to the sofa to behold the female body of Linda gazing at me with shock..

"Ariel. You didn't tell me you were coming...."

She says with an obviously nervous smile and immediately covers herself up with a nearby duvet.

I tremble..

This can't be.

No this can't be true.

Let this be just another silly hallucination, please.

I turn back to the male frame who has already put on an underwear.

He glances at me also with shock as if he has justseen a ghost.

"Ariel....?"

He mouths and I feel my eyes about to explode.

WOW!!?

Can this day get any worst?

I totally can't believe this.

I glare at Linda who has her head bent biting her lower lip.

I sigh deeply and nod chuckling with slight tears slipping out of my eyes.

WOW!!!!!!!!

JUST WOW!!!!!!!!

"So uh....let me get this straight."

I begin.

"This is the reason you broke up with me, right James?"

I ask glaring at James as he sighs deeply and brushes his hair backwards.

My goodness!!!!

-----~[ARIEL'S POV]~-----

"So uh....let me get this straight."

I begin.

"This is the reason you broke up with me, right James?"

I ask glaring at James as he sighs deeply and brushes his hair backwards.

My goodness!!!!

He chuckles and bites his lip.

"Look Ariel, I....."

"You what?!!!!"

I yell with frustration, shivering with anger.

"You... You...."

I can't hold it any longer as tears slip uncontrollably from my eyes.

God, I can barely breathe.

What a day this is....

"How could you....."

I clentch my fist and turn to Linda who sits still on the sofa with the duvet wrapped tightly around her.

I want to.... Aaargh....

I want to beat the living crap out of her.

"And I thought you were a friend."

I mutter with trembling lips.

" I thought.... I thought I had someone to.... Someone to confidence in.... As a friend.... Shit.... "

I mutter and weep uncontrollably before them.

" This is the reason you suggested I invite my boyfriend to therapy right? So you could... You could.... "

I don't know what to say anymore.

I feel weak beyond control and grip the open door for support.

They say nothing but just stand silently, glancing at the ground.

At last, an unexpected overwhelming surge of anger overtakes me.

I drop my bag on the floor.

"Why did you do this to me, Linda?"

I ask and she looks up at me with a shocking look I have never seen on her face before.

It looked so odd.

That is the face that held a beautiful cheerful, kind form for years.

Now it holds the look of disdain...

The look of spitefulness.

It only made me angry all the more.

Was she decieving me all these while?

Is this really her true self?

Is this.... Is this the bitch I have been calling my friend all the while?

I can't keep myself in check anymore.

"You bitch....!!!"

I yell and stomp over to her with speed.

I leap on her and unleash my wrath against her.

"You bitch!!!! You bitch!!!! '

I yell pounding her hard with my clenched fists.

I don't care if she ends up dead.

So be it!!!!

I am so gonna kill her....

"Ariel!!! Stop this. What are you doing?!!!"

James yells behind me and tries to separate me from her.

I shrug him off and continued

with my ferocity.

He relentlessly pulls me away from her and I stubbornly struggled in his arms but he doesn't let go.

"Okay!!!! I have had it!!!! You bitch!!!"

I hear Linda groan as she hurriedly puts on her clothes.

"What the hell do you think you are, huh? You think you can have it all? You think you can have the entire world crawling at your feet and not expect bad circumstances to hit you hard huh?!!!! Just what the hell do you think you are??!!!! I am so tired and fed up of pretending to be your friend. I am so done with this. I think it's time I ended this!!!! Yes!!! I will!!! You bloody bastard!!!!"

She yells and raves continiously like a mad lady before me as I stare at her shocked to the bone with what I am seeing at the moment.

This is a side I never thought she had.

She looks so different.

She looks like she is possessed.

What the hell is going on?

I don't understand.

I just don't get it.

What the hell happened to my best friend?

"Linda I.... What the hell happened to you?".

I ask with a shaky voice and she scoffs.

"You happened!!! Get it?!! You happened!!! You took what's mine!! Yes you did!!!"

She roars and I blink with confusion.

" I... I don't get it. What...."

"What are you talking about, Linda? "

James himself standing behind me asks and she scoffs.

"Don't include yourself into this James. It's totally not about you baby. It's between us both. "

She says and walks up to her desk.

She glances at me with a look that speaks of disgust and in the next minute, pulls out a pistol.

Bloody fuck!!!

I immediately jerk and look around me with fright searching for a hiding place.

SHIT!!!.

I find none.

I am at the center of the office.

There is no place to hide.

What the hell....

"Jeez. What the hell, Linda... "

James yells and in the next moment, he disappears to only God knows where...

He really doesn't care about me.

Oh God.....

I chuckle nervously.

"Uh... Linda. It hasn't gotten to this has it? Come on, we can talk this out as friends right? "

I say shivering uncontrollably with fright.

I can feel my legs vibrating.

My throat feels so dry....

She scoffs and walks up closer to me.

"Please, we have never been friends. You should have gotten the hint by now. "

She mutters and laughs devilishly with a face that speaks of evil.

My goodness...

I step back as she approaches me with the gun hanging causally in her right hand.

What the hell came over her??

What is going on??

"Linda...."

I mutter and gulp down hard when I get stuck to the wall.

"Linda, wait.. wait... Let's talk this out. This is not the w.. w... Way.... "

" Of course it is. All these years you have lived in the luxury of my sweat. You have dined and wined at the king's table belonging to me. You took what was mine, Ariel. "

She says and I blink.

" You are speaking in parables, Linda. I don't understand what you are saying. What have i possibly taken from you? "

I ask with a terrified tone.

She chuckles and walks up to me trapping me against the wall.

"STARGAZE LTD belongs to me. Do you get it now?"

She asks and I blink.

" What? "

Is she kidding me right now?

"But....."

"Nope. I don't want to hear excuses of how you won the filthy award to get you the goddamned company. You know deep down within you that it was mine. I had it. A silly little rat-like nobody like you came up from nowhere and took it away from me!!!!!! "

She says and I tremble.

" But... I thought... I thought you were over this.... I didn't... I didn't do anything wrong... I just...... "

She smacks my head with the butt of her gun and I fall to the ground feeling my eyes roll relentlessly in their sockets...

Oh goodness...

The entire room looks so blurry, I can barely see a thing.

I have to blink my eyes continiously to regain my eyesight.

"Do not ever say that trash to my face again. You had nothing. You were a lowlife silly little thing. I deserved that award and the company. You didn't.... You stole it from me. I have spent all these years trying to be your friend to make me let go off this anger but it makes me sick. I worked hard for it, Ariel!!! I did!!!! You took it away from me!!!! '

She yells into my face and slaps me hard.

I gasp and crawl on the floor, trying to find a support to get on my feet.

"I think it's time this ends."

She mutters and I hear the rustling sound of the pistol against the wall.

Where in the heavens did she even get that?

She says she is a therapist, but she needs therapy even more than her patients..

How the hell can she keep this away from me for complete five years, pretending to be my friend and then take it out on me now right after I caught her sleeping with my boyfriend.

What a day today has turn into.

I can't control the tears that slipped out of my eyes.

If only I can turn back the hands of time.

I will not even bother knowing James in the first place.

I try to stand but she kicks my belly forcing me to fall back to the ground.

I grip the side of my belly and cough continiously.

"I think the time had finally come to end this. To take what is rightfully mine."

She mutters and I hear the gun cork right before my ears.

Oh shit.

Is this how I will die?

She kicks my waist and I groan in pain wincing.

Shit....

Did I just hear my waist bone twist??

"Aaargh!!!"

I groan in pain and weep...

"Linda... Wait. Let's talk this out, please. You can take the company if you want it... Please, don't.... "

I very sharp jaw breaking blow carresses my cheeks and I see red collapsing back to the floor.

"I hate you so bad with every blood in me!! "

She growls and gris my neck placing the mouth of the gun on my forehead.

"Linda, please...."

I plead softly...

"You should have told me all these, I would have given it all up to you... Why do this.... "

" Shut up you pathetic bitch....!!!"

She yells and slaps me hard in the face.

My cheeks burn and I gritt my teeth.

At this point, there is absolutely nothing I can do.

This hardened ex-friend of mine is hell bent on torturing me or possibly ending my life.

"What the hell, Linda. Stop this. This is not good!!"

I hear James's voice at a distance.

" Drop the gun Linda. "

He demands and she turns to him.

"Stay out of this, James. I don't want to include you in this. "

She then turns to me.

" So how is it gonna be? I was having therapy with you when you suddenly lost control and unexpectedly brought out a pistol and tried killing yourself with it. Then I struggled to get the gun out of your hands but you already shot yourself before I could get it. "

She says glaring at me.

I glance at her shocked to the core as I lay weakly on the floor.

Who the hell am I seeing right now?

This is definitely not the friend I have known for over five years?

How the hell did she do it?

How the hell could she keep up this act for years, long enough to make feel so attached to her this way?

"Linda...".

I mutter as she lifts her hand and points the gun to me.

I feel the air depart from me as I stare at the mouth of the gun pointing straight to my soul.

"Linda..."

I whimper and weep.

"This is not the way....."

She scoffs.

"Think about our years of friendship. You should have developed some sort of forgiveness. Please. I didn't..... "

" It all meant nothing to me. I did it all to get back at you in every way. I have your boyfriend. I have your trust and now I want the company you took from me. Goodbye, Ariel. "

She mutters and pulls the trigger right the moment I pass out.......