Chapter 6

Samuel's POV

"Samuel!"

I crouch down just in time to catch Justin as he comes barreling towards me.

"Hey, buddy, what are you doing here at the hospital?" Picking him up, I ruffle his hair.

"Momsis brought me here." He makes a face.

Glancing away from him, I find Ariana filling some paperwork which the nurse has given her. Panic flashes through her face when she doesn't find Justin beside her. Frantically, she looks around and then visibly relaxes when her eyes land on us.

Walking to her, I sit beside her with Justin in my lap as she narrows her eyes at Justin.

"What I had told you about running away?" She sternly asks him, causing him to shrink and trying to hide in my shoulder.

"Never leave my side or go anywhere without informing me." Her tone is strict when she continues, as Justin keeps looking at her silently.

"I went to Samuel." He mumbles with a sad pout, trying to defend himself.

"So?" She arches an eyebrow.

"She is right, buddy. You can't just take off without informing her, even if you see someone you know." Making eye contact with him, I nod my head seriously.

"I am sorry, I will never do this again." He looks at her apologetically.

Justin opens his arms, and she hugs him while kissing the side of his head.

The nurse comes and takes the papers from her and puts them into a file.

"Everything fine?" I ask, feeling concerned.

"Yeah, nothing to worry about." She smiles, "Just brought him for his annual pediatric exam."

I wait for them when Justin and Ariana have been called in for his check-up.

When they walk outside the clinic, I notice Ariana's red tear-filled eyes as she tightly holds Justin in her arms. Justin leans back slightly and kisses her cheek, then again wraps his arms tightly around her neck.

Panic begins to fill in my heart while all possible scenarios that might be the reason behind her tears go through my mind.

"What happened?" I ask, walking towards them, my eyes darting between Ariana and Justin.

"Nothing." Justin raises his head from her shoulder, "I just got my yearly shots."

Ariana sniffles and rubs his back.

"She always cries when I get shots." He smiles at her, "Even though I tell her it doesn't hurt much, but she is a cry baby."

"Shut up." She mumbles, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Wow, you are so brave." I smile at Justin while removing hair from his forehead, "And yes, you are right. Your momsis is a cry baby." Nodding my head at Ariana, I laugh with Justin.

I took them for lunch at the nearby cafe even though Ariana refused several times.

It has been hardly two months since I have known them, but it feels I have known them longer than that. It is strange how close Justin and I have become in such a short time. He is a ray of sunshine that never fails to brighten my day.

Every day I look forward to going home because I would get a chance to meet them, even if it is for a brief period.

"Samuel, you are spoiling him." Ariana groans, looking heavenward.

Glancing at Justin, I wink as he enjoys eating his second serving of ice cream.

"It's okay, Kitty. Don't be jealous. Just say the word, I will buy ice cream for you as well." I smile when I see a betraying smile coming to her lips, even when she pretends to look angry.

"My lunch break is about to over, so I will head back to the hospital." Checking the time, I stand up and, leaning down, I kiss Justin's head.

Then, instinctually, I give Ariana a side hug which takes me and her by surprise.

"I will see you guys at home." Words come out of my mouth before I can comprehend.

"Yeah, see you at home." Ariana smiles back, her cheeks turning light pink.

A smile tugs at my lips while some unknown emotions rise in my heart... emotions which I thought I would never be able to experience again.

Turning back, I find Ariana wiping Justin's mouth with a napkin. But then suddenly, she looks straight in my direction. The smile that graces her lips makes my heart skip a beat.

Maybe I am starting to like my beautiful neighbor.

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After having dinner with my father, I have just entered the home, and I have not even turned on the lights when I hear a loud groaning sound coming from outside.

Peeking my head outside the door, I watch Ariana carrying shopping bags in both of her hands with an annoyed expression on her face.

Quickly, stepping outside, I take bags from her hand. Instead of going to her place, she stomps inside my apartment, leaving me to follow her.

"What the hell is her problem?" She slumps on the couch and holds her head with her hands while I place the bags on the ground and lean against the wall, waiting for her to rant out her anger.

Needless to say, her annoyance is due to her mother.

"She tries to dictate my life, trying to prove how much she cares about me." She clutches her hair and raises her head to look at me, "All this is just for show."

"She wants me to dress up." She points at the bags, "And attend my bitch of a cousin's week-long wedding, who is marrying my cheating bastard ex's brother. She wants me to use this opportunity to sort out our issues and try to amend our relationship because she thinks it was my fault that we broke up." She grits her teeth, her eyes getting wet.

I have not even met her mother properly one time, and I am already not fond of this woman. From what I have assumed, she is what you can call a typical high-class snob who considers everyone else under her feet.

Walking up to her, I sit beside her and wrap my arm around her. She leans to my side and closes her eyes.

"I hate my life." Her voice cracks, but she quickly composes herself, "I can't even say no to her, I have to attend this wedding because I know she will make things so much difficult for Justin and for me."

"Why do you have to listen to her?" I frown, not understanding why she needs to follow her mother's demand. She is not a teenage girl; she is an adult.

"She is really influential, Samuel. She can easily destroy everything which I have worked for." Keeping her elbows on her knees, she leans forward.

"My dad didn't leave us any fortune as whatever we had at that time we put into his treatment. The only thing he left for Justin and me was our art gallery and some money. With that money and some of my own savings, I bought our apartment." Running her hands through her hair, she sighs and wipes her eyes, "Now, I am just trying to save enough to secure Justin's future. Once I had done that, then I would not need to bend to her wishes." Swallowing her tears, she shrugs.

It is impossible not to see how much she loves her brother. The love which they share is something that is so incredible. Seeing them, anyone can believe the relations which are formed by heart can also be a strong as blood.

"I can't let Justin suffer because of me." She bites her lower lip and shakes her head.

The anger and hatred which I feel for her mother is indescribable. But at the same time, I am feeling hurt by seeing Ariana's helplessness.

I can understand her feelings as I myself know how much it tears you from inside when you are helpless.

I want to help her, but I don't know how.

Suddenly, an idea forms in my mind as I turn to her and place my hands on her shoulder, making her look at me.

"What are you doing?" She asks as I drag her to my bedroom.

"I think two suits will be enough?" I make her sit on the bed as I open my closet. Taking out two suits, I place them on the bed.

"Huh?" She looks at me in confusion as I place my clothes on the bed beside the suits.

"Fold these." I place my shirts on her lap.

"Why?" She frowns but folds the shirts.

"Keep them in this bag." Ignoring her question, I place my bag in front of her and point at it.

"What are you doing?" She stands up, keeping the shirts down, "And why are you asking me to pack your stuff?"

"Isn't that what you are supposed to do?" I arch an eyebrow at her. "Aren't you going to help your boyfriend to pack his stuff for your cousin's wedding?"

"What?!" Her eyes widen in shock.

"Kitty, please inform that evil mom of yours that you are bringing your boyfriend with you to the wedding." My lips turn up in a smirk looking at her shocked face.