Pizza Night

Arielle

I knew it sounded ridiculous, selfish, even, but I needed to be sure. I needed to know I wasn’t stepping into something I’d regret for the rest of my life.

His expression whispered warnings, but I refused to let them sink into me.

He sighed, heavy and raw. I matched his breath, not to mock him, but because my nerves were stretched thin.

“Fine. Deal.” He stretched out his hand for a shake, but I hesitated.

“Not yet.” My heart thudded like a warning drum as his breath brushed my face.

He exhaled sharply through his nose. “Why? I’m agreeing to your deal, what now?"

I lifted my chin, summoning what little courage I had left. “I still need to think about it.” I scratched the back of my hair, embarrassed by my own trembling voice.

His jaw hardened, fury simmering beneath the surface. “What is there to think about?” He dragged a hand down his face, slowly.

“This is a big step for me,” I answered firmly. “A delicate one. I need to be careful. I’ll get back to you in a few days.” I reached for my bag, ready to leave.

That was when he caught my wrist. Firm.

My breath stilled. “Let go of my hand,” I said, disgust curling my lip. I tried pulling free, but his grip didn’t budge. He was stronger than I was. Too strong. Too capable of pulling me close without even trying.

“See, Arielle, I do not entertain jokes, don’t joke with me, that's all I'm going to say.” His voice dropped into a low warning. “I don’t think you understand how much this means to me.”

His gaze searched mine, desperate and controlled all at once. “Two days,” he said. “Just two days.”

Then slowly, he released me.

He stepped closer, his eyes pinning me in place. “Two days,” he repeated.

My stomach dropped. For a moment, I thought he was going to do something else, something more. I was relieved when he didn’t.

He turned and walked away with his bodyguards. Only when he disappeared did I finally breathe.

Then, I went home. The first thing I did was pour myself a drink. A few moments later, Mrs. Lilith called to tell me Grandma was improving. Money truly solved everything. I thanked her, genuinely, for staying with her and promised to visit soon.

My mother paid Mrs. Lilith, not me. She hired her before I ever moved in with Grandma. But now that she's sick. She’s nowhere to be found.

Why I hated my mother was very valid. I hated her in so many ways. But that was a story for another time.

I missed my grandmother. Her warmth, her voice, her laugh. Enough of missing her.

My mind drifted back to Darius. Everything I asked, everything he agreed to. It all felt off. Suspicious. Too easy.

Why me? It couldn’t just be because I damaged his car. He must have known me somehow.

But still, following this path has to be the best decision of my life yet. I’d have enough money to take care of Grandma, enough money to leave Miss Sylvia’s place behind forever.

I didn’t even realize how deep I’d fallen into thought until Tiffany’s voice snapped me back. “Arielle!”

She stood in front of me, bags in hand. “I’ve been calling you. Are you okay?”

“Oh—Tiffany, welcome.” I blinked out of my daze.

“Is everything alright, Ari?” She dropped her things and studied me.

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “You got groceries?”

“Yeah.” She snatched my glass and downed everything in one gulp. “God, I’m exhausted.”

I chuckled softly. “Long day?”

“Worse.” Her tired lips flattened. “I caught Blake kissing a girl.”

My heart stung, but not with surprise. “Oh my God, babe… what happened?” I pulled her close.

A tear slid down her cheek. Tiffany, who never cried. I hugged her instantly.

I sat her on the couch and poured another drink. She gulped it down like it was air. “Tell me everything,” I murmured, rubbing her back.

“I went to check on Blake. You remember he said he was sick, right? I got to his house… and found him with a girl. Kissing her, all over her, on his bed.”

Her voice cracked. “She’s blonde. I know her, I think her name’s Sabrina. She’s friends with Sophie. And that stupid girl knows, she fucking knows that Blake and I are together.” Tiffany said, with tears, gouging out of her eyes. “What else would they have done if I hadn’t walked in? Was he even sick? How long has this been going on? Why would he do this to me?” I let her spill every fear and question, until she ran out of breath.

I held her, rubbing her arm gently. “I’m so sorry, Tiffy. He doesn’t deserve you.” Her hands trembled with shock. She was never built for heartbreak.

I couldn’t help but tell her what I encountered at my workplace. “Tiffany… please don’t be mad, but I saw Blake with that same blonde girl at Sunny’s. A few days ago.”

Her head slowly lifted.

“He told me not to tell you, but I couldn’t watch you break.” She stared at me through tear-blurred eyes. I wiped her cheeks softly. “I’m really sorry for not telling you sooner”.

“I’m not mad at you,” she whispered. “I’m mad at myself. Ari, I saw them together days ago, too. I thought I was imagining things.”

My chest ached for her. “He doesn’t deserve you, Tiffy,” I said gently. “I think you should break up with him.”

“What? No.” She panicked. “I can’t. Ari, you know I can’t.”

“You can.” I let my voice soften, but my words remained firm. “I overheard what people at the diner said about him. Blake is a player. He won’t change.” I had to put it on her so she would realize that he wasn’t meant for her.

She dropped her gaze, thinking hard.

I never liked Blake. He never liked me either, not since I rejected him years ago. Yes, he asked me out first and I rejected because I didn't find him attractive. By the way, Tiffany knew all of that.

He then went for Tiffany, just to spite me. But she liked him right from the first day she saw him. She was in love with him. So, when he asked Tiffany out, she agreed, without telling me. I had to find out from people in her department. I still couldn’t blame her.

“Tiffy, do you need space to think?” I asked in a soft voice.

“I just… want pizza,” she whispered. Her voice was small, fragile. “Can you go get it for me? Please?”

I couldn’t say no. “Of course,” I said, grabbing my jacket and bag. “I’ll go to the nearby restaurant. Don’t sleep.”

It was past 9. I locked the door behind me and glanced back at Tiffany from the window, curled up on the couch like a child.

It was dark outside. I inhaled deeply and walked fast until the lights of a restaurant appeared. I had never walked alone at night. “Hello, can I get a medium pepperoni pizza?” I paid and sat down, tapping my fingers restlessly while waiting.

Minutes later, it was ready. I grabbed the bag and headed toward the door.

“Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Darius. Hope to see you again soon!”. The waitress said to someone.

I froze. I turned back slowly as I heard footsteps approaching. My breath caught.

It was him. Darius. Where the hell did he come from?

He walked up to me, and when his eyes met mine, I looked away instantly. I waited for him to speak, but he didn’t. “What a coincidence,” I said with a dry laugh, trying to sound normal even though my nerves were everywhere.

His gaze dropped to the bag in my hands. “Arielle,” he said, a faint smirk on his lips. “Good to see you again. Leaving already?”

“Uh, yeah, I was about to—”

“Okay then.” He cut me off. He had always done that. He grabbed my wrist, gentle but firm and walked us both out of the restaurant.

I didn’t understand it. I didn't understand him. I didn't understand why my feet followed like I was under a spell.

But I followed anyway.