What the heart wants

30

" You're awfully quiet today." Bella mused.

Aria did not respond. She just kept her eyes on the road and her hands on the steering wheel.

" Are you still mad at Jared?" Bella asked again.

She was met with no response again but she noticed how Aria's hand tightened around the steering wheel.
" I'm guessing you're still mad. Speaking of Jared, where is he?"

" France." Aria replied monotonously.

" France? Is it a business trip?"

" Yes."

" Then why aren't you there with him?"

" We were contemplating on not going but when I woke up this morning, he was gone." Aria replied as she made a turn.

Bella narrowed her eyes.

" What did you do?"

"Why did you assume I did something?"

" Because you're an idiot."

" Hey!" Aria exclaimed defensively.

" Jared's in love with you, he basically worships the ground you walk on, he wouldn't have left without your permission. And if he did, you must have done something to cause it."

Aria parted her lips to speak but closed them back.

" I'm right aren't I?"

" Shut up." Aria mumbled.

" I'm curious as to why he's mad at you, it must be big. A few days ago he was asking me for tips on how to appease an angry Aria."

" You guys talk?"

" Of course we do. Who do you think gives him advice on what to say to you and how to act? Surely you didn't think it was Zayn did you?"

She shrugged in response.

" I assumed so."

" Jared and I talk." Bella stated.
" So what did you do?"

" I didn't do anything. He was just throwing a temper tantrum."

" I don't know why but I really doubt that. Spill before I make you."

Aria huffed then began explaining everything that had happened the previous night.

" Aria, you know I love you right?"

" Yes I do."

" Can I tell you something, with all sincerity?"

" Sure." Aria replied looking at the side mirror.

" You're being a bitch." Bella stated.

" Bella-"

" I'm being honest with you Aria! He loves you."

" But I don't love him. I'm miserable."

" You're only miserable because you want to be miserable. He is trying to make you happy, apart from forcing you to marry him tell me one thing Jared did wrong."

" He kissed me without my consent."

" But you liked it." Bella retorted.

" I- okay fine but you can't blame me! He's a good kisser,"

" You're only acting miserable because you don't want him to be happy. Aria you should see the way he talks about you and how he looks at you, he worships you!"

" Are you trying to make me falling in love with him?" She asked sparing Bella a glance.

" No. I just want you to give him a chance. Even if it's just friendship. He deserves a lot more credit than you're willing to give him. Stop toying with his emotions. You're like fire and ice. Some days you're cool and others you can't even stand his presence."

" I'm not toying with his emotions." Aria gritted out gripping the wheel even tighter.

" So what do you call the dinner with Tunde?"

" Tunde is just a friend."

" That you used to have a thing for and still has a thing for you. You made him dinner! And you didn't make anything for Jared."
" You hurt him real bad Aria. Jared's a good man and I pray it won't be too late when you realise that."

" Fine! I'll admit I might have been a little too harsh-"

" Harsh is a gross understatement."

"-but you don't expect me to be buddy buddy with the man who forced me into an arranged marriage."

" Technically, your parents did."

" They gave me a choice."

" So did Jared."

" It was too late-"

" That was your decision. Look I'm not asking you to force yourself to love him, I'm just asking you to open up your heart."

Aria clenched her jaw as she drove down the streets.

She sighed.

" I guess I-"

" Aria!"

***

Jared sat on the bed in his hotel room.

I shouldn't have come.

He needed time away from her. His heart needed time to heal from her.

But he missed her badly.

He picked up his phone, unlocked it and stared at the screensaver. Beautiful light brown eyes stared back at him. He contemplated calling her to tell her where he was. He had left the house with a note telling her he had travelled to France, no exact location.

He set his phone down and laid on the bed.

His phone began ringing but he ignored it. He wanted to be left alone with his thoughts. When the ringing had become incessant, he groaned and finally picked it up.

" Zayn, what is it?"

" Jared you need to come home." Zayn breathed.

" What? Why?"

" It's Aria."

His blood ran cold.

" She's been-"

" I'm on my way."

He cut the call and hastily packed his bags.

" Sam, get the jet ready. We're going home. I'll be there in 30 minutes."

***
Ẹ nlẹ oooo!🤗,
How are you?
So this is the last chapter in this part. 
I'll be taking a 2 day break from writing to gather my thoughts so stay tuned for more.
Stay safe 😷.
Bye!!