35. Stuck By Stressful Desire

"Hey, Arleena, did Justin come to you again?" In front of Arleena, Gabriel asked a question. Now, Arleena was in a supermarket that had a special area for eating food. At the center table between Arleena and Gabriel, there was already an order of food that had just arrived a few seconds ago. Arleena deliberately invited Gabriel to come to this supermarket so that he could accompany her to chat. "Yes," Arleena replied briefly while nodding once. "I don't know why he keeps coming and bringing up our canceled wedding plans." Gabriel smacked the glass divider beside them with his clenched fist. He was so furious, Gabriel couldn't say anything and made Arleena look at him in horror. "That ex-boyfriend of yours... he blames you for your aborted marriage. He thinks you should have accepted him back like you did before," Gabriel grumbled at length in exasperation, remembering Justin's treatment all these years. Arleena only gave a faint smile in reply to Gabriel's words. At that moment, Arleena couldn't say anything and enjoyed her order of barbeque chicken. "He thought you were still as stupid as before, but it turns out this time you took decisive action," Gabriel continued, trying to deduce the meaning of Justin's actions. "It looks like Justin's pride was hurt, that's why you're constantly being visited." "I should have known a long time ago that he's a loser," Arleena countered. "Yes! He's a loser. Sassy and I have told you so many times, but you never listen." Seeing Gabriel grumbling angrily at her made Arleena couldn't help but laugh. It reminded her of the incident two years ago, where Arleena found out that Justin had cheated on her for the first time. At the time, Arleena forgave Justin, giving him a chance, but one year later, she found Justin repeating the affair. In the second affair, Justin was with a different woman. A woman that Arleena had spread the word about during their family gathering. Among the three women Justin was in a relationship with at the same time, there was that woman. Arleena had already felt the peak of resentment that she could no longer tolerate Justin's actions. "He should have used logic. Doesn't everyone say that men are more dominated by logic?" Gabriel asked as he shredded his chicken. "But he's acting like someone who doesn't have a mind." "Why are you so angry, Gabriel?" Arleena couldn't help but laugh. Somehow her discomfort lessened when she heard Gabriel's reaction. "Of course because you're my best friend," Gabriel replied. Chewing, he continued, "If anyone hurts you in the slightest, they'll have to deal with me." Arleena automatically put on a tearful expression. Still, she couldn't help but giggle. "So, what if Hugo hurts me?" Gabriel's movements suddenly stopped upon hearing Hugo's name. Both eyebrows were raised as his facial expression changed to show astonishment. Gabriel raised his face, looking at Arleena curiously. "Why do you ask that?" Gabriel asked. Arleena also stopped her movement. "So what? You said that if anyone hurts me, they will face you." "True, but why should you feel hurt by Hugo?" Gabriel asked again. His tone implied suspicion. At that moment Arleena just stood there confused. She didn't know how to answer Gabriel's question. "I mean, if someone is hurt, it must be because they feel something like affection. Just like with friends, lovers, or family. So, to Hugo... for what reason do you feel hurt?" Gabriel asked. Hearing that, Arleena understood what Gabriel meant. She was suddenly tongue-tied without being able to answer. That's right. Arleena seemed to be trapped by her own question. "I... don't feel anything," Arleena replied. Gabriel watched Arleena very intensely. Until it looked like someone trying to detect a lie. Even the hissing sound was quite long. "Ah... for now, you don't feel anything. But will you fall in love with her in a few months?" Arleena's eyes widened in surprise. Arleena almost choked, but luckily she was still able to control her chewing. Arleena kept her mouth shut for a few seconds due to her shock. "Why are you talking about falling in love with Hugo?" asked Arleena after lowering her hands. Her sitting position was leaned towards Gabriel. "Hey, don't make me cringe at the thought of falling in love with him. I can't do that because he and I have only been friends since childhood." Gabriel still did not let the suspicion off his face. As he looked at Arleena, Gabrile seemed to be looking for an opening whether his friend was lying or not. Understanding Gabriel's gesture, Arleena felt very irritated. Arleena gently hit Gabriel's right hand, which was extended forward. "If you can't know anything, don't talk about anything," Arleena warned irritably. Unfortunately Gabriel didn't feel guilty. Instead, Gabriel chuckled after witnessing Arleena's reaction. "Do you really not want to fall in love with Hugo?" Gabriel asked. Arleena shook her head. "Of course not. It would be very... very detrimental to feel that way about Hugo." "Why?" "No idea. It's just..." Pausing for a moment, Arleena looked up at the sky in thought. "I can't imagine falling in love with Hugo. I've been with him for years as a friend." "That's the thing," Gabriel replied, "isn't it easier because you're used to being together?" Arleena's gaze shifted to Gabriel. Now her eyes showed annoyance at the innocent question. "Hey, I'm trying to avoid falling in love with Hugo. If you were in my shoes, it would be difficult because I'm used to being close as friends." "So, now that you're together and in the same place, will it make it easier for you to fall in love-" "Aish! I don't know. Stop wanting to see me fall in love with Hugo!" said Arleena emphasizing her sentence. Seeing Arleena who was getting annoyed again, Gabriel couldn't help but laugh. Actually, Gabriel knew Arleena would find it very difficult to fall in love with Hugo. Over the years they had been very close - almost like lovers - but only as friends. This time Gabriel was trying to tease Arleena. "Gabriel," Arleena called later. "Huh?" Gabriel replied while biting the meat of his drum stick. Arleena seemed to be thinking before speaking. From the look on her face, she seemed to be considering whether to say what was in her head or not. "You know, actually..." Another pause. Arleena looked at the food in front of her with concern. "Mr. Bernard, Hugo's papa, wants Hugo and I to have a child." Now it was Gabriel who almost choked on Arleena's words. Gabriel glared in surprise and disbelief at her words. "Are you serious?" Gabriel asked. His chewing gradually slowed down. Arleena nodded her head. "I am serious. That's why I brought you here to talk." "Woah..." Gabriel immediately put down his chicken drumsticks with a dumbfounded look at Arleena. "Gosh, doesn't Mr. Bernard know that your marriage is fake?" Arleena snapped her fingers with a brief nod. "That's the important point. Hugo and I were considering telling Mr. Bernard-" "No! Are you crazy?" "I haven't finished talking yet, Gabriel." "All right, go on." After letting out a rough breath while rolling her eyes in disgust, Arleena immediately refocused herself. "Hugo proposed it, and I refused. You know, even the luxurious apartment we live in was given to us by Mr. Bernard. How could we suddenly tell him?" Gabriel nodded in agreement. "Right. So?" Arleena continued, "But on the other hand, we can't keep avoiding the subject of Mr. Bernard's wishes. It's certain that it will be brought up again." "Hey, what if you guys adopt a child?" "Right?" Arleena immediately pointed at Gabriel while widening her smile. "I was thinking that too. But if we do it now, it would be too soon." "Right..." "So, we decided to say that we're postponing," Arleena replied again. Gabriel could not refuse Arleena's proposal. "Ah, how complicated. You just wanted to escape from Justin. But now you're trapped by Mr. Bernard's wishes...."