The Return Of His Ex Wife
Chapter 34: Big Question

Chapter 34: Big Question

Tara’s POV

I ignored that look in Arlo’s eyes and went on with my lies. Didn’t we even say we should pretend to be dating? Why was he acting surprised now?

"That is so nice! Great to see you’re over that idiot Derek now." Mike said, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes. Was he really so fond of Arlo? This was my time to shine.

"Let’s head in, come on, we’ve been waiting for you for ages now." We all walked in, all through when I was avoiding contact with Arlo.

Once on the table, I was glad for Sofia’s kind words and friendliness. We all started to eat, only Sofia and her friends were doing the talking. Richard seemed to be smiling and saying something but I wasn’t paying much attention. Maybe he was talking to Arlo.

After dinner, Mike had left for his room, but we had plans to meet later that afternoon. As we all dispatched, I summoned the confidence to stay and talk to Arlo, just briefly...to see if he was still mad.

"So when will you be meeting with him?" He asked. The confident ’shoulders up high’ Arlo I knew was gone for some reason. I didn’t like how depressed this one looked at me.

"Arlo, can you not just get over this? I can’t believe you’ll be so mad at me it’s telling all over you. You look sick." I blurted out. "What happened to supporting me all through? I am here now, aren’t I? And Richard is here too."

His expression did not change but I imagined he had gotten a lot angrier. "So what role are you suggesting I play now?"

"Role?" I scoffed. "Arlo, just be my friend. How hard can it be, huh? Just be around when I need to flaunt you to Mike and Ali, that’s all. This vacation will be over before you know it."

A faint smile appeared on his face, just briefly though, but it was there. "Yes your majesty." And with that, he walked away.

What was wrong with him anyway? I shook my head in disbelief . "So dramatic,"

Arlo’s POV

I’d hoped she would call me back, but painfully, I was glad she didn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to look her in the eyes with my sad pathetic self. My mother’s death happened already, still I couldn’t move on.

It was too painful bringing myself to think about her at all. It was her birthday soon, that must be why this torture was happening. Maybe after, it would disappear and I could go back to my normal life once again.

There was an open room that called to me. It must be some sort of waiting room for guests, but since Sofia rented most of the place, there was no one around. I picked a spot around the corner and crashed on a red fine sofa just by the wall side. Before I knew it, I got too comfortable and passed out.

Faint voice played in my head...

I knew my eyes were still shut close, so it was a dream. Still, why did it hurt so much?

"...she will be fine. That’s all I’m trying to tell you. The operation went well and she has suffered the worst and scary part through chemotherapy. You can rejoice now." The doctor was saying to me.

I was already anxious but my nerves began to calm now. Then why wasn’t she with me now? The voices increased in my head...now they were moans and cries.

She was fine, the doctor told me that. Why was she dead now...why--

I jumped up from the chair, my whole body shaking. I felt my eyes teary and I muttered a curse. "I’m supposed to be better now. Why is this still so haunting!"

Suddenly, I felt this chilly feeling I wasn’t alone. Shoot. Either I was dead or...about to be...if my own dead mother happened to be in the room with me now--!

"--I’m sorry!" Cried the voice of the one with me.

In a swift move, I flashed my direction to the direction of the voice only to find a lady with an apologetic stare on her face.

"You?" The memory of her began to play in my mind. "You’re his wife, um, Tara’s brother?"

"Step brother." She corrected.

"Oh, right." Why did I keep mixing that up?

"Are you okay? Can I...join you?" Before I could respond, she got up and sat just beside me. "Uh, are you okay?"

I blinked. Why was she asking that? "Did I scream?" I watched her nod awkwardly. "Right. That was because I saw my dead mother die again, like the 100th time."

I never imagined her hold any emotion judging from Tara’s descriptions of her family, though she never really liked to talk about them. Maybe only about her dad...

"I’m sorry to hear. I lost my family in a plane crash. Till today, I still regretted not going with them. At least we would have all died together, right?" A hint of terror flashed before her eyes in the disguise of a smile.

I hated when people talked about a sad memory or experience. It made me feel bad, like my mother’s death had been nothing compared to what they had gone through. I loved to think that we had all gone through something horrible so no one should tell me that it was only just one family member, that I should move on because someone else was having it worse.

"Don’t get me wrong, I would never understand your pain because only you were close to your mother. Neither do I expect you to understand my own pain. All I’m trying to say is that although we always think it never gets better, it does. With the right person by your side, it does gets better. I’m so glad for Mike in my life, and now my kids too...I’m so grateful."

"That’s lovely. You know, I really would have loved to believe that, but I have my sister with me. And brother too. I don’t really feel better, Ali." I confessed.

"You’ve never told them how you really feel, have you? Once you express your feelings I’m sure--"

"--thanks, but I’ll be fine." I had to cut her off. I didn’t want pity from any one. "I honestly appreciate your effort though." At least she was able to tell something was wrong. Even Sofia could tell. Tara on the other hand...I wished she cared. I wished she did so badly.

"By the way," Ali said, "when did you and Tara start dating?"