Ari

Leaving that place was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It was harder than all the chemo and all the long needles poking into your bone marrow. It was harder than all the screams you heard in your dreams and harder than deciding you wanted to die.

Leaving him was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I had to do it. We were suffocating under the weight of our insecurities, the hurtful words acting like knives on bare skin. I had to leave, in order to see if this was what we both wanted and needed, but mostly I left, because he broke my heart.

He broke it when he told me that another woman had touched him so intimately, in a way that I yearned to touch him. I couldn't look at him and feel what I was feeling right now. Once again, I let a man make me feel that I was unworthy of love, while another woman was rewarded by his touch. I had been cheated on a lot in my brief dating history and I never wanted to look at Dean like I looked at those other guys. I never wanted to hate him because I felt betrayed.

I had nowhere to go, but I dialed the new number in my phone after I quietly packed all my things. I could hear it in his voice that I had woken him, but he didn't hesitate to tell me he was on his way. I made sure that Dean was asleep in his room, before I went and met him outside on the street.

"I'm sorry to call you, but I need your help." I looked into his beautiful hazel eyes, there was a feeling of understanding and a longing to rescue that flooded them.

"Absolutely, Arina," he said as I smiled, because no one ever used my full name, but he had said he loved the way it sounded on his tongue. "I promise I'll be quiet, let me get your things. I'll meet you down here when you are ready to go." His southern accent was thick and heavy with tiredness.

"Thank you, Ace." He smiled as I said his name and took my hand in his, brushing his lips over my knuckles.

I headed to Venise's room and quietly woke her up and explained everything.

"He's here right now? Oh god, if Dean wakes up, he's going to blow a gasket, Ari!" Venice had a look of genuine concern on her face.

"Dean isn't going to wake up and it's nothing like that. Ace is just a friend and right now that friend is going to help me get to New Orleans. I promise I'll text you and tell you when I get there. I'll see you in a few days, I just need some space from him."

"I know." Her eyes were sad because by leaving him, I was leaving her too. "Dean knows he messed up and he's crushed."

I looked at her and I felt the tears well up in my eyes, but I couldn't cry right now. After she hugged me tight, I headed downstairs to where Ace was standing, waiting in front of his black rental.

We went back to the twins' penthouse room for a few hours, before heading to the airport. When we arrived, I was dreading the trip, because I was expecting that it was going to cost me a fortune to check all my bags and large trunk, but I was really shocked when we drove past the main terminal entrance towards a private lot. The lot contained a small building where we parked and an attendant rushed to greet us.

"Mr. Parker, Ms. Parker, it is a pleasure to see you again, please let me help you with your things. The hotel sent a bulk of your things over early this morning," the attendant cheerfully said, as he tipped his hat and scurried to retrieve my massive bags from the trunk. "Please leave the keys and we will have the car handled for you." Ace tossed the keys in the attendant's directionhis direction, who grabbed them midair and hurried off with my baggage.

Ace took my hand and ushered me inside and towards a counter, where Sassy was already standing, checking in.

"Ms. Parker, thank you for visiting again, your jet is waiting and fueled," a nice older lady in a crisp uniform stated, as she checked some information in her computer.

I looked at Ace, my face full of surprise. "You have your own jet?"

Sassy looked back and me and giggled, whirling her big blonde curls in the process like she was in a shampoo commercial. "Silly darling, it's our spare, nothing special."

"You have more than one jet? Are you guys like some royal family of a reclusive King?"

Her laugh mixed with his and both were infectious, filling the terminal building.

"Well, not unless you're taking about Dallas oil royalty?"

At once it all made sense. I was looking at some ridiculously rich oil tycoon's heirs. Of course I was and for a second, I was surprised that the whole Penthouse, high roller, last name, big pageant hair thing didn't register.

"Parker? As in D.B.B. Parker, number one on Forbes 2016 list?" I calmly asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"If you mean Deverough Beumont Bufford Parker, than yes, darling, that would be my daddy." She laughed, as Ace waited by the exit doors leading to the the lot. She took my hand, clenching it tight. "Ari, are you ready to have some fun with the lifestyles of the fabulously rich, spoiled and bored world traveler children of said Parker?"

At that moment, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I had experience with rich people, Venise's family had money and Dean's family were very well off, but this took that to a whole different playing field. I think that my hesitation was apparent, because she gently tugged my arm, pulling me out the doors and towards the waiting Gulfstream G650.

..........................

The inside of the jet made me stop dead in my tracks. It was gorgeous and large. It had two large black couches, which were separated by a thin glass table. I settled into one of the luxurious black plush recliners that leaned back all the way into a makeshift bed. There was an insanely large television at the font of the cabin, that was tuned into some World Series poker tournament and a sound system that was currently playing some sort of country music.

I excused myself after we got settled in and headed in the direction of the bathroom. I needed to splash my face with some water, because I was in shock right now, not able to believe that here I stood on a bonafide private jet.

When I took one look at the bathroom I about fainted. It had a modern feel to it and was so much bigger than what you become accustomed to on a regular plane. The water was cool and I used one of the signature white towels with a large black embroidered P on it to dab my face. When I returned to my seat, a pretty flight attendant with short red hair approached me and asked if I would like something.

"What do you have?" I looked at her, unsure of what I was allowed to choose.

"Well, hun, we have anything you could want." She smiled at me, her accent as thick as the twins'. The only thing I could manage to say to her was that I would take whatever and with that she hurried away.

She emerged several minutes later carrying a tray of drinks in one hand. She served Sassy what looked to be a glass of very expensive champagne with a single strawberry at the bottom of the flute. She set Ace's glass of vodka down on a napkin beside him, before returning with two selections for myself. She offered me a flute of champagne or a soda. I opted for the champagne, which tasted like nothing I had ever tasted before in my life. After a few minutes of milling around, the plane headed toward the tarmac to take off.

About an hour into the flight, all I could think of was Dean. I was so hurt by him, but I missed him with everything that was in me. As I was lost in my thoughts, I felt the weight of silky skin which brushed my hand, as Sassy came to sit on the armrest of my lounger.

"You know darling, it will all work out, you'll see." Her face was sympathetic and caring.

"You think so? I'm just so scared that after everything that was said, it's been broken beyond repair." I felt so comfortable around this woman, it was as if when I talked with her, I felt like I had known her all my life. She was so easy to bear my soul to that I spent the previous night after the club crying on her shoulder.

"Nothing is ever too broken to be fixed, especially if there's a love that is endless, already in place to be the glue." She placed her hand on mine and squeezed it a bit. " Everyone goes through some kind of heartache. I've been there myself, darling."

At that moment, I couldn't
imagine what kind of man would ever break the heart of a woman who looked like Sassy did.

"You've been hurt by guys before? They must've been really stupid ones." I heard Ace grunt laugh behind us, before I turned back to look at her face, her expression seemed shocked for a second.

She then let out one of those infectious laughs. "Oh, no, darling, never a man, but I've had my feelings hurt by many a beautiful woman. Those are the worst. Men are men, they get angry and jealous and say barbaric things, but a woman's callous when she sets out to destroy your heart."

My heart instantly felt heavy at the weight of her confession and in a flash, I was angry that any member of womankind would be so ugly as to set out to hurt the golden angel before me.

Sassy Parker, might have been the entitled, spoiled daughter of a Texas oil tycoon with an unlimited checkbook, but she was also kind, generous, and beautiful. I knew this, because in my time of need she rescued me, no questions asked.

"And just think of it this way, darling, if things don't work out with your Dean, you can surely have Ace. He fancies you more than winning a million poker games." She flashed me one of her signature beauty pageant smiles and got up from the armrest, returning to her seat on the couch. I looked back at Ace who was looking my way, smiling that beautiful smile that engulfed his face and showed his perfectly white teeth, while making his laugh lines scrunch around his eyes.

..............................

When we arrived in New Orleans, we quickly transferred to a car leaving our bags behind at the airport. For a moment, I was genuinely concerned for my belongings, but Ace explained that a separate car would usher them to the hotel for us.

We headed to the Windsor Court where the Parkers had a long standing reservation whenever wanted, in their remarkable James J. Coleman Presidential Suite. It must have felt good to be so well known, that people threw accommodations at you whenever you were in their city. I never had that problem, I was just a regular girl.

Ace had called from the plane and booked several other suites on the club level floor underneath him, so that when the rest of my traveling companions arrived, we each would have our own rooms. When I got to my room, after I had my cheek kissed by an extremely charming and handsome southern gentleman, I decided I should call Venice and make sure they knew where to head once they got here in a few days.

She picked up on the second ring. "Hey, so how are things?"

"It was pretty amazing! I got to drink champagne on a private jet owned by the infamous Dallas, Parker family."

"You've got to be kidding me?" I could hear her silence a male voice behind her and my first instinct was to ask to talk to Dean, but I hesitated.

"So, I'm going to do some exploring with my new friend Sassy and when you and Dean get here, head to the Windsor. They booked us all our own suites."

There was a silence on her end, until I heard the hesitation in her voice, "Ari... Dean isn't coming to New Orleans." Those words hit me like someone had knocked me unconscious into the darkest abyss of the ocean, a place that was so dark, that it became peaceful, because it was the place where you couldn't breathe. Right at that moment, I felt like I couldn't breathe, but that abyss was anything but peaceful.

"Wha-" She cut me off and explained that Dean needed to figure out a few things and he wanted to give me space. Space? That man had never wanted to give me space, if anything he was the definition of anti-space!

"Venise, I need to go. I'll see you when you get here." I choked back the tears that were forming, causing my throat to clinch up.

My fingers moved rapidly along the keyboard of my phone as I shot out a text.

Ari: Dean. Why aren't you coming? Are you ok?

Nothing. There was no response for what seemed like forever and at that moment, I risked becoming one of those really clingy stalker girls that showed up at your house at different hours and blocked their number before they called your phone.

Ari: Please talk to me.... I am so sorry

Again nothing. I didn't have the heart to explore the city anymore. The lack of response clenched my heart to the point where I was rendered feeble and unable to move. The only thing I could do was lay on the bed and cry.

I grabbed for my earbuds and iPod, which were shoved in the side pocket of my carryon bag and I jammed he buds into my ears. Silversun Pickups' "Circadian Rhythm" played on and I felt like all I want to do right there and then was crawl out of my skin and disappear.

I got lost in the song like I always did when it played and I cried myself to sleep.

.......................

I woke up and it was dark outside of my suite window and the emptiness consumed me even more, because I was waking up without him next to me. I checked my phone and saw that I had one missed text. The words pierced my heart even further.

Dean: Ari, I'm sorry. I can't.

I pulled the pillow over my head even further, until I was woken again by the sound of his ringtone, the chorus from My Chemical Romance's "Helena," which Dean had chosen. My stomach clenched in knots when I heard it. Part of me hesitated answering it, the other part couldn't reach for my phone fast enough.

I wanted to scream at him for being a foolish boy, telling him that if he was just here right now, he could have every piece of me and last night would be forever forgotten. I wanted him to fill the emptiness where his touch used to occupy.

I remained silent when I picked up, but I knew he could hear my breathing. "Ari..."

I remained silent, the tears falling onto my phone, which was pressed up against my face so hard that it could at any moment become fused with my skin. He sighed and I could hear the pain in his voice, "I'm so sorry for everything..."

"Dean." My voice caught in my throat and my chest heaved silently as he continued to speak.

"Please don't be mad at me, Ari. I'm in Miami." When he said the word Miami, my hands clenched my chest, because I knew that he wouldn't ever be here with me, no matter how much I wanted it. The thought of not seeing him for days or weeks tore at me and at once I forgot exactly why I was so angry at him. I hated myself for leaving him. I hated myself for running away from him.

"Please come to New Orleans."

"I can't Ari. I need to do what you asked of me. I need to work some stuff out. Please don't worry though, because I'll see you soon and when I see you I'll have an answer for you. I have to go." There was silence on his end of the phone and my heart sank, because I knew he had ended the call.

I didn't sleep much past that and when the sun rose it brought with it one of those horrible feelings in your head, the kind where you knew you had cried too much. I had never cried that much over a man and the thought of it made me feel weak and more helpless than I already felt. The emptiness began to grow even darker. I tried to choke back the depression which began to rear its ugly head in the pit of my core, like a dragon waking from a long slumber.

I did manage to shower and throw on a maroon short sleeved boho dress, with a plunging neckline, and a feont slit. I decided that I needed to get over my sadness and enjoy myself in this beautiful city. I had to wedge myself out of the vice grip he had on my heart.

I snatched up my bag and headed for the door of my suite, determined to see some of the city. When I opened it, my eyes meet his and his infectious smile. His eyes took in everything about me and when he looked up at my face, his hazel eyes glimmered slightly.

"Oh, sorry, Ace."

"Morning, beautiful. Headed somewhere?" He looked irresistible in his dark fitted jeans, black shoes and blue plaid, slim fit, long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was still rocking his famous facial stubble, which gave him a rugged, but distinguished look. His chestnut brown hair had spikey look to it, as it jetted out from the front and top. It almost gave him a boyish charm.

"I was going to go explore."

"Mind some company?" His eyes were so seductive as they traced my face, settling on my mouth.

He reached out his hand and instantly, I took it. We reached the lobby where a slim blonde with straight long hair waited by the door. I couldn't help but take in every bit of her outfit, it was to die for. For a second, I debated internally how much I hated the fact that this random girl had a way better wardrobe than I could ever dream of having. She was wearing a blush colored romper, with thin spaghetti straps and a draping sleeve that hung off her shoulders.

The shoes sealed the deal though, they were leather gladiator sandals that wrapped up mid calf. You could tell from afar that they were real handmade leather, like the kind of leather sandals you see coming out of the Mediterranean. I wondered if I hit her hard enough, if I would have had enough time to unlace those shoes and make a run for it.

When she turned around to face us, her blue eyes with their dark eyeliner caught me and she excitedly hurried over. In an instant, my desire to clobber her for her taste in fashion was quickly extinguished.

"Oh my, Ari, I love that outfit! You look so good, darling. Don't you think she looks good, Ace?"

Ace turned to look at me. "Good isn't the word I would use to describe her, but sure, Sass."

She lightly hit his arm, before grabbing my arm and leading me away from him and toward the street outside.

As we walked down Bourbon Street looking in the windows of the tourist shops, I noticed that Sassy had disappeared into one of the many bars. I grabbed Ace's arm and steered him towards the bar, and when we entered I could see why she detoured.

Sitting behind the bar was one of the sexiest brunettes I had probably seen in my life. A girl who was probably in her mid twenties, with viciously seductive brown eyes and a skimpy tank top on, all her focus was on Sassy. When we got near I could hear exactly why Sassy was a fan of this female's attention, because Sassy's southern accent was no match for this bartender's Australian one.

Sassy's eyes diverted to us as we entered and she sauntered over. "Sorry darlings, I got a bit distracted, but, I think I'm in love with Bourbon Street."

She flashed a wink at the bartender who came over to take our order, before going off to make us two hand grenades and a vodka on the rocks. Her eyes were locked on Sassy the whole time she whipped up her concoctions.

The drinks were really sweet, almost too sweet for my liking, but it was easy to drink more than one. Sassy was so preoccupied with the vivacious brunette that I didn't notice at first that Ace has disappeared up a set of stairs leading to a balcony. When I reached him, he was sitting in a chair taking in the view. His one leg was resting against the railing of the balcony, as he held his drink on his other leg.

His eyes flashed up at me and as I came around the other side of him. I set my drink down beside him, looking over the railing at the street below. I was leaning over the balcony taking in the bustle of people, when I felt a pair of firm hands come behind me and wrap around my waist. He leaned in near my ear, placing his chin on my shoulder, his breath hot against my neck. With each breath that he took, I was more and more uncomfortable that he was that close to me.

"It's beautiful," I said, as I looked over at his face, while he stared off into the distance.

"Yah, you are." I was caught by his words and I looked into his eyes, which were now plastered on me.

He gently turned me around and placed his face close to mine. His hands maneuvered up my sides as he inched closer to my lips. My hands were on his chest and I lightly pushed him away. He placed his hand on my arm and pulled my arm over his shoulder as he got closer, his chest now lightly brushing against mine. His other hand was on my thigh and at that moment, I regretted wearing a dress with a slit, because any closer and his hand would be on my bare skin.

He stared into my eyes briefly, gauging whether I was his to take or not and at once, he leaned in and pressed his strong lips to mine. For a minute, I forgot my sadness and gave into his kiss. He grasped my thigh tighter as he pressed himself firmly against my body.

His kiss was hot and my arms wrapped around his neck and settled in his hair. When he felt my fingers in his hair, he reared his head back and breathed in a large breath before going in again to kiss the life out of me. At that moment, his hands gripped my thigh more passionately and inched my leg up to his waist. I could feel the tightness of his body against mine and instantly, I was grateful that we were in public, meaning whatever this was thankfully wouldn't go too far.

He kissed me fiercely for what seemed like forever and when he pulled away, his hair was severely messed up and my face was flush.

"I've been wanting to do that since the moment I laid my eyes on you," his voice crackled and was amazingly seductive, "We should get back downstairs though, unless that is, you'd rather I take you back to my room." His eyes settled on my neck as he spoke.

The burning parts of me were screaming for him to haul me up and carry me like a caveman back to his room, but the parts deep in my soul and heart were weeping, because that kiss reminded me that I was desperately in love with someone else.

"I can't Ace. I-" He cut me off with a light kiss before pulling away.

"It's ok, Arina. I understand," he softly stated, as he brushed my face lightly with his fingers, before he smoothed his hair and straightened his shirt. Then, he clenched my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine, before leading me down the stairs to a still preoccupied Sassy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Hey guys!

So I hope you liked the chapter. As always please leave comments and vote.

What team are you routing for, Team Dean or Team Ace? Who should Ari end up with and why?

<3 Amina