A Step Closer to Love

During the whole twelve-hour connecting flight from Japan to Crescent Bay, Arabella read the books she had prepared. She studied English and Literary Studies and did a small degree in book editing. She was going to become a book editor at a publishing start-up company at Crescent Bay.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

As soon as she landed at the International airport at Crescent Bay she put a call to her mother to let her know she had landed safely. She knew that her mother would be worried and constantly check the time and her phone to ensure her daughter was safe.

“Oh Ara, have you gotten to Crescent Bay?” Ava asked as soon as she put the call to her ears.

“Yes, Mom I am fine and well,” Arabella said.

“Have you seen Everly?” Ava asked.

“No Mom, I have not been able to call her to tell her that I arrived. I just called to tell you I have gotten here safe and sound and that I love and miss you” Arabella said.

Ava felt a hot tear roll down her cheek. She still felt uncomfortable letting her little girl out of her sight but she had to do it. Her little girl was not so little anymore.

“Call Everly and let me know when you see each other” Ava said.

She knew if she stayed longer on the call her daughter would be able to tell if she was crying and needed out immediately.

“Okay Mom,” Arabella said pulling her phone from her ear and cutting the call.

As soon as she cut the call Everly’s call came in before she could put a call through.

“Hello Ara, I heard the arrival announcement for your flight, where are you I will come to pick you up,” Everly said as soon as Arabella picked up.

Everly was excited to have Arabella after a while of fourteen years of not seeing her.

“I will wait outside the arrival hall since I can’t navigate well myself,” Arabella said pulling her luggage with her.

“Okay I will meet you there,” Everly said before she cut the call.

Arabella sent a text to both her mom and sister to let them know she had contacted Everly and was currently waiting for her.

Everly came and gave Arabella a good long hug. She was glad to see Arabella and could not hide her excitement.

“It’s so nice to have you back here again,” Everly said taking her bags from her.

“It is nice to be back here too” Arabella responded.

“Let’s go,” Everly said leading the way.

“Okay”

They walked to the car park where an SUV was packed. Everly knocked on the boot glass and someone opened the boot from inside. Both ladies pushed all the luggage into the boot and came to sit in the car.

Everly sat up front while Arabella took the seat behind her.

“You remember Kieran don’t you?” Everly said looking back at Arabella.

“This is Kieran” Everly added with joy and pride evident in her voice.

“Nice to meet you,” Arabella said.

The man turned back to look at her and the familiar lanky blue-eyed boy came back to her memories.

“Welcome to Crescent Bay”

Kieran had been a young boy who ending puberty did not do well. His face was filled with enough pimples for three faces. He was tall and lanky and thin. His parents had money and that was the only thing that made the other popular kids hang out with him. The only thing that stood out was his blue eyes. Other kids in the neighborhood always called him the blue-eyed boy.

Looking at Kieran now he was not the boy he used to be. Kieran was now a man after all. Thirty-four years of age was not a joke after all. He had matured beyond his days and it did him well. The pimples had disappeared and he was looking well-built and muscular.

His face looked chiseled and his blue eyes showed through as he spoke and left a smile. Arabella could the coldness that radiated out of his words. “Welcome to Crescent Bay” sounded like “Welcome to your hell”

“Thank you,” Arabella said with an unsure tone. She did not feel welcome but she was thought good manners and she needed to thank him.

“Shall we” Everly said.

Everly was beaming and happy. She was sad when her friend and daughters had to move away. She understood that they did it for the peace and sanity of their minds. Now that she had Arabella here she was sure that the probability of her friend coming back to Crescent Bay was now higher.

“How was the flight? I know you have not traveled far in a long time” Everly said.

The girls and their mom were supposed to get back to Cresent Bay every year for the memorial of Richard but Ava had been too sad and heartbroken to make it down every year.

“It was quite long and tiring. I think I felt a little airsick but I am good now” Arabella responded.

“What would you like to have for dinner?” Everly asked.

It was Arabella’s first time back in fourteen years. Everly would be glad to give her what she wanted.

“I have eaten Japanese meals for fourteen good years. I don’t know what is good here so I would have anything you have to offer” Arabella said.

She pulled out her book from her bag. She knew that she would have to keep talking and answering overwhelming questions if she doesn’t use a book to have herself.

“Ara, you are still the same. You drown yourself in books any chance you get” Everly said.

Arabella laughed a little and did not lift her eyes from the book. She did not know how far the house she was going was from the airport but she was going to read a lot of pages before then.

“Kieran drive by the Spice Symphony and let’s get a full dinner tonight I’m too tired to make anything tonight,” Everly said.

“Okay ma,” Kieran said and changed lanes.

Spice Symphony was the best restaurant in town and they opened only recently. Everly lived excited to show Arabella around and make her feel comfortable.