Somewhere Only We Know

72: Just As Long As I Have You

Running a hand through her damp hair, Ariana rested back on the couch for a moment, the familiar sense of upset washing over her. It had only been a few days, but still she missed her husband, even if she was still furious with him, she missed him and his infectious smile. “You still moping?” Pilar mused as she stepped into the room. She felt for Ariana, of course she did, but she felt more for Iker. He wasn’t behaving like a man who had done something wrong and deserved to at least be heard before Ariana made her mind up about them. He was clearly still very much in love with his wife and looked devastated every time she saw him.

Ariana jumped a little at the sound of her friend’s voice and sighed. “I am trying not to” she admitted softly “But it is hard. I miss him Pilar, even if I do want to kill him, I miss cuddling him and listening to him ramble in that cute way that he does” she murmured, tilting her head back slightly. Part of her wanted to forgive him, to wrap him in her arms and never let go of him again, but then the notion of him and Lucia brought her crashing back. She couldn’t shake it, the idea of her husband and her sister together, and until she could, she would never be able to look at him the same away again. He would forever be a cheat to her.

Pilar looked at the brunette for a moment before she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. “Sergio?” Ariana poked.

Pilar nodded. “He said that I should get you dressed. He has a surprise for you” she mused as she read the message over. It was a little cryptic, merely a set of instructions, but she wanted to follow them. She had a feeling that Sergio’s surprise was likely to get Ariana to speak to her husband and that was something that everyone wanted. Iker only wanted a chance to explain himself and Ariana needed to hear what he had to say, she would never get closure until she listened to him.

Ariana lifted her eyebrow a little. “Dressed?” she squeaked.

“Yup, in a yellow dress. Does that mean anything to you?” Pilar poked as she peeked down at brunette.

Ariana flushed. “I was wearing a yellow dress when I met Iker for the first time” she murmured.

Pilar nodded. “Ari, you know that you need to do this don’t you?” she murmured as she padded a little closer to the brunette. She could see that she was hesitant, she was biting on her lip in that way she did when she got nervous, but it was what needed to happen, even if it did end in her still leaving Iker, she needed to hear him out.

Ariana sighed. “I don’t know if I can do it Pilar” she admitted gently.

“You won’t know until you try Ari” Pilar encouraged softly.

Ariana sighed and ran her hand back through hair before she moved to her feet, causing Pilar to smile.

She doubted that Ariana would be able to say no to Iker when they were face to face.

~#~
Staring up at the building ahead of her, Ariana sighed, nerves twitching in her stomach. She knew that Pilar was right, she did have to try, even if it was to be a waste of her time, but still she was nervous. It had been over a week since she and Iker were in the same room and she didn’t know how she would react to him. One part of her wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him like there was no tomorrow, whilst the other part of her wanted to throttle him for letting Lucia get so close again.

“You should go inside” Pilar encouraged as she moved to settle Violeta and Junior down.

Ariana blinked, but nodded, gently setting her hand on the door handle that led into the burger joint where they had shared their very first date. She thought it was sweet, everything Iker did was, but still it didn’t alleviate her nerves. The idea of seeing him was both tantalizing and terrifying. Taking a little breath, she pulled the door open and padded inside, a little surprised to find it empty apart from Iker, who sat at the table where they had shared their first meal together.

Iker looked up at the sound and smiled. “You actually came” he breathed gently, his dark eyes peeking at her tentatively.

“I thought about not coming” Ariana squeaked “But Pilar talked me into it” she added.

Iker sighed and pushed himself to his feet, stepping towards her tentatively. “You look beautiful in yellow” he breathed as he allowed his eyes to wander over her frame. She looked stunning, especially in her yellow dress, and Iker couldn’t help but smile. She looked as wonderful as she had the very first time he had set eyes on her.

“Sergio told me to wear yellow” she squeaked awkwardly.

Iker nodded. “I know. I told him to tell you that” he smiled.

Ariana peeked down at her feet as a small silence descended over them.

“I have something that I need you to hear Ari” Iker breathed as he stepped towards her, Cristiano’s phone clutched in his hand.

Ariana sighed. “Iker, I don’t want to have this conversation again” she whined.

“No, it isn’t me. Listen” he breathed as he pressed play, allowing Lucia’s admission to spill into the air around them. Ariana listened carefully before she closed her eyes, tears stinging them a little. She had been terrible, hysterical and mean, and she couldn’t help but feel bad. Iker had done nothing wrong and she should have believed him when he had told her that. Iker wasn’t anything like the man she had made him out to be.

Iker noted the tears in her eyes and smiled, cupping her cheek reassuringly. “Amor, what are you crying for?” he posed gently.

“Because I should have known Iker. Of course it was her” she whimpered, her warm tears trickling over his cheek. Iker smiled gently and leant down, kissing the tears away from her eyes. “I should have listened to you. I know you” she whimpered, hiccupping slightly.

Iker smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Nena” he cooed gently “It doesn’t matter” he added.

“It does” she squeaked “I treated you awfully” she added, another hiccupped sob falling out of her mouth.

“No, it doesn’t. Ari, I would have been the same if this was the other way around and you know it. I don’t blame you for not believing me, I didn’t know myself whether or not I had done it, but now that I haven’t, I hope we can put this behind us. I love you, Ariana, and all I want is for you to come home. I miss you and Lettie more than I can put into words. Please Ari, come home” he whimpered, his fingers gently tucking some brown hair behind her ear.

Ariana sniffled and held him close. “I have missed you” she sniffled.

Iker nodded. “It’s ok, mi amor” he cooed, gently brushing her tears away.

“Iker” she whispered.

“Yes?” he replied.

“I am sorry” she whispered.

Iker smiled and pressed a little kiss to her forehead. “It is alright nena, as long as you are with me, I don’t care about what has happened. I just want us to be ok. Do you think we can try and do that?” he whispered, his eyes staring into hers.

Ariana sniffed, but nodded. “I would like that” she whimpered.

Iker smiled and pulled her close, kissing her gently. He had missed it, kissing her, and he hoped he would be able to make up for all the days he had missed. He wasn’t letting go of her again.
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Thanks to babygurl94512, Amtul. Jayme112234 and FootieJo for the comments :)