I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
53. Don't Go!

Ariel was silent for a while, her eyes glancing at Joel who was waiting for her without interrupting.

"It's an honor for me to get this offer, but please forgive me. I have to reject it" Ariel said politely.

"Why? we can pay you if that's what you mean" Darrel said.

"No. But I have a job and responsibilities that I can't ignore" Ariel said.

"If that's the case, what if you're with us, just at the show?" tawar Albert's.

"If the show works, we might be able to play in Venice" Darrel said.

"I'm very grateful, but I'm sorry to both of you, I can't accept it" Ariel subtly denied.

"Okay, we're not gonna force it. But," Albert took out a business card and gave it to Ariel.

"If you might change your mind, you can call me" he said.

"Alright, thank you, I'll keep it," Ariel received Albert's business card.

" Merci beaucoup, mademoiselle" Albert said.

"Je vous en prie, passe une bonne journey, "Ariel smiled back.

They both nodded their heads and smiled amiably. Staring at Joel for a while then leaving Ariel and Joel.

Ariel stared at their departure, then with a giant step back to step his feet, somewhere he was going, Ariel just felt like walking

"Ariel, wait!" exclaimed Joel extending a hand holding Ariel's footsteps.

"What did they say? If I don't guess wrong, it's French isn't it?" ask Joel.

"Yes" Ariel replied briefly.

'If I think again, it seems like going there can take my mind off right now, ' thought Ariel.

Ariel stepped back after slowly brushing Joel's hand that was holding his wrist. For some reason, he felt tired of everything that happened today.

"Are you going to a place where there's an Arcade like you said before?" ask Joel.

"No, don't you not like it yourself?" ariel replied without looking.

"Ariel," call Joel and draw Ariel's hand again.

Ariel who is unprepared with Joel who pulls his hand, makes him lose his balance and bumps into Joel. With a subtle movement, Joel put two fingers in Ariel's chin, and raised his face, asking her to look at him.

"What's wrong? You've been quiet ever since the two of them left. What are they saying? Why does it weigh on your mind?" ask Joel gently.

"I was just thinking about considering their offer," Ariel replied softly.

"Offer?" joel's forehead is wrinkled. "What offers do they offer?" ask Joel.

"Playing with their orchestra group in Paris. They also said they could play in Venice" Ariel said.

"Paris???" joel exclaimed with widened eyes. "And Venice? You mean Italy?" coined.

Joel lowered his hand, which looked more like a fall when he saw Ariel nod. His eyes were fixed in Ariel's eyes.

"Are they not street orchestras? You have a higher position than them. Why didn't you mention your name? That way they will not dare to take steps to offer such a thing to you" said Joel riled.

"Are you asking me to act implusively, Joel?" welcome Ariel to look back at Joel.

"If it's necessary, why not? There are times when an implicit attitude is necessary, right?" reply Joel.

"It's true, but my situation doesn't require me to be implicit" Ariel replied.

"Then, why don't you tell them who you are? If they hear your name, I'm sure they'll recognize it" asked Joel, clutching Ariel's shoulder.

"Why do you have to play an instrument there that makes them interested in you?" ask Joel again.

"You even play in a big orchestra and your play is also recognized by famous musicians, why should you join those who are just street orchestras?" joel began to raise his voice.

"Joel, are you aware that your words are rude?" sergeant Ariel.

"Do you think my position is the most important thing right now? I don't recognize your nature like this" he continued, shaking Joel's hand.

"And that also means you're leaving me?" he nodded with a trembling voice.

Ariel was stunned for a moment, looking at Joel's face that looked more panicked than angry. Somehow, seeing Joel like that actually makes his heart feel pain that Ariel herself does not know where it comes from.

'Don't look at me like that, Joel. I don't like it, why does it feel so crowded to see your gaze like this?' lament the heart of Ariel.

Ariel took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Try to stay calm before you say it again.

"Didn't I just say consider? That means I haven't accepted their offer, why are you so sweet?"ask Ariel.

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of, you say considering is the same as having the mind to accept it" Joel said.

"Haaa,," Ariel sighed. "we go to my apartment, I'll show you something," Ariel asked.

Joel said that although he was still in a state of anxiety, thinking that Ariel would leave the city, leave.

Once they were in the apartment, Ariel showed her pratitur to Joel.

Joel received the pratitur with a frown. The number of coreteans in the pratitur makes Joel frown.

"What paper is this?" ask Joel.

"I was doing an instrument arrangement this morning when Bram suddenly arrived. I lost my focus a few times, and he asked me out, "there was a pause just before Ariel resumed.

"Thinking to find inspiration, I accepted her invitation, and that's when I saw the street orchestra at the park, and you happened to be there with Christina, too" Ariel said.

"I was interested in trying a musical instrument that was kind of like a piano but had a different tone, which is why I tried it, and I didn't expect it to happen so easily" he explained.

"So you're considering their offer?" ask Joel.

"Yes, those street orchestras always have their own unique side that will not be found in the actual music orchestra" explained Ariel.

Joel is approaching Ariel. With a sudden movement, he hugged Ariel tightly, reluctant to let go.

"Ukh,, Joel, I'm having trouble breathing" complained Ariel trying to push Joel.

Instead of releasing Ariel, Joel tightened his arms, and began whispering in Arel's ear.

"Don't go!" whisper with a vibrating voice.

"Please, don't go!" whispered again.

"Joel, i_,,,"

"I know it's selfish. If being selfish can make you stay, then I choose to continue being selfish" said Joel.

Joel's revelation stops Ariel from rebelling, and lets Joel embrace her.

"Joel,," called Ariel softly.

"I'm not leaving" said Ariel.

"Lied!" java Joel.

"I'm serious, Joel. I'm not leaving, I'm not saying I'm going to join their group, I'm just considering playing with them in Paris" Arel said

"That even sounds the same," replied Joel reluctantly to release Ariel.

"I'm not done talking, Joel," Ariel replied, leaving Joel quiet again.

"I've only been there a few days, and you can come if you want. I am interested in Venice. And if you want to find a beach with big waves where you can surf as much, we can go there," said Ariel.

Joel began to loosen his arms, slowly pulling himself back and looking at Ariel. Figuring out if it was just to persuade her or was it what Ariel had planned for her.

"So, you're not going to leave this city for the next one? And just for a second?" ask Joel to make sure.

"Even I don't have those thoughts in the slightest" Ariel greeted with a smile.

Joel hugged Ariel again, but this catfish was different. Joel hugged warmly. And for the first time for Ariel, he felt a comfort that he had never felt for so long. Comfortable and safe at the same time, until he realized, Ariel had returned Joel's embrace.

...>>>>>>>--<<<<<<<...