NO TURNING BACK

                                        

                                              
"I don't understand why he's being so paranoid, Shirley, and I don't like it," Arianna vented, her frustration palpable as she faced her best friend across the restaurant table. Their after-work rendezvous had become an airing of grievances.
She sighed, her gaze unwavering as she continued, Shirley's full attention hers. "I've been doing this for years, and now he wants me to turn a blind eye to everything, even with all the evidence. It's not fair. Someone has to step up."
Shirley nodded slowly, her expression a mirror of understanding. Twelve years of friendship had ingrained Arianna's fierce aversion to injustice within her; to Arianna, it was a tangible evil.
"Arianna, believe me, I truly understand... how deeply you feel about this case, the urgency you feel. But I think we also need to consider Richard's concerns. He's worried about you getting hurt," Shirley offered gently..
Arianna's sigh was heavy with exasperation. "But I'll be fine, Shirley. Someone has to act. Those people are dangerous, and if we don't, Governor Delagado will surely slip through the cracks," she said, her voice tight as she raked her fingers through her long, dark hair. "They can't touch me," she declared, earning a tired sigh from Shirley. Arianna's stubbornness, once ignited, was an unyielding force.
"They are evil, best," Arianna insisted, her tone softening, almost coaxing. She needed the reassurance of support, a bolstering of her resolve.
Shirley sighed again, a look of unease etched on her face. Another long, frustrated breath escaped her. "Just do this for me, Shirley, please. Your support is the most important thing right now, especially since Richard doesn't want me involved..."
"Arianna," Shirley interjected softly, "you'll always have my support... always. And Richard's too, believe me. He's just terrified for you. He cares deeply."
"I know... I know... I know he cares... so much. But he's being ridiculously paranoid," Arianna countered.
"Don't say that, Arianna. He has every right to be frantic... yes. It shows how much you mean to him," Shirley pointed out, a flicker of guilt crossing Arianna's features. "And I can't exactly call him paranoid. If he knew about the attack at the concert when we were working on Delagado's case, he'd lock you away himself," Shirley added, her gaze shifting away.
Arianna bit her lip, a weary sigh escaping her. "But didn't we agree never to bring that up again?" she asked, her stare fixed on Shirley.
Shirley rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know, but don't you think it's worth reconsidering everything? Your safety was on the line then. Do you honestly think they'll just sit back and watch you dismantle their operation this time?"
"You were terrified then too, Arianna. Why are you being so stubborn?" Shirley pressed, her voice firm but controlled. "They'll come after you harder this time, Fabian isn't just anyone," she emphasized.
Arianna's shoulders slumped, the memory of that terrifying night flooding her mind. The near miss at the concert, the stray bullet whistling past her, sent a fresh wave of cold shivers down her spine..
"I don't know why you're bringing this up, but I'm absolutely certain I wasn't the target that night. It had to be someone else," Arianna insisted, earning an incredulous look from Shirley. Denial was Arianna's steadfast shield.
"Arianna, you and I both know you were the target, and I..."
"Shirley, please... don't," Arianna cut her off, raising a dismissive hand. "We agreed to bury what happened that night, so please, let's keep it that way. And no one can find out."
Shirley stared at her friend, a mixture of displeasure and bewilderment clouding her expression. If Arianna truly believed she wasn't the target, why the secrecy from Richard?
"He still doesn't know?"
Arianna nodded. "He doesn't need to."
Shirley scoffed, a hint of anger lacing her tone. Why was Arianna jeopardizing herself and her family for a case? Was it worth the potential devastation?
"Shirley, Richard and I have dinner with his mother, and I need to leave now. So... your decision?" Arianna asked, her left eyebrow arching in question. "Are you in or out?"
Shirley held her gaze for a long moment, the futility of argument settling within her. "Fine," she conceded, her voice tight.
A triumphant smile spread across Arianna's face. "Good, thanks, best," she said, kissing both of Shirley's cheeks with a wide grin.
Displeasure and unease lingered on Shirley's features. Why couldn't Arianna see the danger before plunging headfirst? Why couldn't she prioritize her own and her family's well-being this time? Richard's opposition was a clear warning sign. He had always been her staunch supporter, deeply invested in her happiness. She recalled his quiet disapproval during the Delagado case.
There were times when self-preservation wasn't selfish but necessary. The world is a place of unfairness.
"Bye, best," Arianna waved, then hurried out of the restaurant.
© Adira H.