"Oohh! Hi Ella, how are you? What have you been doing?" Aria asked, catching Ella with difficulty. "I'm really good big sis! I was just helping Dahlia make soup." Ella announced, beaming with pride. "I'll definitely ensure to eat a lot of soup for lunch then. Sounds like it'll be quite tasty."
Aria chuckled as Mrs. Josh came towards them, brandishing a spatula like a sword. "Ella! How many times have I asked you to stop jumping into Aria's arms like that. She has not yet completely recovered. You could open any of her wounds!" she reprimanded Ella who turned pink at the ears and snuggled closer into Aria's arms.
"It's fine Mrs. Josh, she's not that heavy. And I am anyways almost completely healed now." Aria replied, wrapping a protective arm around Ella.
Mrs. Josh huffed as she turned away. "You spoil her too much Aria. You and her father. Anyways, what brings you here today? Did you miss breakfast?" she asked, turning to stir something in a huge pan.
Aria spoke as she set Ella down on a little stool, "No no, I properly ate breakfast. Which was delicious, I must say." Mrs. Josh shook her head at Aria's flattery, but seemed happy nonetheless. "Actually, I wanted to see Susan for something." Aria continue, looking around the kitchen.
"Susan?" Mrs. Josh asked surprised, turning her head to look quizically at Aria. Susan, the person in question, also turned her head. "Yes. Just a trivial matter really. No need to worry." Aria said, waving a hand in Mrs. Josh's direction, already moving towards Susan.
Aria reached to where Susan was standing rooted on the spot and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Can we go somewhere to talk in private?" she asked in a tone that booked no opposition.
Susan nodded and shuffled behind Aria, who had already begun to walk towards the exit of the kitchen.
Both of them walked away from the kitchen, Aria leading and Susan following.
Aria finally stopped in a clearing at the edge of the forest and turned around to look at Susan, who stood fidgeting with her hands in her lap.
"This is a really nice spot right?" Aria asked, clasping her hands behind her back in an authoritative stance. Susan's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she dropped them to her shoes and muttered, "Yes. This seems quite nice." The little gesture had not gone unnoticed by Aria, but she didn't comment on it as she continued, "Do you remember? This is the exact same spot where you last asked me for money."
Susan looked relieved as she let out the breath she had been holding. "Of course! The money!" Susan exclaimed, thinking that Aria was asking for the money that she had lent. "I'm sorry I haven't got it now. But I'll definitely give it back to you from my salary this month."
Aria put a tentative finger under her chin as she said, "Oh really? That's a shame! I wanted the money right away."
Susan started to fidget with her hands once again, "Right away? I'm afraid I don't have any to spare right now. My mother's been sick lately and all of my money mostly goes to her treatment." she said, her voice breaking.