Chapter 97 - She Needs To See Marcel

Steaming hot breakfast was waiting for Arianna when she made it out of the bathroom.

"Enjoy your meal," A different staff member said to her and left before Arianna could even understand what was going on. Why was everyone avoiding her? They couldn't even look her in the eyes.

It was highly suspicious.

Was something in her face? Arianna even checked her forehead just to be sure.

Although the nerves were beginning to wear on her, she had not eaten since last night so her appetite was stirred. Aside from that, Arianna had to be ready for action if things go wrong during the exchange - and that can't happen on an empty stomach. What if she faints from dizziness?

Hence she dug into the meal and ate everything without a single remainder. She didn't even realize she had a huge appetite until now. 

Done, Arianna lay back down on her bed to rest. She had eaten so much that she couldn't even stand. Gosh, her stomach was full.

Staring at the ceiling, Arianna tried not to think about the journey ahead because she was honestly scared. What if her thoughts of Marcel giving her to Elijah in exchange for his guns was wrong and Marcel was selling her off instead - just like her family did.

No, Arianna refused to think about that scenario. She had been shielded in Marcel's mansion for so long that she had forgotten about Big Joe and his crew. Were they still searching for her or had they given up already?

She had no choice but to push the matter to the back of her mind. At a moment like this, she had to have faith. Arianna wanted to believe that there was more to Marcel than he shows and the gentle side he revealed to her last night does really exist because.... she was tired of trusting people anymore.

Arianna really hoped that Marcel was different - she was putting the last of her hope on him. This was the last time she was going to believe in humanity.

It was a long time before the staff came into the room to clear the utensils and with her, came two guards as well. Arianna's stomach clenched, this was it.

"You have to come with us, Miss," One of them said and she stood up without protest.

But her sight was active, searching for a trace of Marcel. If the exchange was truly going to hold today, Marcel would be present. So where was he?

Arianna didn't find Marcel even when they passed the living room, so she surmised he was waiting for her in one of the rooms downstairs. However, when they headed in the direction of the foyer, that was when she knew something was off.

"Where is Marcel?" She asked, stopping abruptly on the last flights of stairs.

"Move it," The other guard gruffed, applying pressure on her back which was a signal for her to continue moving but Arianna stood her ground. 

"I need to see Marcel!" Her voice was firm and she tried to push past them but they blocked her path with their burly and intimidating bodies. They didn't even budge. 

"It was Marcel's order to get you downstairs," said the first man that seemed a lot nicer than his other partner. 

"Is that so? Where is Marcel then? Is he downstairs? I bet not. Let me see him now!" Arianna shouted at them. This was so frustrating! Why wouldn't they let her see Marcel?

"I need to see Marcel! He needs to make that order in front of me?!" She said.

"Really?" The other guard snorted, "Who do you think you are?" He nudged her on the chest and his partner stood in the way with a warning,

"Stop it, Samuel," 

"Why should I?" The man named Samuel asked, full of disbelief.

He went on, "Who does she think she is? Just because she shared the boss' bed, she now thinks she's special? After what happened last night, we should be putting a bullet in her head!" 

Tears stung Arianna's eyes and she had never been embarrassed in her entire life. They all think she was a slut. Still, her ears couldn't help but pick up on the information the man dropped. 

She asked, "What happened last night? Did something happen?" 

But the men turned in her direction immediately with a look that made her gulp. It almost seemed like she wasn't supposed to know about that. 

"It's time to go," the kind one said with no smile. 

"No," Arianna shook her head vigorously, "I need to speak with Marcel even if for a minute!" 

Without warning, the second guard named Samuel scooped Arianna and threw her over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing. 

"No! Let me down! I need to see Marcel! Get me, Marcel, this instant! I want to see that asshole!" She was screaming, beating Samuel on the back yet it didn't hurt him one bit.

They didn't slow down until they reached the luxurious foyer where they dropped her on the ground and Arianna was sincerely hurt by the gesture.

After the dance last night, she thought they were good. But then she must be a fool to think she could buy over their loyalty from Marcel with just a dance. 

Angered, she stood up only to notice that they acknowledged someone's presence. Thinking that it was Marcel, Arianna turned around with great speed only to suffer the shock of her life. 

Blood drained entirely from her face and it seemed like Arianna would faint very soon as she came face to face with Kenith.

Her heart skipped a beat and it began to pound so hard she thought it would leap out of her chest. 

"Y-you!" A startled gasp left her mouth. 

"Hello Arianna, I believe you had a good time here," Kenith's smile revealed the rest of the message he didn't say, 'because you won't be getting that luxury anymore' 

"No," Arianna shook her head and then turned to run back into the house with a great speed only to be stopped by Marcel's men as if they knew her mind. 

Oh God, this had to be a nightmare.. Someone, please tell her that she was still stuck in a dream.