The Heiress

Mask off

Italic; flashback

He wears all-black that  fit snugly against his body which exuded the dominant thickness of his stature and broad shoulders.  He flashed a smile as different men and women began to greet him upon his arrival.

His eyes searching and scanning the room, he’s looking for his friends – Pierre. But then his eyes landed on a blonde girl with piercing blue eyes. He wanted to take her eyes off her, but he didn’t.

He’d never see such beauty.

She looks divine, he wonder who she is.

He can see she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and slowly broke their burning eye contact and turned her back on him.

And there, beside her, was his friends who he’d searching for – whispering something in her ear and both of them was walked away.

Who is she?

Why Pierre is so close to her?

He dicided, he’ll approach him and ask her name later.

Which he regretted later because he found out that her name was Ariellia Malis. Cartier's heiress who had been his target from the first. Suddenly, he felt disappointed – the thought of him liking that vermin made him sick.

But he also can't deny the fact that Ariella is very beautiful like a goddess. Her blue eyes gleamed coldly and didn't show the slightest interest in him. Which is what makes it so interesting.

But there is something strange, why Pierre only introduces her as Ariellia Malis – without Cartier's name. He was very sure that the girl's name was Ariellia Malis Cartier just as it was written in the document given to him.

If only she wasn't his main target, maybe he would worship her.

Damian immediately shook his head. He couldn't betray and forget his debt to the his angel. He looked at Ariel's face once again and found her looking at him confusedly with raised eyebrows.

Damn, she's so pretty.

He hated to admit this, but he was attracted to Ariel.

Yes. He was attracted to her, he admitted that. Because now he’s willingly go to New York just to see her — not for his angel safety. Damian know something is wrong with him, they barely know each others — but why he can’t stay away from her?

They had only met and spent time together a few times, but Ariel had a great influence on him. He cursed himself in silence, he shouldn't be so rash. He couldn't act like this — he had to focus on his original goal.

But he failed before he tried, all because of the charm of the girl in front of him.

Ariel sits in front of him wearing a knee-length black off-shoulder dress, her blonde hair is in messy bun, but it looks good on her though. She looks more beautiful every time he meets her. Her slender fingers were holding an elegantly presented cup of tea, which couldn't help but think wildly — imagining what it would be like if she was holding something else. Wrapped around him when she on her knees while pleasuring him. He groaned inwardly, he couldn’t — could never resist Ariel's charm. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get rid of his dirty thoughts.

He leaned back, settled into his sitting position and his eyes darted around him.

"Your house is very beautiful," he complimented — which was true. Cartier's house has a magnificent view. The house is on the outskirts of New York City and consists of three floors — has a very large yard with flower gardens, a greenhouse, a pond filled with koi fish and even a horse farm in the back area.

And what made him most curious was the view that would be served at night if he sat here — because right now from where he was sitting he was presented with a beautiful view of the skyline of the city of Manhatan.

“Thank you, Damian”

He averted his eyes and took the teacup provided by the waiter and flinched slightly when he saw the blueberry cheesecake that was provided on the table.

"Is something wrong?" Ariel's soft voice interrupted him, he immediately looked at Ariel and shook his head slowly. “I'm sorry for only served this, it would take too long to suddenly make a snack — especially since it's almost lunch time, so the chefs are making the main course right now”

“No, it's my fault — I came here unannounced. I'm sorry, Lady Ariel." He smiled slightly, feeling bad.

Ariel looked at him and smiled "no problem" she said "I'm surprised you came here"

"I came here because your secretary said you were going to New York and don't know when you'll be back" he said "You didn't say anything about your leaving" he said coldly and Ariel gasped

"Um, should I?" she asked innocently “I mean, usually my flights are more than once a week for business trips. It would be bothered you if I always said about my going and coming back.”

"But we are. . friend," he said quietly. He sounded so clingy now.

Ariel looks surprised by this, right — they are friends.

"Okay, next time I'll tell you"

"Sorry" he said

Ariel tilted her head, she didn't seem to understand.

He clenched his jaw — annoyed “say sorry”

His eyebrows shot up sideways with a small smile "for?"

"To make me worry and catch up with you because I don't know when you'll be back" He could see that she was uncomfortable because of this "I'm sorry if this made you uncomfortable" he said

"I'm just not used to this. You know, I don't have any man treat me like this besides my brothers and my secretary" she pauses "and yes, this makes me a little uncomfortable"

His jaw tightened slightly at hearing the secretary's words — He forgot the fact that Ariel's secretary was a man in her age.

"You have to get used to it" he said "because I'm a very possessive friend"

"Okay, possessive friend" she said playfully "tell me what is the purpose of your coming here?"

Damian and Ariel walked side by side and entered the restaurant — He invited Ariel to lunch today. He took her into town for a meal at an Italian restaurant and she didn't refuse. He smiled faintly when he saw Ariel amazed by the interior of the restaurant which was dominated by cream and dark brown colors.

"You like this place?"

“Yes, this place looks cozy even though it's very crowded” she said while looking around

This restaurant is quite a famous restaurant, because it is certain to be full at lunch time.

"Do you think we'll get a seat?" she asked worried

He looked at the worried Ariel and chuckled “of course, because I already made a reservation. Besides, the owner of this restaurant is my friend.”

"Is it true? Then let's have a seat. I'm curious about the taste of the pasta that served here" she said a little enthusiastically

"You like pasta?" his brow furrowed

"Of course, I like cheese pasta or pasta with lots of grated cheese on top"

"Is that so? I can ask for extra cheese to make you happy, then” he said amused

Ariel hit his arm lightly "no, no extra cheese”

"Alright" he said "let's sit down"

Damian led Ariel to their seats. The place that Damian chose was on the second floor and near the large window that offered the view outside. From where they sat they could see the density of the city and the number of people passing by.

Dark clouds were gathering over the New York city sky, making it a little dark at noon today. Everything was gray in his eyes this afternoon — everything, except Ariel. Among the shades of gray he saw, only he seemed bright and colorful in his eyes.

This time the girl was wearing an emerald off-shoulder top, and black high-waisted trousers. Simple yet that makes her even more gorgeous. Really, he doesn't understand — he don't know what makes her always beautiful wearing anything. Even so, maybe Ariel would look prettier if she’s not wearing anything — underneath him.

A waiter came and handed them the menu. His hands clenched into fists when he noticed that the waiter was occasionally glancing at Ariel who was focusing on selecting the menu — something inside him stirred at that.

He cleared his throat. "You've made up your mind, darling?"

Ariel knitted her brow and looked at him strangely “Yes, I want Fetuccine al Pomodoro”

"Lasagna" he said coldly and the waiter left immediately

"You didn't order a drink" Ariel protested

"I forgot"

"You're too scary, so he just left"

He sighed softly "Maybe you're right, but I don't care"

Ariel rolled her eyes "you really are a possessive friend"

Damian smiled faintly at that "So, how was your day in New York, Ariel?"

"It's boring, I can only do my work in the room and spend a lot of time reading and sleeping" she shrugged "I don't know what else to do"

He chuckled hearing that "You don't have any friends here?"

“No, I have trouble making a loyal friends” she grumbled and pulled her phone out of her bag.

"Anything important?" Damian asked sweetly

“Nothing” she shot him a small smile and then watched as a waitress who brought their food. After served their food, she left.

"Let's eat" she said as he put her phone on the table. She took a fork and began to spoon out the pasta. But before she could eat it, her phone rang — Ethan's name appeared on the screen.

She quickly put away her fork and took out her cell phone — picking up the phone immediately.

'Miss Ariel, where are you now?' Damian could hear a man's voice on the other side as well as the sound of a car engine.

"I was at an Italian restaurant and was just about to eat my pasta, so what's your point in interrupting my lunch hour?" she said sharply

'Mr. Grey, he wants you to take his place to meet his colleagues'

She snorted softly "I know and I refuse"

'Please Miss Ariel, Mr. Gray is taking over the meeting Mr. Adrian'

"And what is Adrian doing?" her voice dropped with disgust

'He has another meeting' His voice sounded very innocent in his ears and Ariel's face turned cold.

"Ass" she hissed and immediately turned off the phone.

She typed something on her cell phone "Damian, I'm sorry for having to leave immediately"

He clenched his jaw and his first curled into ball under table. There are always distractions when he and Ariel are alone and spending time together. He cursed in silence — again, he didn't want Ariel to go.

"But you haven't had lunch yet, you could be sick" he said softly and worriedly "at least eat a little bit, I think your driver can wait"

"I don't think so, because he's already downstairs." Ariel's eyes looked down and found Ethan's Lexus that stopped right in front of the restaurant. Not long after he parked his car, Ethan immediately came out with all-black clothes and waited beside his car "I can't make him wait for too long" she immediately stood up and straightened her appearance

"But promise me next time when the two of us are together, I don't want any disturbance" he said coldly, he shuddered a little bit

“I promise” she whispered “see you later, Damian” she said and quickly left, leaving her favorite pasta untouched and Damian alone. Ariel's heels sounded in his ears even though the restaurant was busy.

He looked out the window and found Ethan holding Ariel in his arms. He couldn't take his eyes off even though he hated what he was seeing. His jaw clenched, he wanted to beat the guy up.

Until someone tapped his shoulder and he turned his gaze to a girl who immediately sat down where Ariel was previously sitting "Enjoying your lunch?"

“As if” he hissed and averted his eyes out — at Ethan who opened the door for Ariel and after that they went across the streets of New York.

The girl chuckled hearing that "Yes, you are a poor man for being left by my stepsister alone"

“What did I tell you about not meeting in public?” he spat harsly “You want this plan to fail?”

"Oh of course. Don't worry my dear, I'm here because I know this place is safe. Because this is yours" she said quietly "besides I'm also jealous to see you close to Ariel" she whined

Damian's eyes softened seeing his angel "You don't need to be jealous, angel" he said soothingly "I won't like a rotten girl like Ariel"

"Is it true?" she exclaimed enthusiastically

"Of course" he assured "I also understand more and more why you want to immediately become a part of them and take everything that should be yours"

"Why?" she asked in a spoiled tone

"Because they live in extraordinary luxury while you live in misery" his emotions stirred as he stepped foot into the Cartiers' home this morning.

How can they live in extraordinary luxury while his angel live in misery and far from luxurious

"Wait a minute, I'll give you everything that's rightfully yours, Rory Cartier"