Chapter Four ~ "Dinner"
1009 Words
Despite holding her at ransom, Jason didn’t expect Ariana to agree to it that easily without a fight, he was ready to emotionally black mail her before she agreed to it.
‘’That was easy’’, He said
‘’Anything to save my child’’ Ariana responded
Their conversation was cold, blunt and had no real emotions to them but there was always something about the way he looked at her that she didn’t understand. Was it out of sympathy, she thought or could there have been more to it.
‘’I will see you later, I will bring the papers and we can talk about meeting my family, we need to make this look believable’’, he continued.
Sure, she nodded.
Ariana was not really worried about what she would tell her mother Ellena who always wished for her to marry in money, Ellena assumed it was her daughter’s role to fund her lifestyle
Ariana remembered how before every blind date she went to, her mother talked about the dowry, their future house, a family car-everything that her mother, Ellena, had always spoken of when telling her about marriage. And she agreed to all her terms.
Ariana still in her zone of wondering the turn her life was taking recalled a particular day how, when she had left home, her mother was playing the gentle and caring parent. She had even sent Ariana's fifth-grade brother off, but not before giving Ariana all sorts of advice on what to look for in a blind date. Ellena had also made sure to reiterate how great marriage was.
Most of all, Ellena had reminded Ariana to ask for a higher dowry, so her brother wouldn't have to worry about his tuition fees in the future, and Ellena herself would live a happy and comfortable life.
Ariana smiled wryly at the thought. Ellena seemed to have conveniently forgotten that she herself had been married a grand total of six times, and failed each of them.
Ellena appeared out of nowhere two years ago, with a ten-year-old boy in town, and wailed in front of her mother's old house. She all but demanded that Ariana, the daughter she had abandoned for ten years, support her and her young son.
Sometimes, Ariana found herself wondering if she could just disown her mother and claim that she didn't know who she was.
Sadly, her reality deprived her of the luxury of daydreaming about the If’s in life. That included her fantasies of ever being a match for the Griffin family's golden boy, who had been raised with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Ariana was set on getting even with Henry. She was filled with anger every time she thought of him, remembering all the promises he didn’t keep and the good times that now seemed false. She regretted trusting him, realizing he never saw her as more than just a fling or a helper, and she blamed herself for letting a simple crush mislead her.
Several hours later, Jason returned with her phone and the rest of her things. “There’s been a change of plans,” he said. “I need to take you to meet my family now. My mom called, asking about my marriage plans, and when I told her I’d met someone, she insisted we come for dinner.”
‘’I will drive you home and then pick you up later, I have my number saved on your phone so you can reach out to me’’ he mentioned.
She teased, “What if I decide to escape?” He laughed as he held the door open for her, saying, “I’ll know where and how to track you down,” and guided her out.
When Ariana returned to her apartment, everything was just as she had left it. Ellena was there, surprised to see her and full of questions about her absence. “I’ve been trying to call you; you had me worried,” Ellena said, pressing for details.
Ariana brushed it off with a lie, “I was on a business trip, it was an emergency trip.”
Her mother noticed her appearance and asked with a worried look, “You don’t seem well, and is everything okay? Your skin looks pale.” Ariana dismissed it, suggesting it might be jet lag.
In the midst of their conversation, the doorbell rang. It was a delivery addressed to Ariana, which left her perplexed since she wasn’t expecting anything. Inside the package was a stunning dress, a pair of shoes, and a dazzling diamond necklace, accompanied by a note that read, “Don’t worry about tonight, it will be alright. See you.”
Ariana was filled with different emotions. She was anxious about the evening, she didn’t know what Jason’s family would be like, but finding the note and the gifts made her feel a little better. She smiled, and this time her smile was sincere as she read the words.
She got ready, slipping into the beautiful red dress from Jason, which fit her perfectly. ‘’How did he know the perfect fit for my body’’ she said to herself
Ariana had a fit and toned body, with a slim waist and the dress hugged her figure just right. She moved with an easy grace that was noticeable even in simple actions.
Her hair framed her face beautifully it was styled in a way that showed off her features even more, and her skin had a natural shine. The fragrance she wore was noticeable throughout the apartment. Ellena didn’t say much, but it seemed she guessed and assumed Ariana’s recent date had been a success.
Outside, Jason waited by his car, looking relaxed in a casual T-shirt and cardigan, his Chelsea boots adding a stylish touch to his stance. Ariana saw him in a new light; his well-groomed brunette hair and warm smile added to his attractiveness. His physique was more noticeable now than when he was in his doctor’s attire. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time.
- Writer
