CHAPTER 2- PROPOSAL

                    LUCILLE POV

 There was this unfathomable feeling that clouded my mind since yesterday, the day my mum revealed the truth to me. I had always felt she treated Ariel far better than me since we were young.

  Even though we were poor, she was ready to give her all to Ariel, but right now, the tides have changed. Ariel was not only homeless but ripped off her properties which are now ours.

  Gently covering the upper part of my dad's body, I turned to leave.

  "If you continue to be like your mother, your life will be ruined, "I stopped as my dad's words reached my ears.

  I clenched my fist, trying not to let his words get to me, as I hurriedly walked out of the room. 'He is not a saint either,' I thought

  It was late already, but my ears picked up whispers from my mum's room, as I moved closer to hear.

  "It was a simple work, and you are both telling me you failed, "My mum's voice erupted

  She was probably talking to those bodyguards of hers, but what was it all about? 

  Their whispers only piqued my interest as I walked to the door leading to my mum's room. 

  "Your lack of competence is nothing but a shame. I can't believe you let that girl escape," My mum's angry voice erupted inside, as I felt my legs almost trembled.

  Covering my mouth to prevent the gasp that almost escaped my lips. I couldn't believe mum wanted Ariel dead, but why? It was true I detested her, but my envy and jealousy only wanted her harmed and not dead. This is bizarre.

  "I want her dead at all costs. Failure to do so, and I won't pay you,"

  I hurriedly left, careful not to make any noise. Gently closing the door of my room, I felt my heart almost throbbing out of its place. I tried to calm myself, as I let out the air I was holding.

   I paced for a while before settling on my bed. I could not help but feel a little bit of pity for Ariel. I don't know whether it was my dad's words that got to me or the fact that my mum wanted her dead. 

  I had always envied her for being the center of my parent's attention, not until yesterday when I knew everything was a ploy all this while. Ariel was the goody two shoes, while I was the bad one. 

 I let my head sink low, my previous words to her running through my mind. I called her useless and wished she was no longer part of the family.

  The knock on the door jolted me off my thoughts, prompting me to peek. The door opened revealing my mum.

 The light in my room seems to be one of the blessings we received today, as my mum paid for the electricity, from one of Ariel's properties money. I still find it hard to wrap my head around how my mum was able to get her hand on Ariel's properties in a blink of an eye. It was quite difficult to comprehend.

  "Honey, you are awake," She let herself in as I tried to put on a smile.

  "Yes, I am. I couldn't sleep, "I said the truth. 

  It was a relief Ariel was out of my life and no longer stealing the spotlight. At least, she could live a poor and lowly life, probably coming back to beg at my feet. But the feeling that my mum wanted her dead, only made me feel off, especially since my revenge won't be complete. I wanted her to feel what I felt for the past 24 years of my life.

  I felt my mother's presence beside me, as I let out a sigh.

  "I'm glad I got to show my real love to you now. All of Ariel's properties are now in our name. You should be happy now. We can start over, happily," She touched my shoulder,but I simply looked away.

  She noticed my lack of interest as she withdrew her hand.

  "It seems you are upset. I will see you by morning," She stood up to leave, as I developed the courage to ask why she wanted Ariel dead.

  "I thought you wanted Ariel out of our home. Why do you want her dead?" She stopped, as I felt her gaze on me.

  "You want to know. For a start, Ariel owned the properties I took from her. Do you think she will let us off the hook now that she had figured out I took her properties,"

  Now, I felt my mum's angry self. Her hands raised, as she pointed out the fact to me.

  "Not until she is dead, I won't. No, "She gazed at me intently this time.

  "We won't enjoy this new wealth of ours in peace. I had known her for the past 25 years of her life. I know the kind of person she is. She might look soft from the outside, but she was not the sort that gives up,"

  I gritted my teeth. I knew she was right, but that didn't mean I liked what she was saying. I still thought letting her know my revenge plan was the best, but I let it slide, at least for today.

  "And Ariel's arranged marriage. Any plans for that?"That stopped my mum from opening to leave my room as she removed her hand from the doorknob. I rested my gaze on her, as she breathed out.

  "You will be getting married instead,"

  "What?"I found my lips tied, unable to pick my words.

  "Yes. I never wanted Ariel to get married to that rich bachelor in the first place. You are the right one. Get ready to be married Lucille, and step into the limelight," She walked out before I could process the information.

  For once, I felt content with her last set of words. Not because I wanted to get married, but it was my first step in getting revenge on Ariel. Stealing what was meant for her,' The rich businessman.

******

                   ARIEL POV

I woke up to the pungent smell of hospital disinfectant, invading my nostrils. The room was silent apart from my heavy breathing and the beep-beep sound one often hears in hospitals that indicates one is alive.

  I slowly opened my eyes, squinting in an attempt to sharpen the blurred images before me. I glanced around and took in the deserted room painted in a blue and white schemed hospital bedroom. 

 How long have I been here?' I thought

  I shut my eyes, trying to remember what had exactly happened. Then it hits me of what happened the previous night. I wished I hadn't remembered because it was as if it hit me with a bang. The memory of it all started to occupy my thoughts.

  I tried to get up, as the cold air hit my face. I sighed, cold jolting throughout my body. It didn't last long.

 What mattered was that I was still alive. I was glad I didn't die, especially in the hands of those masked men.

  'Who brought me here?' I thought. Out of impulse, my right hand traveled to my face, pressing on the area on my right temple. 

  I tried to get up, as I stepped on the cold, white tiles. I felt weak as I instantly laid back on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, illuminated with white fluorescent light, I was patiently waiting for someone to come in. Probably one of the hospital staff.

  My mind flashed back to the incident that happened yesterday night, as the image of the one I called 'family' hit me hard again, and tears slipped down my face. 

  'I won't cry again. They are not worth it,' I whispered consoling myself. 

  My mind went back to how I got to the middle of the road and was hit by a car. I could not help but wonder how long I have been in the hospital.

 My series of questions was interrupted as a woman, probably in her early sixties, strands of gray hair were slightly in view with the curly brown hair and mesmerizing hazel eyes emerged from the door of the room.

  "Hey, you are awake," she strolled towards me, with her two hands holding bags, as she gently placed them beside me.

  I glanced at the woman, not sure who she was.

  "Do I know you, ma'am?" I voiced out, trying to recognize but my brain seemed clogged, not responding.

  "You don't need that, darling. I was the one who ran into you last night. My apologies. I hope you are fine," She smiled at me, as I simply nodded.

  "It's nothing. I should have been more careful. Thanks for taking me here. How long have I been here?" I asked as she narrowed her eyes a bit.

  She must have felt I wasn't angry she ran into me with her car. But somehow, I was happy I got into an accident the previous night, or I might have been killed.

  "Oh, close to ten hours. The doctor said you needed to rest, as you fell due to the slight impact of the car. I hope you are fine now. My apologies once again." She stated, as I stepped onto the floor, and sat on the bed.

  "No worries ma. You did the right thing by bringing me to the hospital. What if you had left me to die there? It shows you are a good person. Thank you ma."

  I don't know why I was appreciating her, but I felt indebted to her.

  "I still feel guilty. But for a start, I brought you something,"

She reached for one of the bags, as she bought out plastics containing food,and gently placed it on a tray she brought along, setting it before me,placing it on my laps.

  

  My stomach grumbled, as my face turned crimson. I haven't eaten since yesterday. The last thing I took only led me to sign those properties to my stepmom. I shook my head, as I tried not to bring in that memory.

  I concentrated on the food, as I salivated at the hot oatmeal and scrambled eggs in front of me.

  "Eat up. It is better eaten when hot," I simply nodded, as I took the spoon, trying to take the food slowly, even though I felt like munching it at once.

  I looked at the woman, who was sitting on the chair beside my bed. She reminded me of how my step mum used to treat me when I was sick. I gulped down the oatmeal, trying to see the woman in a good light. She is a good woman and not like my step mum whose love was false.

  I finished the meal in a few minutes, as I tried to stand. The woman's gaze shifted from her phone as she beat me to it. Swiftly dropping her phone on the bed, she collected the tray from me, and disposed of the plastic containers in the trash bin at the extreme end of the room.

  Gently cleaning her hands with a sanitizer, she rubbed her hands together before settling down, putting her phone in her bag.

  "I'm Selina Ackers. Nice to meet you,"She put on a bright smile, as I returned the smile.

  "I am Ariel Peterson. Thank you for the meal ma'am, "I appreciated as she chuckled.

   Her palms touched mine, as I tried to relax under her touch.

  "Ever since I saw you, I could see nothing but sadness in your eyes. Are you okay, my daughter? Or did something happen to you yesterday night?"Her voice brimmed with concern.

  Even though she was a stranger, I felt like telling her what happened the previous night.

  "I got the worst betrayal of my life, as I realized my stepmom had been pretending to love me only because she wanted my property which I was oblivious to. She sent me out of the house and probably sent assassins to kill me. I lost everything in just one night, "I lowered my gaze, as I could hardly keep myself together, as I broke into tears.

   I squeezed my eyelids shut, hoping the tears would stop. My watery eyes remained for quite some time, as I remained motionless.

  "Hey, calm down," She gently pressed my palms.

  "You can be assured everything will be fine. So sorry about what happened to you. You will be fine. You are strong and should be ready to forge ahead with your life."

  I cleaned my face with the back of my palm, as I smiled. The details of her words were like coins, dropping into an empty jar inside of me, slowly filling it up. Somehow, I wanted more assurance...... From her.

  "I can help you, Ariel, "My eyes met with hers, as I tried to stop my choppy breathing. I wanted to keep smiling.

  "I will help you get your properties back,"

  "Really?"I felt joyful for a while. Those properties were my real mum's last thing she left for me. I had to get it back. And as for my stepmom, I doubt if I will let her off easily.

  "Yes, I will help you. But I won't be helping you for free. I need a favor from you,"

  Who was I kidding to have felt she would do it for free? It would probably be for a huge sum of money.

  "I... I don't have any money to offer. I just graduated from College, and still looking for a job, "I rambled on.

  "You do not need to pay me."

  'This woman keeps surprising me.'

  "I want you to get married to my son. Please Ariel,"

  I felt still, as her voice rang in my ear.

  'Marriage will be lovely,' my subconscious hit me with those words, as I stared into space.