ARIANNA"The toppings have to be spicy I will not repeat myself ok. Has the chicken being grilled already?" I asked as I and my team of chefs tirelessly cooked."It is almost ready ma" a young female chef replied me."Almost ready? I thought it will be ready by now. The party will kick off any moment from now! What about the potatoes? Bring them out of the oven now" I ordered, dicing out beef on my chop board. Today was the big day after all. It was Anne's baby shower. I honestly can not believe I am the chef organising the meal to celebrate a woman who is carrying my ex husband's child!Outrageous is it not? Well all that was in the past. Though I do not hold any grudge against them but I am also not friendly with either of them.I just can not give them the honour of living rent free in my head and damage my own mental health.The huge kitchen was buzzing of staffs and the sizzling aroma of numerous palatable dishes being prepared from every corner."Be fast people. The party will
LUCASThe sun's warm embrace filled the room.The atmosphere had a lukewarm temperature, complimenting to the beautiful sunset that shun across the horizon.Mother laid flat on the bed, pale but still breathing. Constantly her chest rose and fell as she inhaled and exhaled without lifting a muscle.I sat by her bedside, glaring at her with a mixed feeling of sadness and happiness.It was always saddening to see my mother still in this condition but I was happy that the baby shower was a success."The baby shower was a success mum, it actually went better than I expected and it is all thanks to Arianna and her profession culinary skills.I really wish you were sound enough to witness it all but I know that very soon you will be back on your feet. The designs and decorations were top notch, I know how much you loved to see the decorations for any event properly designed.And I know that the designs would have really left you in awe because they were very nice not to talk of the deliciou
ARIANNA"Daniel this should be the very last time you accept a work offer without my consent. Now that the work with the Hiltons has been finalized I do not ever want to work for the them ever again.I am making this warning clear enough for you to hear, of all places, you accepted a work offer from the Hilton family?! No more accepting work proposals from anyone without my knowledge is that understood?" I made my order.If it was not for him in the first place, I would have never worked with the Hiltons or seen Anne's annoying face ever again.Before coming back to this city, I did say I was never going to set my eyes on the Hiltons again but Daniel's acceptance to their request completely mutulated my wishes.Now I need to make a very clear warning to avoid it from happening again, it is absurd to accept what I never accepted when I am the boss."But Madam Anna, your work with the Hiltons was a success, it elevated the company's name and ....." Daniel calmly tried to make me see it
ARIANNA "How dare Lucas come to my office to spill such rubbish at me? He is so insane! What do those Hiltons want from me Goddamit!" I cursed outloud as I drove to my house in a fit of boiling rage. My hands maneuvered the steering wheel of my car in anger and I did not waste time in honking at any driver whom I felt would not drive faster out of my way.Lucas' words were still ringing in my ear, creating a chaotic ruckus within me.How dare that egotistical and selfish man come to my office to rant such nonsense to me!? Who even gave him the audacity to do such!I mean what more do those freaking Hilton's want from me!? Have they not done enough harm?When I was married to their family, Lucas never loved me! Not even for a nanosecond.He did not blink my way and he was repulsed just by seeing my face everyday. He literally threw me out of his house just to be with someone whom I called my best friend! And now, now that I have decided to start life afresh, he wants to create more
LUCAS"I am not a dull lady that you can pull up tricks and expect her to believe them. What sort of scheme are you planning this time because I am not interested in it" Arianna's words continued to purge me as I continued to control the steering.My heart weighed the mass of dumbbell, so heavy it felt like nothing could lift it up.This is what I get for treating Arianna badly in the past. Mother warned me, now I need her and she refuses to come to my aid.I simply cannot leave my mother in this condition but Arianna has turned a deaf ear to my pleas. What do I do now? I deserve this but I need mercy, I am not surprised she rejected, after all that has happened in the past I am still surprised she would even sit to converse with me.Now I am at the lossing end and I need her help. I can not help but notice how much of a changed person she is, so confident and cold. Even with the proven knowledge of my mother's illness she still refuses to help. Her heart has now becomes hard like r
ANNE Anger and Pain were two emotions causing wreckage within me at the moment. My feet marched angrily towards Rose's room. If I can not call him to order then probably Rose might do the trick. What exactly is Lucas' problem? I mean why is he so hell bent on bringing that lying bitch into our home!My mind could not stop conjuring the different drama that Arianna's arrival would have in this family. My chest heaved with so much rage and my fists balled as I matched further. I barged into Rose's unannounced, causing her to let out a shriek and jerk at my sudden intrusion."Geez Anne. Can you not knock?" Rose stood up from the chair she sat on and folded her arms.I ran my hands through my hair and took in a deep breath before speaking, "There is a very big problem Rose" I almost cried."Let me guess..." Rose said with a tired sigh as she pivoted to sit back on the chair facing the vanity table in her bedroom. "It is another boring, meaningless and should I say stupid fight between
ARIANNA"Arianna... This was not what we agreed on, are you really sure that you want to do this? All I said was for you to cook in Anne's baby shower and that was all. Being a permanent cook to this same Hiltons is a different thing entirely" Ian's eyes bore into mine through the driver's rear view mirror.He was so uncomfortable about my decision and I understand how he feels but I have to do this. I am not doing this for any other person in that mansion, I am doing this only for the benefit of Mrs Hilton.If she was never so kind to me in the past, I would have never considered doing this. "Ian... I understand how you feel about this but I have to do this for Mrs Hilton, she really does not deserve what she is suffering and if this is what I can do to help her recover then I have to do it" I divulged to Ian who still was not satisfied with my response or decision.And also, mother's suggestion to help is a factor behind my decision, she feels I should repay Mrs Vivian for every si
ARIANNAMeticulously, I offloaded my outfits, body lotions, jewelries and other necessary accessories for Simon and I out of the bags.It all felt like deja vu, like I was reliving my past life in Lucas' mansion.As I scanned the room, every single thing brought back memories of my past, moments of how I was beaten, lashed out and ignored like a little worthless rag.Back then, I was valueless to Lucas and his family, they used everything and anything to belittle me.Memories flooded my thoughts causing a lone tear to trickle down my cheeks. I suffered years ago but now, the same people who dejected me and treated me like I was useless are now begging for my help.Fate really has its own hands, I always encouraged myself to be a strong woman, to endure whatsoever trauma came my way. Every single day I wished for death to sweep me off my feet so I could be free from Lucas' bondage.If I had never signed those divorce papers maybe I would not have been who I am today, my life would stil
ARIANNASIX MONTHS LATER "I'd be donating a sum of five million dollars to this foundation as my own way of empowering women to become stronger, more independent, more resilient in the face of challenges because....."I had barely even completed my speech on the stage when a wave of ovation took the air.Every one was cheering for me, calling my name and the cameras were flashing at I and Simon's direction.I stared down at Simon who seemed enthralled by the various lights flashing at him. I waited for the applaud to die down before I began speaking again."I had never things easy for me when growing up. And I know it's not easy for you all out there too, struggling in the face of economic challenges, marital issues, personal challenges and the likes but I do not want you to ever give up. Yes this is for all of you..." the ovation swept the air once more but I still kept on speaking."Don't ever give up. Because when life throws you lemons, you know what you do with it? You make fuc
ARIANNAI never for once imagined I'd be delighted to see the home of the Hiltons ever again.I watched with relief as the broad gates of the mansion parted for Ian to drive in with I and Simon. Lucas and Rose followed us behind which gave me a sense of security and peace. Honestly I still felt alot traumatized and frightened. Even when Ian was still driving on the high way, I was always on the edge. My eyes would glance at everyone we passed in fear. I can't imagine the traumatic effects this would have on Simon. When I came back to America after six years, I never expected that this was what laid in store for me.From running into Lucas and Anne, to coming to work for them again, dealing with Anne's overbearing attitude and her schemes, finding out about the truth of her unborn baby and almost getting killed for it. Truly fate had outdone itself in this one.Ian drove his car into the parking area and came down to open up for I and Simon. It was already dusk by the time we ar
Rose sat in her room patiently in expectant of a call.She just knew her guts were right and Anne had proved her true. Yes, she still did not love Arianna that much to call her a friend but after all her tireless efforts to get her mother recovering again, this was the least she could do. Once in a while, she would glance down at her phone screen expecting to see Ian's caller Id pop up.She had tried calling him throughout yesterday but he was not reachable. She had to resort to texting him about the shocking information she had gotten from Anne. Ian did reply her text late at night. He apologised for not answering her calls as he had a very busy day and he promised to call her back the next morning which was what she was waiting for.Anne was clearly now more dangerous and cunny than Rose could ever imagine.Kidnapping Arianna was one thing but also kidnapping her little son? That was totally extreme.And time was running out fast. Anne was murderous at this point and Rose knew it
ANNEA Week LaterI listened and watched in disgust as Lucas ranted all over the place, yelling at the cops over the phone for their inability to find Arianna and Simon.It has been a week since she got missing and Lucas will not let anyone hear the end of it. He is always on his toes, calling the cops every now and then to get the latest info concerning Arianna's and her son disappearance. The police station is more or less his second home now and it pissess me off every fucking time. Why will Arianna not let me breathe properly in this house?!Even now that she ain't here, she still has my good for nothing husband in her captive, twirling him like a puppet.If not for the wealth, fame and recognition I get as being the daughter inlaw and wife of this family, I swear on everything I believe in, I would have left Lucas a long time ago.He is such a sorry ass of a man. All these gives me more resolve to end that lousy bitch and her fucking son. Hiring goons to kidnap them was literall
LUCAS I felt pissed and annoyed. Ever since I had that call with Ian, I was just not myself anymore.He was so possessive about her.I know they have a child together but I just can not come to terms with that fact. I care about Arianna too and not just him. But she will never notice that and I do not blame her either.I did so many awful things to her in the past which I am not proud of. Some times I just wish I could write back the hands of time and go back to the past to fix my mistakes. I would make sure I treat Arianna like a queen, adore and care for her like how any sane husband would do for his wife.Just the constant reminder of how happy she is now with Ian vexes me.And I am stuck with a wife as over bearing as Anne.Even now hours later, one would expect that my annoyance had cooled off but as I stepped foot inside the house, I seemed to get more tensed.With a dejected sigh, I climbed the flights of stairs, heading for my mother's room.Arianna must probably be feedi
ARIANNASleep eroded me, I could barely even concentrate on anything or anyone around me.I stayed awake the entire night, restless as ever and worried as hell.I have fucking screwed up. God! How did that I let this happen to me?How did I make such a terrible mistake? Oh man. My lack of sleep had caused eyebags to appear underneath my orbs, giving me a dull rimmed appearance.My hair was messy and disheveled, a testament to the anxiety I was currently facing.How could I let this happen? How did Anne get the test result before me?God dammit! I made sure to be very careful and diligent. I left no turn unturned in getting her to do that paternity test and now when I almost had it all in my grasps, it just slip out of my reach. Fuck I am going insane.I could barely sleep at all and the comfortable sheets of my bed felt like hot coals on my skin.Pushing the sheets of my leg, I stood up with rickety feet and slipped my legs in my footwear.I have not even informed Ian yet. How coul
"Mummy mummy" Simon eagerly shook Arianna, drawing her attention away from the double doors of the living room to her over energetic six year old son."What? What is it Simon?" Arianna replied absent mindedly. Her eyes trailed back towards the doors, restless as ever.Simon diverted his gaze to the doors, tilting his head to the side whilst wondering what captured his mother's attention at the door."Mummy what are you looking at?" Simon asked, his curiosity piqued.Arianna sighed heavily and stood up from the couch, her restless feet beginning to pace all around the living room. "Simon can you tell me what you want please darling?" Today was the day Anne's paternity test result was going to be delivered to the mansion.Sarah had texted her multiple times to be on the lookout for the test result so as not to get it delivered into the wrongs hands and today Anne had not left the mansion since morning.It all created huge waves of anxiety and restlessness in Arianna.Her feet eagerly da
ARIANNA"Is she still asleep?" Ian asked me as we drove to the hospital.I nodded, catching a sneak peak of Anne who laid fast asleep next to me in the car.I honestly can not believe I am so close to exposing her for the liar that she is. "Yes she is Ian. But you have to drive faster. We really need to get to the hospital before she wakes up" I responded back.Ian honked at the cars he felt that were blocking his path and drove further ahead, whilst I kept on keeping a careful eye on Anne to make sure she was not awake."What will you tell her if she ends up waking up at the hospital?" He asked me.I shrugged my shoulders at his question and a grin stole my lips, "That is not hard. I can just tell her she passed out and we drove her here for a checkup" "And what if she asks about her prodigal husband? What will you say?" Ian smirked."Really? Prodigal husband?" I laughed out."I am just saying what I feel he should be called" "Well I will just say that Lucas left for home to get h
ARIANNA"Ian I am serious. Lucas seems so genuinely sorry for everything. I could really feel his sincerity even from the way he spoke to me and from the look in his eyes. There was no hiding it" I spoke to Ian over the phone. My eyes would momentarily gaze down to stare at a sleeping Simon and to make sure he was not awake. I needed him fully asleep so that I could concentrate on the more serious issues at hand in order to pull off this plan I had. Today was the perfect day to launch it.Rose won't be coming back home tonight and Father was on one of his usual business trips.It felt like Lucas had left the running of the family's company to his sister and father.It is just going to be I, Lucas and Anne home.I just have to do this today because who knows when I will have this sort of opportunity!?"Arianna honestly I do not even know why we are spending our time trying to help him. If it were not for you, I would not even be the least interested because he deserves everything that