LUCAS I was restless. I twisted and turned in my bed but it just felt like I could not fall asleep.Damn. The sleep would not even come. I had been this way ever since the moment Anne told me Arianna and Ian are happily married, with a son to even crown it all.She had a baby boy. A very handsome young boy, healthy at that too. And here I was, unable to even have a child after more than three years of marriage to Anne.A bitter gal was in my throat, almost making me nauseous. I sat up and took a quick glance at Anne's sleeping form. She was in such a deep sleep.Not wanting to wake her up, I carefully and gently removed the duvet before I put my legs on the cold ground, standing to my feet. I felt so dizzy and weak. I did not just know why I was feeling this way.I walked to the door and slowly pulled it open before stepping out. As I walked downstairs, I kept on pondering on all Anne told me and it just filled my heart with this immense pang of guilt and regret. I should be hap
ARIANNAI sighed deeply as I glared at mother's pale form, her chest rose and dropped with every breath that circulated in and out of her lungs.Thinking about her in this condition was way better than actually watching her physically paralyzed.It was more saddening and heartbreaking seeing her like this. Although she has not responded to my actions or my voice, I believe that she would be well again.Memories of the times she fought, cared and supported me all flooded my memory. With every second that passed by in her presence, I felt emotionally broken.She did not deserve this and I eagerly want to see her free from it.I scooped out a portion of her meal and fed her gently."I know you will get better mother, it is only a matter of time. I really hate to see you in this condition, please be well" I said to mother who was unresponsive. My eyes, battling to hold back the tears that formed in them. "I have really missed you, I still think about all you did for me while I was here
ANNEI sat on the sofa in Rose's room, my heart heaved and burdened by an ache that refused to wash off. I could feel it, I could feel Lucas slipping from my Life.I never thought this would happen but now it is happening. Arianna has really come back to take Lucas away from me like I did to her in the past.She wants to exert her revenge on me. I am about to have a child for Lucas, I can not give him up to Arianna.Years ago, I was always the bigger threat, I had all Lucas wanted in a woman, Lucas worshipped me like I was a god and now he yells at me and ignores my suggestions because of Arianna.He never listens to me, he prefers to listen and talk to Arianna.If I do not fight back she will take Lucas from me, she said so herself. Like a dagger to my throat, I felt like a failure who was about to loose everything.Is this karma? Does Lucas still love Arianna? "Rose! What do I do? This woman is not the same woman we knew years ago. Godamnit, she acts so powerful and confident. She
ANNEOne week had passed by and Arianna still lived trouble free in the mansion, the sight of seeing her everyday been treated so respectfully by Lucas always made me feel somewhat irrelevant.Lucas now has his full attention on her and his mother, he barely gives me his time or attention and that is just why I must kick Arianna out of my house before she replaces me."Ma'am I am not sure about this....." one of the kitchen's staff said, her voice barely above a whisper."Why are you so tensed? Relax...." I patted her shoulders and whispered."Ma.... I am scared, what will Chef Arianna do to me if she finds out?" she uttered, her demeanor became unstable. She was dreaded in fear and anxiety.How hard can it be to do this simple task without getting caught? "Remember, I will pay you a huge amount to do this and you will only do it once" I cajoled her further and tried to calm her down.Can I not find a more braver staff? They all seem very timid and frightened especially when I am aro
ARIANNA I stared at Lucas in absolute bewilderment. What does he mean by that reckless statement. And how did that mushroom get into the food?Why did I not see it on time?Mother was allergic to mushrooms and I made sure to not give her anything containing it. So how did this happen?I would never want to kill mother.Why would I want to kill her? I came here to help her and see her recover."What do you mean by that statement? Lucas I would never intentionally hurt someone talk more of mother" I shot back, still awfully confused at the mushroom found in mother's food.I prepared the food and I know for one that I did not put that there."When you came into this house again, I painstakingly took the liberty to send you a list of dishes that mother eats and what she does not eat. I did it myself so that there would not be any complications. I even listed out her allergies and mushroom is one of them. Why would you add it while cooking for mother? Do you want to worsen her health?"
ANNEArianna's angered form stormed out of the room. I scowled at her before walking up to Lucas who was dumbfounded.He stared at the entrance in which Arianna had walked out through like in a daze.She really deserves what she is getting, I am really glad Lucas lashed out at her. If this matter escalates, she will be out of this house and that is for sure.How dare she threaten to ruin us? The audacity to say such. She really has become so bold and outspoken but I will bring down her ego."My love, please forget about Arianna. Do not bother yourself about what she did. I always knew she was up to no good. She knew damn well that mother is allergic to mushroom but still added it to get back at us for everything that happened in the past.I warned you but you did not listen to me, now she is trying to kill mother" I said to a mute Lucas, his eyes still plastered on the door as thoughts flooded his head.He is just in disbelief, overtime he has come to put so much trust in Arianna and
ARIANNAThe pleasant aroma of mother's meal filled my nostrils as steam left the boiling pot. Mother's food was half ready.I continuosly stirred the meal. The pain of false accusation still lingered like a sting that would not let go.The temptation to drop everything and go home with my son was there but my service to mother still remained paramount. If I leave I would appear weak and easily frightened by the Hiltons, most especially Anne.And I would not be able to help mother recover, she would not deserve it if I abandoned her to free myself from her family's troubles.I have passed the stage of been oppressed by people like the Hiltons. If not for my good heart and my help to mother I would have treated this matter in a more stern and advanced way.I would have probably called the cops to investigate the case further because I know that I never added mushroom to mother's food and someone did.This person did this to frame me. "So everyone, I will like to make a brief announceme
ARIANNA My stay in this mansion was gradually climbing up to two weeks. That is almost going to an entire month!Anne has been nothing but a pain the ass to me. She definitely has a knack for always trying to frustrate me and get me enraged. What is she trying to gain from all these? Sometimes I wondered if she was really insane or she chose to be stupid at times. I am literally trying to help her mother in law recover. And I am not going to stay here for an entire year.Just a fucking month. I did not want to do this in the first place, hell I did not even want to meet the Hiltons in the first place but Anne would not stop trying to secure a meeting with me through Daniel, my personal assistant.And then when our paths finally crossed, Lucas would not stop pleading with me to come see his mother.So how is all these my fault to be exact?A deep lowly sigh left my lips and I sat up straight, placing my feet in the palm slippers that laid on the tiled floors of my room. I was fami
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