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
ARIANNAMy heart was as unstable as the steering I held onto, navigating it speedily on the high way. A whirlwind of terrible thoughts shook the foundations of my heart.Where is my son? Who could have done this? Who kidnapped my son? How can I let this happen under my watch? What kind of a terrible mother am I?How can I be so careful when it comes to taking care of someone's mother but I fail to take proper care of my son?!Where do I start my search from? Who do I meet for help? Could it be that Bailey or mother came here to pick Simon? But why would they do that without informing me? I quickly picked my phone and dialed Bailey's number, with every ring that echoed from the phone, my heart's beat increased.The heaviness made me feel so suffocated. It was like air was leaving my lungs without flowing back in.Instantly Bailey picked up, her sleepy voice met my eardrums as she spoke, "Hello?""Bailey? Did you come to pick up my son?" I asked with urgency, not even sparing a second
LUCAS I sat in my study room, a huge workload of office files placed before my desk which were waiting for me to review them but somehow I just could not focus on anything else apart from what happened days back in this house.Arianna thought Simon was missing and she was so scared that it felt like she could have literally died if he was actually missing.Simon is Ian and her son, a testament to the love they share between one another.But here I am, childless after numerous years of waiting for one. It felt like the universe was totally against me.I thought the problem could be from Arianna back then in the past but now it seems I am the real issue.Maybe I am cursed to never have a child. No. I shook my head vehemently with my jaws clenching.Anne is pregnant. I should not have such thoughts.Hopefully this time it will be a very safe delivery and I will have finally have a child.God please. Even if it is just one child. I am tired of all these miscarriages. Unable to concentra
ARIANNA I hummed to myself as I meandered along the hallway of the mansion. I was heading to Anne's room. I needed to inform her that the laundry man was here. These days I am being left alone with only that woman in the house and as much as it irks me, I try my best not to cross her path so she will not cross mine. It was better that way.Lucas drunken behaviour a day before still lingered in the back of my mind. Did he really think I would let him come back into my life after all he put me through?Heavens forbid it!After that incident, I tried my best to avoid speaking with him in the house and so far so good, it is working quite well.Anne already feels I want to steal him away from her and I do not want anything else to further deepen her believe concerning that.I just want this one month to be over so I can get the fuck out of this mansion. Simon was off to Pre-school already and I had instructed his teacher this time to make sure nobody came to pick him apart from me.An
ARIANNA "Mother I know you are missing Simon right?" I smiled to mother as I fed her, my eyes watching her carefully to check if there would be any sign of her atleast moving her fingers. When there was none, a deep sigh escaped my lips. Why is she not showing any signs of movement?What is wrong? I thought her recovery would be immediate but it was not."Mother..." I began after dropping the food I was carrying on the bedside table and grasping onto her pale hands with my fingers."Please be well again. Be well for me mother" I interlocked our fingers together. A lone tear trickled down my cheeks and I used my one free hand to clean it."Just be well mother. I am here for you. I want you to be well. Nobody likes seeing you in this condition. We all want you to be well. Rose, Lucas, Father, Anne""Even Simon. He is your grandson. He wants you to be well too.." I sobbed. Like a miracle, I could feel mother's finger caress mine the moment I mentioned that Simon was her grandson. A g
The sound of the doorbell resonated through the walls of the house, filling the air with its soft rhythm."Who is it?" Ian asked as he came out of from the adjacent kitchen.There was no response which irked him. He groaned out loud, approaching the door. Rose quickly adjusted her gown and scanned her appearance to make sure she looked beautiful enough. Her short smug gown showed the upper part of her bossoms and the gown hugged her body, showcasing all her natural feminine curves. A smile walked it's way on her face and she squealed in delight as she waited for Ian to answer the door. Today she would make sure she gets him for herself and herself alone. The many thoughts of how she could seduce Ian filled her mind, causing her to smile even wider.The door was abruptly pulled open and Ian stared at Rose in absolute bewilderment. "Rose what are you doing here?" He asked, his brows wrinkled."And dressed like that" Ian added in shock."You know it is rude to not offer your guest som
ARIANNA I pressed on Ian's doorbell whilst clutching on to Simon with my other free hand."Mummy are you sure uncle Ian is around?" Simon asked, raising his head up to face mine. I nodded with a hum. "Yes. He asked us to come here did he not? Or you do not want us to see uncle Ian anymore?" I caressed his cheek."No no. I miss him. We will wait for him right here mummy" Simon smiled adorably. I was just coming back from picking him up from his school when I received a cryptic text from Ian to pay him a visit in his house immediately. I thought something had happen and I quickly called him to find out if he was safe and unharmed. To my relief, Ian answered the call but still maintained that I should come visit him so we could talk.On my way driving here, I actually wondered what was so important that Ian would want us to speak in person about it.Could it be that serious of a deal? Is it about his business or my brand? Multiple questions like that roamed my head seeking for answe
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