"How did our life turn for the worse?" Grace cried, sitting besides Ariana inside the cell. Ariana hasn't been able to say anything ever since they arrived here, and they were hauled inside this place like church rats.
It made Grace feel bad for involving her into her mess, but what the young lady didn't know was that Ariana was busy calculating their next move. The detective that has questioned them, didn't even give them any room to prove their innocence and explain their part in the whole ordeal. All he did was read them the possible sentence that they might get, if Madam Sophia refused to settle with them. Again, she has used her money to bribe the police. She was at a nearby hospital getting treatment which Grace was charged with paying for her hospital bills, adding more fire to the problem because where the hell was she supposed to get such an amount of money? As if that wasn't enough, when asked about settling with her, Madam Sophia has demanded that they pay her a million dollars to settle the case, failure to do that would end up with Grace getting locked up. It didn't come as a surprise that Ariana was free to go, but had stayed behind because of her friend. Unlike her, Grace wasn't that strong witted, she might look cold at first but warm and kind when you get to know her, and right now, all the young lady was thinking about was how to get the money to pay for both Madam Sophia's hospital bills, and the settlement f*e. "You know you don't have to be here with me." Grace said, interrupting Ariana's thought. She knew what Grace was doing, trying to take the fall alone, in as much as Grace was the only person to be convicted if things didn't work out, she also contributed to making her situation worse. "Shut up." Ariana shunned her.. She has pushed Madam Sophia to the floor, but that wasn't intentional. It's not like it's her fault that she barely has any stamina, yet, she wants to fight. Had it been that she didn't push the woman to the floor, she wouldn't have attacked her and Grace wouldn't have hit her with that stick right? Ariana tried convincing herself that she also contributed to Grace being here, but the obvious truth is that Grace was the one who put herself in this position. She had hit the woman so hard that she was bleeding, what if she had died right there at that spot? Grace didn't even think about that part, and neither did she talk to her about it when she knew that she's the reason why Grace did what she did, to save her. Which is why she won't abandon her when she needs her the most. Ariana vowed that she won't be like her parents that had abandoned her, Grace is her only family so if she's going down, she's going down with her. "You know you never really told me the reason why you are back so early today." Grace said, trying to form a conversation with her. She wanted to get her mind off the problem at hand, and she didn't mind if that was talking about Ariana. Hearing her words, reminded Ariana of her own predicament, as if things couldn't get better for them. It didn't occur to the young lady that there might have been a higher force that had tampered with her job, which got her fired, because she believed that it was because of Mr.Brooks wickedness. "I got fired." She said nonchalantly, not feeling the need to hide anything from Grace at this point. Grace sat up instantly hearing her words, "what did you mean you got fired? You were supposed to be promoted this week, I..you said that yourself, Ariana, what really happened?" Grace asked, taking her hand into hers to rub it affectionately. If there was anyone who knew how much Ariana loved her job, it was her. Why does it seem like bad things always happen to Ariana? It's not been two days since Andrew dumped her for his rich fiancée, and now she lost her job? "It doesn't matter, I was getting tired of serving anyway." Ariana said,forcing a laugh on her face for Grace to drop the topic about her job, it hurts that she couldn't be of help to her, seeing as the both of them were back to square one, no one knew how they are going to sort their problems out, if not to hope that a miracle happens. "He took the money, I couldn't believe that Sawyer would play me like that knowing fully well that i introduced those clients to him. Am i going to go to jail?" Grace cried, her hands trembling whenever any detective walked past their cell. It made her jump at any slight movement, since she didn't know when they were going to take her away from here and put her in a real prison. "I need to call my uncle, he's going to help me, right? I mean i haven't asked for anything all these years, so he's going to help me." Grace said, running her bloodily hands through her hair and when her eyes landed on them, she started scrubbing her hands against each other trying to get the dried blood off her skin. She's going crazy at this rate, the sight of the blood on Madam Sophia, that was the first time that she had witnessed something so bloody upclose. "I need to get rid of this, what if she dies?" Grace cried, scrubbing her hands hard that the area was blazing fed from how harsh, she used her clothes to try to get the metallic scent of blood off her skin. "Grace, stop it, you are hurting yourself.." Ariana called, trying to get her to calm down. She's scared too but with what she's doing, it wasn't helping at all since all her mind was on about getting the both of them out of this situation is by calling Harry Smith. While Grace was crying since they were locked in here, Ariana had put her hand inside her pocket to see that she still had his business card. At first, she didn't have in mind that she would call him for help, not after knowing fully well what his price would be. She can't just get married like that, to a total stranger. All her life, Ariana had taken her love life serious, she has vowed that she would marry for love. The love that her parents couldn't give her, to abandon her infront of an orphan, she had promised to give it to her children while receiving the same from her husband. Her dignity is the only precious thing she has left, so why would she give that up to marry some rich old dude? But watching Grace right now brought tears to her eyes, she was stuck in the middle of the devil and the deep blue sea, without any escape. "I need to get it off my skin." Grace mumbled to herself before a hot slap landed on her face which brought her back to her senses and she looked up at Ariana. "I don't want to go to jail." She cried. Ariana had nothing much to say, since there was no need reassuring her that help was on the way when they had nobody to help them. She couldn't help the tears that filled her eyes too, before she hugged Grace. "It's alright, Grace. I will sort something out." Ariana assured her, petting her head while Grace cried on her shoulder. It took a good ten minutes for the both of them to calm down, and Grace had no option than to fall asleep to escape reality holding onto Ariana's hand tight, while hoping that when she wakes up that all this will be nothing but a nightmare. Ariana watched her sleep from where she sat in the cell with her, she patted her head while smiling and at the same time wiped the tears from her face that she couldn't control. She didn't want to do this, but for Grace she will do anything to make sure that she's okay. Ariana cursed her life, maybe in her next life she won't be born an orphan and get to struggle in life. The young lady didn't want to be born a human in her next life, she wanted to be reborn as a beautiful butterfly. So that she could be free and be able to fly and see the world from above. She knew that she would be happy if her wish was granted. Without wasting much of her time thinking about how unfortunate she was in life, she stood up and called the attention of the detective. "Can i make a call?" She asked him, and watched him get the telephone closer to where she was. She took out the business card from her pocket, and dialed the number. With one last look at Grace who was still sleeping, she knew that this was the perfect time to do this, since Grace would stop her if she knew what's about to do. "Harry speaking." She heard his voice after two rings. Gripping onto the bar of the cell, she felt something crawling up her throat. It was as if something was trying to stop her from doing this. With eyes closed as a tear ran down her smooth porcelain skin, she said the words that would change her destiny starting from this moment. "It's me, Ariana." Chapter 9: she wishes to be reborn as a beautiful butterflyThe silence that ensued between Ariana and Harry while they left the police station, had the young lady wonder if she had made the wrong decision calling him. She couldn't read his face to know what's on his mind, his facial expression was just blank.Maybe he had seen another girl that accepted his proposal?The thought of it had the young lady stopped in her tracks, and nearly shouted no, but it was obvious that she did because Harry stopped and looked back at her in concern."Is everything okay,miss?" He asked, bringing Ariana out of her thoughts as shame engulfed her entire body just looking at him. "Yes, I'm fine." She said lowly unable for him to fully hear her, while she rubbed her arm nervously. She knew what was next after this, but the main point is that she's safe and Grace is safe too. The other man, Caleb, who she had met with Harry that night, had helped carry Grace to the car earlier while she stayed behind for Harry to sort things inside before leaving with him.Arian
It says.Ariana opened it further to find a picture of a beautiful lady, but she looked closely at the photo and picked it immediately, look up at Harry when she figured something out."You were chosen for this because of your uncanny resemblance to her. She's the lady you will be imitating, from her head down to her toe. I will assign a maid to get you started on how to be the perfect replacement for.." Harry was still talking, before he was rudely interrupted by Ariana."Why? Where is she?" Ariana asked, out of curiosity."That's none of your business to know." Harry snapped at her, making the young lady keep her head down, and stayed right at her place. She fully understands how this is going to work out. He gets to make the order and she obeys."You have a week to learn everything about her. After that is done, you will get settled in on your new place.." Harry said, and watched the way she looked at him. "You can't be working for me and still live in that trash." Ariana bit her
I'm a smart woman.Ariana said to herself over and over again in the bathroom, before she stopped to realize that she had nothing to fear or lose. It's not like she knew who Alexander is on a personal level, so, why would she choose him over money?She has made the first mistake with Andrew, and that has opened her eyes. There's no way on earth that she's going to allow a man to ruin her life anymore. Ten billion dollars is enough for her to live in luxury, even in the next thirty years to come, Grace won't be embarrassed or locked up in jail if she has that money.Money is power and power is all she needs right now.She hums a song as she wipes the forge away from the mirror to look at herself.You can do this, Ariana.The young girl said to herself, trying to level up her courage because the last thing she needed right now, was to start having second thoughts about what she's about to do. Although it's not too late to back out, this offer was her only savior right now.She came out
Anger!Rejection!Shame!Bitterness was all Arianna tasted at the moment, regret over the past years of wasting time over someone that wasn't hers. Here, she was all dressed up for meeting Andrew's family, that was what he told her. Their date tonight, was at his family's house to formally introduce his fiancée, being her, to his family. The joy of finally meeting them despite their opinions over the years about their son, dating someone like her is being crushed by the cold reception they gave her."We called you here as Andrew's family to make things straight with you," Mrs. Hart said with a grim expression plastered on her face, which made Arianna know that this night was turning for the worst. The woman has never really liked her, despite that, Arianna, has always believed that she would get to cuddle up to her once she's married to her son. Hearing her next words, she felt the cruel world collapse on her. She felt played, her dream of finding her true love and getting married
Arianna groaned softly.Everything was spinning around her, she could hear distant voices and from the look of things they haven't found out that she's awake yet. She didn't know who Grace had up in their apartment right now, but she figured out that it was late to start entertaining one of her boyfriends.Talking about boyfriends?She opened her eyes after rubbing it slightly, only for her eyes to connect with a red chandelier and unfamiliar Gray walls. What the heck is going on?Arianna thought.This wasn't Grace's room and neither was this Andrew's room either. She couldn't remember what had gone down in the last few hours, but she knew that she was preparing to go meet Andrew's family to officially make her presence known as their son's fiancée."W..water." She managed to say as she sat up on the bed to fully look at her surroundings. Everything screamed luxury, right from the interior design down to everything that was inside the room. The voices that she heard moments ago seem
Arianna busted out into laughter at hearing the words that left Harry's lips. If this was a joke or something, this was the most entertaining shit that she has heard her entire life.Long forgotten was the part where she had thought that these men were trying to hurt her. The looks on their faces that told her that they weren't joking still made everything funny to her.So, Harry said nothing and waited for her to be done. He stood aside with Caleb, who gave him a questioning look, one that asked him if he was making the best decision because it was very obvious that she wasn't going to agree to this."Sir, with all due respect…" Caleb said, but Harry raised his hands up and it shut him up. If there's anything that Harry isn't going to do, is to get her uncomfortable to be around themThe first step to help win her mind is to make sure that she doesn't see them as enemies, seeing as she has thought that Andrew, or whatever he is to her, has actually planned this kidnap situation.Aria
"What?"Grace said and stood up in shock after hearing everything from Arianna. The young fellow had suspected as much that something was wrong with her friend, because she panicked when she went to the location she gave her and couldn't find her there.She called her phone but it was switched off. At first, she thought of going to Andrew's house to confirm whether she was in there, but the guards didn't let her in at the mention of Ariana's name."That jerk!" Grace cussed out while Ariana sat in front of the mirror combing through her hair with a hairbrush. She didn't know who exactly Grace was cursing at, was it Andrew or Harry Smith, who had kidnapped her.Grace didn't seem to believe her when she told her about Harry Smith, the chief secretary to Knights Corporation. Ariana reminded herself to search up the name tomorrow to know who this Alexander Knights was, that wants to marry her.Yet, she couldn't help but not feel inquisitive to know if what Harry smith was saying is the tru
The loud beeping sound of the heart monitor, inside the intensive care unit of the hospital could be heard, lying on the hospital was a handsome young man who looked seriously injured. He has a few scratches on his face as a result of the accident he was involved in, but the most depressing matter about his situation is the part where he was in a comatose condition.Alexander Knights. Billionaire son of a second generational tycoon, Michael Knights. Though, rumors had it that he's the product of an affair between his father and a whore. Hence, that makes him the illegitimate son of the Knights family, with step siblings from the wife of his father.The Knights Empire is the world leading automobile business company among the top list. Thanks to Alexander's wisdom, he was able to achieve greater heights in the business as the CEO of the company rather than when his father was leading. Although, rumors has it that the family business didn't entirely generate its money from solely inve
I'm a smart woman.Ariana said to herself over and over again in the bathroom, before she stopped to realize that she had nothing to fear or lose. It's not like she knew who Alexander is on a personal level, so, why would she choose him over money?She has made the first mistake with Andrew, and that has opened her eyes. There's no way on earth that she's going to allow a man to ruin her life anymore. Ten billion dollars is enough for her to live in luxury, even in the next thirty years to come, Grace won't be embarrassed or locked up in jail if she has that money.Money is power and power is all she needs right now.She hums a song as she wipes the forge away from the mirror to look at herself.You can do this, Ariana.The young girl said to herself, trying to level up her courage because the last thing she needed right now, was to start having second thoughts about what she's about to do. Although it's not too late to back out, this offer was her only savior right now.She came out
It says.Ariana opened it further to find a picture of a beautiful lady, but she looked closely at the photo and picked it immediately, look up at Harry when she figured something out."You were chosen for this because of your uncanny resemblance to her. She's the lady you will be imitating, from her head down to her toe. I will assign a maid to get you started on how to be the perfect replacement for.." Harry was still talking, before he was rudely interrupted by Ariana."Why? Where is she?" Ariana asked, out of curiosity."That's none of your business to know." Harry snapped at her, making the young lady keep her head down, and stayed right at her place. She fully understands how this is going to work out. He gets to make the order and she obeys."You have a week to learn everything about her. After that is done, you will get settled in on your new place.." Harry said, and watched the way she looked at him. "You can't be working for me and still live in that trash." Ariana bit her
The silence that ensued between Ariana and Harry while they left the police station, had the young lady wonder if she had made the wrong decision calling him. She couldn't read his face to know what's on his mind, his facial expression was just blank.Maybe he had seen another girl that accepted his proposal?The thought of it had the young lady stopped in her tracks, and nearly shouted no, but it was obvious that she did because Harry stopped and looked back at her in concern."Is everything okay,miss?" He asked, bringing Ariana out of her thoughts as shame engulfed her entire body just looking at him. "Yes, I'm fine." She said lowly unable for him to fully hear her, while she rubbed her arm nervously. She knew what was next after this, but the main point is that she's safe and Grace is safe too. The other man, Caleb, who she had met with Harry that night, had helped carry Grace to the car earlier while she stayed behind for Harry to sort things inside before leaving with him.Arian
"How did our life turn for the worse?" Grace cried, sitting besides Ariana inside the cell. Ariana hasn't been able to say anything ever since they arrived here, and they were hauled inside this place like church rats.It made Grace feel bad for involving her into her mess, but what the young lady didn't know was that Ariana was busy calculating their next move. The detective that has questioned them, didn't even give them any room to prove their innocence and explain their part in the whole ordeal. All he did was read them the possible sentence that they might get, if Madam Sophia refused to settle with them.Again, she has used her money to bribe the police. She was at a nearby hospital getting treatment which Grace was charged with paying for her hospital bills, adding more fire to the problem because where the hell was she supposed to get such an amount of money?As if that wasn't enough, when asked about settling with her, Madam Sophia has demanded that they pay her a million dol
"He's running late, as usual." Diana said bitterly, a cruel smile twisted at the corner of her lips as a result of her stepson, showing his grandfather, who has foolishly handed the affairs of the company over to him, that he wasn't capable of taking up to his responsibilities as a result of him not being here.The Knights family might have a lot of flaws, with conflicts between the sons of the family over the company affairs. But if there's anything that Romano Knights didn't joke about, it was making sure that everyone was gathered for breakfast every morning.The old man strongly believed that a family that has breakfast together, would be strongly united and a happy family. Regardless of his daughter in-law being the mastermind behind trying to ruin the unison in the family, it didn't matter to him that he had chosen who was to take over the family business.Alexander is the only grandson of his, who had truly proved that he was matured enough to know his responsibilities, despite
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Ariana asked, storming her way through the crowd that was gathered, in front of her house, and pushed the angry woman off Grace before she could hit her another time.It was obvious that she had hit Grace the first time, because there's a red fingerprint mark on her face. The anger that swept through Ariana seeing Grace's face was uncontrollable, had it been the woman wasn't an elderly lady, she could have returned the same treatment to her too."What?" The angry woman, Madam Sophia asked, looking at her hand that was seized in a tight grip by Ariana, then she looked at the young lady from head to toe, before jerking her hand away from her. "Who are you? Do you know this swindler? If you do, pay back my money since she's not willing to do so!" Mrs. Sophia yelled as the other women who were in support of her affirmed her words.Ariana looked back at Grace who was shedding real hot tears, she herself hasn't been able to understand what was go
"W..what?" Ariana asked, looking at her boss who sat on his seat with a stern look on his face. It was obvious that he was not joking with what he just said to her. No, she's sure she heard wrong.Instead of proving the young lady wrong, as her heart test increased at the possibility of his early words, being her reality, had Ariana clenching her hand tightly at the edge of her apron, trying to calm her racing heart."Due to the sudden fall and bad loss in the business in the past three months, I'm afraid to tell you that i won't be needing your service anymore, as I'm cutting down on my employees."Mr.Brooks said, confirming Ariana's fear.Loss?When exactly had his booming business faced any loss?There was this slight smirk edged at the corner of his face, which Ariana didn't want to think more about the reason why he's doing this. Why fire her? She's the most diligent among his other workers, everyone knew that. She knew that, and had anticipated that him calling her over this earl
The loud beeping sound of the heart monitor, inside the intensive care unit of the hospital could be heard, lying on the hospital was a handsome young man who looked seriously injured. He has a few scratches on his face as a result of the accident he was involved in, but the most depressing matter about his situation is the part where he was in a comatose condition.Alexander Knights. Billionaire son of a second generational tycoon, Michael Knights. Though, rumors had it that he's the product of an affair between his father and a whore. Hence, that makes him the illegitimate son of the Knights family, with step siblings from the wife of his father.The Knights Empire is the world leading automobile business company among the top list. Thanks to Alexander's wisdom, he was able to achieve greater heights in the business as the CEO of the company rather than when his father was leading. Although, rumors has it that the family business didn't entirely generate its money from solely inve
"What?"Grace said and stood up in shock after hearing everything from Arianna. The young fellow had suspected as much that something was wrong with her friend, because she panicked when she went to the location she gave her and couldn't find her there.She called her phone but it was switched off. At first, she thought of going to Andrew's house to confirm whether she was in there, but the guards didn't let her in at the mention of Ariana's name."That jerk!" Grace cussed out while Ariana sat in front of the mirror combing through her hair with a hairbrush. She didn't know who exactly Grace was cursing at, was it Andrew or Harry Smith, who had kidnapped her.Grace didn't seem to believe her when she told her about Harry Smith, the chief secretary to Knights Corporation. Ariana reminded herself to search up the name tomorrow to know who this Alexander Knights was, that wants to marry her.Yet, she couldn't help but not feel inquisitive to know if what Harry smith was saying is the tru