Arranged marriage : Married to an unknown man

Ariana

Lauren and I went to a mall where Mrs. Miller joined us. Lauren was so excited about shopping that she literally dragged us with her. We first entered a designer dress shop. The dresses there were beautiful but I was looking for a dress which would not show much skin and is without any cuts or slit. I just wanted a decent dress. I didn’t want to show my scars to anyone.

Lauren kept showing me dresses but I kept refusing all of them since they all had thigh-high slits. I asked her to look for a decent dress but she gave me a lecture.

“Ariana, I have been showing you the best dresses out here but have been refusing everything. At least try one on, then only you’ll know if it’s good or not.”

“Lauren, it’s not that I don’t want to wear a dress. It’s just that… I want a dress that doesn’t show my skin.” I reasoned out.

“Here we go again.” Lauren huffed. Mrs. Miller just gave me a sad smile, saying that Lauren will not stop until she dolls me up the way she wanted.

I was sauntering in the shop, glancing at every dress when a beautiful navy blue dress caught my attention. It was an off-shoulder, sweetheart neckline, mermaid gown. It was an elegant gown without any slit and cuts the way I wanted and it was not too costly. I showed it to Lauren, she thought for a little while before asking me to try it. I went to the changing room and tried it on and stepped out of the changing room to show it to Lauren and Mrs. Miller.

“How’s it?” I asked. They looked at me with wide eyes and open mouths.

“Goodness, Ariana, you look WOW. I thought this dress will make you look so plain but hell, I was wrong. This dress perfectly suits you. It fits perfectly on your every curve. Okay done, you’re gonna buy it. That’s final.” Lauren said excitedly.

“Ariana, I think this dress was only made for you. You’ll look gorgeous at the party.” Mrs. Miller said.

Lauren and Mrs. Miller started looking for their dress, so I slipped to the cash counter to pay for my dress. For once, I thought of not paying it with his card but I knew if I didn’t, he’d not be happy. So, I passed the card to the lady at the cash counter. Lauren bought a green A-neckline long dress with a slit. Mrs. Miller bought an A-line half sleeve side slit black dress. I knew she’d look beautiful in it, she didn’t even look like she was in her mid-30s.

After that, we went for shoes and jewelry shopping. I only bought earrings. And I bought shoes and other things with my savings. I didn’t swipe Xavier’s card after buying the dress. When we were in the jewelry shop, something caught my attention but I couldn’t buy it in the presence of Lauren and Mrs. Miller. So, when we left the shop to go to another shop, I excused myself saying I had to use the restroom. I went back to the jewelry shop to buy what I saw. Men’s silver bracelet.

I bought three customized Men’s bracelets for Xavier, Sean, and Daniel with their names engraved on them. I bought them bracelets to gift them on their newly gained success. And I had noticed that Xavier liked to wear accessories. I didn’t know if they’d like it or not or if they’d wear it or not, I bought them.

I paid for the bracelets and placed them in my handbag to hide them from Lauren and Mrs. Miller. I then went to the restroom. When I stepped into the restroom, I came face to face with none other than… Scarlet, my step sister.

I looked around; no one else was there in the restroom. I think I should leave before something happens.

I was about to walk out when she blocked my way by standing in front of me with her arms folded across her chest.

“Running already?” She smirked. She eyed me from head to toe, then her eyes lingered on the bags I had been holding. I tried to hide them behind my back because I knew she’d want to rummage through them.

“Scarlet please let me go. I have to head back home.” I said.

“To do what? Warm your husband’s bed?” She said with a mocking laugh. Huh?

“And what is this?” She snatched bags from my hands and started rummaging through them.

“Scarlet no… please..”

“Where did you get money to buy these dresses? Huh? Oh, why am I even asking? You are married to the Xavier Knight. And the gold-digging bitch you are you must have spread your legs for him to get money out from him.” She snapped, making me flinch. She would always make me feel cheap; always talk dirty about me. But I never spoke against her. I was scared of being slapped by Mr. Smith.

“How dare you snatch him away from me? I was meant to marry him, not you, you low-class bitch. He was meant to be mine you slut.” She shouted, throwing bags on the floor. I felt tears forming in my eyes.

“Scarlet.. he.. he’s not.. you.. yours” Not even mine.

I dared talk back.

“Shut up you bitch. What black magic have you done on him, huh? Tell me? What did you do to attract him to you? What you did that he threatened me and my father because of you!” She yelled.

Huh? I had no idea what she was talking about. What did she mean Xavier threatened them? Why would he do that?

“What are you talking about?” I questioned.

“Don’t act innocent. Just because of you, he threatened me. He threatened my father to destroy his business just because he slapped you. It’s not the first time my father slapped you, besides, you deserved to be slapped for what you did.”

I froze on my spot, I was utterly shocked. Xavier took a stand for me? He threatened Mr. Smith for slapping me!

A lone tear escaped my eye. Tear, not of sadness but of happiness that Xavier took a stand for me. No one ever did that for me. I was no one for him but still, he threatened them for me. Me.

I closed my eyes. Dad? Is that a sign of hope? Did you send him for taking care of me?

I was lost in my thoughts that I didn’t get it when tears started pouring down my eyes.

“Cry you bitch, cry all you want. Because you were born to cry, born to be left alone. Mark my words, you’ll never be happy in your entire life. You’ll never get love. You’ll be alone. All alone.” Saying that she stormed out of the washroom.

I held the edge of the counter to steady myself. For the first time in life, I ignored her comments on me. I was just thinking of Xavier. He may have scolded me, snapped at me, or may have said bad words to me but somewhere inside, he genuinely cares for me. Scarlet’s revelation proved that to me.

More tears started flowing down my face. Tears of contentment, tears of hope…Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I composed myself then washed my face and dried it with tissues. I picked up the bags and inhaled and exhaled three times before heading out the restroom to join Lauren and Mrs. Miller. After going to more shops we exited the mall, the sun had already gone down by then. I was exhausted, but we had to visit the party venue one last time to check on the preparations and after that, we had to go to the office as we had some last-minute official work to finish as well.

Mrs. Miller left for her home as she had no work to do and office hours were over. Lauren and I again reached the venue. Kevin was still there. I felt bad for him, he was there all alone, supervising the preparations on our behalf.

“Thank you, Kevin, for your help,” I said to him.

“Anything for you.” He smiled sweetly at me. I smiled back. Lauren also thanked him.

My phone went off. I looked at the caller ID. It was Xavier again. I didn’t know why but this time I felt happy watching his name on the screen.

I excused myself and stepped aside from them and picked up the call.

“Hello.”

“Where are you now? When will you come back? There is some work that has to be done urgently.” He asked.

“I am at the party venue. Lauren and I will leave just in few minutes.” I replied.

“Oh, come on Lauren, I can’t let you two go alone to the office. It’s almost night. It’s not safe. I’ll accompany you two, that’s final.” Kevin’s voice came from behind. Lauren must be denying his help because he had already done enough. He must be tired too. He should go home.

“Is Kevin still with you?” Xavier asked.

“Umm.. yes?” I heard him mumble something but I didn’t get anything he mumbled.

“Listen to me, Ariana. Ask Kevin to leave. I am sending Finn to pick you and Miss Hart.” He said.

“No, there’s no need… we’ll a take taxi..” He cut me off.

“I don’t like repeating myself, Ariana. So, do as I said. There is urgent work that has to be done, if you’ll come in a taxi it’ll take time. So, Finn will pick you up. Don’t leave until Finn arrives and ask Kevin to leave.” He ordered.

“Okay,” I said softly. I can’t argue with him. Can I?

“Good. Wait for Finn.” Saying that he hung the call. I went back to my friends.

“Ariana, you tell me, how can I leave you two alone? Lauren is not understanding this,” Kevin asked me the moment I approached them.

“Kevin, thank you for thinking about us but you have already done enough. You must be tired too. You should go home. We’ll go by ourselves.” I said.

“But Ariana, it’s night time taking a taxi is not safe.” He said.

“Don’t worry about that. Mr. Knight is sending his driver to pick us up. And the office is not that far.” I explained to him.

“Mr. Knight? When did he say that?” Lauren asked, raising her eyebrows.

“He just called. He said there is some urgent work that has to be done immediately so he’s sending Finn, his driver to pick us up.” I said to her.

“Oh…I see.” She smirked. I knew that smirk. I knew what she was thinking. I gave her a look asking her not to comment now. She just smiled at me.

“Okay fine, if Mr. Knight is sending his driver to pick you two then I have no problem. I’ll leave then.” Kevin said. But I felt a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Take care. Bye.” Kevin said and left for home.

“So, Mr. Knight and personal driver, huh?” Lauren teased.

“Lauren, I told you that there is some urgent work that’s why he’s sending his driver to pick both of us.” I emphasized ‘both of us’.

“Yeah I heard that…urgent work.. personal driver, ‘both of us’, I heard that all,” Lauren said, nodding her head at every word.

Goodness, why she loves teasing me?

After ten minutes, Finn arrived and drove us to the office.

Xavier Knight.

I wasn’t a little bit surprised when she brought a carrot cake for me. I knew it was not only for me. She must have brought it for her brothers too.

I ate the cake in front of her and drank my coffee. I inwardly smiled. I knew what manipulation she had been doing with my coffee but I never let her know that I caught her the first time she made coffee for me. She had been experimenting a lot with my coffee. I didn’t say anything because I love the coffee she makes. It’s delicious.

I was satisfied with her work, how she arranged everything before going to the venue. She handed everything to Scott in the correct order. But I needed a file of a contract urgently and she was not here, and I didn’t want to disturb her. So, I went to her office to search for the file. I searched for the file but I couldn’t find it anywhere. I didn’t want to call her, she might be busy but I had to since even after searching I wasn’t able to find it. So I called her.

She told me where the file was. I picked up the file from there. Then I heard someone speak from near her.

“Hey, Ariana this is the map of tables placed in the hall Lauren asked me to pass it to you. And what are you doing up on the ladder?”

A man’s voice? And ladder? What is she doing on the ladder?

“Who was that? And what the hell are you doing on the ladder?” I demanded.

“Umm…I was just helping the girl to fix the light.” She said in her soft voice. Is she out of her mind? She might hurt herself by falling from the ladder.

“There are other people to help her. Your work is only to supervise the preparations. Climb down the ladder right now.” I said sternly. I didn’t want her to get hurt.

“Okay.” She said meekly. I calmed a little when she agreed but my calmness was short-lived when that man spoke again.

“Here, hold my hand and climb down carefully.”

How dare he offer his hand to her? And who the fuck was he?

“Who’s that?” I demanded, clutching my phone tightly in my hand. But she didn’t reply, after a few seconds she said,

“Thank you, Kevin.” Did she take his help? Did she give her hand to him?

“I asked you something, Ariana! Who was that?” I asked. How could she take a stranger’s help when she gets uncomfortable even standing in front of them?

“Umm, He’s Kevin” Who the fuck is Kevin?

“Who Kevin?” I asked sternly.

“He works in the marketing department of the company.” She replied.

“What is he doing there with you? You said you were going with Lauren. Why did you hide that from me?” I asked immediately, fisting my hand. Why would she hide it from me?

“He’s here to help. And I didn’t know he was joining us. Lauren asked him to join us. I didn’t hide anything from you.” Her reply made me sigh in relief, at least she didn’t lie to me.

“Okay. Don’t get involved with anyone. Just do what your work is. Stay with Lauren and maintain your distance from.. others.” Saying that I hung the call immediately. I didn’t know why I felt irritated.

I engaged myself in meeting for the rest of the day but my thoughts kept wavering to her and that Kevin. Was he still with her? I was getting impatient.

I was sitting in my cabin, signing some documents when I received a message on my phone. I opened it; it was the message of withdrawal of money. I smiled to myself, thank goodness, she swiped the card. The amount withdrawn was not much, I sighed. She’s so stubborn, I asked her not to look at the price tag but did she listen to me? No. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to seeing her in a dress.

The day went in endless meetings. By the time meetings ended it was almost night but Ariana hadn’t arrived back. So, I called her.

“Hello” Her tiring voice rang in my ears.

“Where are you now? When will you come back? There is some work that has to be done urgently.” I made an excuse so that she won’t think anything else.

“I am at the party venue. Lauren and I’ll leave just in few minutes.” She replied in her tiring voice.

“Oh come on Lauren, I can’t let you two go alone to the office. It’s almost night. It’s not safe. I’ll accompany you both and that’s final.”

I heard that voice again. My jaw clenched automatically. What is he still doing there?

“Is Kevin still with you?” I asked.

“Umm.. yes?”

Fuck! Did he accompany her shopping too? Was he with her all the time? And he even dares to bring her to the office? I won’t allow that.

“Listen to me, Ariana. Ask Kevin to leave. I am sending Finn to pick you and Miss Hart.” I said firmly.

“No there’s no need… we’ll a take taxi..” I cut her off.

“I don’t like repeating myself. So, do as I said. There is urgent work that has to be done, if you’ll come in a taxi, it’ll take time. So, Finn will pick you up. Don’t leave until Finn arrives and ask Kevin to leave.” I ordered.

“Okay.”

“Good. Wait for Finn.” Saying that I hung the call. I immediately asked Finn to bring both Ariana and Miss Hart back to the office.

I was irritated. It’s not that I had feelings for her but still I didn’t like the fact that she was roaming with some other man. Was I jealous? No, why would I be? Jealous? I brushed those stupid thoughts away.

I waited for her patiently in my office. When she arrived I felt like my day was completed. She’s safe and standing in front of me. I had no idea since when I started caring for her. I may not be vocal, but I cared and I wanted her safe.

But She looked tired.

“Good evening. What was the urgent work?” She asked. Why doesn’t she ever complain about exhaustion? She is looking exhausted but still asking for work.

“Work was urgent so I asked Scott to do it,” I said. Well, in reality, there was no urgent work. Actually, there was not even any work. I was just intrigued by where she was and what she was doing. I could have asked Finn to drop her home but Miss Hart was with her and I didn’t want her to think anything. So I asked him to bring both of them here.

“Oh, okay, I am sorry for being late.” She said lowering her head. Goodness, why is she taking it on her? It was not her mistake.

“It’s okay, it wasn’t your fault,” I said.

There came a knock on the door I ordered whoever was there to come in. Miss Hart entered holding a file. She too looked tired.

“Sir, Mr. Peterson asked me to give this file to you.” She said, placing the file on my desk.

“Okay. Is your work done?” I asked Miss Hart.

“Yes. This file was the last work of the day.” She replied.

“Okay. I’ll have Finn drop you two at your places.” I said. They both were tired and I know Ariana would go with Finn. But I also couldn’t let Miss Hart grab the taxi late at night.

“No, sir. It’s okay. I’ll be good with a taxi. I am used to it.” Miss Hart refused.

“Miss Hart. It’s late and not safe for you to go alone. You work for this company and it’s my responsibility to make sure every employee remains safe. So, don’t say anything. My driver will drop you two to your places.” I said calmly.

“Okay sir,” she said.

I called Finn and had him first drop Miss Hart at her place and then Ariana.