Jacinta was the last to return to the dining and Susan wonder why.
She didn’t look happy and confident like she did before going to help Ariella out.
Susan kept staring at her daughter weirdly, she didn’t like how quiet she was at the moment. It was as though someone hurt her, or did Jason say about hurtful to her?
“The food is tasty,” Jacinta’s father complimented, and as usual, Isabella felt so happy and pleased.
Jason kept staring at Ariella lovingly as they were now sitting closer to each other.
Everyone, except for her, noticed him staring because she was lost in her thoughts while eating.
Jason placed his hand on hers and caressed her gently, but Ariella snatched her hand away from him, and Jason chuckled heartily.
Ariella felt so shy after Jason caressed her hand in front of his family and visitors. Her face was already red from shyness, and she badly wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.
Isabella didn’t know when a laugh escaped from her, it felt beautiful seeing the look on Ariella’s face. It reminded her of her days with her husband.
Truthfully, Isabella was also happy to see the genuine smile on Jason’s face. It has been years since she saw him smile genuinely. She loved the look she saw in his eyes whenever he looked at Ariella.
Although Isabella wished it was Jacinta and not Ariella, she couldn’t help but be happy for her son. She just hoped in her heart that Jacinta finds someone who loves her.
Isabella made up her mind not to fight or make life a living hell for Ariella. Isabella was a peaceful person, and she made a vow to respect Jason’s decision.
Susan got annoyed when a laugh escaped from Isabella. Why was she laughing? She wasn’t supposed to be laughing! She was supposed to be making life a living hell for Daisy and Ariella, but here she was looking so pleased and thrilled.
Jacinta felt humiliated once again. This total stranger was taking her spot, and she really hated her with passion.
Why couldn’t she just leave this kingdom and go back where she came from?
Or better still, why couldn’t she just die?
Jacinta couldn’t take it anymore and proceeded to carry out her agenda.
“Excuse me please, seems like I forgot something in the bathroom. I need to go get it,” Jacinta said before standing up and heading to the bathroom.
Jacinta got to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror for some minutes quietly before saying loudly to herself,
“Will Jason still love you when he finds out you are a thief? I’ll make life a living hell for you until you leave this kingdom. Jason’s mother hates lies, and I’ll make you look like a liar before her.”
Jacinta laughed hysterically before finally leaving the bathroom. She skillfully wore a sad face as she walked back to the dining to carry out her evil intentions.
“Why are you looking like that? Are you okay? What happened?” Susan asked, immediately her daughter stepped in looking sorrowful.
“I can’t find the hairpin grandma gave to me before passing away. I left it in the bathroom, and now I can’t find it anymore.”
Daisy, who had forgotten all about the hairpin, remembered it and heaved.
So it was Jacinta who planted the hairpin to implicate Ariella, thank the creator for making her see it and remove it right on time before Jacinta mentioned it.
“Oh No! That hairpin means a lot to our family. It was passed down from your dad’s mum to you, her grandchild. Have you searched for it thoroughly?” Susan asked.
“Yes Mum, I did but…,” Jacinta stopped midway before turning to Ariella.
“You were the only person with me in the bathroom. You stole it, right?” Jacinta accused.
“Why would you steal it? It’s so important to me, please give it back!” Jacinta yelled with tears welling up her eyes.
The look of disappointment in Isabella’s face was so evident as she looked at Ariella demanding for an explanation.
“That’s not true, I didn’t take it, I swear!” Ariella tried explaining. The look on Jason’s mother’s face made her panic visibly.
Daisy held Ariella’s hand and stroke it gently, comforting her. Ariella could get a panic attack, and she didn’t want that to happen.
Daisy already knew where all Jacinta’s drama was heading to, and couldn’t wait to see the look of shock on her face when she finds out the hairpin was no longer in Ariel’s hair.
Jacinta smirked, seeing the reaction of Isabella. Isabella was a very upright woman, and she hated people breaking simple moral laws.
“Are you trying to say I’m lying? I came here with the hairpin and only removed it to repack my hair while we were in the bathroom, so it means you are the one who stole it. You thief!”
“Yes, I helped her with styling her hair this morning, and she had the hairpin on, so she can’t possibly be lying,” Susan supported.
“Don’t call my woman a thief!” Jason roared angrily and everyone fell silent immediately.
He couldn’t bear the pain he felt seeing his mate sad, he knew Ariel wasn’t a thief and Jacinta was just trying so hard to set her up.
“If she’s not a thief, then let her prove it by allowing me to check her hair,” Jacinta boldly demanded.
“Fine! I trust her.” Jason declared. He trusted her and wanted her to show she was innocent, so his mum could trust her too.
“No, I won’t,” Ariella was reluctant to let Jacinta search her hair. She (Jacinta) could plant the hairpin to implicate if she allowed her to touch her hair.
“Let her search your hair now before I lose my patience!” Isabella yelled, already suspicious of Ariel when she refused for her hair to be checked.
Ariel looked at Daisy as though seeking for approval.
“It’s okay honey, let her,” Daisy nodded and smiled.
Ariella let Jacinta loosen her packed hair and it fell free. Jacinta ran her hands through Ariella’s hair, but no hair pin was found.
No!
This couldn’t be happening!
It was going to make it obvious that she was lying and only wanted to implicate Ariella. She placed the pin on Ariella’s hair, so where did it go to? This couldn’t happen to her.
“Did you find it?” Susan asked.
“No mum, I can’t find it,” Jacinta said, ashamed of herself.
“Are you sure? Then you must have misplaced it somewhere else.”
“I apologize for the inconvenience young lady,” Susan apologized to Ariella was who trying so hard to hold her tears.
“I am sure she didn’t mean to accuse you, please forgive her,” Isabella chipped in. She felt so ashamed of not giving Ariella a benefit of doubt.
“Are you both her mouth? Can’t she apologize to my mate herself? And you apologize before I lose it.”
“I am so…rry,” Jacinta stuttered as she apologized. She was already shaking out of fright.
“I didn’t mean to accuse you. I apologize.”
Ariella, who couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, burst into tears and ran away, and Daisy followed her.
“You are all satisfied now, right?,” Jason asked full of wrath.
“You came to my house and accuse my mate with all boldness. I’ve been trying to respect myself because of my mum but from now henceforth, I’ll make life a living hell for you,” Jason threatened Jacinta.
Jason also turned to his mother and said,
“As for your mother, I’m greatly disappointed.”
Angry, Jason raised the dinning table that contained many unfinished meals and flung it.
The Table crashed to the wall and the food that was on it scattered and made a great mess on the floor, then he walked out angrier than he has ever been before.