By the time Ariel opened her eyes, it was the following day. She washed up and went downstairs, only to bump into Andrea who looked terrible. It was as if he was possessed by a vengeful ghost. It was obvious he didn’t sleep well. His overall demeanor was a mix of lingering excitement and a touch of exhaustion, reflecting the high and lows of a night spent celebrating and socializing.
“Rough night or just living life to the fullest? Looks like you had quite the adventure last night; you’re giving off strong ‘I partied all night’ vibes.”
“I do not live a boring lifestyle”
“Andrea Anderson, do you have a fixed girlfriend?” Ariel asked.
Andrea paused, hesitated for a second. “No, do you perhaps have a girlfriend who you want to introduce me to?”
Ariel looked at him with a smug smile.
“I would have loved to say yes, but after thinking about it…..” “You wouldn’t make a good boyfriend. She doesn’t even want a boyfriend and a playboy like you wouldn’t make a good husband. So I’m afraid I have to say no”
With that being said, Ariel smiled and then pulled out a chair to sit beside Rex.
Andrea was angry to the point that smoke was coming out of his nose, ears and eyes, but since Old Madam Anderson was sitting he couldn’t retaliate, he smiled and pulled out a seat.
Seeing the interaction between the two, Rex frowned “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing much, just a casual chat between two family members” Ariel said, without sparing Rex a glance as she took a sip of her juice.
“Ariel Ann, which one of pay attention to the distance between you two did you not understand?”
“I will stop talking to him once I see him, even when we are at home”
His words got stuck in his throat; he didn’t sleep well last night as he was more conflicted than anyone else.
Seeing that she and Andrea were getting closer made him feel very uncomfortable at heart. He initially came to the mansion to make them feel uncomfortable, but he was the one feeling uncomfortable.
His chest tightened like there was something stuck in it.
Old Madam Anderson glanced at Rex and smiled without saying a word.
After breakfast, Ariel went to prepare for work. While she was dressing up, Rex wheeled himself in
“Some people have been after your father these days digging up things about him. Pay attention.”
Ariel nodded without saying a word.
Rex looked at her and frowned. Was it her turn to give him silent treatment?.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, I’m good. If there’s nothing more to talk about, I’ll be on my way to the company, and if there’s something to talk about, let’s talk about it when I get back.”
“This is not the right time to start acting up, Ann company has already been targeted. Your father did some shady things before the company ran into conflict.”
Ariel sighed.
“Andrea already told me yesterday”
“….”
“I still did not know where the documents came from though.”
Rex’s eyes widened in shock, he exhaled sharply.
“If the sender of the document remains anonymous, how would you solve the problem? Now that the sender has made their move, it can only mean one thing. sooner or later, Timothy Ann’s smuggling of contraband will be exposed. And if that happens, how would you take back your mother’s property?”
Ariel lowered her head and sighed “I will not fail my mother.
Rex looked at her defeated look and said “If you continue to act like this, The Company will surely collapse even before you take over, and I think you should look into the mirror to see how ugly your face is”, Rex said with a broad grin.
“Timothy Ann came by yesterday to tell me his daughter’s engagement is the day after tomorrow” Rex frowned and the smile on his face disappeared.
Timothy Ann, you must be so desperate to marry your precious daughter off quickly. Well-done, this is just the beginning wait till you start receiving the evidence of your crime.
“Have you thought about whether you’ll attend, given the history between you and Damian Ford?”
At the mention of Damian Ford, Rex Anderson couldn’t help but notice a subtle shift in Ariel’s demeanour.
“Of course, I will attend to wish them a happy engagement. I will even get them gifts. They deserve each other”
“You should go to the company. I will tell grandma about the engagement.”
Ariel moved around the room, gathering her belongings and slipping on her coat. Rex sat in his wheelchair watching her prepare to leave for work.
“I will get going”
“Grandma is outside.”
…..
Together, they made their way to the door. Rex opened it, Ariel stepped onto the pouch.
Ariel leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on his forehead.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Rex Anderson said, his finger brushing against her as he adjusted the collar of her blouse”
“Devil Anderson”
“You’d better play along, grandma is watching” she sighed and plastered a fake smile on her face and said in a hushed voice “You should look into the mirror, your masks make you ugly.”
“…..”
“But you find my face without the mask attractive?” Don’t keep me waiting this night. Rex replied. To the people watching from the side, their compromising position looked like the couple were having a heart-to-heart conversation.
As Ariel prepared to descend the porch steps, Rex Anderson’s gaze lingered on her, she felt the man’s gaze on her. She turned back to look at him and their eyes met, speaking volumes without a single word.
“Drive safely,” Rex called out, his voice filled with affection,
Ariel nodded, blowing him a kiss. “See you at night”
“Till then,” Rex replied.
With a final wave, Ariel headed off, leaving Rex at the door.
Seeing the couple getting along well, the old Madam Anderson felt her purpose in life had been fulfilled.
Young Master, are you putting up an act, or are you in love with the young madam? Pius thought as he stood watching the lovely couple in front of him.
Rex wheeled himself to the study room, his hand typing away on the keyboard. Pius scrutinize him and picked his words carefully.
“Young Master, Miss Ann… said she has been trying to reach you” the man focused on his computer screen without saying a word.
“young…mast…er”
“um”
Meanwhile, Elvira was patiently waiting for Rex to return her call as she rehearsed her speech.
“Ring, Ri…”
Rex, you won’t believe what happened. I just found out that my dad had agreed with Ford’s family to get me engaged the day after tomorrow without even telling me”. Her voice wavered with a mix of disbelief and hurt.
There was a pause at the other end and Rex’s concerned voice finally broke the silence, “what? Engaged? Why would your dad do something like that without talking to you first?”
Tears streamed down Elvira’s face. “It was Damien that called to break the news to me”
Rex gasped, his disbelief evident even through the phone.
Young master, it’s obvious you were a good actor in your previous life.
“You have to believe me there’s nothing between me and Damian. You are the only man I want to be with.”
“Miss Ann, I trust you, I can’t just believe your father did this. Um, have you talked to him about how you feel?”
“Yeah” Elvira sighed. I have tried, but he’s convinced it is for the best. My parent don’t just understand that this is my life, my future.
Rex offered words of solace “Miss Ann, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. You deserve to have a say in your own life, even after sacrificing your career for the company you should be given a choice to choose from. Maybe you shouldn’t attend the engagement. I mean if the bride is missing, who will get engaged?”
“Rex, come and take me away please “, Elvira pleaded with tears streaming down her face.