Chapter 18 Brewing storms
Arielle's POV
“A penny for your thoughts!” Bella sang, snapping her fingers.
I had zoned out while we were discussing a new line of makeup and the different skin tones.
“I'm sorry I got carried away.” I apologized laughing weakly.
Its been two weeks since Zane has been away on his business trip that was meant to last just three days, he said some issues came up and he'd be spending more time than expected.
“Delivery for Miss Rielle.” Aimee, my secretary announced as she walked in, carrying a box in her hand.
She set it on my desk and left, I had told Zane I had no need for a secretary as it would draw too much attention to me to which his reply was; ‘That's the point, you have to be at the center of attraction.’
“Ohhh that's the eight one this week, and today is just Friday, what's in it this time?” Bella cooed.
Did I mention that though Zane was away he sends me gifts daily and would call me on video calls once in a while to see how I'm doing and insisted I leave a voice note every night of how my day went. It's weird at first but I loved the idea of someone interested in how how my day went despite his busy schedules.
“Open it.” Bella urged.
Ever since the Elena drama, Bella and I became friends and turns out she's super cool and fun to be around.
“What if it's a bomb or something?” I asked, attempting to scare her but she tuts.
“This ain't no bomb, I can bet you my grandma's cow amd she's dead now, bless her soul, it ain't no bomb. Ain't no sane fool will have the audacity to deliver a bomb here.” She assured me and I laughed, it always amazes me when she transitions from the polish accent to her southern thug accent which is by the way hilarious and so rich in depth and culture, I love it.
I opened the box and inside was a bouquet of fresh roses, a box of chocolate, another little box that contained an emerald pair of earrings and a note.
“This bouquet contains nine real roses and one artificial rose, it is to signify that you'll be a strong independent, resilient and fulfilled woman until the last petal falls off, spoilers, the artificial rose is made of resin, it will never fall off. I'm rooting for you, best regards, Lord Z.” Bella read out loud.
I caught myself smiling and couldn't believe Zane was this dramatic, Bella squealed and helped me put on the earrings.
“Oh my god! It looks gorgeous on you dear.” She exclaimed and I blushed, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
It makes my eyes pop and I instantly fell in love with it. “Do you think I should wear it now or find a beautiful dress to go with it?” I asked Bella and turned to see her already eating the chocolates. “Bella!” I laughed.
“What?” She mumbled, “I don't have a secret admirer who sends me gifts, let me live vicariously through you Rielle.”
I shook my head at her silliness and most importantly, Zane. My phone vibrated and a message popped up, it was from Zane.
Did you like the gift?
I smiled and texted him back.
Me: Yes I did, thank you for the earrings.
Him: I thought you might like them since you complained you didn't have earrings to match the dress you wore today
Me: so you decided to buy another another one?
Him: That's the sane thing to do, isn't it?
Me: You didn't have to, I'll pay for it. How much is it?
Him: It's a gift from me to you.
Me: How much is it?
Him: Ten Million, I couldn’t get the one I had my eyes on, it's out of stock but I promise I'll get you a better one when I'm back.
“Ten Million!” I gasped and Bella was instantly worried.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” I lied. “I was just practicing how exciting it'd be if I earned ten million monthly.
She believed me and said something about being dramatic before leaving, she had some work to do. I kept texting Zane and he had to attend a meeting so I got off the phone, my rumbling stomach reminded me that I haven't eaten anything all day so I cleverly sneaked out to a nearby restaurant two streets away, Leo would freak out if he found out but who's gonna tell on me?
I ordered a simple meal since I didn't want to eat heavy, I have hundreds of photoshoots scheduled. My calender is full for the next three months and there are still brand proposals I have to check out and review, almost every brand in the country wants me to be their ambassador.
“May I sit down?”
The voice was unmistakable, my pasta instantly turned sour in my mouth as I looked up from my phone and saw Adrian standing in front of me, the smile which I would go to the ends of the earth for was plastered on his face.
“Who are you?” I asked, looking confused and watched as the smile on his face froze instantly, he was horrified.
He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “Adrian, I believe we've met?”
“I can't remember, sorry.” I lied then turned my full attention back to my food and phone, my heart pounded heavily in my chest, I was sitting across the man I loved unconditionally for seven years, denying that I knew him.
He coughed slightly. “Um, Arielle?”
I froze for a second, he called my name the way I loved it, the way it gave me tingles and made me feel on top of the world, once upon a time. But this time, I didn't react.
“Arielle.” He called out, again.
“Are you referring to me? I don't think,” I told him, looking puzzled.
He looked skeptical and confused.
“I'm Rielle, not Arielle, I don't know who that is, please don't call me by a name that's not mine.” I stated, faking annoyance.
“My apologies, I'm from a modeling agency and I'll like to offer you an opportunity to come work us, our agency is a-”
“No,” I cut him off.
“No, what do you mean? You haven't-”
“I only work with the best and right now it's BELLE so now, and I'll appreciate it if you never bring this up again or approach me with such an offer.” I interjected and pretended to dismiss him.
I could feel the frustration oozing from him. “Listen, I'm sorry but are you really not Arielle?”
I furrowed my brows and grunted.
“I'm sorry, it's just that you look so much like my ex-fiance, she died in a fire accident months ago and I miss her so much that it hurts, my life hasn't been the same since her death." He said, tearful. If I didn't overhear him confessing to be the culprit behind the fire, I would have believed him immediately because his tone reeked of sincerity.
“I saw you holding hands with Lisa at the BELLE launching event the other night, yes, I have seen you before but you're annoying and keep insisting I am someone else.” I confessed.
His eyes lit up with hope. “She's a model that I manage in the agency I work for and she's Arielle's little sister,” he explained, tears rolling down his cheeks. “ Arielle's last words were that I should look after her and ensure she achieve all her dreams, my sweet little Arielle is my life so please, let me know if you're here because I miss her so much and-”
I snickered loudly and rose to my feet, I was irritated by his pretense and fake display.
“I don't care about your sad sob story but I'm not her, please stay away from me because I don't feel safe around you and I don't owe you any proof of my identity, have a good day.”
I didn't wait for him to speak when I stormed away, a righteous anger was boiling in me and I got in my car as fast as I could and drove away before he would catch up with me.
‘That bastard!’ I cursed under my breath, riled by his stupid interference, spoiling my afternoon.
My stomach still grumbled as I was still hungry so I opted for a convenience store to get some fast ready made food. I was at the checkpoint, proud of myself and the things I bought when I heard a bitter voice.
“Look who's here, the girl who came from the dead.”
Lisa walked up to me and scoffed loudly. “You think you have fooled everyone but not me, I know who you really are.”
“Please excuse me.” I said dismissively and walked right past her, I was too hungry to deal with her tantrums, Adrian had succeeded in ruining my afternoon, I wasn't going to let her make it worse.
She ran after me and caught up with me right before I could unlock my car door, she grabbed my arm and forced me to face her.
“You little pest, I know you're going under the guise of being Rielle, I don't know you survived but you should've remained dead.”
I snickered and yanked my arm away from her. “Get away from me you psycho, I don't know you.”
“You know, I've always known Adrian loved me and only dated you to get close to me, while you slaved away to please him, he desperately wanted me to love him back and when you were in pain on that hospital bed, do you know who he was worried about? Me.” She bragged, spitefully.
She hit the nail on the head, where it hurts but I wasn't going to let her have the pleasure of seeing me annoyed so I turned around to give her a response.
“You know, I am also glad Arielle is dead because no one deserves to have someone as spiteful and horrible as you for a sister, oh, I'm glad she's dead.” I said, menacingly and the gloat on her face disappeared instantly. “While you're at it, watch your mouth around me, you're just a low class model trying to desperately climb her way to success, one word from me in court and your entire career will be over long before it's begun, do you understand?”
She stood with her mouth wide open while I got into my car and drove away. Good riddance to rubbish.