Chapter 7 Sweet pampering
Arielle's POV
When Zane informed me in a very scary tone that we are headed to where he'd teach me a lesson I'd never forget, fear seized me and cold chills ran down my spine. Our ride to the unknown venue only fueled the dread in me, I had contemplated opening the car door while it was still in motion and throw myself out but that would be suicidal.
Turns out we were going to see Circe; one of the few people who inspired me to become a model. I watched her on TV while growing up and dreamt of walking the runway wirh her someday, who knew my dreams could come through earlier than I thought.
She's considerate, sweet and like I had always imagined; perfect. She gave me tips on how to make walking feel more of a skill that only the greatest of models could unlock while helping me unleash the runway Cinderella in me, everything was fine until I fell down.
However, Zane was quick to cut the session short, demanding that we leave but a desire and strength stirred in me and I insisted on staying, it paid off.
“Perfecto!” Circe commented, clapping her hands vigorously. “I couldn't have done it any better myself.” She added and I blushed.
“Thank you.” I whispered, my heart threatening to explode with excitement.
“That's enough perfection for a day, let's get back home and tend to that nasty bruise.” Zane spoke loudly and this time, he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
“Will it see you again? You're my role model and I love you so much.” I hastily told Circe as I could see Zane approaching.
She giggled. “We'll be seeing more of each other soon. Always remember, my secret to success isn't just hardwork, determination and talent but also the fact that I love myself hence I accepted my flaws and made them into a weapon the world would pay millions to see me use.”
I fell silent for a minute, knowing what she meant, before I could reply, I was swept off my feet by Zane. “What are you doing? I can walk all by myself.” I chipped.
He tut and shook his head. “I know Princess, but you're hurt.” He intoned then turned to face Circe who was also smiling sheepishly. “If you don't mind Circe, we'll be leaving now, thank you.”
“Its no problem. I'll see you around.”
Zane carried me out of the emporium, the moment we stepped out, eyes were on us which made me extremely shy. “Put me down, people are watching. ” I squealed.
“I'm not ashamed to be seen by you.” He retorted then proceeded to walk majestically down to where the car was parked and gently placed me inside, got in and sat with me.
Throughout the ride back home, he didn't say a word to me, which was weird. When we alighted at home, he carried me once again and I didn't protest, it was useless.
With caution, he seated me on my own bed and removed his jacket, I panicked, seeing him undress. “What do you think you're doing?”
“Lift up your skirt.” He ordered, sharply.
“What?” I blurted.
He cackled. “I need to see where you're hurt.”
I relaxed and let out a breath I didn't know it was holding in. “I'll be fine, there's noth-”
He shut me up by lifting up my skirt. “The bruise isn't much but it's something, I'm coming.”
He stood up and walked out, two minutes later, he came back holding a tray in his hands. “I'm going to help you massage your legs and feet.”
He didn't give me a chance to disagree with him and had already snatched my leg, placed it on his and began massaging it.
“You have long beautiful legs, you know that?” He complimented.
The sincerity in his tone amazed me as I shied away.
“What's your favorite thing to do?” He asked out of the blues.
I thought hard for a moment. Most of the time, I found myself doing things that Adrian approves of, wearing clothes he likes, eating his favorite meals, going to his favorite restaurants, going to his favorite band's concerts and even playing his favorite games.
I was so in love with him that it all seems to be my favorite things to do as well, I didn't realize my life is modeled around him and I made him the core of my existence.
“I don't know.” I confessed.
“You don't know? That's impossible, you must have something you love to do, something that brings you joy and happiness.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “All my favorite things used to be what Adrian loves to do, modeling is my passion and even that too, he played a crucial part in it.”
An uneasy silence lingered in the air for a painful minute.
“That's fine, it doesn't really matter now does it? Let's focus on getting you back on track, you'll be trying on dresses tomorrow, brace yourself because you'll be meeting the top fashion designers from all over the world and don't be surprised, they're at your service.” Zane informed me, changing the topic.
“How are you able to do this effortlessly?”
“What? The massage? I learnt it from a famous masseuse. Do you like it?” He joked.
“You're weird.”
He laughed quietly and bit his lower lip. “There's tension in your ankles, you've got to release them.” He advised.
“Why did you save me? I could've died and no one would notice, I don't recall knowing or ever meeting you and its been almsot two months since you've brought me here, why?” I asked him, letting mg curiosity take over.
I had thought about it, it was evident that without his intervention I would have died on that hospital bed, forgotten and neglected but I didn’t. There was no record of me anywhere as well, it was like ever since I was brought back from the brink of death, all my life didn't exist.
“Why not? You think I should've left you to die?” He questioned.
“Who are you? Nobody tells me anything about you, not even that nosy Leo who wouldn't stop pestering me to get better and stop asking questions.” I doubled down and asked, recollecting the memory.
No one would tell me where I was or anything that wasn't related to my health, Leo only spoke to me about my comfortability and if I was getting any better, it was tiring.
“I told them not to say anything to you.” Zane admitted.
I pursed my lips. “Why?”
Though I acted like it meant nothing to me, the betrayal was still fresh in my memory and once in a while when I close my eyes to sleep, I relived the horror, watching my flesh melt away. I'd wake up panting and drenched in my own flesh, the sting of my healing flesh reminding me it was more than just a nightmare.
“why not?” Zane questioned, drawing me out of my reminiscing.
“Hmm?”
“Why should I let you die? You didn't deserve to die, all you did wrong was loving the wrong person.” He added, thoughtfully.
“I still don't understand, who are you? Really.”
“I am someone who will help you get all you want, use this opportunity to your advantage, the important question isn't who I am but what you'll do with that information.”
His words hung heavy in the air, more meaningful than intended. He was finally done massaging my feet and rose to his feet.
“I'm sorry I called you a weakling yesterday, you're one of the strongest women I know and I mean it but the world doesn't give you what you want because you're nice or strong, you need to understand the language that tips the scale of fairness and that's power.” He explained, thoughtfully.
“That power, can you give it to me?” I immediately requested it.
The feeling of helplessness when I laid on that hospital bed, knowing my fate rested in the hands of my lover who betrayed me and a mother who traded her daughter's life for another? I never want to experience that again.
“Give you power?” He scoffed, “No I won't but I'll make you into a force that bends all powers to her own will.” He swore.
I smacked my lips, content with his answer, his phone rang and he frowned slightly, seeing the caller ID then he patted my hair gently. “Rest well little tigress, you have a busy day ahead of you.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heels and left. I tsk and pretended to punch his retreating figure and soon I was left with my thoughts. I laid back on the bed, exhausted but content with how the day went.
‘Tomorrow will be better.’ I muttered under my breath, convincingly.
The next day, true to his words, Leo escorted me to another quarters in the mission. There, fashion designers awaited me and they were more than pleased to see me.
We spent hours discussing my body type, what kind of dress would compliment my skin tone and accessories to match, and we ended up agreeing on about thirty dresses and designs. They concluded it would be ready for the first fitting in a week's time and I couldn't stop myself from blushing as they sang praises of how beautiful my body was.
“Here, Boss said you need to stay hydrated and not to hesitate to ask for anything you need.” Leo informed me, handing me a bottle of water.
“Thank you.” I sighed.
In-between, he brought some fruits and snacks too, keeping me updated and also relaying messages from Zane.
“When will I get a phone?” I asked Zane that night, when he apparently came back from work.
“When you're ready.” He replied.
I felt he was being dramatic and stormed off to my room, upset that he was treating me like a child. The days that followed, he was barely around but ensured all my needs were catered to and we had video calls using an IPad only Leo could access.
It was tiring, vigorous but also stimulating and nostalgic. I could feel like myself again, I laughed heartily and even made petty jokes. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and barely ate dinner before I crashed on my bed.
“Master Zane said to inform you that you will be leaving in twenty minutes, you should get ready and meet him downstairs.” Tenna, one of the maids, informed me when she came into my room the next morning to clean it.
“Zane? He hasn't been home for days, is everything okay?” I asked, confused.
She was as confused as I was and couldn't provide an answer.
“Tell him I'll join him soon.” I said, dismissively.
I got dressed and found him waiting for me at the parking lot, he yanked the car door open and did a little European fifteen century bow to me.
“Your royal highness, shall we?”
I snorted amusedly and raised the hem of the purple princess style gown which I picked from the collection of dresses the designers offered me, and I curtsied slightly.
“We shall, Lord Zane.”
Zane laughed richly as I got inside. “Where are we headed today?” I asked him.
“You'll see.” He replied, giving off a vibe of animosity.
I clicked my tongue and looked forward to it, fifteen minutes later we walked into an amusement park, only that it was empty and only a few people were there.
“Why are we at an amusement park that gives off a vibe that only ghosts visit this place?” I asked, curiously.
He gave my shoulders a gentle nudge and flicked my forehead with his index finger.
“Ouch.” I winced and he snorted.
“Follow my lead.” He commanded but I hesitated, he paused, seeing my hesitation. “What's wrong?”
My eyes scanned the entire area, it reminded me of high school, when I'd sneak out of school and skip classes just to follow Adrian to amusement parks where he'll hand out flyers advertising that he's a male model.
“Is everything okay?” Zane asked, jolting me out of my reverie.
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, staring into space. “Nothing, just some old memories. Let's go.”
He didn't believe me but went ahead anyway. We went to the ferris wheel and he motioned for me to get on.
“What do you think we're doing?” I asked him, surprised.
“You said you don't have a favorite thing to do, didn't you? Let's make new memories.”