Harry and Arianna - Chapter 3 - Move In

Harry and Arianna - Chapter 3 - Move In
"What?!" Arianna shrieked, popping up into a sitting position on the bed.

"What's with the overdramatic reaction?" Harry queried.

"I didn't expect to start school so soon."

"There is no reason to dilly-dally. Time is of the essence, Rose."

"What about work?"

"You were hired as a part-time employee, so I expect you to work part-time and attend school. Let your boss know your hours need to be adjusted. If he gives you shit, then quit because obviously your employer doesn't value you as much as they claim they do if they would be a hindrance to your education."

"I don't know if I will be able to get the time off so soon," Arianna protested.  

"Understandable. I'm going to get started on dinner while you unpack."



"Hello?"

"Where are you at, Arianna?" Jesse asked.

"I'm at home."

"No, you're not. I'm at your apartment right now, and you're not answering the door. Why are you lying?"

"I'm not lying. I relocated."

"And you didn't tell me? Why did you move? What's your address? Did you forget it's date night?"

"Honestly, a lot has been going on these past couple of weeks, and it slipped my mind. I'm going to have to cancel our date, and I'll fill you in on everything tomorrow. I promise."

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow at work. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for understanding," Arianna said before hanging up the phone.

"Am I going to have any problems with your little friend?" Harry asked from the doorway, making Arianna jump out of her skin.

"Can you please not scare me like that?!" she shrilled.  

"You didn't answer my question."

"I'm sorry. Can you repeat your question?"

"Am I going to have any problems with your little friend? He obviously thinks of you as more than a friend."

"No, you shouldn't. Jesse knows where I stand when it comes to our friendship."

"Good. I would hate to have to set him straight because you are mine in every sense of the word, and I don't fancy sharing. Dinner is ready."

Arianna rolled her eyes and followed Harry out of the bedroom. It had been two weeks since their first meeting, and she wasn't regretting her decision. Truthfully, it was a no-brainer. Come up with the $500,000, or be put up for auction to the highest bidder, who could do whatever they pleased to her. So far, Harry had been a gentleman, and it definitely helped that he was handsome and had money. He hadn't hit her, raised his voice at her, or made any unreasonable demands. Shockingly, Legs also took a quick liking to Harry. It took two months for Legs to warm up to Jesse.

What surprised Arianna the most was that Harry was making a conscientious effort to get to know her. Earlier in the week, he came to her apartment at 3:00 in the morning and took her on an impromptu date to a 24-hour diner. Arianna complained like there was no tomorrow and initially refused. However, Harry wouldn't take no for an answer. He picked up her slippers from beside her bed and scooped her petite body over his shoulder before storming out of her apartment with her kicking and screaming.  

Arianna was in a better mood once her food was ordered, and she had a hot chocolate with a mountain of whipped cream. The two of them spent the next three hours eating and learning as much as they could about each other. Arianna's eyes widened in shock when Harry dropped her off at her apartment and kissed her on the cheek before taking his leave. Her hand flew to her heated cheek as she watched him walk away. What surprised her the most was that she enjoyed it.

"I hope you're hungry."

"I'm always hungry," Arianna confessed.

"I learned that the hard way when you demanded I bring you Popeye's the other night. I'm more appalled with myself. I should've put my foot down and denied your request for an 8-piece family meal."

"I-I didn't eat it all in one sitting. I saved some for lunch the next day."

"That's only marginally better," Harry snorted as he pulled out Arianna's chair for her.  

"What's on the menu?"

"For dinner, we have a seafood penne pasta with grilled garlic toast accompanied by a crisp pinot grigio," Harry expressed while pouring her a glass of wine.  

"It smells delicious," she sighed, taking a whiff of the food.

"Wait until you taste it."

Harry sat beside Arianna, and it was only five minutes into dinner when she realized something was bothering him.

"What's good, Harry?"

"Excuse me?"

"There's something on your mind."

"How can you tell?"

"You look constipated," Arianna teased.  

"I beg to differ."

"Tell me what's bothering you," she demanded.

"It's your parents," Harry blurted out.

"Okay...what about them? Did you find them?"

"Um...what's left of them."

Arianna raised an eyebrow, waiting for Harry to expound.  

"The family who hired me to track them down got ahold of them and killed them."

"Why were they killed if you paid off the debt for me?"

"I don't know. I don't try to understand the inner workings of the Stevens family. I just do what I'm told, get paid, and mind my business."

Arianna and Harry continued to eat in silence. She was speechless, and he was trying to gauge her reaction.  

"How do you feel?" Harry curiously asked, receiving a slight shrug from Arianna.

"Indifferent, I guess. They made their bed, and they fucked me over more than once. It's kinda like hearing about a stranger dying."

"That's a little morbid for you, my Rose."

"It is what it is."

The couple spent the remainder of the meal making light conversation. Harry mentioned he would be leaving town next month for a job, leaving Arianna behind for Thanksgiving.

"I feel bad leaving you alone for the holidays."

"Don't worry about it, Harry. I'll have Thanksgiving with the Vanderbilts."

"Of course you will," he scoffed.

"Is there a problem?" she questioned with a slight edge in her tone.

"You need to be cautious about the Vanderbilts," Harry warned.

"Why? Did something happen? What's the tea?"

"They show an unhealthy amount of interest in you. They're borderline obsessed with making you a part of their family. I wouldn't be shocked if they hired a hitman to take me out so that Jesse could have you for himself."

"Don't be ridiculous, Harry."

"I'm not being ridiculous, Rose. Just keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. You'll come to the same conclusion soon enough. You're being groomed, Rose. This is another reason why it's a good idea for you to start school now so that you can slowly distance yourself from the club."

"Let's change the subject because you're obviously paranoid," Arianna reprimanded.  

Harry knew he was right on the money when it came to the Vanderbilts. He would allow his young partner to remain in denial for a little bit longer, but she'll soon see the light.  

"You're right, Rose. I hope you saved room for dessert."

"It depends on what you got," she answered.

"Nothing too special, just chocolate chip brownies."

"...Yeah...I think I got room for that."