Chapter 6 Meeting Circe
Zane's POV
“Get me a list of the best shoemakers in the world and have them make heels that are stylish, classy and almost weightless.” I ordered Lionel as he walked into my study room.
“Is it for Miss Arielle?”
“Do I wear high heels Lionel?”
Lionel snorted softly and shook his head. “Okay boss, anything else?”
I dropped the pen I was holding, my conversation with Arielle dancing at the back of my mind like a ballerina, the fierce look in her eyes and frustration when I called her weak, it triggered something in me. “Send an invitation to her sister.”
“Lisa Leicester?”
“Yes, she's still a model at DBG agency right? I'm also guessing Arielle's ex fiance is covering her dirty tracks.”
“Yes, Adrian Schneider, he manages the top models at the agency and ensures she gets the best deals, endorsement and contracts.”
I clenched my fists in anger, partly at the fool for hurting Arielle and me, for believing she was in safe hands and never made the deliberate effort to reach out to her until it was almost too late.
“He adores Lisa and hurt Arielle as a result, I'll make them both wish they were set on fire instead of the doom I am bringing to their doorsteps, ensure Lisa attends the ceremony. “
“Are you sure you want her at the ceremony? She'll see Miss Arielle.”
“That's the point.”
“Alright boss, I'll do that right away.”
“Good.”
I watched as Lionel began to leave and I called out to him, stopping him midway. “Lionel!”
He paused, awaiting my command.
“When Arielle was recuperating and going through the surgery, was she in much pain?” I asked, out of the blues.
His facial expression showed that he was stupefied by my question but he was quick to mask it. “She wasn't in pain, the pain was the only thing she could feel, at some point, I wished she were dead, even with the painkiller and anesthesia, her screams are haunting and bone chilling, I admire her courage.” He confessed.
I let out a low but quiet grunt. “I'll make everyone who hurt her pay dearly for it, ensure Lisa gets the invitation.”
“You're not one to get personal or sentimental, if i may ask, who is she to you? You've been keeping track of her progress for years. If it weren't for you, she'd be dead by now.”
My lips twitched, an unpleasant memory flashing across my eyes. I rose to my feet, quietly making my way to the door. “If it weren't for her, I'd be dead.”
I walked away, leaving him to ponder on my words. That night, I drove to an abandoned warehouse in a desecrate street, I met with an informant, a shadow that dare not step into the limelight.
“Did you do as I asked?” I questioned, impatiently.
“Yes, everything is set.”
“Good, I'll contact you when I need your services again, stay out of sight.”
I snatched the envelop he held in his hand, turned around and began to walk away.
“Boss!”
I growled, irritated and he caught up with me. “What is it?”
“Are you sure you want to do this? It's literally destroying him, it's less cruel if we just end his life?”
My eyebrows furrowed. “I'm not paying you for your opinion Fred, remember your place. Ruthlessness is mercy in itself, no one messes with the people I love.” I hissed and got into my car, not waiting for an answer.
That night, I dreamt of death. I was soaked in blood from head to toe but it wasn't mine but that of the dead bodies that surrounded me like an ornament. I woke up covered in sweat and took my medication afterwards; I couldn't sleep so I got to work.
When the sun was on its horizon, I went to Arielle's room and told her to follow me as I had made arrangements to make things easier for her but she demanded I told her where we are headed and went as far as breaking free of my grip.
She gave me a piece of her mind, her voice shaky but laced with resolution, the fire danced in her eyes, her fragile body housing the raw power and emotions pouring out her.
“I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget.” I declared, looking deadpan into her eyes.
I watched her freeze in fear, she tried to hide it but her eyes betrayed her.
“What do you mean?” She asked, my voice barely audible.
“Don't be a dramatic tigress, we're going shopping.” I informed her.
She cocked her head sideways, as if contemplating what I said. “No, I don't want to go.”
I fought the urge to burst into laughter, was she serious?
“You don't have a choice.” I informed her but she wore a stoic look, one that screamed that she was trying to me tough.
“You'd have to throw me over your shoulders or knock me unconscious before I go shopping with someone who called me a weakling!” She spat. My words had hurt her though I didn't intend it to do so.
Exhaling slowly, I clicked my tongue. “I guess I have no choice.” I intoned and pretended to back down, when she attempted to go back to her room, I scooped her and hauled her over my shoulder, as gently as I can.
“Let me down!” She yelled, throwing her hands and legs in the air while I quickly decended the stairs, laughing at her.
“What do you think you're doing? This is assault!” She protested but I didn’t stop even as she threw weak punches and hit me.
I let her down when we got to the car and made her sit, fastening the seat belt and took my seat beside her. “Drive.” I ordered my driver.
“What do you think you're doing?” Arielle asked, panicking as the car was in motion.
I placed a hand on her tensed shoulders. “Relax Arielle, I'm not kidnapping you.” I joked but she didn't laugh.
“You don't just take people against their wishes. “ She spat, angrily.
For the rest of the ride, she was silent and wouldn't say a word even as I spoke to her. When we got to pur destination, I alighted and she reluctantly said so. I watched as she looked confused staring at the biggest emporium in the country.
“Don't just stand there, come inside.” I urged her and took her hands, this time, gently and she didn't refuse me.
We were received warmly and taken to the core of the emporium instead.
“If it isn't my most favorite person in the world!” A sweet voice greeted and a beautiful woman in her late thirties approached me with open arms and briefly hugged me.
“Hi Circe.” I reciprocated.
She giggled and turned her attention towards Arielle who was still dazzled. “Cir-circe?” She gasped.
I almost panic as she seemed to be in a trance, I shook her hands lightly and she snapped out of it, Circe hugged her and she squealed in excitement.
“You look beautiful Arielle.” Circe complimented.
Circe is the most famous fashion designer, model and even chef in the world, she's known because of her multifaceted abilities, her astounding beauty and unparalleled talents. I had reached out to her in the early hours of the day and arranged an appointment knowing well that Arielle adored her. How did I get to know them? Well that's a secret I wasn't willing to share, not yet.
Arielle blushed, “It's an honor to meet you Circe, you're my top role model.’
“I'm glad to have met you too, Zane here tells me you need some fashion and runway tips, let's get into business, shall we?” Circe intoned, straight forward.
Arielle nodded, I could tell she was trying hard to contain her excitement. Circe rang a little bell and half a dozen ladies came filing in, each holding a box in their hands.
“Havve a seat please, the journey of stardom on the runway begins with having good shoes.” Circe started, then she calmly went on her knees, in front of Arielle who protested and almost sprang to her feet but Circe assured her it was fine. She took off the shoes Arielle were wearing and Arielle flinched, as if withdrawing her legs and being ashamed to show them.
“There's nothing to be ashamed of Arielle, you have beautiful legs.” Circe complimented and I watched Arielle's expression go from shame and timidity to an insanely high boost of morale.
“You need to find your own shoes, one that brings out the model in you.” Circe explained as she began to help Arielle put on some new shoes.
My phone rang and I excused myself to attend to it, apparently, a shipment of our goods got delayed at some border and those in charge wouldn't let them go so I had to go through the trouble of calling the President of that country.
When I was done, I went to check on Arielle and the sight i saw warmed my heart, she was walking perfectly fine wirh Circe walking beside her and her face was beaming with smiles, I have never seen her smile that much before.
“Seems you've found your spark.” I commented as she walked down the makeshift runway Circe prepared.
“On a good day, I'll give you a run for your money.” Arielle replied, then tuts at me.
I chuckled lightly. An uplifting background music was been played and Circle taught her to strike some peculiar poses, for half an hour, I watched them walk, Crack some joke, laugh and even change pairs of shoes. Arielle began to walk all on her own while Circe and I leaned back and watched her, cheering for her.
“She has beautiful legs.” Circe whispered to me.
I inhaled sharply and adjusted the button of my suit. “I know, everything about her is beautiful.”
“All she needs is the right mentoring, I see potentials in her. I can't help but notice that her feet is bruised, these shoes are beauty but pain.”
“I know Circe, I'm going to take care of that.”
“You go girl!”
I laughed softly, at Circe's childish way of encouragement.
“Thank you for agreeing to do this on such short notice.”
“Zane, does she mean a lot to you? I see the way you look at her and you're not one to ask for favors.”
I leaned further into the chair I was seating on and stared at Arielle. “She means the world to me and I'll owe all the debts in the world if it meant seeing her smile.”
Circe was about to respond when Arielle let out a sharp cry, the heel stem had snapped, sending her crashing to the cold floor, I lunged forward and hurriedly scooped her in my arms.
“Are you hurt, are you fine?” I asked, worriedly.
She weakly nodded her head and pointed at her kneecaps, there was a little cut in her dress and it exposed some skin which was oozing with blood.
“Someone get me an ice pack!” I thundered loudly and alsmot immediately, Circe handed one over to me.
I gently placed Arielle down and applied it on the bruise and she shuddered, a first aid box was brought and I first cleaned the site of the bruise and then applied some ointment to it and she winced in pain.
“I'm fine, I'm fine.” She assured me.
“We're going home, you've done enough for a day.” I informed her but she sprang to her feet.
“No! Not until I've perfect this. It's just a bruise an-”
“You're injured, I can't afford you getting injured.” I interjected.
She shifted backwards and held her ground. “If i relentless at every slight injury then I'll never be ready for anything, I'm fine and I'll not back down until I get what I want.” She invited, resolved and made her way back up.
“Miss Circe, please observe my steps and give me your honeys feedback.” Arielle requested.
“Of course darling.” Circe concurred.
I shook my head disapprovingly and watched her every step, waiting for her to show any signs of pain and I'll whisk her away, even if it meant carrying her on my shoulders but to my surprise, she did excellently well! Even Circe was amazed at the improvement.
It was as if the fall awoke something in her, she was fearless and unstoppable.