Chapter 9 The assistant
Leo's POV
Two days before the big event, Zane arranged for a private spa treatment for Arielle, he was out of the country for business and promised to get souvenirs for her.
‘She's in your care, make sure nothing bad happens to her.’ Zane charged me before he left.
“Do you feel more relaxed than before?” I asked as I escorted Arielle back to the car.
“Do you really have to ask me these questions?” She replied which made me chuckle.
“Do you still hold it against me that I was a part of your skin reconstruction surgery team?” I asked as I held the car door for her.
“You were just doing your job but you snitched on me and I don't like snitches.’ She threw back, jokingly.
“As long as you're fine, I'd take on your hate anytime.”
She laughed briefly and got into the car.
“Can we stop to get ice cream?” She requested after we took off.
“No problem.” I concurred and took another route.
“Don't you have other work to do? You're a doctor or so aren't you?”
“I am a Doctor, triple board certified.” I bragged slightly and saw her scrutinize her nose, through the rear view mirror.
“What doctor leaves his practice to drive me around?”
“Boss asked me to personally drive you around and ensure your safety.”
“My safety? No one knows or recognizes me anymore, are you scared that someone would kidnap me?” She joked.
“You're far more important than you think.” I informed her.
She looked out the window and fell silent. Zane had told me before leaving to always accompany her, he cares a lot about her and wasn't hiding it.
When he found out she was in a fire accident, he ordered me to pull our connections and ensure she gets the best care and when we found out she was being exploited for blood by her fiance, he was infuriated and I had to calm him down.
He went as far as switching her with another charred body, no matter how much I asked, he wouldn't tell me who she was to him. I remember the look of fear and panic in his eyes when he rushed her back to my hospital and had doctors flown into the country just to take care of her.
“What's your favorite flavor of Ice cream Leo?” Arielle ask, drawing my attention back to the present.
“Me? I like strawberry flavored ice cream, it's rare but heavenly.” I responded, smiling widely.
I pulled over at an ice cream stand and bought some for the both of us since she insisted I also buy for myself.
“Do you ever wonder what would happen if you've never met Zane?” She asked, out of the blues as I drove silently back home.
“Yes I do, I'd be dead and lost.” I replied, truthfully.
I could hear her guffaw sarcastically. “What's up? You were set on fire by your girlfriend too?”
I shook my head. “No, I went to jail for attempted murder, my dad is an abusive drunkard. One day, he hit my mother so hard she stopped breathing, I stabbed him nine times and was arrested for it, I regret that he survived.”
“Is that some kind of a twisted joke?”
“No, I was fourteen as at that time, Zane found me.”
She pursued her lips, as if holding back from pouring out her mind. “Zane, he's the kind of person who helps others isn't he? But why me? Who is he really? I know I should be content with being grateful for him giving me another shot at life but I just can't help but wonder why he'd do so, for me.”
“Don't think about it too hard Arielle, I don't know much about you but I know Zane, believe me, you're special and important so you need to act like it, please.” I said, convincingly.
“After you saved me, what happened? Did Adrian look for me? Did he regret his actions?” She asked, after a long pause.
“Does it really matter?” I questioned in an attempt to wave it off.
“Yes it does! It matters to me. I need to know, for closure.” She persisted, her voice dropping an octave lower.
“After your fake death, there were no signs of mourning, he carried on with life and even stayed close to Lisa at all times, apparently comforting her.” I confessed and watched her face twitch with pain.
“He killed me and couldn't have the decency of being remorseful about it?” She mumbled.
“Looking at the bright side of things, you'd never have known he was a two timing bastard all along.” I mumbled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Can Zane help me get revenge?” She questioned, her tone firm and demanding.
“If there's anyone who would get you what you want and deserve, it's him.”
“Hmm.”
The rest of the ride home was silent and we alighted when we arrived. I trailed at a safe distance behind her and I could tell she was getting irritated that I was following her around everywhere she went.
“Don't you have to follow me around?” She snapped, I need space to breathe.
“You have all the space you need Arielle, my orders were to not let you out of my sight.”
She huffed. “Well, he's not here now, is he? What are you both scared of? That someone will set me ablaze again?”
I didn't understand her anger, never could understand the dynamics of the human mind.
“Is there something bothering you? You look upset.” I politely asked.
She furrowed her eyebrows and threw me a dirty look.
“No Leo, I'm perfectly fine. It should be time for the final fitting isn't it?”
“Yes, it is. It is scheduled for later this evening.”
“Good, I'll be in my room until then, call me when it's time and don't you dare follow me, I'll gut you.” She threatened and I watched her storm off to her room.
My phone rang and I picked the call.
“Leo, how's she doing?”
“So far today, we got ice cream, had a little chat and now she's upset at me and I have no idea why its happening.” I narrated.
I heard Zane chuckle over the phone. “For someone as intelligent as you are, I can't believe you are this naive.”
“I'm not sure I follow.”
“Of course you don't, just do as I say, okay? Order some flowers, a box of chocolate, a big tub of ice cream, a massage pad, a heating pad, perfume, some chips and sanitary pads. Put them in a gift box and deliver it to her room with a handwritten note that states that she's beautiful and strong just the way she is, make sure you add that it's from me.” Zane commanded.
“Oh!” I gasped, realization dawning on me. “I thought she was upset because I told her the truth about her sister and Adrian.”
“You need my type of intelligence Leo, not everyone can possess it.” Zane laughed.
I tsked. “How are you sure of all this?”
“Because I know women, there was one in my life at some point.” He explained then fell silent for a second.
We both knew the thought that crossed his mind and who he was referring to, a painful memory we dare not speak of.
“How much longer is your trip going to take? There's just two days left.” I asked, changing the topic.
“I'll be there as soon as I can, I have to ensure my investments here aren't wasted. Take care of yourself and Arielle.”
Then, he hung up. I heaved a heavy sigh and immediately ordered all he asked me to, twenty minutes later, I carried the gift box to Arielle's room and knocked, she was grumpy and definitely not happy I was interrupting her ‘peace’
She opened the box and her eyes lit up with excitement. “Thank you! Now go away.” She shooed.
I could hold back my laughter and walked away from her, amused. The fitting went on nicely and she couldn't stop asking when Zane will be home and I didn't stop assuring her he'll be back soon.
On the eve of the event, Zane still hadn't arrived, panic began to set in, even for me.