Harry and Arianna - Chapter 1 - The Collector

Harry and Arianna - Chapter 1 - The Collector
Have you wondered what it would look like if Arianna and Harry had gotten together instead? In this one-shot, let's pretend things didn't pan out for Arianna and Pierce. Early on, he realized the age gap between them was too significant, and he decided he didn't want to pursue her any longer. The one-shot will pick up with Arianna coming home after work and finding a letter from her parents in her mailbox.

"Call me when you get home."

"I won't," Arianna sang as she waltzed out the doors of Elite SA.  

"Why do you have to be so difficult? Will you at least text me to let me know that you've arrived home safely?" Jesse pleaded with his stubborn best friend.

"I might."

"If you don't, then I'll show up at your place," he threatened.

"Okay, okay. I'll text you after I get settled for the evening," Arianna confirmed before sliding into her brand new car. Arianna started up her brand-new Jaguar F-Type Convertible and purred along with the engine.

Arianna recently purchased the vehicle to replace the one her gambling-addicted parents stole right from underneath her nose. They intended to sell the car she had paid off, but Arianna made it her personal mission to ensure her parents didn't recoup a dime from it. She giggled as she recalled how she busted all the windows out with a softball bat, threw paint on the exterior, and bleach on the black cloth seats. She received a call from them later that day, cursing her for her actions. They claimed they owed the wrong people money and desperately needed the money. Arianna couldn't find it in her to care. They gambled away her college tuition, and if they had their kneecaps busted or ended up in cement shoes, then that was their problem, not hers. Arianna hadn't heard from them in a hot minute and secretly hoped they were floating at the bottom of the ocean.  

She could've purchased something more practical; however, she recently received a series of raises, a generous end-of-year bonus, and completed several lucrative party-planning jobs. She worked hard for everything she had, and she was definitely going to treat herself.

Arianna parked in her covered assigned parking spot at her apartment complex and stopped to check her mail. There was never anything of great significance in her mailbox, but sometimes she found some great coupons for her favorite restaurants.  

"Junk, junk, more junk. Ooh, coupons to Marcos Pizza. Junk, junk, what the-"

Arianna paused when she found an envelope addressed to her from her parents. She quickly opened it, and to her surprise, there was only one word sloppily scrawled on the stationery.  

"Sorry? Sorry for what? The car? I guess," she scoffed, throwing the letter with the rest of the junk in the garbage bin near the mailboxes.

"Mommy's home," Arianna called out after unlocking her door. She was surprised to hear Legs aggressively hissing. "Legs, what's the matter, baby?" Arianna cooed, trying to get her feline friend to calm down. "You want a treat?" she asked, locking the door behind her.  

Arianna expertly maneuvered through the darkness until she reached the lamp on her nightstand.  

"Scream, and I'll blow your pretty little head off," the intruder with a British accent threatened.

A million thoughts raced through Arianna's head as she stared at the man who held a gun in her face.

"W-What do you want?" she shakily asked.

"Shhhhh. I'm the one doing the talking here, alright?"

She slowly nodded her head.

"Good. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Harry, and unfortunately for you, young lady, you're on my shit list."

"What have I ever done to you? I don't even know you."

"What did I say about talking? Do you want me to get the tape out?" Harry threatened.

Arianna furiously shook her head. She didn't know who the stranger in her bed was or what he wanted from her. She didn't make enemies and often kept to herself.

"Good. Take a seat right there," Harry demanded, pointing at the end of the bed. "As I was saying, my name is Harry. It's lovely to meet you, Arianna. It's okay. You can say it back."

"...It's nice to meet you, too."

Arianna's phone suddenly rang, interrupting their conversation.

"Who is it?" Harry inquired.

"It's my best friend. He's calling to make sure I made it home safely," she answered honestly.

"Go ahead and pick it up. If you alert him that I'm here, I won't hesitate to hurt you, and then I'll track him down and kill him."

"You wouldn't," she gasped.

"Do you really want to chance it and find out? Answer it," Harry demanded.

"Hey, Jesse."

"Hey, did you forget to call?"

"No, I didn't. I checked the mail, and then I wanted to shower first and get settled into bed before I called.  

"I see...what are you wearing?"

"You're a dog," Arianna spat, causing her best friend to laugh on the other end. She noted the menacing look on Harry's face and decided to end the conversation. "I gotta go, Jesse."

"Alright. I'll see you in the morning at the club. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she whispered before hanging up the phone.

"Is Jesse your boyfriend?"

"I don't see how any of that is your business," she snapped.

"It's just a question. No need to bite my head off. I had a few moments to look around the place, and your undergarments are quite saucy for your age. Your 'friend' must really enjoy them."

Arianna blankly stared at Harry, anxiously waiting for him to get on with it.  

"Right. Where was I? Ah, yes! Long story short, I work for a very powerful man who is not very pleased with your parents."

The word "sorry" flashed in Arianna's mind.

"Your parents, the notorious Darian and Nina Carter, owe my boss quite a bit of money."