Morning sunlight crept through the curtains, warming Ariel's skin as she stirred awake. Her eyes fluttered open and immediately turned to the space beside her, empty. No warmth. No sign of Alex.
Her heart sank. He's still not back…
Clinging to a shred of hope, she threw the covers aside and hurried downstairs. Each step felt heavier than the last, her heartbeat quickening with every room she passed.
But the living room was silent. Still. Empty.
"Ma'am?" came a soft voice. One of the maids stood nearby, her face filled with quiet sympathy. "He's still not back," she said gently.
Ariel's shoulders slumped. She forced a small smile. "Thank you."
The maid nodded and stepped away.
Ariel lingered at the bottom of the stairs, frozen in place. Then she turned around and slowly made her way back to her room, her fingers trailing along the railing. Each step echoed the hollow feeling in her chest.
Back on her bed, she sat on the edge, staring blankly at the wall.
Where are you, Alex? Why didn't you come back to me?
Her jaw clenched. What if Simon has something to do with this…?
Her eyes lit with sudden resolve. "Then I'll meet Simon. I'll tell him it was all a misunderstanding. He'll have to let Alex go."
With newfound determination, she jumped up, bathed, brushed, and changed into a blue top, a black mini skirt, and a sleek black hat. She checked her reflection in the mirror, polished, confident, dangerous. She grabbed her phone and headed downstairs.
"Is my breakfast ready?" she asked a maid.
"Yes, ma. Let me set it out."
Ariel nodded, already unlocking her phone as she walked to the table. She scrolled through her contacts and clicked on Simon's.
Let's meet. I need to talk to you.
She hit send and waited, her foot tapping under the table.
"Ma, your food is set," the maid said softly.
"Thanks," Ariel said, standing and heading to the dining room with her eyes still glued to the phone screen. No reply.
...
After eating, Ariel walked outside and spotted one of Alex's sleek blue BMVs in the garage. A tiny grin curved on her lips. Not out of joy but purpose.
She turned to the guards. "Can you get me the car key?"
Without hesitation, one of the guards dashed off and returned moments later, breathless but obedient. "Here you go, ma'am."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, ma'am."
Sliding into the car, she let her fingers run over the steering wheel. The leather was warm beneath her touch. Her pulse thudded, and for a moment, a flicker of pride lit her face.
She spotted Alex's black shades resting on the dashboard. She picked them up and slid them on.
"I'm coming for answers."
The engine roared to life. She backed out and sped down the road toward Simon's office.
Unbeknownst to her, the guard who had handed her the key quickly pulled out his phone. "Sir," he whispered. "She just left with the blue BMV."
Alex's voice on the other end was sharp. "Follow her. Stay hidden. Don't let her out of your sight."
"Yes, boss."
Ariel, meanwhile, was completely immersed in the ride. The wind in her hair, the power of the engine, it all should've thrilled her. But instead, it just reminded her of Alex. The scent of his cologne still lingered faintly inside the car.
Her smile faded. Where are you?
She gripped the steering wheel tighter. I need answers. No more waiting.
Soon, she pulled into Simon's workplace. Familiarity washed over her, but she pushed it down. There was no time for nostalgia.
She stepped out and walked confidently through the halls. No one stopped her. No one dared. They still whispered her name with awe, even after everything.
She reached Simon's office.
Without knocking, she pushed the door open.
Her eyes widened.
"Fiona?"
Fiona, crouched by the drawers, froze.
"Ariel?" Fiona gasped, scrambling to her feet like she'd been caught stealing.
"What are you doing here? Where is Simon?! You homewrecker!" Fiona snapped, slamming the drawer shut.
Ariel didn't flinch. "Will you shut up and stop acting like a child?"
She stepped further in, her eyes sweeping the room. Her gaze paused on the upper corner, the hidden camera was still intact. Perfect.
Fiona straightened up, obviously rattled.
"Whatever you're doing," Ariel said with a slow, mocking smile, "just hope you don't get caught."
Fiona blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Ariel gave her a cold look. "Anyway, this isn't my business. Tell me, where's Simon?"
Fiona folded her arms. "Still pining for him? Pathetic. Face it, he never cared about you."
Ariel raised a brow. "oh, really, I just hope you're not hiding something from me " She faked gasped "Don't tell me... he's gotten another girl pregnant already?" Her tone was full of poison.
Fiona's eyes burned with rage. "Simon would never betray me! He left you because you're nothing. I have worth!"
Ariel tilted her head slightly. Her voice dropped, mocking and low. "I came here looking for a worthless man… and walked into a room with a desperate whore." She stepped closer, lips curling. "You stink of desperation."
Fiona's mouth opened but Ariel was already turning.
"Enjoy the stench," she said over her shoulder as she exited, heels clicking across the marble floor.
Back in her car, she slammed the door shut and took a shaky breath.
Alex is missing. Simon is missing. What the hell is going on…?
...
Meanwhile…
The guard's voice came through the phone. "I hacked the security camera in Simon's office. Sending the footage now."
Alex's reply was clipped. "I'll be waiting."
...
Ariel gripped the steering wheel tightly.
I need to work on myself, she thought. If I was stronger, I could protect him from Simon and all of this madness.
Her reflection in the mirror stared back wounded, but no longer weak.