Arianna never knew acting could be this exhausting. Big Joe was not a stupid man so she had to be more scrupulous and natural at pulling off that elaborate hoax.
Kenith would strike her back, Arianna was sure of that, especially with the murderous look she saw him give her right before he was taken away by Big Joe's position.
She didn't need to be told what she just cost Kenith - his position of power and reputation. If Kenith was crazy enough to want to force himself on her just because he was jealous of Marcel, what would he do now when she caused him everything.
Arianna understood the repercussion of what happened. She was Big Joe's chosen bride and the man walked in on the scene of his second-in-command trying to have her. It was definitely a death sentence.
She tried to put herself in that same situation. If by chance she loved Big Joe - which was highly impossible - and she saw another lady on top of her man, Arianna was sure she would rain down hell that day.
Yeah, she was a possessive person when it comes to the people she holds dear to her. Because she would go even to the end of the world for them, she expected them to be loyal to her.
Arianna was quick to secure her position - and life - knowing that the only threat Kenith holds over was the video.
He said it himself, Big Joe would not take it lightly when he sees that. So she decided to confess before someone did - namely Kenith - and reconstruct the whole thing to his favor and cause Big Joe to act on falsehoods or incomplete information against her.
Aside from that, admitting to being in the wrong makes a significant difference, and burying it would only make things so much worse when the truth surfaces. Yes, admitting it was quite risky and might cost her her life but the sooner she owns it, the less drama she would face and be free of fear; Kenith wouldn't be able to blackmail her.
Although Arianna confessed about the video, she might have told a little lie to her "future husband" like telling him that Marcel forced her to dance.
She just prayed that Marcel doesn't burst her plans if Big Joe calls to confirm that - she highly doubted that anyway. Big Joe was currently not a big fan of Marcel.
Although technically, that wasn't really a lie since Victor didn't exactly give her a choice to decline the dance. So yeah, she's not lying.
Her confessing the dance was a huge gamble and the consequence was death. But then, who knew a little tears and perfect plot armor was able to convince Big Joe to let her head stay on her shoulder, for now.
He told her to have a nice rest but Arianna knew this matter was far from solved. Kenith told her that the video was a huge slap to Big Joe's face and the fact he left her alive meant there was an incoming punishment.
Thanks to that, Arianna wasn't able to relax, her mind was all over the place as she thought of what Big Joe might do to her. He would definitely try to put her in her place to prove to his people that she was beneath him and not a wild wife.
Arianna didn't dare to think of escaping, in fact, she did not doubt that the door was locked, plus the battalion of soldiers he placed outside to keep her guarded. Even a fly, no, a mosquito wouldn't be able to leave this room.
And it was in the process of thinking that Arianna's mind moved back to the issue of Elijah helping her out by bringing Big Joe home on time.
There was no way on earth that was Marcel's doing. The asshole literally gave her away on a platter of gold to Big Joe. Why would he rescue her from the claws of the monster that almost took her forcefully?
She was a fool to have been caught up in the moment with Marcel. In the end, it was Elijah who truly cared about her and while she was playing around with the asshole, Elijah had been working on a way to get her out of here. She simply didn't deserve him! She was stupid! A stupid woman!
Arianna was hitting her head, chiding herself when her door clicked open and someone came in with a tray of food and she recognized that woman as Cassie.
She froze.
Arianna's mouth was open yet no words could come out as she stared at Cassie who looked no different from the time she last saw her.
Honestly, Arianna had mixed thoughts concerning Cassie; she was guilty and wary of her at the same time. Arianna was guilty in the sense that she had promised to make life better for Cassie when she got the opportunity, however, the first thing she did was to escape here alone, leaving her behind and forgetting all about her promise. Not that she could have done much anyway in the precarious position she had been with no money, resources, and power.
But Arianna was wary of her at the same time because the girl was a huge fan of Kenith who was taken away to God knows where - probably a place of torture - because of her.
However, Arianna didn't regret her choice, she would do the same thing over and over again if Kenith were to try such a thing again.
The tension between them heightened and pulsed and it wasn't until Cassie said, "Hi," that Arianna realized she had spoken to her.
"Huh?" Arianna was startled, "Oh, hi," She waved at her with a nervous smile. Gosh, this was awkward, she mumbled in her mind.
"I was instructed to bring food to you," Cassie said in a gentle tone.
She had her kind and innocent look as usual and that made Arianna's chest tighten with guilt. Even when she - Arianna - failed her, she didn't bring it up. It was rare to find people with such a spirit.
"Oh, that, over here," Arianna directed her to place the tray on top of the row of treasure chest boxes beside her bed. Her room was designed with a globe-trotting theme and looked like an adventure hub.
As soon as she was done, Arianna didn't look her in the face and hoped her easy-going nature was enough to make her leave this room without asking her questions. However, Cassie had other plans.