The sudden freedom felt foreign to Arianna. When she stepped out of her room, Arianna had expected that his men would send her back in but surprisingly, all they did was glance her way and resume their duties. She guessed Marcel was not joking about their deal.
However, that scared Arianna as well, because if she goes back on this deal and gets caught again, there was a high chance she might become rapunzel in this base – if he doesn’t kill her first.
“Well, tomorrow can think about itself,” Arianna muttered to herself as she stepped out of the house and headed to the garden. Even though none of the soldiers followed her there, she could feel their eyes on her and appreciated the fact no one followed her. They were respecting her boundaries.
There she spotted the gazebo and took a seat. Arianna had to admit, that Marcel had quite a taste for good things. The galvanized steel roof is rust-resistant and can help block ninety percent UV rays and is designed for long last use.
Although it was night, apart from the lanterns, there were strings of light that give the place a magical feeling while colorful fabrics were used to decorate and wrapped around the cedar wood frames. It was beautiful. She could spend all night here and not mind it.
Arianna sat down on one of the love seats, taking a look around the place. It was a good place to relax – and think about her life. But tonight, she would not think about the bad things that have happened to her lately or the fact this was a good opportunity to escape Marcel. The man has proven time after time that she wasn’t getting away from him unless he said so. He would always find her.
She leaned back in the seat, her eyes closed as she took in the fresh air and the sweet fragrance of flowers. Nature was all over her and for once her mind was clear. At that moment, all her problems seemed to be far away and she was finally free.
But not for long.
Arianna squeezed her eyes open when she felt movements behind her just as Marcel walked into her line of sight. Her gaze rested on him, taking in everything and she gulped.
Marcel looked good, disturbingly good – to her senses. He was wearing a suit that was missing a tie and the top two buttons were open, revealing his chest. His hair was sexily tousled as if he had been running his hand through it before he got here. He was biting his lower lips as if he was unsure what to say to her, but Arianna had this dirty thought where she was the one biting on that lips.
God damn it, what was she thinking? No, no, this kind of inappropriate thought has to stop. She can’t keep doing this. It was wrong.
“I’m not surprised you found here.” He said.
“I’m sorry,” Arianna quickly said to him, “I didn’t know this was your secret spot. I’ll get out of your hair now....” She said, rising to her feet already when Marcel stopped her.
“Please?” He added, but in a lowered voice this time.
Arianna didn’t say anything but she sat down nonetheless, rubbing her knees with her palm. There was a sudden awkwardness in the air with Marcel’s arrival, it had been peaceful when he wasn’t here. Not that she was going to tell him that.
She tried to mind her business, like really, really, really tried, but Marcel has this indescribable pull that draws her to him. Arianna couldn’t help but notice Marcel standing there with his hands in his pocket and lost in thoughts. He would momentarily sigh and then shift uncomfortably on his feet. All this happened with his back turned to her.
“You’re bothered.”
Of course, she had to talk. Arianna why can’t you ever mind your business for once. Why must you be the goody-two-shoes? Damn it.
“I’m always bothered.” was his answer.
“No, today you’re mega bothered.” She pointed out and hopefully he talks about it. Yeah, why does she want him to talk about it? Real smooth, Arianna. Real smooth.
Marcel finally turned to her, his gray eyes boring into hers and seeking something she has no clue about. But the intensity there made her feel suffocated, like there was no more air in this gazebo and he had sucked every one of it with that single look.
However, there was something in those eyes as well; anxiety, confusion, and pain. Marcel was hurting right now and that bothered her for strange reasons.
Honestly, she should be happy, after all, she had always wished he felt one-third of her pain, but now? She didn’t know anymore. Maybe, it was because she wasn’t the one who caused it. She would be much gratified that way.
Marcel opened his mouth to say something but the words couldn’t come out and Arianna knew whatever this was, it was really hard for him to say.
“It’s alright. You don’t have to force yourself to tell me if you don’t want to.” She understood.
But Marcel did not give her a response and Arianna finally took that as a cue to mind her business. It was stupid even thinking he would somehow open up to her. Pretty stupid. He was her captor for Christ’s sake. His sorrows shouldn’t mind her.
“I’m getting married.”
“What?” Arianna thought she heard something.
Marcel announced in a firmer tone this time, “I’ll be a married man by the end of this month.”
“Oh.” Arianna blinked, once, twice. The words finally sank into her head. Marcel was getting married? Was that good news or a bad one?
Shouldn’t it be good news? After all, when he gets married, his attention would shift from her and who knows, he’d become so bored of her that he would have no choice but to let her go?
But all it took Arianna was to remember that annoying woman from that day and she decided at once this was not good news.