Arianna didn’t step out of the room after that confrontation with Winters and Mimi had already returned home to spend time with her family since she’d been sleeping over at the base in preparation for their infiltration of Daniel’s place.
Not that Marcel noticed since he was probably having fun with Winters. Moreover, his attention was the last thing Arianna wanted, especially now that she was trying to prove to everyone she wasn’t madly in love with him.
Arianna didn’t catch a wink that night and one would think that it was because she was nervous about the mission. There was just a day left, till they walked into the lion’s den. But then, it was because of Winters’ warning.
The girl must really like Marcel to have gone through all of this effort and it was a good thing, right? Winters was determined to make Marcel like her and Marcel doesn’t hate her as he does his fiancée. They would make a nice couple, right? While she would be sent away until Elijah shows up and faces Marcel’s wrath, or break her out. The thought of it made her heart squeeze in pain.
Arianna was in a dilemma. Ever since her family sold her out, it was one problem after the other. First Big Joe, then Marcel? Now choosing between Marcel and Elijah. When would her life ever get that normalcy she had once enjoyed?
Her mood didn’t improve the next morning because they had to go over the plans, meaning that she would have to meet Marcel whom she had been avoiding since last night. They were going to be in close proximity and then everyone would have their eyes on them, watching the both of them as if watching for them to pulverize or something. When did her private affair become a public issue? It was annoying.
“Fine,” Arianna took a deep breath and put herself into order before stepping into the room.
As soon as she came in, all eyes were on her, and Arianna was not even surprised to see that she was the last to arrive.
“I was occupied with some things,” Arianna answered, and honestly, she tried to control it, but still, a flush traveled down to her neck.
Stop behaving like a teenager falling in love for the first time! You’re a mature woman for crying out loud, she chided herself.
However, Arianna shouldn’t have bothered herself much because Winters came out of nowhere and placed a hand on Marcel’s shoulder.
That gesture she noticed sent a chill down her back and Arianna’s heart hardened as she remembered her conversation with Winters last night. The girl was intent on winning Marcel over and obviously, started working on it. Not that Marcel minded anyway since he hadn’t taken her hand off his shoulder. He must like it so much.
Focus, Arianna! You shouldn’t give them much attention. You’ve made up your mind already, Elijah would be the one you would spend the rest of your life with. Just the same way the feelings came, they would leave as well. Perhaps, it wasn’t a bad thing Winters had his attention now.
But even as Arianna told herself those words, her gaze still lingered on Winter’s action and it wasn’t until Mimi touched her that she was able to drag her sight away.
“You should sit,” Mimi told her and pulled her to the side of the table where she was settled.
Arianna was seated between Victor and Mimi which meant that she was directly facing Marcel and Winters. This was miserable, could her day not get any worse?
Marcel stood up, saying, “As we all know, today is the last day to go over the plans and I want to make sure no stone is left untouched. We can’t afford to make mistakes, else you both are doomed.” He hinted at Mimi and Arianna.
The two best friends looked at each other, anxiety in their eyes yet Arianna took her hand and intertwined it with hers. As far as they were together, they could do anything.
“The first phase of the plan was to draw my father out and of which, it worked successfully. So while the cleaners would be coming to do their work, the man of the house wouldn’t be around. This is most beneficial to you both....” Marcel referred to Arianna and Mimi since both of them were the ones going in, “Because that means that there would be fewer soldiers to stand in your way. My father has as many enemies as I have and definitely wouldn’t be traveling light. Also, servants tend to slack off when the master of the house is unavailable, so you have that to your advantage. But don’t be deceived, those men are professionally trained and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot you on the spot when they suspect something off. ” Marcel informed them.
The two of them noted his instruction, just as Victor said, “The second phase of the plan and the beginning of your difficulty is getting into the place. The cleaning company has fulfilled their part of the deal and thus....” He brought out two employee IDs from his pocket and placed them on the table.
“You’re officially their worker now from another branch abroad with three years of working experience,” Victor told them as Mimi and Arianna reached out and took the card, examining the plastic.
But Arianna pressed her lips into a thin line saying, “Don’t we make this too easy for them?”
“What?” Marcel asked.
“What if they know my identity already, they would be able to tell that I’m a fraud with a fake name. What if we altered a few things about our appearance instead, making it difficult for people familiar with our faces to recognize us. We could wear a wig and some makeup?” She suggested.
“That’s nice,” Victor said, “But you’d be more suspicious if you were to wear a wig? You forgot that you’d be searched thoroughly before you’re granted entrance, even phones are confiscated.”
“She dyes her hair then,” Mimi suggested.
“What?” Arianna jerked around, looking at her friend in surprise. She has never changed the color of her hair since her birth.
“I mean I’m going to miss your red hair, but it draws too much attention. Moreover, dying hair is the fashion these days, no one would find it suspicious compared to wearing a wig.”