Marcel didn’t ask her anything on their way to the base, if anything he just held onto her hand and leaned back on his seat with his eyes shut. But Arianna was not fooled by that gentle demeanor because she knew that was only the calm before the storm.
Victor and Marcel were really blood-related because the other cousin didn’t ask questions as well and that made the girls uncomfortable. A whole lot of explanation was awaiting them at the base.
Winter didn’t ride with them and according to the information they received, the young girl returned home as soon as she received the USB to secure it. And not long after, they too returned to the base and the long-dreaded moment arrived.
“So....” Marcel began, rubbing his palm together, “Do any of you care to tell us what went on in there because it is quite obvious that you didn’t carry out the original plan.” He asked.
They were currently in the living room and while she and Mimi sat beside each other on the couch for support, Victor and Marcel loomed over them like parents reprimanding their children over a prank gone wrong. Sadly, Arianna hated it when Marcel hovered over her, it made her feel small and that he was the one in control.
Arianna took it upon herself to answer, “Well, for starters, the original plan would have gotten us killed which was why I twitched it a little,”
“Exactly, what did you twitch, Arianna?” Victor growled, impatience in his tone.
“Back off, Victor” Marcel warned him, “I’m the one doing the questioning here, remember?”
Victor took a step back but it was obvious that he wasn’t comfortable with the suspense. The young cousin was craving violence, she could smell the blood lust oozing off him.
.....
“Answer my question, Arianna,” Marcel was sterner this time, “What did you do?”
Unable to keep it a secret anymore, Arianna took a deep breath, and then looking Marcel straight in the eyes, she answered honestly, “We found a scapegoat, led him on, although to be precise, Mimi did all the enticing.”
“Fuck!” Victor cursed in anger having gotten an idea where her story was headed. He dared to imagine the scene and all Victor could feel was anger coursing through him. He was going to kill that bastard.
Arianna went on, “He came to collect on his promise of sex, however, we framed him. Who would believe him anyway? He’s a man. There was a bit of acting involved but that provided the distraction I needed to get the job done.” She explained.
There was a short silence until Marcel said,” I asked you to pull out of the mission if it got too hard? Why did you not listen?! ”
“We came too far, I couldn’t just give up already. Moreover, it’s your sister that we’re talking here. I knew I had to do something, and as dangerous as it was, I would do that over again if that meant finding her and saving the poor girl from your father.” Arianna told him boldly.
“Arianna...” Marcel was short of words, rubbing his temple instead. He had forgotten how stubborn she could be.
“Perhaps, the next time you decide to engage in such a suicidal plan, don’t involve Mimi, would you?!” Victor was furious.
She stood up, “Surely, you didn’t expect that I would go to that mission and only get to be the female lead’s friend, instead of her sidekick? Am I just here for decoration?” Mimi asked him, angry as well.
“That is not what I mean.”
“You certainly made it what you mean!” She retorted and walked away.
“Mimi!” Victor called after her and when she didn’t answer, he went over to her, leaving Marcel and Arianna alone.
There was nothing but tensed silence between the both of you until Marcel stood up to his feet and said to her, “Follow me,”
“What?”
Marcel didn’t answer her and went on ahead leaving Arianna no choice but to follow after him. Thinking that he had something special to discuss with her, Arianna was surprised when he only led her to his room.
No sooner had she come in, than he shut the door and without warning, pushed her against the wall and her heart skipped a beat.
“Marcel...” Arianna breathed, the atmosphere in the room changing at once when he pressed her body against her.
Her heart began to pound in her chest as he leaned over to kiss her. Her eyes instinctively shut on their own and awaited for their lips to meet. But then, she nearly jumped out of her skin when Marcel whispered into her ears instead, “Tell me, Arianna, what else are you hiding from me about this incident?”
“What?” She gulped, wondering how he knew.
But Marcel leaned down to kiss the curve of her neck and she shut her eyes to relieve the feeling, but only for a moment, because he pulled away saying, “I know you, Arianna and you never do something for no reason. Your scapegoat, you choose him precisely. What did he do to you?”
Their gaze met and there she saw the approval. Marcel wanted her to tell the truth.
Lifting her head, she confessed to him,
“He groped me. ”
She felt him stiffen and there she saw it in his eyes, what Arianna could only describe as a little madness, but it was gone as soon as it came. She didn’t even know what she saw anymore.
“Good choice,” Marcel approved of her using the asshole as a scapegoat.
“And also, thank you,” He added immediately, “Although I’m going to be showing it in a different kind of way.”
“What?”
His lips covered hers, answering her questions and the breath was knocked out of her lungs. At first, the kiss was sweet and gentle, but the passion soon exploded and they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
While Arianna thread her hand through his hair pulling him closer than he was, Marcel was working on the buttons of the shirt printed the company logo. It had to go. Marcel had enough patience already and wasn’t waiting anymore.