“I didn’t know that you are so interested in my private affairs?” Arianna relaxed in her seat, staring at Adele fully.
Even both men that were conversing had their attention on them now and she knew instinctively that Marcel was most interested in her answer, after all, Elijah was the very reason they were fighting. And it was most weird that Elijah they were looking for was in their midst and both of them had no idea.
Arianna couldn’t help but wonder if Elijah was truly having fun from this. Then he must surely be a psychopath.
“I’m Marcel’s second in command, everything he knows, I know.” She tried to excuse her nosiness.
“Is that so?” Arianna said, picking out two flutes and pouring both of them a drink. She handed the glass to her and though Adele hesitated at first, she eventually accepted the wine from her when she explained, “It’s not alcoholic.”
As if Marcel would let her get drunk this early in the morning even if she wanted to drown her frustration. No, he controlled all of her choices. Perhaps, Elijah was right, because no matter how Marcel put it, she was still a captive here.
Adele would have accepted that wine in a twinkle of an eye, however, she remembered her pregnancy and wondered if the wine would affect her baby. But then a glass was considered safe, right?
“Marcel is right, we do need Elijah. He’s committed some crime he needs to answer to and if this case continues, some family members might begin to question his ability to lead this family.” Adele told her, drinking from her glass.
Upon hearing that, Arianna turned in the direction of Marcel, concerned. Keeping Elijah’s identity from him was really causing him that much trouble?
.....
Although Marcel and Elijah stood away from them, and Marcel’s back was turned to her, Arianna knew his ears were wide open and picking on their conversation. So she turned to Adele and intentionally answered her questions, “I no longer have feelings for Elijah, however, I need closure, and sending him away alive is enough closure for me.”
“And how sure are you that Marcel would kill him?” Adele questioned her.
Arianna narrowed her gaze at her, was she trying to say that Marcel might consider sparing his life? No, she shook her head inwardly, that was impossible. Marcel was intent on ending him.
“A blood debt is paid with death.” She reminded her.
“There are always chances for miracles,” Adele said knowingly, her lips curved to the side.
Arianna couldn’t believe this, was she trying to hint that there are other ways that Marcel could go about this without Elijah dying? But... but... why didn’t Marcel explain to her this way?! And they had even been fighting about it?!
However, the voice of caution in her head warned her that this could be a trap. But then, Marcel had never been the type to dishonor his words. Adele’s words, not his, the voice of doubt spoke aloud in her head.
No, she was the one who didn’t trust Marcel well enough. How could she have forgotten that Marcel would never do anything that would cause her extreme pain because he loved her?
Her stomach twisted at the thought she belittled his affection for her. She turned to stare at Marcel and as if sensing her gaze on him, he turned around only for their eyes to connect and hold.
It was as if it was just the both of them existing at that moment and her heart throbbed painfully. If only they communicated effectively, they wouldn’t have fought in the first place. The both of them were too hot-headed for each other.
“I’ll think about it,” Arianna said to Adele, without taking her eyes off him.
With that intense look in his eyes, Arianna knew that Marcel heard her, although he did look away. Yes, the crisis had been averted, but it seems like he still hadn’t forgiven her for lying to him. Arianna was not discouraged, she was confident of changing that.
Adele nodded at her response and changed the topic immediately. Arianna decided that Adele was cool and she liked her and hoped to see her around a lot. Not long after, the men returned to the table and Marcel said to her,
“I have some business to attend with Adele privately, I hope you make my friend Aziz comfortable in my absence. I’ll be back soon.”
“So the both of you are friends now, that’s surprising,” Arianna pointed out
Her gaze first moved to Elijah as she wondered about his motive before finally resting on Marcel, doubtfully. He never makes friends, just acquaintances. What has changed now? Was Marcel suspicious or was he indeed finally making friends?
However, Marcel didn’t answer and only leaned over her to say, “Be good,” and before Arianna could throw a jibe or something at him, Marcel pressed his lips on her and kissed her passionately.
Her heart went Pitter patter at the kiss and she would have relished the moment except that it hit her that this was Marcel staking his claim on her because he was leaving her with Aziz. He was marking his territory and only a fool would cross that.
Arianna should have been disappointed but she decided to turn the situation to her favour instead. When Marcel was about to pull away, she wrapped her arm around him and deepened the kiss, taking control this time.
With Elijah around, she wanted to prove to him that she was fine with Marcel and didn’t want his interference in her life. She was happy, didn’t he see it?
As for Marcel, he was not getting away from her easily. He could be angry with her, but not forever. She would surely change that.
Meanwhile, Elijah’s face was as sour as shit as he watched Arianna and Marcel kiss right in front of him. Jealousy stirred inside of him when he remembered that he was supposed to be with her until things got complicated.
He only decided to give up on her for the sake of his brother’s happiness; Eric deserved to be with Natalie. But he doesn’t approve of Arianna and Marcel being together. No, they shouldn’t be.