Arianne Wynn had pins and needles at once. Was he no longer on a business trip? Why was he suddenly back? Fear emerged from within. In hindsight, luckily she did not go ice-skating with Tiffany. She was only unfortunate that her bicycle chain popped off…Heading to the bathroom, Arianne felt uneasy when she showered, knowing that he would surely look for her.She caught a lean shadow on the couch from the corner of her eyes when she came out of the bathroom and passed by the living room.He was wearing light grey loungewear, looking more casual than in his usual full suit attire, as it made him look less icy. – Except his eyes were still distant when he looked up at Arianne.“Come over here.”Letting her head hang down, Arianne moved to stand straight beside him.“You’re back.”“…Cold?” He had wanted to question why she was home late, but his query became one singular word when he saw the cracked wound on her hand.Slightly dumbfounded, Arianne dared not look at him. “Um… It’s fine…”M
Arianne Wynn froze.“I’m fine sleeping in the storeroom!”Mark Tremont glanced at her, a wave of disapproval swept in his cold eyes.“I’m not asking you to sleep in my room upstairs. Mary will help you prepare the guest room next to me.”Having been exposed of her wrong assumption, Arianne felt rather awkward.Thereafter, one of the maids had served their dinner in the dining room.“Sir, miss, it’s mealtime.”Mark Tremont closed the magazine he was holding and stood up.“Eat.”He had asked her to eat together. How long has it been since she ate with him at the same table? She did not remember.Arianne Wynn, with her head lowered at the dining table, ate without making a single sound. She helped herself only to dishes that were closest to her. Mark Tremont ate slowly, making close to no sound as well. Their manner only served to emphasize the silence of the wide dining room.Butler Henry who stood beside the table sighed and picked up some dishes for Arianne with the serving spoon. “Don
This occurred frequently when Arianne was younger, yet she did not remember since when she began to feel awkward about it.Being so close to Mark Tremont, she caught a whiff of the faint tobacco emanating off him and the smell of… alcohol – he drank again!“Will Sivan is gone, who is it this time? Hand in hand, with you I shall grow old… Tell me, who is it?” Mark Tremont’s voice was chillingly bewitching.Arianne Wynn was too scared to answer. He had already ‘ushered’ Will Sivan overseas, if she were to admit that the gift came from him, what sort of fate would befall upon him? She dared not think about it.“I… I don’t know…”“Don’t know? Why were you hiding it so carefully if you didn't know? Ari… you’re misbehaving…” Mark Tremont’s hand seemed to be casually resting on Arianne’s waist, which he then subtly pressed into her when he spoke.Arianne Wynn was high-strung, not knowing when she might crumble. “I really don’t know…”Mark Tremont stopped pursuing, as he buried his head at her
Arianne Wynn kept quiet, turning to lean against the wall of the corridor as she struggled with her stomach ache.Tiffany Lane was disgruntled but she was not one to make an unreasonable fuss when she was at fault. She stood beside Arianne and gazed afar at the dorm building currently under construction, saying, “Do you know that the dorm over there is sponsored by Mark Tremont? It’s quite extravagant. He’s really rich. In comparison, our families are basically nothing. Ari, I heard that he’s coming to visit the campus today…”There was no reply from Arianne. Her gastric was giving her hell.Then, the tutor walked out pompously. “The two of you are really something huh! I’ve penalized you yet you’re in the mood to chat? Take out your drawing boards, complete your drawing in the corridor! See if you can submit the assignment by dismissal!”With a tipped chin, Tiffany Lane marched into the classroom for her drawing board while Arianne Wynn stood paralyzed, her vision was already blurry.
The dean shuddered.“Mr. Tremont… It’s just a one… a one off case. That tutor is a temporary worker, a temporary one. I’ll ask her to leave!”Mark Tremont said nothing. There was only the flickering flame in his eyes reflecting his current fury.Tiffany Lane scoffed. “Temporary worker? Sure.”The dean was speechless. “Miss Lane, don’t be a busybody. You students don’t know about any school affairs!”Wearing a frown, Tiffany was about to retort when the doctor came out.“Patient’s family?”“Me,” Tiffany Lane and Mark Tremont replied simultaneously.Tiffany was quite surprised by Mark Tremont’s voice. For this matter, she assumed the family role, since she was unable to contact Arianne Wynn’s so-called brother but what was Mark Tremont on to?It was well-reasoned that the doctor opted for Mark Tremont, who looked more reliable, to explain the situation. “The patient is alright. It’s gastritis. She is young but in bad health. Watch what she eats and make sure she consumes more nutritious
It was a fleeting instant before Mark Tremont’s gaze restored to his usual aloofness. Were her eyes playing tricks on her?“Any discomfort?” His tone was void of emotion as always.Arianne Wynn shook her head. Noticing that his hand was over hers, warmth crept up her face.“I’m fine… I didn’t know that you’re coming to the campus. I’ve caused you trouble.”Caused him trouble? Mark Tremont frowned. “Don’t want to cause me trouble, but it’s okay to inconvenience others? Arianne Wynn, no need to look tragic in front of the others. Does it cost your life to ask something from me?!”Arianne Wynn bit her lips in fear. He was angry again…After a while, Mark Tremont stood up to see the drip was nearly empty and called for the nurse to remove it. He spared no glance at Arianne when he announced frigidly, “Let’s go back.”Arianne hastily flipped the blanket to pick herself up, but the bruise on the back of her hand from the perforation of the IV drip throbbed with her every action.Mark Tremont
Mark Tremont pinched her chin. His tone was apathetic and it commanded obedience. “Go back to school only when your body has properly recovered and nourished. Stop seeking pity with how frail you look!”Arianne Wynn lost her cool and pushed herself up. “No way…”Not saying a word, Mark Tremont looked down at her forbiddingly.Arianne bit her lips. Tensed, her voice quivered as well. “I’ll study hard and return all that I owe you when I make money in the future. I’m thankful that you’ve kept me around for ten years. I’ll move out as soon as possible when I’m on my internship.”The truth was revealed. She had never believed upon depending on him her whole life. She had owed him too much, and she did not wish to remain indebted.Mark Tremont laughed all of a sudden. His smile looked like the distant moon, unattainable and unreachable, and unwelcoming as well. “Let me spell it out for you now then. Don’t you even think about leaving in your lifetime!”Arianne’s heart sank. For the first ti
It was only now when Arianne Wynn remembered today was the campus function event and he would be here as well… He had not returned home since he left that day. What would it be like to see him again today? For an instant, she felt a flurry of emotions.“Did he… say anything that day?”Tiffany Lane did not notice her inattentive manner.“Nope. But I complained about your brother to him. That brother of yours is a real jerk!” Arianne was speechless. Now she was no longer surprised why her singular reply that day triggered his fury, like an eruption of a volcano – no, more like the eruption of an iceberg… He must have felt horrible to be condemned like that and right in his face too.Shouting and cheering came from the downstairs abruptly. Fueled by adrenaline, Tiffany tugged Arianne and bolted down the staircase. “Mark Tremont’s here! Let’s go see him!”Arianne was rather nervous for she had not yet figured out how to confront him.“Tiff, let go… You can go ahead, I’m not going…”“Ari,