CHAPTER 4:A GLIMPSE OF VULNERABILITY

Back at the mansion, Connel knocked on Ariel's door but there was no response. He knocked again and still there was no answer. He waited for a moment wondering if she was ignoring him or if she was simply not in her room. Just when he was about to leave, he decided to enter the room. 

Connel entered the room but no one was there, not even a shadow. But as he scanned the room, he realized that she was nowhere to be found. He was about to leave when he heard the sound of the bathroom door opening.

Ariel came out of the bathroom with a robe wrapped around her, her wet hair dripping to the floor. Connel's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight of her. He couldn't help but stare, his eyes fixed on her dripping hair and the way the robe clung to her body.

Ariel broke the silence, her voice husky from the shower. "What?" She asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in connel's expression.

"You're dripping water all over my floor," Connel said, his voice low and smooth. "That's going to take days to dry off." 

Ariel shrugged, her eyes flashing with amusement. "It's my room, why do you care?" She asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. The water droplets on her hair landed on Connel's shirt and he instinctively stepped back.

"Watch it!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

"What do you want here?" Ariel asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she raised her eyebrows.

Connel's expression turned serious and he handed her a document and a phone. "You asked about your parents so this information will help. They're safe, I got them a place to stay and they're fine. And the phone you asked about, I have no idea where it is so I got you a new one."

Ariel's eyes widened in surprise as she took the document and phone from Connel. She scanned the document quickly. "Thank you,"Ariel said her voice filled with so much appreciation 

Connel nodded"You can get in contact with your family but you can't visit them for now, I hope you understand?" he asked in a low and gentle voice. 

Ariel nodded, her eyes still shining with tears. Connel turned to leave, but Ariel's voice stopped him.

"Connel?" She called out.

He turned back to her, his eyes questioning.

"Thank you," Ariel said again, her voice filled with emotions.

Connel nodded, a small smile playing on his lips."You're welcome," he said, before turning and leaving the room. 

Ariel felt a wave of emotions wash over her as she watched Connel leave. She felt grateful, relieved and happy all at once. She quickly dialed the number on the document, her heart racing with excitement.

As she waited for her parents to answer, Ariel felt a sense of unease wash over her. She realized that Connel had visited her parents and he had kept it a secret from her, it made her wonder what else he was hiding from her.

But as soon as the phone was answered, her doubts were forgotten. She spent the next hour talking to her family, laughing and crying with them. She felt a sense of joy knowing that her parents were safe and sound.

As the night wore on, Ariel found herself feeling more and more grateful to Connel. She realized that he had done something truly selfless for her, something that she would never forget. With a newfound sense of appreciation, Ariel decided to go and thank Connel again. She made her way to this home office hoping to find him there.

He didn't react the way she expected. Instead he was calm and said Connel already informed him that she'll be staying with him. Hearing that Connel already visited her dad made her feel uneasy and left her feeling a sense of warmth towards Connel.

As she entered the room, Connel looked up from his desk with a look of surprise on his face. "I came to say thank you again," Ariel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I can see you've dried off the hair," Connel said, ignoring her thanks.

Connel noticed she still stood there smiling,it was his first time ever seeing her smile. He offered her a seat, as they sat there Connel poured Ariel a glass of wine and they began to talk. At first the conversation was stilted but as the night wore out they found themselves laughing and joking together.

Connel asked about her interests and hobbies. Ariel was surprised by his genuine interest in getting to know her. She told him about her love of reading, music and art.

Connel listened intently, asking follow-up questions and sharing his own experiences. Ariel was struck by the similarity in their interests and tastes.

Connel too was surprised by how much he was enjoying Ariel's company. He had expected her to be dull and uninteresting but instead it was the other way round.

As the night wore on, Ariel realized that she had been talking for hours. She glanced at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see that it was already past midnight.

"I'm so sorry," Ariel said, standing up and stretching her arms. "I've kept you up for far too long."

Connel smiled and stood up too. "It's been my pleasure," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I enjoyed our conversation."

Ariel smiled back at him, feeling a sense of gratitude and appreciation. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with joy.

As Connel walked her back to her room, his hand was still holding hers. As they stood outside her door, he looked down at her his eyes sparkling.

Connel stared at her and leaned in, his lips brushing against her cheek. Ariel felt a surge of electricity run through her body and she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss him.

As Connel pulled back, Ariel felt a sense of disappointment wash over her, she didn't know what to do or say next. Connel seemed to sense her uncertainty. He took her hand, "Goodnight Ariel," he said, his voice low and smooth.

As Connel turned and walked away, she said "goodnight Connel." She couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and possibility. Maybe,just maybe this marriage wouldn't be bad after all.

As she drifted off to sleep, Ariel felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she still had a lot to learn about Connell and their marriage but for the first time in weeks, she felt like everything was going to be okay.

The next morning, Ariel woke up feeling refreshed and renewed. She got out of bed and began to get ready for the day.

Ariel heard a knock at the door. She got to answer it, expecting it to be Watson. But to her surprise it was Connel. "Good morning," he said, "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for lunch today."

"Okay," Ariel said finally, smiling at him. "I would love to."

Connel nodded his face, lighting up a little, "great," he said. I'll meet you downstairs at noon.

Ariel nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She couldn't wait to see what the day held.

As they were about to leave for lunch, the door opened and there stood a guest. Connel's expression changed in an instant, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

Ariel looked at the guest, but she was unfamiliar, tall,slender with king curly brown hair and piercing green eyes. She was dressed elegantly in a black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

"Can I help you?" Connel asked, irritated,his voice low and menacing.

The woman smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I think we need to talk, Connel," she said, her voice husky and confident.

Ariel looked at the lady standing at the door,she felt uneasy about her but before she could blink an eye Connel stepped forward, his eyes flashing with anger. "I don't think that's necessary," he growled.

The lady raised her eyebrow, her smiling growing wider. She stepped forward,her eyes locked on Connel's. Ariel could feel tension build in the air. The lady's eyes flicked to Ariel and she smiled again. "Who is this?" She asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.

"I'm Ariel," Ariel said finally, feeling irritated by the lady.

The lady's smile grew Wilder, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Well,well, well," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look what we have here."

She stepped forward,her eyes locked on Ariel's.

Ariel felt uncertain about everything that happened but didn't hesitate to ask her who she was.