CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Ariella 

I finished dressing and made my way downstairs, amazed at how romantic Luis was pretending to be. "Oh, there comes my darling wife," Lius said, approaching me as I took my final step. He reached out for my hand and kissed it. 

"Papa," I smiled as I sat on the couch beside him holding back my tears.

"How are you doing, princess? I have missed you; why didn't you tell me you loved Lius and not Enrico?" He asked, and I had no idea how to respond.

“No, it's not like that I —" 

"Dad, Ariella, and I are very sorry; we should have told you sooner," Luis interrupted me.

"Yes, I am sorry papa," I agreed, not wanting Luis to reveal any secrets.

"I will forgive both of you, but not again," Dad said, and we smiled at each other.

"I will excuse both of you and come back later to have fun," Luis said, exiting the living room.

"Madam, would you like us to bring you anything?" the maid inquired, standing beside my father.

“Uh, no, I'm OK. Just make my father coffee and bring it to the garden," I said as we stood up to go there.

We moved a few steps away from the mansion and entered the garden. "Dad, are you all right?" I inquired, hoping he was not worried about anything.

"Of course not; Luis is a completely nice guy. I never imagined a Mafia Don had a heart, but are you certain the two of you will work out?" he asked.

‘Oh my, what am I supposed to say? I don't even like that beast,’ I said at the back of my head.

“Hello, Arie," Dad said, waving his hand at my face.

"Yes, I'm sure about it papa," I replied with a smile.

"Okay, I am happy for you, but what will happen when Enrico finds out? I mean, you were supposed to marry him in the first place?” Dad asked.

"Dad, do not worry, Luis said he has everything under control; since I do not like Enrico, he will just have to accept that I can not be with him," I said confidently.

"I hope you are going to be OK I'm just scared —”

"Oh, Mr. Johnson, do not worry about anything; you and Ariella are in good hands. Enrico will not touch either of you,” Luis interrupted.

“OK, son, I'm entrusting you with my princess's life. You better take good care of her, OK?" 

“Sure, Mr. Johnson, I'll do so," he replied, kissing my hand.

‘What a jerk! Does he even think I'll be here for long?’ I thought to myself.

"It is getting late now; I will need to go back home, children; please take care of yourselves," Dad said as the guards led him to the car.

Luis removed his hand from my waist just as the car began to drive away, giving me a disgusted look. “I can't deny your acting was quite good. I had no idea you could be a good actress in addition to being a lawyer," Luis stated.

"Look here, sir, I am not sure what games you are trying to get me into, but you will get in trouble with the law, so let me go before it is too late," I warned.

"To be honest, I am not involving you in any games; I just needed to get my hands on my enemy's prey before them, okay," he said, and I could not believe what I was hearing.

“What? So this is about power huh? Do you even know how long people are imprisoned for what you have just done?" I inquired.

"Maybe, but I do not think anyone in their right mind would want to lock up their husband, right?" he asked, and I felt disgusted.

"You are not my husband, and I will never be your wife, so keep dreaming. When Enrico finds out about this, he'll—” 

Luis cut me off with a laugh and started shaking his head. "Maybe you should do your homework, Ms. Intelligence," Luis said quietly before walking away.

"Gosh!” I exclaimed, frustrated because I did not even understand what was going on.

I screamed out my lungs and started crying. I have never felt so helpless before. I only took a job to help fund my upcoming exams, but it all ended up putting me in the worst possible situation. One I would like to watch burn down when my career reaches new heights. "Hey there, I heard you screaming and thought I would come help," Emily said, approaching me with a rope.

“What do you want?" I asked my tone so rough.

"Hey, watch your tone. Do you think being Luis's wife gives you power over me?" Emily inquired, staring at me disgustingly.

I didn't even have time to answer her stupid questions, so I walked away. Just as I was about to enter the mansion, I ran into a young woman. “Ouch!" I heard her scream.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to —" 

“Who the hell are you?" she asked, looking confused.

“Nobody, I mean I'm Ariella—" 

“Wait, aren't you a famous law student?" she asked.

"Yes it's—”

"Annie, what happened sweetie?" Emily interrupted as she walked in.

"It is nothing; I am just wondering what the famous lawyer is doing here," she responded.

“What! You don't know? She is your brother's new wife," Emily responded.

"Luis got married? I mean how and when?” Annie asked, looking surprised.

"Well, you know your brother is so mysterious about everything," Emily said, leading Annie away.

"Goodness, will I ever wake up from this dream?" I wondered to myself before someone else responded.

"That is if you want to," they said, and I immediately looked up to see who it was.

“Hi, I'm Kendy. I am so sorry for what happened to you, Ariella right?" she asked.

“Yes–yes, that's right,” I replied, meeting her hand.

"I am such a big fan of yours, and I love how you get to help people so early in your career; you are so impressive," she said, smiling at me.