Chapter 4

ARIANNA

Marriage they say is the union of two souls, who would then become one.

It was even orchestrated by God; a three fold cord with God as a witness with the numerous vows the husband would make to his wife and vice versa.

If I remembered clearly, on the day of my marriage, Lucas vowed to always love me in every way irrespective of the trials we might face.

He promised to also accord me with all the respect a husband would give to his wife.

I was clearly overjoyed honestly. I thought we could build a family and those vows we took would keep us everlastingly tied to each other but I was such a big fool.

Lucas shattered every ounce of hope I had in me that very day when he revealed how he truly felt about me.

To him, I was nothing but a gold digger and a beggar.

Well all that happened two years ago.

And ever since then, we related like strangers in our own house.

A lone tear slipped down my cheek as I reminisced about my past.

I quickly cleaned it with the back of my palms when I heard the soft clicking of heels against the tiled floors approaching where I was.

"Arianna dear, are you done chopping the carrots?" Mother called out to me, walking into the kitchen.

"Uhm no mother, I was uhm..." I ransacked my brain for an excuse to give but I could fine nothing.

"Oh do not worry dear. You were lost in your thoughts again weren't you?" Mother asked, coming closer to where I stood.

I nodded, tears beginning to well up to my eyes.

I stiffled in my sobs, trying to hold back from crumbling into a mash of emotions.

"I understand Ari. You literally do not have to say anything..." Mrs Hilton softly held my face in her palms, causing me to face her.

She could read my emotions just through my puffed up eyes.

There was no hiding my pain when it came to her.

"If only I could give him a child, an heir. If only I could give this family the grandchild you all need. Then maybe Lucas would love me. He will accept me as his and honor me as his wife" I said underneath my breath, my words barely audible enough with a faraway look settling in my eyes.

"Listen to me Arianna..." Mrs Hilton sternly spoke, her hands moving from my face to holding me by my shoulder.

"You are the daughter inlaw of this family, you are Lucas Hilton's wife. Do not let any body and I mean anybody take that away from you. Do you get that?"

"It is so hard. Am I even a daughter inlaw or a slave? When I accepted this proposal, I had high hopes for both I and Lucas. I was ready to love him with everything I had in me. I was ready to be a very dutiful and submissive wife mother but Lucas outrightly rejected me to my face and he hates me so much" a rush of tears streamed down my cheeks without restraint.

This pain is becoming so unbearable. It is too much to handle.

"You are not a slave because you are our family whether Lucas accepts it or not. I love you Arianna. I love you the way I love Rose, my daughter, because you are my daughter too. Please do not let anyone try to make you feel less of yourself ok" mother encouraged me. Her words were filled with hope and courage but it did little in strengthening me.

She could never understand my pain no matter how hard she tried to.

Yes. It could never be understood but mother was indeed a shoulder to cry on.

"Come on clean those tears. It does not suit you at all" A smile broke on her lips whilst she used her hands to wipe away my tears.

"Thank you for every thing mother. You are the only back bone I have here" I laughed softly.

"Why don't we prepare something for you to take to give Lucas in his office?" Mother suggested.

What? No.

"No no I do not think that is a good idea mother. It is not..." I tried objecting to it when mother swiftly chimed in.

"Relax. I will follow you ok. You do not have to worry. He will not do anything to you. And besides, Lucas did not eat before leaving for work this morning so I bet he would appreciate this gesture of kindness from you" Mother coaxed me.

I thought of it for a second.

Yes it was a hell lot of risk but mother said she will go with me. Lucas will not beat me up in front of his mother now would he?

"Ok sure. I am in. And I know the perfect dish to prepare" I chortled.

Hopefully this will turn out well and Lucas would appreciate my efforts for once.

* * * * * * * *

The drive to Lucas' company was about forty minutes.

We could have arrived earlier if not for the endless traffic we encountered on a way.

I was so nervous and also agitated. I had never actually gone to Lucas' office before.

He would never let me.

This was literally the first time I was heading into his company in two years that we had been married so my anxiety was top tier.

I was so agitated that I clenched on to my dress so tightly like it might provide me a measure of protection the moment we drove into the premises of his company.

"Calm down ok? He will not harm you" Mother reassured me by placing a hand on mine after noticing my sudden restiveness.

I nodded and tried composing myself. The chauffer came to open the door for us and we both stepped outside.

A gigantic and tall building stood out in the spacious premises of Lucas' company.

The premises was so spacious and huge. Flashy cars were parked at different corners and I could spot different security officials and people dressed formally walking around.

Beautiful, well trimmed trees beautified everywhere. I also noticed some picturesque collection of cozy little buildings inside the premises and well manicured lawns connecting every building.

An ostentatious statue stood out front in the middle of the spacious area.

It was really a feast to the eyes.

This place was really classy.

Together, we walked towards the opening glass doors.

The door slid open by itself as I approached.

Entering inside, a rush of chilly air caressed my skin.

The air scented so cozy and alluring accompanied with the scents of different perfumes filling the atmosphere.

People walked passed I and mother at all sides.

I slowly walked towards a woman who sat behind a huge desk, her eyes situated on her computer whilst mother sat on one of the many chairs provided

"Good morning. Are you the secretary?"I asked trying to be very polite. She faced me and offered me a smile, adjusting her glasses and nodded her head at me.

"Yes I am. How can I help you miss?" She replied in a monotone like a programmed artificial intelligence.

"I want to see Lucas Hilton please" I replied, clutching on to the food flask I carried with me.

"And who are you? Do you have an appointment with Mr Hilton?" She asked veering her eyes from mine and back to the computer.

"She is Lucas Hilton's wife. She does not need an appointment to see her husband" Mother cut into our discussion.

"Oh Mrs Hilton, I did not know y-you were around. I am really sorry you both were kept waiting. His office is the third room by the left on the last floor. You can take the elevator" she quickly spoke.

"Thank you" I smiled before walking away towards the elevator with mother.

Once we had reached the last floor, mother decided to sit again on one of the chairs littered around the area.

I can not blame her. She is not as young as she used to be.

I alone walked towards Lucas office.

"This must be the door" I breathed to myself as I knocked.

But I got no response. Confused as to why I heard nothing, I placed my ear on the door and strange muffled sounds hit me.

It sounded like breathless moans.

Filled with curiosity, I pushed open the doors and all the blood got drained from my face as I froze in front of his door.

I felt like sinking into the ground or just disappearing but I could not. Were my eyes deceiving me or could my ears be playing tricks on me?

Because I can not just believe I walked in on my husband passionately and lustfully making out with a strange woman.

They did not even realise I was in the room as they were too deep in their make out.

I watched with mortified orbs as my husband fingers hungrily explored her body, groping onto every soft flesh he could touch whilst the lady moaned shamelessly into the kiss.

My trembling fingers could not hold on to the flask any longer. Subconsciously, I let go of it and it crashed on the ground with its contents spilling everywhere.

The noise it made was the only thing that could snap my husband and his lover out of their heated kiss whilst I stood in total shock and in a daze.