Chapter 8 Miss Tag Along

Tsk tsk tsk

If you think that some feelings of discomfort can be brushed off by just acting unbothered, then you're wrong.

You're even more wrong to believe that a woman in fury will let you off just after a little squabble over meals.

Sometimes, the devil you want to avoid does nothing extra, but derives pleasure in digging his long pruning fork deep in your throat. And you can't do anything else but try to dodge it or at most, take cover.

After a very pleasant meal. Oh yea, it's pleasant to Denver. At least that's what he thought.

Okay, let's reduce the sarcasm.

After a very heated meal. Right, that's the right word. But cease to imagine that the 'heat' is from the meal. Author is actually referring to the heat of someone's eyeballs digging holes on another with smug plastered all over her.

Just when the meal is finally over and Ariadne is about to heave a sigh of relief thinking that she will finally get spared of the dark glaring eyes and get to enjoy spending time alone with Denver, but an angry bird had more in store for her.

Or how else do you describe Molly suggesting to tag along with them again upon hearing that they were headed next to the theme park?

Okay, miss tag along. Your claws can't sink any deeper.

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"The day is still young. Why don't we utilize it by going to a theme park today?."

Ariadne's eyebrows furrowed slightly, uncertainty flickering in her eyes and her lips slowly curved into a hesitant smile, before shifting her gaze to the ground. "Oh, um, a theme park? That sounds... interesting."

Before Ariadne could utter another word, Molly chimed in almost immediately. "Did I hear you guys talking about a theme park? Can I come too?" She said, shooting a hopeful grin toward Denver.

"Okay"

Ariadne's heart sank a little at the thought of Molly tagging along. She had been looking forward to spending a quiet day alone with Denver, but it doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon.

'Isn't this supposed to be a date for just her and Denver, how did it turn into a hangout for three?' She thought.

The chairs screeched against the floor as Molly stood up immediately and headed out ahead of them, swaying her hips provocatively as if clamoring for attention. She did put in extra efforts in ensuring her butts bounced, those butts are obviously yelling to be freed.

Ariadne's face twisted in disgust. Bile rose in the stomach and she felt like wrapping her palms around Molly's life and giving her precious not so precious life a good squeeze. She seethed as anger pumped through her blood, wanting to punch to at least Molly's pretty nose.

Denver reached out and took Ariadne by the hand and they walked behind Molly, not looking in her direction much to her disappointment. His touch felt very warm and reassuring.

With that, they strode out of the restaurant and Denver opened the car door for her, allowing Ariadne to settle into her seat first. Molly felt a pang of anger seeing how Denver opened the car door for Ariadne but couldn't do such for her and she seethed quietly. Beating her chest, she quickly hopped into the backseat, and pretended to be bubbling with chatter about all the rides she wanted to try.

The engine roared to life, and they zoomed off into the streets. The city buzzed with activities as common folks go about their businesses as usual.

Ariadne admired the warm orange glow from the sun seeping into the car through the window and she watched the trail of cars coursing behind them through the rear mirror by the passenger seat.

Her attention was drawn towards Denver when she felt his fingers on her palms and she threw a look in his direction. Denver's fingers interlocked with Ariadne's, their palms fitting together like puzzle pieces. The rhythmic hum of the road beneath them was oddly soothing.

Behind their seats, Molly can be seen boiling in anger at their actions and she kept clenching and unclenching her hands on her knees.

The landscape shifted from charming buildings to sprawling green fields, giving way to the towering roller coasters and colorful attractions that marked their destination.

As they approached the theme park, Ariadne couldn't help but marvel at the vibrant sights around her. The air was alive with the sound of laughter and the distant screams of thrill-seekers.

Towering roller coasters could be seen reaching for the heavens, and their twisting tracks were illuminated by an array of hues. The roller coasters twisted and turned against the sky, their steel frames glistening in the sunlight. There's also the familiar scent of cotton candy and popcorn filled the air, invoking a sense of nostalgia.

Talking about cotton candy, Ariadne recalled one day that she went to her brother's dorm in the university with the excuse of visiting him. That day, her annoying brother spared her none of his time and simply passed her over to his friends.

She remembered curling herself by a corner of his dorm and shedding hard won tears. Her purpose was to grasp Denver's attention, and it worked. Because the next minute, Denver was taking her around the university on a stroll.

She recalled them coming across a cotton candy seller and she was lost in her thoughts while gazing at it. Denver had followed her gaze and approached the seller to buy her a stick of the tantalizing cotton candy before walking back and placing the stick in her palms.

A tint of pink hue appeared on her cheeks as she remembered this. And she quickly slapped her palms lightly on her cheeks to clear the hue so that her blush wouldn't be noticed by either Denver or Molly.

Denver parked the car, and the trio stepped out onto the bustling pathway. Molly practically bounced on her feet, tugging at Denver's arm as she tried to link her hands on his arms.

But Denver gently withdrew his hand from her. Looking in the direction of Ariadne, his eyes twinkled as he inched closer to her, his hand finding hers again. "Ready for some fun?"

Ariadne managed a small smile, trying to conceal her unease. "Yeah, let's do this."

They ventured deeper into the park, and were soon enveloped by the distant notes of music from the merry-go-round as well as the noises from chattering little children, and colorful balloons could be seen popping in the sky.

Oblivious to her lost state, Denver had withdrawn his hands and sneaked out of their presence a moment ago. Returning to them once again, he took Ariadne's hand and gently placed a stick of cotton candy in her palms.

Ariadne felt a rush of emotions swirling within her, she was glad he remembered this tiny detail. She closed her eyes for a moment and heaved a sigh, surrendering to the momentary thrill as she bit off a huge chunk from the cotton candy, filling her mouth with it.

Unbeknownst to her, Denver had made a reservation for their time at the park so the population at the theme soon reduced drastically. She didn't think much about this and thought it was a mere coincidence.

'Doesn't it mean we'll get to spend time here without much cloud then?' She giggled.

But the same can not be said for Molly. Being aware of Denver's capabilities, she had sneaked out the moment she figured that they would be riding the cable cars soon and approached one of the park staff.

Projecting her calm façade she began.

"Later, we'll be riding the cable cars. Could you let him board the same cable car with me? I want to spend some alone time with him. You just have to distract the other girl by leading her to the restroom ater and delaying her return by some minutes" Molly clasped her palms together as she smiled kindly.

The park staff was stumped by her request. 'Will it be okay if I let her sit alone with him? If the manager learns of this, I will be at risk of losing my job'

The staff recognized Denver because of the respect her manager regarded him and how her manager addressed him made it evident that he's a big name that shouldn't be messed with.

Molly grabbed her arm as she pleaded, "Hey, please help me out with this." Releasing her hands, she added, "Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing". She dipped her hands in her handbag and brought out a wad of cash and tugged it gently into the staff's uniform jacket.

She placed a fake smile on her face after this, and upon seeing the hesitant look in the staff's face, sneered inwardly. She then lowered her face, pretending to hide her face that was flushed scarlet.

Looking at the young woman's face, the staff was not surprised by the young woman's act, she equally wasn't shocked that she would think that way. After all, who wouldn't like a young, handsome and mysteriously rich man like Denver?

She figured that if she rejects the lady's offer, the lady will still achieve her aims through other means, so why don't she take the offer and earn some good money anyway? With that thought in mind, she agreed to Molly's request.

"Alright, I will try to distract her like you suggested, but I can't guarantee that you will succeed in riding the same cable car with him after that. If such happens, you can't blame your own failure on me"

Molly beamed. "Thank you so much for your help. Not to worry, just do your own part of the deal and forget about whatever outcome I will achieve", she said smugly.

The staff frowned slightly. For some reasons, the smug look on the lady's face and her demeaning words made her feel uncomfortable but she quickly waved it off thinking that young ladies from rich families are naturally rude anyway.

Yet, Molly doesn't give a hoot as to how her words made the staff feel. 'I'm paying her for her service, so she shouldn't expect me to speak to her like she's my friend. She can never be'. She spat.

Satisfied with her sinister arrangement, she flanked her butts as she walked off to rejoin Denver and Ariadne where they stood. She saw them sitting on a mound and her lips lighted into a smile, apologizing for leaving them earlier claiming she needed to use the restroom. She apologized for taking a longer time there.

"Oh.. we didn't notice. I guess you didn't take that much time anyway"

Hearing his response, ripples of anger surged within her as her heart broke into a thousand shards.

'You bitchhh... this is all your fault.......'