Chapter 1 ARIELLE'S POV :At The Mall

A shiver ran down my spine when I saw Ariel inclining against his car as he held up for me in front of my office. I cast a longing glance and took him in. His ash black hair, that sharp jaw, those blue eyes that are indistinguishable from Bianca 's.He looks so handsome as he ages. Ariel looked up and waved "Hi!" I said to him as he held the car open for me. He smiles at me, and I grin back at him. "Where are we going?" I inquire when he gets in, his hands wrapping around the steering wheel. "Arielle," he says, sounding touchy. I can feel the butterflies racing in my heart when he calls me like that, and I automatically turn toward him, facing him."Why are you scared these days?" I hardly see you anymore"

Ariel truly looks troubled, as if he truly missed me, and that fire I keep attempting to soak reignites again."I've been quite busy." My voice is powerless, as in, I can't make myself mislead him. "I'm working crazy hours. I've got so many modelling contracts, and I'm attempting to develop my brand at the same time."Don't exhaust yourself", Arielle, do you know that your body is like a cloth, the way you handle it determines how long it will last? You can't be a workaholic. You would like to mingle sometimes.

When was the last time you saw your parents?" I constrain a grin on my face and cross my arms. Recently, l rarely see them. The less I see my parents the better for me.Their whole world revolves around Loretta."Bianca was really in my office," I said to him. "I do have companions", "you know." He threw me a puzzled look as if he could see straight through my lies but he inhaled sharply. "What do you want to buy this year?" I asked him, my tone light and inviting. He looks back at me with a grin on his face. "What do you think ?" "A designer piece, perhaps?" Ariel looks at me with such a clear expression that my face turns beet red and l bursts out giggling, which makes him grin in return. "I haven't seen you this happy in a long time, Arielle. I missed it. My heart is racing as if l am doing a hundred-metre race. I wish he wouldn't say things like that. He sees me as a friend and his future sister-in-law, but when he tells me he missed me, a glimmer of hope flickered in my heart.I fixed my grasp on my bag and inhaled deeply. "A designer piece then," Ariel said to me. "Why don't you pick ?" I toss a pointed look his way. "just like every other year?" He smiles at me as he parks at one of the Warren shopping centres, bouncing out of the car and opening the door for me. He offers me his hand, and I take it as I step out of his car, my eyes on his. A flash of camera startles both of us, and I turn to my side to discover an app that has been trailing me of late grinning at me. I clenched my teeth and took a step toward him, but he took off instantly.Arielle placed his hand on my back, and I looked at him. "I should've known bringing you here

would've brought about this. I'm so sorry, Arielle. I'll handle it."Mark my words that picture will die a natural death." I shake my head and take a step toward the shopping centre. "It's fine.I can't halt my life just because I know my picture might be taken at any time. It scares me at times but it's an inconvenience that I've acknowledged as part of my job." "Maybe I ought to get you bodyguards." He said. l crossed my arms defensively, guarding my emotions as I shook my head. "You do no such thing". I'm never in any peril, Ariel.The least I want is somebody in my space at all times." He looks at me as if he needs to contend with me, but gratefully he remains calm.The store director tenses and surges over as he spots Ariel, an apprehensive grin on his face. "Mr. Warren," he says, then he turns toward me with wide eyes. "Arielle." His eyes wander over my body the way men's eyes usually do. It used to nauseate me, knowing they were likely thinking

of one of my lingerie campaigns, but It has mastered me. "Arielle, wow. It's such an honour to meet you. I am Philip, and I'll be helping you today." Ariel tenses and wraps his hand around my back. I look up at him and l discover he is looking at the store director with anger ."We'll implore your help when we need it," he says, his tone unforgiving. He pulls me toward the show glass counters, his body tense. "What's wrong?" I inquire the minute we're alone. Ariel pulls his hand absently and shakes his head. "He's amateurish. The way he looked at you, What was that for? A delicate chuckle gets away from my lips as I incline back against the counter and gaze at him. "Ariel," I mumble. "I'm not the young girl you used to know. I was named this year's most-paid model, and I'm a brand ambassador for numerous items sold in this shopping centre. There is a tendency that he'd recognize me. I'm sure my picture is on a huge billboard promoting this mall. He scoffed.I wrap my hand around his upper arm and look at him. "How do you handle this with Loretta if she gets pestered? I may be well known, but I know Loretta is more popular. Models by and large aren't as prevalent as actresses. Ariel murmurs and runs a hand through his hair. "You think little of yourself.Your sister has bodyguards around at all times, so I don't worry about her. You, on the other hand, are an adamant one." I turn around to check out the gems on the showcase, my eyes trailing over the engagement rings. At that instance "A battle raged within me, the desire to get married but l can't imagine ever needing to wed anybody other than Ariel.

There's one ring that catches my fancy, and for a moment, I let myself envisage what it'd look like on my finger. I moan and drag Ariel toward the segment where the accessories are shown, my look settling on a jewel choker jewellery. "Wow! What about something like that?" Ariel calls Philip over, and he hands the jewellery to me and takes me to the mirror behind. I hold the choker up against my neck, trying to check what it'll look like, and Ariel delicately lifts my hair for me, wrapping it over my shoulder and out of the way. "Try it on," he said to me. I shake my head. "Oh no, I can't. This can be for Loretta.

Ariel shakes his head and comes around me, putting the jewellery on me. The way his fingers brush over my skin sends a shudder running down my spine, and he doesn't realise it. "If you like it, I'll purchase it for you, Arielle. I'm sure we can get something else for Loretta." My eyes are popping out "and he grins at me through the mirror. my fingers twisting around the clasp at the back". But thank you. You ought to get her this." Ariel gestures and takes the accessory from me, his look piercing me. "Hey," he says,

Are we good? Arielle. I feel like you've been maintaining a strategic distance from me of late, you know? Is it the weight Loretta put on you with the wedding? I know you've been doing a part of the prep that she was supposed to do. Let me know if it is too much, he said. I wrap my hand around his upper arm and grin at him. "We're fine, Ariel. It's just work. His expression tells me that he knows I'm lying, but gratefully he lets it slide. How do I tell him that the thought of his wedding to Loretta makes everything feel so absurd? I'm losing him for sure. How do I make him understand that my heart is shattered in a way it has never been before and I doubt if the pieces can ever be fixed?