Chapter 2 Did your business work out

Ariel got to the little apartment she shared with Marco. She didn't feel like going in since she wasn't successful in getting what he had asked her to steal. Maybe, it was for the best!

Her bruised eye and hurting arm were the result of her failed attempt as she was caught before she could even reach it.

"I hope he didn't drink!" She said to herself.

She opened the door and was about to announce her presence when she heard him talking. He was on the phone.

"Don't worry!" She heard him say. "I'm doing everything you ask, aren't I? She does them blindly because she's stupid!"

'Who is he talking to and who is he talking about?' She thought.

"Of course!" He said. "I'll get it done next week. Besides, she loves me too much to refuse anyway!"

Ariel's eyes widened.

'Is he talking about me?'

"I'll get the job done and it'll be over. Trust me!" He grinned and just then, she dropped something, alerting him. "I got to go." He said and cut the call. "You're back!" He scanned her hands but it was empty.

"I... I couldn't get it!" She said and fiddled her thumbs.

Marco frowned but since he was in a good mood, he decided to let it go this time.

"It's alright!" He said and she looked up at him, surprised. "We don't have to steal every time to get food and other necessities from now on either!" He said and she was more surprised.

"Did your business work out?" She asked with delight.

"Something like that!" He said and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Something good happened! Let's order dinner. What do you want to eat? I'll treat you like a princess tonight!"

Ariel felt really relieved. If everything was okay then that meant she wouldn't have to steal ever again and maybe he wouldn't drink and hit her either. She smiled and hugged him.

'Keep smiling!' Marco thought with a menacing grin. 'You're going to make me really rich!'

A few days after that, Marco approached Ariel while she was doing the dishes and made a proposal. It wasn't a marriage proposal but was something extremely disgusting.

The plate she was holding fell from her grip and crashed on the floor.

"What are you doing? Don't you know that was worth a fortune?" Marco barked but her hands were trembling.

"What did you just say?" She asked with a shaky voice. "You... you want me to... "

"Stop overreacting!" He said and scratched the back of his head. "It's just drinking, can't you do that little? I finally got this job. He's my boss so I want him to have a good impression of me!"

"But... but... what if he tries to touch me?" She asked and he took a nasty look at her. He leaned in and whispered.

"What? It's not like you're some pure virgin. You were already dirty before I took you in, anyway. This is the least you can do for me, isn't it?" Ariel was horrified at his words.

She stepped back. Who was he? Was he the man she thought was absolutely loving and caring? He was a completely different person.

"Now, you don't have to look at me like that." He said and thought of something before sighing. "Okay, if you don't want to do it. I won't force you!" He said.

"Re... really?" She asked and he nodded.

"Have I ever lied to you?" He hugged her and grinned. "I won't force you to do what you don't want!"

Ariel felt a little relieved but there was this sense of foreboding she couldn't help but feel. His hands, which were once warm and felt safe were now cold and threatening.

She couldn't help but think back to the conversation she heard him have with that person over the phone. Was he playing her?

No! She was definitely misunderstanding things. They had been together for four years, there was no way he would play her. She had to have faith in their love.

That night, Marco took Ariel out for dinner. He bought her a nice dress and took her to a really fancy restaurant. This assured her that he still loved her and all that anxiety was just in her head but the foreboding remained.

"Um, is this okay?" Ariel asked. "We're not exactly that rich to come out to such an expensive restaurant to dine!" She voiced her worries.

"Relax! My boss is paying me more attention these days after he saw a picture of you on my phone." He said, clearly hinting something.

"Your boss?" She felt uneasy. Why did it feel like this was going in the wrong direction? She should change the topic. "Anyway, I like the dress you got me. It's really beautiful!" She said with a loving smile.

"Glad you like it! I spent hours thinking about what would suit your beauty best." He responded, smiling back. 'I wasn't the one who bought it though but there's no harm in taking the credit!' he sipped his wine.

Marco got a message and checked his phone.

"We're done here!" He said and got up.

"But I'm not done yet!" She said but he glared at her.

"What? Do you want to eat all that and get fat?" His question was sharp and painful but he suddenly smiled and said. "I'm just joking!"

'That was a joke?'

"But come on, I made a reservation at a hotel nearby. We can't miss it, can we?"

"A hotel?" Once again, that foreboding nagged her.

"Yes! Let's go!" He took her hand and she grabbed her purse as he led her out of the restaurant.

They entered his car and he drove to a five star hotel. Ariel was speechless. Why would he reserve a hotel when their house was perfectly okay? And an expensive one at that.

"Come on, you're nervous aren't you?" Marco asked and she nodded. "Here!" He picked up the glass of water that was readily sitting on the table. "Have this water, it'll calm your nerves!" He said and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" She asked anxiously.

"I just need to check in at the reception office. I won't be long. Just drink the water and wait for me!" He pecked her on the forehead and left.

Ariel felt even more anxious.

"Why am I feeling like this?" She asked herself and shook her head. "I must really feel nervous." With that, she drank the water. "I'll wait for him here and I... I'll... " she suddenly started feeling sleepy. "I'll just lay down for a moment!"

With that, she passed out.