The unintended Vow

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?

Could you imagine the audacity, the effrontery, that imbecile is getting on my nerves," Bianca says as she walks into my office. I drop my pencil and drag my eyes absently from the dinner

gown I'm working on. After weeks of researching, I woke up with my thinking cap intact. I knew precisely what to design for my upcoming campaign, but with my

best friend here, there's no way I'm getting this dress out of my mind and onto paper. "Bonjour, mon amie" I greeted Bianca , stifling a grin."Francis Bridgeton stole my concept and pulled it as his". He won the contract I went through hell racking my head for. I lean back in my chair and let my look meander over Bianca 's messy,auburn hair. "Weren't you the one who disrupted him the last time? You deflected his tires so he'd be late in meeting the client bearing in mind that lateness was one thing the client wouldn't tolerate." Bianca grinned devilishly,her blue eyes lit up with delight at the memory."If not for that, his company might have gotten that resort contract. "That was a huge one." I shake my head giving her my utmost attention. She won't take off until she's had ample time to complain about Francis Bridgeton.

"So you should have anticipated he would retaliate?" Bianca glares at me as if l have let her down, but she knows I'm right."I want to retaliate,"she snaps. "That charlatan," he can't go scot-free". " I need your assistance, Arielle." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "No. I can't do that ." I'm not insane to annoy an influential person like Francis Bridgeton. My phone rings and I reach for it absentmindedly, petrified when I see the name 'Ariel'. My heart skipped a beat as I gazed at my phone, allowing it to ring. "Arielle ?" Bianca called , her voice delicate, concerned. I sighed in exasperation. "It's your brother," I told her, "Hi! Ariel," I say, my calm tone is different from the beating of my heart. He chuckles, and a sharp sense of yearning surges through me.

You're so difficult to reach these days.It's been ages since I heard him say my name. "What's up?" I asked, knowing that anything it is he's calling for is bound to harm me."Want to go shopping with me? I got to purchase a present for Loretta's birthday, and who better to ask for assistance than you?"

"Absolutely," I said to him, Bianca shot me a quizzical look as l finished the call. "What did he want?" she snaps. I grin firmly. "He needs a birthday present for Loretta." Bianca locks her jaws and casts a wary glance at me. "Don't go," she says, he can figure out what to give her himself. Why does he require your help?" "It's fine," I told her."It isn't," Bianca says. "I adore my brother, but I cherished you. You need to cut ties with him each time you see Ariel

you're completely heartbroken.I shake my head in refusal. "I'm not," Bianca ,Ariel and I are just friends.You're seeing things that aren't there." She crosses her arms and gazes at me. "Lie to yourself all you need, Arielle, but you're not tricking me." I deflect my look, incapable of keeping up my affectation when she's looking at me that way. She's the one who knows l had a one-night stand with Ariel five years ago, and even though I deny it, she's the only one who knows that I'm still in love with him as I am at this point. "Arielle, don't you ever ponder what would have happened if you'd confessed your feelings to him after

you slept with him that night at my birthday party?"I raised my chin defiantly and shook my head. "It wouldn't have mattered. It's Loretta who is clinging to him. From the minute she strolled into his life, she's been all he seems to see. How could we have a beautiful night together and the next morning, he announced he is dating Loretta?She looks into my eyes, her look filled with the same anguish I'm feeling. "Will you sit back and watch Ariel wed your sister?" I turn to face the window and breathe in shakily. "What choice do I have? They've been a couple for five years, Bianca . If there was ever a time to make a move, I missed it.If either of them finds out about my feelings, it'll take a toll on my relationship with Ariel, and it'd devastate the strained relationship I have with my sister. And what for? He's never seen me as more than a friend. Bianca shakes her head. "I can't say exactly but I do not think Ariel is as happy as he is, and I earnestly doubt he sees you as just a friend, Arielle. He might not be able to confess it but there's a special bond between you two. It had been there even before Loretta got on board, and she was never able to completely eradicate it. She may have attempted, but she's never been able to take your place in his life."

I fondle my hands, uncertain what to say. He will soon be my brother-in-law, and I have to keep boundaries between us. "Arielle, Bianca called me, I can assure you that the reason they're still together is because they know they have no other choice. Ariel knows he must wed somebody our grandma chooses but the one she chose for him first wasn't Loretta. It was "you." My heart throbs at the reminder. "I retreated into the recesses of my thoughts, seeking solace when my parents told me they needed to retire and choose to combine their company with Warren Media. The Warren and the Rowan had been business rivals for ages, but the proposed merger changed everything, especially for my parents. They needed to keep their company within the family and avoid impending bankruptcy.A marriage between Warren and Rowan would keep the company within the family, and it'd keep both families in the realm of the affair. At that time, the one they considered for this wasn't Loretta. "It was me". Due to my relationship with Bianca , they thought.

I'm the right choice. I was then twenty when the deal was made, it was perfect with me and Ariel wasn't opposed to it either. That all changed when I took Loretta with me to Bianca 's twenty-first birthday party. That night will forever be green in my mind. Ariel was drunk and one thing led to another. We made love but l left his bed before dawn to freshen up at Bianca 's and at breakfast next day, Ariel announced he is dating Loretta and it seemed as if he was clueless about our beautiful moment last night.

ARIELLE'S POV

Everything has to be perfect, my mum murmurs. Loretta has waited so long for this day. I nearly rolled my eyes. She's put off the wedding four times, Mother. I do not think she's so willing. Mum stirred at me, stars shooting out of her eyes. l don't blame you, her work is too demanding, Arielle. Do you know what it means or what it's like to be an A-list actress? All you do is stand like a mannequin and smile at the camera. It isn't the same for my princess. She doesn't get to go home after shooting. She's been away on set for weeks on end, working on sets that aren't comfortable. Do you truly think she wanted to put off the wedding?

It happened because she had no choice. Like I said, you'd never get it, but the least you could do is to keep quiet in case you've got nothing important to say." I nibble down on my lip brutally to keep from talking back to her. She knows how tasking modelling can be, and how hard I work. Just last week, I got cold from shooting a commercial in the snow. I know better not to compare myself to Loretta but I wish she wouldn't dismiss my work as just standing like a mannequin and looking beautiful. I assume it doesn't matter what I do. Her annoyance is that I didn't take after her career like my sister did. My mother was a sought-after actress in her prime and she loathes that I never had a flare for acting. No matter how difficult I work, l will never impress her. My hands tremble as I go through the guest list. Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I keep coming here, to assist with a wedding just to spend time with a mother that'll continuously consider me second fiddle to her amazing child? I'm not crying for the moon or imagining that she will give us equal love. All I've ever needed was an ounce of her motherly love. Is that too much to ask? "I'm sorry" Mother says, her voice strained. "The wedding has put so much weight on me, and I took it out on you. My bad Arielle You get it, don't you? This wedding is a blessing to our family. This merger has been long overdue and once this wedding is behind us, we will be able to finalise the remaining paperwork and bestow the combined company in Loretta's and Ariel's hands. The Warrens refused to give any assistance unless the wedding was over ,your father and I needed their funding. I nodded, my head bowed. "I get it Mom." She grins at me at that point. "You're such a darling young lady Arielle".Loretta and I are both fortunate to have you. I certainly couldn't have done any of this without you." I smile back at her, happy the endless hours of work I've put into this was not in vain. Loretta has scarcely been included in the wedding arrangements, and even though it hurts to be constantly reminded of her upcoming wedding, I'm happy I get to spend a little time with Mother. "I can't imagine my jewel is about to become someone's wife soon," Mother mumbles as she modifies the blossoms within the shape of the vineyard Ariel and Loretta will be getting married in. "When your sister was a little girl, I was afraid that she wouldn't live long enough to be a full-grown lady because of her ill health. There are things I never thought she'd experience, yet here she is, an international actress, about to wed one of the most celebrated billionaires in the world. In the long run, she's taking care of her parents consequently, permitting us to retire in wealth, knowing our company is in safe hands." unease settled in my stomach", I shouldn't envy my sister, and I shouldn't resent her pride in Mom's eyes. I just wish that those same affections were met on me as well .She'll make a lovely bride,I console Mother. Mother looks up, an indication of stress in her expression. How is the wedding dress coming along? Were you able to create the changes Loretta requested? I nodded. Each time she's delayed the wedding, she's changed nearly everything around the wedding itself

and her wedding dress, coming about in incalculable additional weeks of working on her outfit. "Of course." Mother wavers. "It's thoughtful of her to ask you to design her dress for her. It's such a decent way to include you. I don't doubt if she ever needed a celebrated brand she would get one, but I assume that will assist your brand in selling. Once the world sees Loretta in one of your dresses, all her celebrity friends will follow suit. She's an influencer, you know that." I chomp down on my lip. "I've won several model contracts Mother. I've had a two-year holding-up list for any of my couture wedding outfits ever since I propelled my line and the list has gotten longer since Selena Romeris got married in one of my outfits.

My brand is well established and prestigious just like other seasoned brands out there. Mother looks at me with a mollifying expression that right away grates on me. Of course, she says, gesturing. At that point, she snatches one of the wedding invites and holds it up. Anyway, we ought to be double sure. Make sure these are hand delivered within the stipulated time, l don't trust these dispatch riders. Everything about this wedding must be kept within our family. Paraventure the paparazzi got wind of it, it'll spoil Loretta's day. Why don't you take care of that ?. I murmur and rise to my feet. "Sure," I answered, getting my bag. I'll do it the next day.Mom looks up at me and scowls. "You aren't waiting for dinner?"

No. I have so many fishes to fry." Mother gestures. "Oh, great. try to keep fit,l believe you don't want to look fat in your maid of honour dress ." My heart throbs as I turn my back to my mother and walk away. Each time I see my mother, I feel like l am a mistake, a child she never wanted and I keep despising myself. I ought to be glad for Loretta, and I ought to feel honoured that I'm being included in the wedding to this extent but I despise it. I die a million times anytime I'm at home. I'm never this frantic for love or affirmation, and even though it pains me to see Loretta with Ariel, I've never detested her for having his love. However each time I came to see my parents, my head filled with different unimaginable thoughts

Will my mother be happy if l am the one getting married?

What would have happened if I never took her to Bianca's birthday party?

What if I decided not to assist with the wedding?

How about l made a move on Ariel and stole him? I know I'm way better than this, but each time I come home, My world is always shattered.Ma cheri, I look at my father and he murmurs intentionally. "Let me escort you", sweet girl." I gesture and take my father's arm, a sense of foreboding hangs in the air as he strolls with me to where l packed my car. Father opened the door for me and said, "I love you, Arielle" he

said. Your mother does too as well, but she has her way of showing it .I chomp down on my lip for a minute. She has no issue confessing her love for Loretta. Father holds my hair and pushes it behind my ear tenderly. "I know," he mumbles. Mom feels the need to be so vocal concerning it because of how sick Loretta had it when she was young. We never knew she would make it through childhood. Your mother thought that she could make up for all the trauma Loretta endured by showering her with love now. It's more for her than it is for Loretta, and it isn't cruel that she doesn't cherish you as much." I gesture, unwilling to take it any further. I don't need Father to

console me since he feels he ought to. For starters, I do not need to be comforted with lies. I planted a kiss on my father's cheek. Love you, Dad. You drive safe, alright? Send a message to me when you reach home. I know how to utilise those feelings. I'll send you a thumbs up back." "Emojis?" I asked. "That's the ones." "Good for you, Father. I'll send you an emoji in the shape of a house when I reach home

okay? "It'll be our secret language." He winks at me, and I giggle as I step into the car

This is why I keep coming to visit, my dad is a dove, despite my mother's way of showing her love. Father is right. Deep down, they do cherish me. Possibly not as much as they adore the apple of their eyes Loretta but I learned long ago to live with that. I'll never amount up to my more talented sister. Not in my mother's eyes, and certainly never in Ariel's eyes