Chapter 33: Chapter 33
Ariana's POV
I huffed angrily as I entered my office, "how could he make such a drastic decision without informing me first?" I rolled my eyes as I paced in my office, but the thought of being the face of the company's calendar is exciting just as it was scary, my heart skipped a bit just thinking of it, "gosh! I'm gonna mess it up for him, for goodness sake, I'm not even pretty"
"No, I can do it..." A knock sounded on my door interrupting my thoughts and the knob slowly turned to reveal Mr. Aziz, the messenger, he walked in when I beckoned for him to come in but stood beside the door looking all scared and nervous, I was puzzled by his action, why was he here and why was he looking so nervous? He stretched his hands towards me only then did I realize he was holding a piece of paper which he was now handing over to me, I slowly walked towards him and collected it, "what's this and who sent it?" His eyes only widened at my question, why was he behaving strangely? He shook his head and all but ran out from my office before I could ask further questions, I gazed at the folded paper in my hand and contemplated whether to open it or not, I shut my door before opening it, there was no address written on it, only a short scribble, "meet me at the junction beside the company's clothesline during your lunch break, it's important, it's a matter of life and death, come alone.
Eric"
He's got to be kidding me, Dylan would skin me if he found out that I met up with him, not gonna happen, I'm not going anywhere but dang, why does he want to see me so urgently that he would risk Dylan's wrath, a matter of life and death? I was agitated and always glancing at my time for my lunch break so I could go and find out the life and death matter, as soon as it was time for my lunch, I dashed out of my office and crashed right into Dylan, "you suddenly seems to be everywhere" I snapped trying to cover up my nervousness, he arches a brow at my tone, "where are you rushing off to?" His tone was suspicious and I quivered within, has he found out about the note? He rose his chin as if to remind me that he was still waiting for my answer, "it's my lunch break and I am going out to eat"
"Very well then, let's go" he's got to be kidding me, he wants to have lunch with me today of all days? "Why are you still standing there? Let's go and get our lunch together" he made to start going expecting me to go with him, "no!" I screamed, sweat beaded my upper lip and forehead, his frown was puzzled, "why not?"
"I...I...I... don't want to start gossip in the company, what will people say when they see both of us together?" His puzzled frown didn't leave his face and I grope for more explanation, "you're my boss, remember?"
"So? They've been seeing us together right?"
"Yea, but not having lunch together, they've been seeing a master and his slave" I explained further, he thought for a while before giving in to my explanation, "alright then, you can go alone" I took a deep breath, that was a close call, "I.. I'll be on my way then" I knew I was stuttering but I couldn't help it, I was already a nervous wreck and he was gazing at me suspiciously, I had to leave from here before I make a total mess of myself, "bye" I quickly walked away from him and took a cleansing breath when I reached the spot that Eric had described in his note.
He was already there waiting when I arrived, his back turned against me, "what could be so urgent and a matter of life and death? And by God, it better be something really worth the risk I took by coming to see you"
He turned around and I could still see the bruises that Dylan had given him, "relax okay "
"Why have you called me?" I snapped feeling impatient, he stared at me for a while, long enough for me to start feeling self-conscious, "have you called me out here to stare at me? If you don't have anything to say I'll just leave then" I turned my back to leave before he spoke up, "the seal placed over you is no longer a mere crack" I slowly turned to face him, "that's why you can now talk back, because you now have a mind of your own" he must have gone crazy if he thinks I came here to listen to his talks about some seal aced over me again and it must have shown on my expression because he rose his hands in surrender, tomorrow is the night of the new moon" I stared at him, unable to comprehend why he was telling me about new moon, "a new moon happens once every twenty five years, it's a time that werewolves get a boon from the moon goddess and it's special because at every full moon, they turn into a werewolf for the first time then changes form at will but in this new moon, they don't have a choice, all werewolves must change to their true form and howl to the moon goddess, if the moon goddess so please, she blesses them with their heart desires, you must be wondering why I called you out to tell you this"
"Your point?" I feigned a bored tone but I was already curious, a smirk formed at the corner of his mouth before it vanished, "tomorrow night, Dylan will definitely turn into a werewolf and then you'll find out for yourself that between I and Dylan, he's the one deceiving you and not me, just make certain that the moon shines on him" I stared at him for a while before turning to leave, my heart was in turmoil whether to go with what he had just told me or to let it be, "just listen to me Ariana, I promise that if what I have just told you is a lie then I swear, I will never bother you about the matter again" I kept on walking and heard him pound on the wall with his fist.
I got back to my office more agitated than ever, what if it turned out to be true that he's a werewolf, does it make any difference? I love him and will continue to do so whether he's a werewolf or not, so why am I already feeling that he lied to me, there must be a reason why he hasn't yet told me about that identity of his, what if Eric was wrong? I need to find out who's telling the truth once and for all, tomorrow, I'll find out, I'll stick to him like a glue. I smiled when I got a clue, he had invited me to a formal ball party, I guess I'll have to accept the invitation after all.
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"Darn these heels" I screeched as I once again fell on my butt while trying to walk with the heels sandals Dylan had gotten for me, I have been trying to walk with them for the past one hour and still can't walk straight with it, how do those models walk so easily on it? It's so damn difficult, "I told you, you can try something else, you can wear flat sows sandals" Dylan's tone was exasperated as he repeated his words for the upteenth time, I pouted as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I still couldn't believe that the beauty staring back at me was actually me, I looked like a real life princess and everything would have been so perfect if only I could walk straight without falling in these damn heels, I stared at Dylan, he was dressed already and he looked mouth watering in his royal blue prince charming clothes with a touch of gold that perfectly matched my golden colored fully embroidered gown, he slowly unfolded his arms from across his chest and left the doorpost where he had been standing and trying to convince me to try something else, he stood at my back and gently placed his hands on each of my shoulders so that I was facing the mirror and staring at both of our reflection "you're the most beautiful lady I've ever laid my eyes on, heels or no heels, I can promise you that no lady can match your beauty, you'll see that I say nothing but the truth when we get there " I tried to smile at his reassurance but failed miserably, my eyes were still filled with doubt and he gently placed a kiss on my cheeks, "do you doubt me Ariana?" He asked so softly, my gaze met his through the mirror and I was once more ensnared in his mesmerizing looks, I slowly shook my head, telling him that I have no doubt for him whatsoever, I suddenly felt guilty for what I was about to do but if I don't do it, Eric would keep insisting, I need to prove to him that Dylan is nothing like he suspected.
I took the flat sandals he brought out for me and tried them on, they fit perfectly and still look good on the clothes that I wore, staring at myself once more, I once again admired my beauty, I feel so elated and for the first time in my life, as far as I can remember, I smiled, the happiness filling me from within, my dimples flashed and I turned to meet Dylan's stunning looks, I mouthed, "thank you" I was truly happy for as far as I can remember, I offered him my arms to hold, "I'm ready,"
Today, he had called his chauffeur to take us to the venue, he was going in his black Lamborghini, I have never driven in it as I have on gone to the company with him and he always uses his black sedan or Bugatti when going to the company, the interior of this vehicle was like a house and I couldn't help commenting on it, he laughed at my bewilderment and brought out a wine which he poured into a glass cup and offered it to me, I took it and gulped it all at once and immediately regretted it, I spat out most of the content in my mouth and coughed, " such a beautiful colored wine with bad taste" he laughed softly, "you sure have no idea about wine, this is one of the best wine in the world" I can't begin to imagine how such a foul taste wine can be one of the world best. We drove the rest of the journey in silence with Dylan quietly sipping his wine. The venue was massive, I could equate the house to that of the president, this was the first time that I was attending such a function, I had no clue what to do there, what if I do something embarrassing? The door to the vehicle was opened and Dylan got off first, holding out his hand to me, I quietly got out and gazed around, the lot was filled with too many exotic cars, men were standing at the doorway to welcome guests and direct them inside, the door was opened for us to go in and I caught a glimpse of the inside and my mouth fell open, how could I ever think that I could fit into somewhere like this, I suddenly feel so small, no, I don't belong here, what was I thinking? I certainly can't go in, I slowly released my hand from Dylan's light hold, he must have sensed my intention because before I could run away, he took back my hand in his and this time, gripped it more firmly.