Chapter 81 - Marcel Was Beginning To Scare Her (1/2)

Arianna ran the fastest she had ever done in her life, pushing away shrubs in her path and standing up each time she tripped over roots.

She needed to get away from Marcel, but was it worth it? The question suddenly hit her and she stopped.

Looking down, she was dressed in the costume that made her look no different than a hooker. Even if she escaped from here, she didn't know the neighborhood at all, and anyone who attempted to help her could in the end be working for Marcel and drag her back to this hell hole.

Aside from that, how would she survive the cold with this flimsy material on her body? In her haste to escape, she might die on the streets, her dreams forever gone and short-lived.

Finally, let's say she successfully escaped, what life does she have left? She can't go back to her uncle's family. They would chase her out and willingly hand her over to Big Joe before he even comes to capture her.

Mimi would hide her - without a doubt - but that would put her in danger and she can't afford to put her best friend into this.

For the first time, Arianna realized she was alone. Even Elijah left her, what more can she hold on to? Her life? What was its worth?

To her chagrin, the closest thing to a family, no, a companion, was Marcel and his underbelly of corruption. He put a roof over her head, food to eat - speaking of food, she hadn't taken anything throughout today.

Although she loathed him, Marcel was the only beacon of light she had now. And she can't lose that - especially when he comes back and discovers she's gone.

”Oh no,” Arianna gasped and retraced her steps immediately.

Marcel can't know she tried to escape else the little bit of trust she had managed to build between them this night would vanish to nothing and their relationship returns to level zero. Back to the first stage when they couldn't stand the sight of each other.

Arianna didn't know how deep into the Meadow she had marched on till now. She kept praying that somehow Marcel doesn't realize she was missing until she makes it out on time.

Her lungs burnt and she thirst for water, Arianna didn't give up. Her life was on the line here. How stupid could she have been to think that she could leave here safely without internal or external help?

Perhaps God was on her side because she made it out and to her relief, Marcel had not arrived or so she thought, because she saw his figure in the distance and he was running.

”Father Lord,” Her heart skipped a beat as she bent down and covered traces of her stepping into the Meadow.

Arianna at once bent and pretended to be examining a pretty flower. Even though she looked calm and collected, her heart was pounding so hard she thought it would jump out of her chest.

She couldn't betray her emotions else he would figure her out in one glance. Marcel was smart and cautious and her absence must have already given him the idea that she escaped. She had to be smart about this situation.