Chapter 97 - She Needs To See Marcel (1/2)

Steaming hot breakfast was waiting for Arianna when she made it out of the bathroom.

”Enjoy your meal,” A different staff member said to her and left before Arianna could even understand what was going on. Why was everyone avoiding her? They couldn't even look her in the eyes.

It was highly suspicious.

Was something in her face? Arianna even checked her forehead just to be sure.

Although the nerves were beginning to wear on her, she had not eaten since last night so her appetite was stirred. Aside from that, Arianna had to be ready for action if things go wrong during the exchange - and that can't happen on an empty stomach. What if she faints from dizziness?

Hence she dug into the meal and ate everything without a single remainder. She didn't even realize she had a huge appetite until now.

Done, Arianna lay back down on her bed to rest. She had eaten so much that she couldn't even stand. Gosh, her stomach was full.

Staring at the ceiling, Arianna tried not to think about the journey ahead because she was honestly scared. What if her thoughts of Marcel giving her to Elijah in exchange for his guns was wrong and Marcel was selling her off instead - just like her family did.

No, Arianna refused to think about that scenario. She had been shielded in Marcel's mansion for so long that she had forgotten about Big Joe and his crew. Were they still searching for her or had they given up already?

She had no choice but to push the matter to the back of her mind. At a moment like this, she had to have faith. Arianna wanted to believe that there was more to Marcel than he shows and the gentle side he revealed to her last night does really exist because.... she was tired of trusting people anymore.

Arianna really hoped that Marcel was different - she was putting the last of her hope on him. This was the last time she was going to believe in humanity.

It was a long time before the staff came into the room to clear the utensils and with her, came two guards as well. Arianna's stomach clenched, this was it.

”You have to come with us, Miss,” One of them said and she stood up without protest.

But her sight was active, searching for a trace of Marcel. If the exchange was truly going to hold today, Marcel would be present. So where was he?

Arianna didn't find Marcel even when they passed the living room, so she surmised he was waiting for her in one of the rooms downstairs. However, when they headed in the direction of the foyer, that was when she knew something was off.

”Where is Marcel?” She asked, stopping abruptly on the last flights of stairs.

”Move it,” The other guard gruffed, applying pressure on her back which was a signal for her to continue moving but Arianna stood her ground.

”I need to see Marcel!” Her voice was firm and she tried to push past them but they blocked her path with their burly and intimidating bodies. They didn't even budge.

”It was Marcel's order to get you downstairs,” said the first man that seemed a lot nicer than his other partner.

”Is that so? Where is Marcel then? Is he downstairs? I bet not. Let me see him now!” Arianna shouted at them. This was so frustrating! Why wouldn't they let her see Marcel?

”I need to see Marcel! He needs to make that order in front of me?!” She said.