Chapter 3 The School Play

Chapter 3

The School Play

After handing over the apartment, Dwayne left in a hurry.

Ariana stood at the doorway for a long time, absentmindedly touching the top of her head where his hand had rested just moments ago. Her lips curled up slightly before she even realized it.

Lost in thought, she glanced at the wall clock.

Oh no!

Her heart lurched. She had an afternoon class with Professor Oliver-a notorious stickler for attendance. If she got caught skipping, she'd be in serious trouble!

Panicking, Ariana grabbed her bag and sprinted toward the door. But the moment she yanked it open, she nearly collided with a neatly dressed middle-aged woman.

Both of them froze.

The woman recovered first and spoke politely. "Miss Ariana, right? I'm Margot, sent by Mr. Rickshaw to assist you. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Oh, hello!" Ariana blurted hastily, sidestepping her. "Sorry, I'm in a hurry-I have to go!"

Without waiting for a response, she dashed off.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and Dwayne never showed up again.

Instead, he called her daily, always asking if she was settling in, if she needed anything, if everything was alright. His tone was consistently warm, exactly how a caring uncle should sound.

Gradually, Ariana found herself letting go of the resentment she had once held.

One morning...

After finishing her classes, Ariana was preparing to head to her part-time job when her phone rang. A name flashed on the screen-Cynthia.

Her stepmother.

Ariana's expression darkened.

Still, she answered.

"Ariana, you haven't been home in a week. Where have you been? Do you know how worried your father and I have been?" Cynthia's voice was soft, almost affectionate.

Ariana let out a cold chuckle. Worried?

Who was it that had drugged her and planned to throw her into another man's bed?

Suppressing the disgust churning in her chest, she replied evenly, "I've rented a place. I won't be coming home anymore. If there's nothing important, stop calling me."

Cynthia acted as if she hadn't heard the dismissal. "You're a young girl-living alone isn't safe. Come home, Ariana. From now on, I'll have the driver pick you up and drop you off every day."

Ariana's patience thinned. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm hanging up."

There was a pause before Cynthia finally got to the real reason she called.

"Did you talk to your uncle about our company's situation?"

Ariana smirked. So that's what this is really about.

"Not yet," she said lazily. "My uncle's been busy. We only had lunch once, and I haven't seen him since. When he's less busy, I'll bring it up."

"Can't you hurry it up?"

Ariana rolled her eyes. "You think I don't want to? You think it's that easy?"

"Ariana, don't be selfish! Your father is worrying himself sick-"

Ariana ended the call before she could hear more of the same emotional manipulation. Then, for good measure, she turned off her phone.

Later that evening...

She rushed onto a bus, sweat glistening on her forehead as she hurried to meet her friend Kira.

"I'm sorry, I'm late!"

Kira barely spared her a glance before shoving a garment into her hands. "Never mind that! Hurry and change-the show's about to start!"

Ariana blinked at the outfit. A plunge sheath dress.

Ducking into the dressing room, she pulled it on-only to stare at her reflection in horror.

The slit ran dangerously high, exposing her thighs with every tiny movement. And the dress's v neck dipped low, revealing her cleavage... It was downright provocative. This wasn't just fashionable-it was scandalous.

Her face burned.

"Ariana, what are you doing in there? Hurry up! The stage manager's waiting!"

Ariana hesitantly poked her head out. "Kira... can I wear something else? This is too revealing."

Her friend froze-then burst into laughter. "You? Acting shy? Come on, Ariana, a bikini shows way more than this!"

"But-"

"No buts! Just suck it up and get out here!"

Before she could argue further, Kira shoved her out of the dressing room.

With no choice, Ariana forced herself to stay composed and joined the lineup.

She tried to focus on the press conference, but as she scanned the audience, her gaze landed on someone seated in the VIP section.

Her breath caught.

Uncle Dwayne?!

Her stomach flipped.

Why was he here?!

Ariana stiffened, a wave of mortification washing over her. She glanced down at her attire and felt her face go up in flames.

She wanted to run.

But in front of so many people... escape wasn't an option.

A bead of sweat trickled down her temple as Dwayne's dark eyes locked onto her.

Unblinking. Unreadable.

And utterly focused on her.

Dwayne sat in the VIP section, his deep, frosty gaze devoid of emotion.

Today's event was the Jackson family's product launch, and Morgan had invited him as a courtesy. They had agreed it would take just half an hour-but the red carpet alone had already eaten up more than that.

He hated wasting time on pointless formalities.

Just as irritation crept in, Morgan draped an arm over his shoulder, his signature peach blossom eyes curving with amusement.

"Dwayne, the ushers today aren't bad," he drawled lazily. "Nice figures, soft skin-you could squeeze water out of them."

His gaze swept over the lineup of hostesses, then zeroed in on one in particular.

"Look at the second-to-last one. Seventeen, maybe eighteen-legs that could keep you entertained for a whole year. Tsk, tsk."

He elbowed Dwayne, smirking. "Hey, bro, aren't you still a virgin? Why not chat her up?"

Dwayne followed Morgan's line of sight, his expression indifferent-until his eyes landed on the second-to-last girl.

The moment he saw her, his gaze turned razor-sharp.

Ariana.

A wave of icy pressure filled the space around him.

Morgan shivered. "Damn, is the AC on too high? Should I ask them to-"

Before he could finish, Dwayne abruptly stood up.

Startled murmurs rippled through the VIP section.

"Dwayne, what the hell are you doing?" Morgan grabbed his arm in alarm.

Dwayne clenched his fists, barely restraining himself. A few seconds passed before he forced himself to sit back down, but his eyes never left Ariana.

Following his gaze, Morgan smirked.

"Didn't you just say you weren't interested? And now you're practically ogling her."

He chuckled. "I'll admit, out of all the ushers, she is the prettiest. Look at those breasts-"

"Shut up."

Dwayne's hand shot out, gripping Morgan's tie. His voice dropped to a menacing growl.

"If you look at her again, I'll gouge out your eyes."

Morgan: "..."

At that moment, Ariana sensed something.

A chill ran down her spine.

She glanced up-and locked eyes with Dwayne.

Ariana's blood drained from her face.

It's over.

I'm dead.

She always knew her uncle would find her eventually... but she hadn't expected it to happen like this.

Her mind screamed for an escape route, but there was nowhere to run. She was trapped on stage, exposed under a hundred watchful eyes.

Every second stretched into eternity.

Finally, the press conference ended.

The moment the host dismissed them, Ariana bolted.

"Ari, where are you going?" Kira called after her.

"Restroom!" she yelled over her shoulder, picking up speed.

Dwayne rose from his seat, pushing past Morgan without hesitation.

His voice rang out, deep and commanding.

"Ariana, stop right there!"

Ariana's legs nearly buckled.

But fear propelled her forward.

If he catches me, I'm done for!

She weaved through the crowd, finally breaking out into the open hallway. The heavy weight of Dwayne's gaze lifted, and she exhaled in relief.

She needed to change out of this dress, fast.

But before she could reach the dressing room, a figure stepped into her path.

A bald, greasy-faced man with a beer belly and yellowed teeth smiled at her.

"Miss, hello. I'm John Dalton, the manager of Brilliant Company."

His beady eyes roamed over her figure. "I noticed you on stage. Do you have time to join me for dinner?"

Ariana's stomach churned.

Definitely not a good person.

She took a step back. "I'm sorry, I don't have time."

She moved to walk past him, but his hand snatched her wrist.

"Don't leave so fast, beautiful," he sneered. "Let's talk a little."