342: HOW IT ALL STARTED (Flashback to the lives of Luke and Ariel ten years ago, before and when they crossed paths with each other.) ARIEL’S POV I couldn’t stop talking about the party last night. It was one of the most happening parties I have ever been to. My best friend, Tessa and I were walking together, reliving every moment of the party. “Did you see that guy? The one with the curly hair and dimples? He was so handsome,” I gushed. Tessa laughed. “Oh, you mean Pete?” “Is that his name?“I couldn’t take my eyes off him the whole night,” I replied dreamily. “I think he was checking you out too, Ariel.“You should have gone and talked to him,” Tessa teased. “I don’t know; he seemed a bit too forward for my liking.” I said, remembering how he had approached me at the party. As we walked towards my mansion, Tessa continued to tease me about Simon. But as soon as we arrived at my mansion’s gates, Tessa interrupted my thoughts. I was about to say goodbye to Tessa when we heard a voice behind us “Hello ladies,” the voice belonged to Simon. He was wearing a sharp suit and looked even more handsome in daylight. “Hi Simon,” Tessa greeted him with a sly smile. “I’ve been waiting for you, Ariel. I wanted to talk to you about something.” Simon said, walking towards me. Simon was always a difficult person to be around. He was rude and arrogant, constantly thinking he was better than everyone else. I knew him because his father was good friends with mine, so we had crossed paths many times. Despite his wealth and status, I never found him appealing. He made it obvious that he was interested in me, but I couldn’t stand his entitled attitude. I didn’t care about his family’s money or his connections; I just couldn’t bring myself to like someone who thought so highly of themselves. Simon may have had a privileged life, but to me, he was just a regular guy with a big ego. And an absolute idiot. I could feel my heart racing, but I tried to play it cool. “What is it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “I think we have a connection, Ariel. And I know your parents like me. So why don’t you give me a chance? “He spoke confidently, taking my hand. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held on tight. “I’m sorry, Simon. I don’t like you that way. And I don’t appreciate you assuming that my parents‘ opinion would sway me,” I stated firmly, trying to maintain my composure. “Why are you being so stubborn, Ariel?“I can give you moving closer to me. everything you want. Just say yes.” He smirked, Before I could react, Tessa stepped in between us. “She said no, Simon.“Now leave her alone.” Simon’s face turned into a scowl, and he raised his hand to silence Tessa. But before he could do anything, I quickly kneeled down and kicked him in his private area. He let out a loud groan and doubled over in pain. I quickly grabbed Tessa’s hand, and we ran inside my house. “What the hell was that, Ariel? Are you okay?” Tessa asked, her eyes wide with shock. “I’m fine. He just wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I replied, my heart still racing. Martha approached us with a concerned expression on her face. “Ariel, Tessa, why do you both look so shocked?” she asked, her voice filled with worry. Tessa quickly filled Martha in on what had just transpired outside with Simon. “Simon was being pushy and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Ariel had to… um… intervene, Tessa explained, her words slightly stumbling as she recounted the scene. Martha’s eyes widened in surprise, and then she shook her head disapprovingly. “That young man has no manners. I’ll have a word with the security to ensure he doesn’t bother you again, Miss Ariel,” Martha said firmly, her tone leaving no room or argument. “Thank you, Martha, I appreciate it,” I said, grateful for her support. Sha gave us a reassuring smile before continuing on her way, leaving Tessa and me to process the adrenaline–fueled encounter we had just experienced. Martha was now a wise and experienced lady, with age gracefully written on her face. She must have been around sixty, or maybe even older, yet her energy and enthusiasm were unmatched. She had been a loyal and dedicated maid at our mansion for as long as I could remember. In fact, she had been working for my parents since before I was born. Despite her old age, she never failed to amaze us with her efficiency and hard work. She was not just a maid but also a part of our family. Her kind and caring nature made her an irreplaceable presence in our lives. We were lucky to have such a remarkable woman in our home. My heart was pounding with fear as Simon walked into the house, his face twisting into a scowl. Tessa held onto my hand tightly, trying to reassure me. But I could see the fear in her eyes too. “Simon, what do you think you’re doing? Leave her alone!” Martha defended me. Simon laughed, “I can’t help it if your daughter is so irresistible. I just wanted to talk to her.” Martha’s expression changed from anger to disgust. “Get out! “And don’t you dare lay a hand on Ariel ever gain,” she said firmly, pointing towards the door. But Simon didn’t move; instead, he pushed her aside and advanced towards me. My heart was racing. and I tried to back away, but his grip on my waist was too tight. “Let go of me, Simon!” I yelled, struggling to break free. But he only tightened his grip. “You’re mine, Ariel. And I won’t let you go.” Before I could react, Tessa stepped in between us. “She said no, Simon.“Now leave her alone.” Simon’s face turned into a scowl, and he raised his hand to silence Tessa. But before he could do anything, I quickly kneeled down and kicked him in his private area. He let out a loud groan and doubled over in pain. I quickly grabbed Tessa’s hand, and we ran inside my house. “What the hell was that. Ariel? Are you okay?” Tessa asked, her eyes wide with shock. “I’m fine. He just wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I replied, my heart still racing. Martha approached us with a concerned expression on her face. “Ariel, Tessa, why do you both look so shocked?” she asked, her voice filled with worry. Tessa quickly filled Martha in on what had just transpired outside with Simon. “Simon was being pushy and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Ariel had to… um… intervene. Tessa explained, her words slightly stumbling as she recounted the scene. Martha’s eyes widened in surprise, and then she shook her head disapprovingly. “That young man has no manners. I’ll have a word with the security to ensure he doesn’t bother you again, Miss Ariel,” Martha said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Thank you, Martha. I appreciate it,” I said, grateful for her support. She gave us a reassuring smile before continuing on her way, leaving Tessa and me to process the adrenaline–fueled encounter we had just experienced. Martha was now a wise and experienced lady, with age gracefully written on her face. She must have been around sixty, or maybe even older, yet her energy and enthusiasm were unmatched. She had been a loyal and dedicated maid at our mansion for as long as I could remember. In fact, she had been working for my parents since before I was born. Despite her old age, she never failed to amaze us with her efficiency and hard work. She was not just a maid but also a part of our family. Her kind and caring nature made her an irreplaceable presence in our lives. We were lucky to have such a remarkable woman in our home. My heart was pounding with fear as Simon walked into the house, his face twisting into a scowl. Tessa held onto my hand tightly, trying to reassure me. But I could see the fear in her eyes too. “Simon, what do you think you’re doing? Leave her alone!” Martha defended me. Simon laughed, “I can’t help it if your daughter is so irresistible. I just wanted to talk to her.” Martha’s expression changed from anger to disgust. “Get out! “And don’t you dare lay a hand on Ariel ever gain,” she said firmly, pointing towards the door. But Simon didn’t move; instead, he pushed her aside and advanced towards me. My heart was racing, and I tried to back away, but his grip on my waist was too tight. “Let go of me, Simon!” I yelled, struggling to break free. But he only tightened his grip. “You’re mine, Ariel. And I won’t let you go.” HE HOWITALT STANITED I could feel my eyes watering with fear and anget. How daro he think he could control me like this? “Let go of her, you jerk!” Tesan yelled, trying to push Simon away. But he pushed her aside, causing her to fall to the floor. I could feel the anger bubbling Inside me, and for a moment, I was too shocked to react. But then I remembered what Simon had done to Tessa and Martha, and I knew I had to do something. I quickly looked around for something to defend myself with, and my eyes landed on a golden vase on the side table. I quickly grabbed it, and without thinking, I hit Simon on the back of his head with all the strength I could muster. He let out a loud groan and finally let go of me, falling to the ground. I could see the surprise and shock on Tessa’s face, but before any of us could react, Simon got up and turned towards Martha, who was standing behind him with a determined look on her face. “Old lady, you’ll pay for that,” Simon growled, his hand raised to hit her. But before he could do anything, my father appeared in the mansion and yelled, “Stop right there, Simon!”
