The chauffeur parked the car and Jace Hudson alighted. He came over and helped Arianna out. He wasnât with the bodyguards but drove in the bullet proof car.
He pulled her to his side and whispered âAlways wear your hair this way for me, whenever we are aloneâ he kissed her temple.
âYou like it this way?â Arianna asked, turning briefly to glance at Jace. Her hair swirls and Jace lets out a soft giggle. He loves it.
âI love it,â he chimed. They arrived at the door, the security guards bowed slightly before them and the Steward held the door for them to get in.
But they met Richard just at the door. He looked tense and his gaze fixed on Arianna. For some seconds, he didnât say anything, just stared at Arianna.
âHey Richard, why do you stare at me as if youâve seen a ghostâ Arianna teased, going over to him in tiptoes and cupping his face in her arms.
âI wish itâs a ghost, Arianna. I would have known that it can never be real. Please we need to talk urgentlyâ Richard said holding both of her hands.
He tried to force a smile, but it wasnât working. Jace squinted. Richard had known or suspected something. And that thing is what he already knows.
âNow?â Arianna asked, wearing a frown. Why the urgency in Richardâs tone? What is it that wouldnât wait until the dinner is over?
âYes, itâs urgent. Thereâs something I need to ask youâ Richard said glaring into Ariannaâs eyes. For the first time, he sees what heâs never seen in her eyes. Those eyes seemed familiar to him.
âOkayâ Arianna said with a shrug. She glanced at Jace and saw him staring intently at Richard. The latter held her hand to take her aside when Jane walked in on them.
âOh darling, youâre here alreadyâ She said and pulled Arianna off Richardâs grip, giving her a sweet hug. She beamed with a smile.
âMom, I told you to often use your walker. If you slip off, it would be dangerous to the spinal cordâ Richard snapped at his mom. He was angry for no just reason why his Mom would have to walk in on them now, of all time.
âI wonât slip. I want to walk all by myself. Besides, isnât my son a medical doctor? He would always be there whenever I needed himâ Jane teased.
Richard looked away and said nothing. If only his mom knows what is bothering him now, she would just leave Arianna and get back inside the sitting room.
âCEO Jace, itâs an honour to have you with us tonightâ Jane said and shook hands with him. That was when Richard realised that Jace had been standing by Ariannaâs side since the moment they walked in.
He glanced at Jace and saw that the latter gave him a shrug. He bowed slightly and forced a smile. He stretched his hand and took Ariannaâs hand again âMom, Arianna and I want to talk brieflyâ Richard said impatiently.
âHell no, Richard. Sheâs my guest, not yours. Invite her next time if you want to have a talk. So for now, we ladies are stepping into the sitting roomâ Jane declared and pulled Arianna along.
Richard sighed helplessly. He glared at Jace and the latter gave a smile. He walked over and stood before Richard, glaring at him intently.
âYour eyes are the sameâ he chimed and smiled. Richard squinted, his gaze on Jace looked inquisitive. What is CEO Jace saying?
âWhat is it that you want to discuss with Arianna? Tell me about it. Iâm her one sweet loveâ Jace Hudson declared.
âYou wonât understand CEO Jace. You wonâtâ Richard stuttered and placed his hands on his hips. He looked worried and confused.
âHmmmâ Jace grunted and said âMaybe the one who doesnât understand is you. The one who sees and cannot perceive. I think you are confused and I might be of helpâ he grinned and wanted to step in when Richard held his hand.
âLetâs talk man to man, CEO Jace. I found Ariannaâs pictures in dadâs study. I felt an impulse to ask him but heâs on the phone. Thatâs why I want to talk to Ariannaâ Richard explained.
âSo, whatâs the big deal if Senator Adrian had his daughterâs pictures on his desk?â Jace Hudson declared, glaring at Richard in excitement.
âWhat!â Richard exclaimed and quickly added âYou know that dad is Ariannaâs biological father?â
Jane Delmark walked Arianna into the sitting room and was dazed to find her brother-in-law on the phone. He was holding a pen and writing on a pad when he raised his head to glance at the guest that Jane was expecting.
Derick was dazed. His facial expression became twitched and his hands holding the pen trembled. He carefully brought his hand down at the same time that Jane turned to glance at him.
âThis is Arianna Jason, Richardâs friend and a family friend now,â Jane said. She saw the looks on Derickâs face and his puzzled expression.
Arianna also glanced at the man who Jane introduced her to and was dazed how shocked the man stared at her. She glanced at Jane and the latter glanced at her at the same time.
They both were surprised. Ariannaâs mind had travelled many miles and distances and back again. Something isnât right, this man knows her.
âShe should have been more than a friend to Richardâ Derick stated. He looked at her from head to toe and smiled happily.
Only then did Jane and Arianna sighed for relief. What does he mean that she should have been more than a friend to Richard, did he want her to be his girlfriend?
Derick glanced at his brother, he was still with his back to them, talking on the phone. The daughter his brother was looking for was right here, in her fatherâs Mansion and he wouldnât waste any more time.
âYou look more beautiful in person than in pictures. You look exactly like her, except for your face. That face is like your fatherâs but the beautiful body is your motherâs â he declared.
Ariannaâs eyes were bright. This man knew her mother? He said she has her motherâs body? Gosh! This statement has sent bubbles into her belly and it made her day.
Jane became uneasy. These words were making her think in a certain direction. She turned and glanced at Arianna but the latter was all smiles.
âIt then means you knew my mom. You knew my mummy? You really know her?â Arianna stuttered. She was smiling broadly and held Jane Delmarkâs hands.
Derick nodded. His eyes filled with tears. He carried her when she was two or three years old. He kissed her chin and called her his niece.
Finally he got to meet Susanâs daughter again. Over two decades have passed and he got to meet her again. His niece is home. Sheâs finally come home.
Just then Richard walked over with teary eyes. She had been his sister all along and he didnât recognise her. She was so close to him and he didnât know her.
Jace stood behind. Something is definitely going to happen that night. Arianna and this family are going to know each other. But he could guess that his darling Arianna is going to go mad with the Senator and possibly with Richard.
âMrs Jane. He said he knew my mother. He said he knows my momâ Arianna chimed, holding Janeâs hands and taking it to her lips, she kissed the hand.
Jane stared at her, her eyes filled with tears. Her suspicions have been confirmed. If Derick talked that way with his moist eyes, it only means her friendâs daughter is presently holding her hands.
She suspected it. Sheâs like Susan. She has her body and figure. A perfect beautiful body. Thatâs why she insisted on having her come over for dinner.
Jane suddenly held Arianna and hugged her. Arianna was smiling. Mrs Jane is happy with her. But Jane Delmark was sobbing, her tears were now dropping and she sniffled.
Richard was staring at the affection between his mom and Arianna. Has Mom also known when she invited her for dinner?
Derick glanced at Richard and the latter looked away, cleaning the lone tear from his eyes with his index finger.
Senator Adrian was done on the phone and walked over. He saw the show of affection between his wife and Arianna âWhatâs the excitement about, ladies?â He chimed.
He subconsciously glanced at his brother and saw his eyes moist and squinted. Derick nodded and Adrian was dazed. He glanced towards Jace, the latter shrugged and then Richard and he looked away.
It then dawned on Adrian Delmark that what he was looking for, had walked into the house to meet him!