Chapter 135: Threats

Tessa sighted Arianna and smiled, totally ignoring Genesis “Hello Arianna Delmark” She said looking all cheerful as if she’s been friends with Arianna for years.

Arianna’s facial expression stiffened towards her. No one had really called her by that name ‘Delmark’. Tessa was the first person.

“Hello Tessa” Arianna said and shook hands with her. She immediately looked towards Genesis and said “Let’s go girlfriend”

“Dinner, right!” Richard asked and Arianna nodded. She wanted to tell Richard to send the address of the venue of the dinner to Jace, but chose to be quiet, he would call him rather.

They all filed into the car and Tessa got in Richard’s car. “Get the fuck out” Genesis ordered.

“I meant you no harm. I am sitting at the passenger side and you are right beside Richard on the copilot seat. Treat me fairly at least” Tessa declared.

She was boiling with fury within her. How dare this woman detest her so much. She’s still in love with Richard after all.

Richard sighed. He hates being caught up in the middle. Why is Tessa making things look complicated for him? She should just let go.

The others have taken off. He should be there before them. It wasn’t just a mere dinner, it’s a little cocktail party and his Mom would be there as well.

“For God’s sake, the both of you are freaking me out. Mom is going to be present at the dinner and all that matters to you both is a battle for supremacy?” Richard complained.

“Why is your ex trailing us? Why is she after us? What does she want from us? Or maybe I should ask her what she wants from you. Just tell me if I am not getting something here?” Genesis snapped at him.

“Tessa is my ex and you know it. She knows I don’t love her anymore but you. Why do you get yourself worked up unnecessarily?” Richard retorted.

Genesis wanted to talk back but Richard raised his hand and stopped her. She glared at him and hissed between gritted teeth.

“Tessa, after today, stay away from me. You are not wanted anywhere around me and Genesis. Don’t ruin my relationship with my girlfriend” Richard ordered.

Tessa just looked out of the window and said nothing. Richard glanced at Genesis by his side and Tessa from the rear view mirror before turning on the ignition.

There was no Tessa and he started out with Genesis. He hates to break a woman’s heart. If his mom gets wind of it, she would scold him until he would feel his ears are full.

When they arrived, Jane Delmark had just driven in through the gates, she looked beautiful in her long down to feet gown. She had always been a beautiful woman.

Arianna had stepped out of her car and walked up to her. They both stood, staring at each other for a while, the older woman’s eyes went teary and she stretched her hands, taking Arianna’s in hers.

“Can I call you Aunt?” Arianna asked, her eyes welled up with tears. What can she do, love is not a thing that comes with force.

Adrian Delmark preferred her and chose her above her Mom. She can only wish her mom remained a shining star in the sky and keeps shining forever.

“I’ll be honoured if you call me mother” Jane replied. Arianna’s eyes tears flow down her cheeks.

Richard was out and went over to hold the door for Genesis to step out. She did but paused to glance at Tessa who already stepped out and shut the door.

“Stay away from Richard otherwise…” Genesis warned.

“Otherwise what, Genesis?” Tessa snapped back at her. She glared at this woman who thinks she has a monopoly power of ownership over Richard.

“I will hurt you Tessa if you don’t stay away from my man” Genesis threatened.

“Go ahead. It’s not my fault that I can’t stop loving Richard. But you should know that he was mine first. And you still cannot predict who will eventually own him. He isn’t engaged or married to you yet” Tessa snapped and eyed her in disdain before walking away.

“Did you hear what she said?” Genesis asked, glaring at Richard.

“You started it, Genesis. I told you to let it go. Why did you start by threatening her? I do not see anything wrong in her words. I was hers before, right?” Richard replied angrily and walked away.

“Yes, Mom, ” Arianna said and hugged Jane. Both women sobbed in each other’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry Arianna, I’m sorry about everything” Jane apologised. She held Arianna so close. A sudden realisation that she’s become a mother to a grown up woman.

Now she has two children. Richard and his sister. It’s amazing. Being a mother at her age, she remembered Susan and she sobbed more.

“Congratulations to a new member of our family” Adrian Delmark echoed. Everyone present clapped and Arianna cleaned her tears, shyly.

“I’m proud of you my dear. You’ve made us proud. And congratulations as the overall winner of the contest. You got the trophy and it makes me happier” Jane said “Can we just go in for dinner, now?” Richard chimed. Genesis came over and intertwined her fingers with Richard’s. The latter knew she was doing it on purpose but didn’t object to it.

“We all proceed to the top floor. There’s a reservation there for us” Richard directed, pointing towards the entrance and taking the lead.

“Can you just leave my hand for a while, please” Richard whispered. He needs to be smart and successful at what he was assigned to do.

“You mustn’t let her hold your hand” Genesis whispered back and Richard nodded. Then she let go.

As They arrived at the grand floor, The smell of freshness was all over the place. As soon as everyone stepped in, the light went off.

Jane Delmark wouldn’t leave Arianna’s hand. She suspected that something was wrong. The ceiling blinked lights and different letters were appearing on the far end of the wall.

Power outage is something uncommon. Except it’s for a certain purpose. Everyone was still, their eyes fixed on the letters, which emit lights.

They want to bring the letters together and read what it meant. While they were trying to catch the meaning, a hand came and disjointed Jane and Arianna’s hands, taking the latter away.