Chapter 3 Who’s That?

Two minutes later, Mark Tremont’s car drove away. Arianne released a breath that she was unaware of holding, wondering what he was doing when the car was stationary. “Sir… It’s snowing. Are you really not letting miss in the car? Should we wait a bit more? Or shall I call her?” The driver, Brian Pearce, was rather worried. “Busybody...” Mark Tremont looked at the delicate silhouette from the rearview mirror, feeling inexplicably annoyed. He waited for two minutes and had given her the chance. When Arianne arrived at school, Tiffany Lane was baffled by her soaked state. “What do you think you’re doing? Did you cycle here in the snow? Are you crazy? Come on, breakfast is still warm. Eat up quickly!” Arianne accepted the milk and bun that Tiffany passed her with a smile, a dash of red appeared from her cracked lips. Tiffany sucked in a deep breath. “Do your parents not care about you? They don’t worry about your meals or clothes and aren’t concerned about you attending art school. Did they pick you up from the streets?” “My… mother remarried when I was very young and my father passed away ten years ago. It’s not their fault…” Arianne replied as she took off her soaked coat and sipped the warm milk. The indifferent tone in her voice, along with her actions was a pang to one’s heart. Tiffany then fondly rubbed Arianne’s wet hair. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? We’ve known each other since high school and yet, you never told me anything before you finally spoke up today. It’s absurd how your mother could bear abandoning a pretty little girl like you… Who are you living with now then?” Who are you living with? Arianne did not answer immediately as she thought about how she should refer to Mark Tremont. Her elder brother? “My elder brother.” That was all she could say. Tiffany Lane was quite perplexed. “Your elder brother? Your biological brother? Even if he’s only your cousin, he shouldn’t let you live so pitifully. Have you bought the paint the tutor asked us to buy?” Arianne shook her head. “I won’t be able to buy it for the time being but I’ll think of something.” Three years ago, she was guileless but not gullible. That was her first time rejecting Mark Tremont. His icy tone spread from his lips. ‘One day, you’ll beg me.’ After that, he left the country without a warning and she had never asked him for another favor or another meal in the Tremont Estate, surviving only by working part-time jobs. She was unable to fulfill his request nor please him, but there was no need to anymore. Looking at Arianne’s frowning face, Tiffany’s heart ached for her. When she was about to say something, a warm masculine voice interrupted. “Tiffany, what’s up with your cutie pie today? Why does she look so listless?” It was Will Sivan who spoke, the other person whom Arianne knew on campus. There were only so many of the rich and powerful in the capital. Both Tiffany Lane and Will Siyan were among them, though not Arianne Wynn. “It’s the paint…” “Tiffany!” Arianne cut her off and discreetly shook her head. For some reason, she did not want Will to know about her plight. Out of the blue, Will Sivan’s hand touched her forehead. “You have a fever.” “If you fall sick, our Tiffany here is going to nag all day long again.” It sounded like he was complaining, but Will’s hands were already working to take off his scarf to wrap around Arianne’s neck. She looked up at him, her heart beating a little faster. His smile felt like the sunlight that spilled from a blanket of clouds, gentle and natural. Loose hair fell from his forehead, draping down to his starry eyes which looked like they contained all the stars of the universe. Will Sivan was one of the best looking people Arianne had ever met, only second to Mark Tremont. When they had met ten years ago, Mark Tremont had taken her breath away too. “Who’s that?” Mark Tremont’s gaze was locked on Arianne Wynn and Will Sivan, who were beside her from the corridor outside of the art studio.