Chapter 20 Don’t Like It?

Arianne’s hand that held her spoon quavered. Looking at the half bowl of soup, she hesitated before saying, “Mary, help me to another serving…” Mary saw through her little gimmick and answered softly, “Ah, why are you so scared of sir? He won’t gobble you up.” After the meal, Arianne trudged up the stairs only after Mary finished cleaning the table. The door to the master bedroom was half open, however she still knocked before entering. Mark Tremont was going through documents in front of the French window with a cigarette between his fingers. Half a glass of wine stood on the small table beside him. Naturally, he stubbed out the cigarette when Arianne coughed from the smoke. “Come over.” She went closer to him. “Is there… anything you need me for?” Putting down the document in his hands, Mark Tremont took her into his embrace without warning. “I’m going on an overseas business trip tomorrow. Come with me.” Arianne’s ability to think was already affected having been seated on his legs. When she heard that he wished to take her out, her nerves got the better of her. “You’re on a business trip… It’s better… it’s better if I don’t go?” For all ten years, she was either in school or at home. Arianne rarely interacted with the outside world. She had slight social anxiety, becoming anxious whenever she went to unfamiliar places, and talking to strangers. In addition, she was honestly unable to imagine anything pleasant going out with him. “Sure you’re not going?” Mark Tremont’s words were whispered to the side of Arianne’s face when he spoke, making the situation more intimate than it was and putting her in a dilemma. Arianne refused to upset him but she genuinely did not want to go. Subconsciously, she replied in an endearing manner, “Nope, I’ll wait for you at home.” Mark Tremont seemed to be content with her tone as his hand went to tip her chin and landed a kiss on her lips. The refreshing sweet taste of her enticed him to go deeper but Arianne turned away abruptly. “Don’t like it? Or… don’t like it with me?” Mark Tremont’s tone dropped in temperature, raising an involuntary fear within Arianne. Picturing his anger, Arianne bit her lips. “No…” Mark Tremont’s mobile phone that was on the bed rang out of the blue. As if she was pardoned, Arianne got up to fetch him the gadget. There was a slight frown between Mark Tremont’s brows when he took a look at the incoming call but he did not answer it immediately. Arianne understood the situation, turning to leave him with a smile, whilst also relieved at the same time. Perhaps he already had someone he liked and would want to get married and have children. By then, he would let her go, right? That was what she hoped. Returning to her room and lying in bed, Arianne turned her mobile phone on. The festive colors on the screen reflected the jolly mood of the coming holidays but did nothing to ignite her somber heart. The text message that popped up on the notification bar attracted her attention. It was from Tiffany Lane. Arianne’s breath stuck in her throat when she read the text. Will Sivan was back… Although she knew that he would soon be out of the country again as he was only back to visit his family for the holidays, Arianne still felt different. The young man who was untainted, with eyes that contained all the stars in the galaxy left a deep imprint in her heart. Will Sivan and Mark Tremont were two opposite men. Arianne called Tiffany. “Tiff, when’s… Will leaving the country again?” Tiffany’s teasing voice sounded from the other end of the line, “What’s up? Reluctant to see him leave? I’m not sure actually but there’s a gathering tomorrow. Can you come? He’s the host. Oh yeah, I want you to meet someone too, it’s my boyfriend. Let me know if you can attend.” “I’ll go,” Arianne unknowingly answered. The second before she answered, she was thinking about Mark Tremont who was going away the next day. She could risk going out once he was not here.