Chapter 5 Wait For Me

A pair of arms surrounded her suddenly and pulled her back. Arianne could almost feel the dampness from his fresh shower and smelt the fragrance of body wash. Her hands supported herself on his chest, unknowingly they were shaking. The arms that were wrapped around her waist let go abruptly. “Get lost.” For some reason, his voice was a little raspy. Arianne had no idea how she had upset him again so she scurried off at once. It was when she returned to the storeroom that she had regrets. She had forgotten to ask him about Will Sivan. Recalling what happened just now, however, the courage to seek him again slipped away from her. When morning came the next day, Mary came into the storeroom with a glass of water. “C’mon, Ari. Here’s some cold medicine.” Arianne Wynn was puzzled. Mary did not know she caught a cold. Furthermore, how would Mary dare give her medication without Mark Tremont’s permission? As if dismissing Arianne’s doubt, Mary sat down on the edge of her bed with a smile. “Sir has gone on a business trip and will only be back in about a month. This was his instructions before he left. Here you go.” Arianne could not point a finger to the feeling in her heart, but she felt inexplicably lighter hearing that he would temporarily not be around. After taking the medication, Arianne briskly made her bed and went to school. When she entered the studio, the dean personally came to pass her all the materials she had lacked. “Miss Wynn, check if there’s anything else you’re missing.” Arianne was taken aback. “No… nothing is missing. This is…?” The dean did not explain, merely saying, “That’s good then.” As the dean left, Arianne was lost in her thoughts, staring at the items she had received. Mark Tremont was surely not the source, since he would not have the time nor the effort to be concerned about her situation at school. “Ari, I’ve heard that someone’s sponsored you anonymously. I didn’t expect the administration to work so quickly. Your paints are all better than mine!” Tiffany Lane rummaged through the materials that the dean had sent over once she was here. Arianne kept quiet as she arranged her new belongings. “Hey, who was the one that picked you up yesterday? Crazy driving, almost killed you there.” Tiffany was a chatterbox, always spouting new topics whether Arianne replied to her or not. “That’s my brother,” Arianne answered. There was a slight pause from Tiffany. “What sort of brother is he? He’s so rich yet here you are being groomed into a slum girl. Let me meet him next time.” Arianne smiled. “Don’t criticize him. He’s actually very nice. He’s not my biological brother, so it isn’t his obligation to take care of me. He’s done more than his part.” That was what she told herself too. She was a sinner, but Mark Tremont had given her shelter and taken care of her for ten years. Tiffany pouted before beginning to guess the mystery sponsor in excitement. “Who do you think is funding you? Will Sivan’s dad has kicked him out of the country and he won’t be coming back until a few years. Do you think it’s him? Someone has sponsored you right after his departure. Otherwise, it just doesn’t make sense.” Stunned, Arianne found it more convincing that the sponsor was Will than Mark Tremont. Thinking about the man who was like a gentle ray of sunshine, she felt her heart clench. Will Sivan’s departure was her fault… During Mark Tremont’s absence, Arianne Wynn was a lot more relaxed. Tiffany had dragged her for a fun day out on her birthday, which was on the weekend. The former knew that she disliked crowds, thus she did not invite anyone else. Before they went home, like a magic trick Tiffany produced two small gift boxes. “These are presents from Will and I.” Arianne did not accept them, she could not afford to return them anything of similar value. A look at the gift boxes was evident that the presents were costly. She was poor, that said she had seen enough during her years in the Tremont Estate to know. “Thank you for spending the day with me. There’s no need for presents.” Arianne breathed in deeply, it was the scent of the chilling breeze and snow. Tiffany pushed the boxes into her hands. “When I am nice to you I don’t expect anything in return, but Will is the opposite case… Stand up straight. I’m gonna complete what he’s asked me to do.” Unable to figure out what she was about to do, Arianne straightened up obediently. Tiffany looked at Arianne in all seriousness. “Ari, I’m Will Sivan. I like you. Wait for my return. You’ve got to wait for me.”