The moment they made it back to the brothel they informed Lady Zula of what had happened. Lady Zula became furious and was ready to hire body guards to watch over the brothel and keep Ariana indoors until they eliminated the threat.
Ariana was ready to protest when Rin stepped in and agreed with the decision. Ariana looked up at Rin with betrayed eyes. "I also think that we should hire a tutor for her too, just until everything settles down." Rin said with conviction. Lady Zula completely agreed and rushed into her office to start getting things prepared.
Rin watched as Lady Zula disappeared before she grabbed Ariana's hand and took her further into the brothel. Rin opened a door that had a staircase that lead downstairs. She flipped a switch to turn on the light and quickly rushed down the stairs with Ariana in tow. "Rin what?!" Ariana started to shout but Rin stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around andp[ covered her mouth with a single hand.
"Do you even understand the risk of you going to school?!" Rin hissed as she narrowed her eyes at Ariana. "You unlock parts of your memory by touch and it's not in a very subtle way. We need to unlock what we can before you can even think of going to school." Rin said flatly. Ariana could feel her eyes startting to sting, soon tears started to spill and all Ariana could do was sniff at them.
"You thought I was betraying you didn't you?! Well too bad! I pledged my loyalty to you already and I'm not changing sides now, so come on. You can cry and walk down these stairs at the same time!" Rin said in a loud whisper before she removed her hand from Ariana's mouth. "Th-thank y-you." Ariana said in between her tears.
Rin rolled her eyes at the girl but the moment she turned around she couldn't help but smile. Once they were down the stairs Rin let go of Ariana's hand and walked further into the room. Suddenly more lights were turned on as Ariana wiped the last of her tears away. "What is this place." Ariana asked in awe. "Storage." Rin replied as she stood in the middle of the room. "We have a lot of cr*p down here and I need to keep you safe so let's get you touching everything in here before we go to bed."
Ariana nodded her head in understanding and started running her hand along everything that was exposed. Random tools for fixing the brothel, extra flooring, wood, fabric, shoes, a medical kit, a plunger, an abacus, a violin, beer glasses, wigs but she had no reaction. She kicked something and chased after the weird object that rolled across the floor.
'Lipstick?' Ariana thought as she bent down to pick it up. She barely touched the tube when the light show started up again. "Finally!" Rin said dramatically as she threw her hands up into the air.
Ariana could see more now. The flood of memories and information would play in the background, allowing her to freely move her eyes around the room. She spotted some objects that glowed a pale blue colour. The moment the mini ritual was over she scurried over to one of the items that had lit up in her vision.
"Hey you okay?" Rin asked with a worried face as she watched Ariana move some things out of her way. Ariana looked up as she moved a box to the side. "Ya! I think I can see what will activate the light!" Ariana shouted excitedly. "Wait how?!" Rin asked as she moved towards Ariana to help move things aside. "The piano glowed blue when I was getting my memories back." Ariana said as she reached out to touch the piano. It happened again but this time her body was starting to feel warm.
Soon the ritual was done but Ariana couldn't stop feeling hot. "Rin..." Ariana started to say as she tried to catch her breathe. "I don't feel so good." Ariana complained before she passed out where she stood.
....
"Don't leave me! Just look at me and stay awake!" The boy in front of my eyes started to yell. I look into his amber eyes, beautiful tears are cascading down his slightly Rosy cheeks.
I want to touch him. I want to brush back his golden hair and lay my hand against his cheek and wipe away the tears. I try to say something but I spit up blood instead. "Oh God no. Please no! I need to get you out of here now.... cough.... cough.... cough... we're gonna make it out.... ***** we will live happily together you and me, okay? Just stay awak!" He said in a shaky voice.
My heart feels so full but I can't understand why it's so hot. He wraps his arms around me and tries to lift me up. I start to cough out even more blood. I raise my head and see there is a fire behind us. I look down and see his leg is badly bleeding. I try to yell at him but my voice is just heavy wheezing and it causes me to cough up more blood.
"*****,my love please don't try to talk. It's gonna be okay." He says as he starts to laugh in a panic. "I will do everything I can to save you .... I'm so sorry, it's all my fault..."
.....
Ariana woke up with a groan, her mouth was parch and she absentmindedly searched around her bed with her hand for a cup of water. Instead she caught a hand holding onto a damp rag. She sat up and started rubbing her eyes. "Rin is that you?" Ariana asked in a confused daze.
"Mmh, it's me." Rin replied in a horse voice. "What time is it?" Ariana asked as she stretched out her back. Rin started to peel herself off the ground and used the bed as a form of support. "Almost 8 in the morning... I think... I can smell breakfast cooking downstairs so it definitely morning." Rin answered in a drowsy voice.
"I'm hungry." Ariana whined as she placed a hand over her growling stomach. Rin walked over to the bedroom door and looked out into the hallway. Everyone had already gone downstairs and were happily chatting away. Rin closed the door and looked at Ariana. "What happened to you last night." Rin asked bluntly.
Ariana pulled the sheets off and swung her legs over the bed to get up. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? I mean I did pass out and I'm not sure what happened afterwards." Ariana said with a raised eyebrow and cocky grin.
Rin leaned her back against the door and gave Ariana a stern look. "That's right you fainted and had a wicked fever all night. I'm actually surprised you woke up like it was nothing." Rin said as she looked at Ariana with a suspicous look. Ariana dropped her gaze to her open hands and then clenched them into fists. "I think the more skills I unlock the more memories I get back." She replied softly. "Well yes we have already established that..." Rin said as she rubbed her forehead with one hand.
"No you don't understand Rin, I am seeing another me... just before I die." Ariana said as she brought up her gaze. Eyes shinning with fresh tears. Rin stopped moving and dropped her hand. She looked at Ariana with wide eyes and broke out into a cold sweat. "That's enough for now, we need to unlock more of your skills so let's go downstairs and have some breakfast." Rin said in an awkward tone but Ariana couldn't muster up the energy to care, she wanted to keep up her cheeky front but she was drained.
So she let Rin have her way and wiped away her tears. She then slipped into her shoes and dragged her feet across the floor.
They finally made it downstairs as Roy started serving food to the tables. "Morning ladies! It's scrambled eggs, bacon and toast this morning." Roy shouted happily over the idle chatter of the 10 women in the room. Ariana's stomach growled in protest, she didn't think she could handle such a heavy breakfast. "Big brother Roy can I have some apple sauce on toast instead?" Ariana shouted back.
The room fell silent and the women turned to look at Ariana, all wearing the same confused look on their faces. "Apple sauce?" Roy asked as he scratched the back of his head. Ariana groaned and walked towards the counter. "Come on, I will show you how to make it. On the house too." Ariana said in a defeated tone.
Roy started smiling brightly and ran over to the counter. He lifted up the hatch and extended an arm out in a gentleman like gesture. Ariana looked at Roy and dragged herself into the kitchen while Roy practically skipped right behind her.
A fifteen minutes later a wonderful aroma was wafting through the air and the women stopped eating just to take a whiff. They were all staring at the double doors when Lady Zula made her way down. "Why is it so quiet this morning?" She asked Rin who was leaning against the stair railing.
"Ariana got stressed out last night because of the incident and developed a fever. She's fine now but I guess her stomach didn't like what Roy was serving so she's showing him how to make apple sauce." Rin explained nonchalantly as she she kept her eyes glued to the double doors.
Lady Zula looked shocked grabbed Rin by her shoulders, turning her to meet each others gazes. "Is that what that heavenly aroma is?!" Lady Zula asked with her eyes sparkling in anticipation. Rin nodded. "Yes Madam, she said she was showing Roy how to make it free of charge." Rin said indifferently.
Lady Zula started to smile brightly as she let Rin go. "This child will bring about new change not just to our business but to the world." Lady Zula whispered under her nreath. Rin eyed Lady Zula and suddenly remembered her manners and bowed at a 45 degree angle. "Pardon my rudeness! Good morning Madam!" Rin shouted causing everyone to turn. The women quickly stood up from their seats and followed suit. "Good morning Madam." They all said in unison.
Lady Zula absentmindedly waved her hand as she stared at the double doors. "Yes, yes ladies good morning. Please as you were, don't mind me." Lady Zula said dryly. The ladies sat down and continued to stare at the doors.
Ariana walked out with a tray and place it on the counter. Everyone in the room eyed the bowl on the tray as Ariana went under the counter. When she looked up she waved with half opened eyes to Lady Zula. "Good morning Lady Zula." Ariana said. Then she looked at her breakfast then back to Rin and then Lady Zula. "Did you want to try it?" Arian asked but before she could even finish her question Lady Zula zoomed across the room and was already standing next to her.
Ariana handed her a spoon and then the bowl. "It's a versatile dish like ketchup where you can add it to pretty much anything. I want it on toast." Ariana said lazily as she watched Lady Zula's face glow with giddiness as she dipped her spoon into the caramel coloured paste.
"Do you like it?" Ariana asked as she grabbed a slice of toast from the tray. Lady Zula started nodding her head excitedly with the spoon still in her mouth. "Roy said you loved apples so I thought why not offer you a try. It actually ridiculously delicious cold but this is freshly made. So Roy has a portion for you in the fridge for later." Ariana said as she grabbed the bowl back and tipped some of the contents onto her toast.
Lady Zula looked at the bowl with envious eyes. She gave up trying to get it back and settled on waiting for her portion to get cold. Rin walked up beside her and was looking pretty upset. "Do you really want nothing for this recipe?" Rin questioned as she crossed her arms.
Ariana positioned herself onto the stool and started spreading the sauce evenly on her toast. She handed a slice to Rin, then started to prepare one for Lady Zula. She ten silently passed the toast to Lady Zula as Rin glared at Ariana, waiting for her answer. "It's my thanks for taking care of me." Ariana said before she started preparing her own slice of toast.
Lady Zula lifted up her toast to her mouth and took a bite. She placed a hand against her cheek and enjoyed every bite. The women in the room started to feel envious as the watched the three eat breakfast. "Well if you have anymore apple recipes please sell them to me immediately. I will pay top dollar for every one." Lady Zula said in a haughty manner.
Ariana raised an eyebrow and chewed her food slowly. "Salad, dessert and drink." Ariana said after she swallowed. "I will let you pick one for now and once we have our new business opened I will give you the rest as a congratulatory gift."
Lady Zula couldn't hide her excitement as her body trembled. "Drink! Are you sure you won't sell the rights to me?" Lady Zula asked hoping that her good luck wasn't running out.
Ariana polished off her plate and looked at Lady Zula seriously. "I'm not going to exploit you just because of your weakness to apples. I appreciate your kindness and willingness to protect me." Ariana said as a little bit of colour started to return to her face.
Lady Zula shocked everyone in the room as she threw her arms around the small girl, bringing her into a tight embrace. "Has anyone told you how cute you are!" Lady Zula sang loudly as Roy walked into the room. The sight caused him to panic and he stumbled backwards. "Mom what are you doing?" Roy shouted once he caught his balance.
Lady Zula looked up at Roy and gave him a huge smile. "I think I want to officially adopt this child since she's too young to marry!"