Inside the large guest room, Arianna pulled on a black high-waisted skirt and loose fitting royal blue shirt, the outfit complimented her figure is a more casual way than her dress, combed her long elegant fingers through her chestnut hair and removed her makeup from the night before. She folded her dress and placed it into the her handbag then put on her heels from last night.
She couldn't help but wonder what she was doing, she should have gone home last night, she should have snuck out this morning, she shouldn't have gotten involved with these people. In reality, she had a lot of fun however, last night had also made her realise just how lonely she'd been. She knew what people called her, 'The Princess of Isolation' a well fitting title, ever since graduating school, she'd pushed everyone away and had refused any kinds of close friendships. However, last night being with Juliette, Felix and even Liam, made her realise just how isolated she'd really been. It had been years since she had had that much fun and she was thankful, but once they work out who she is, there is only two outcomes; 1. they try to use her for power, status or money or 2. they are threatened by her and scheme against her. That was way everyone had treated her, but that was the burden of being Joan Richard's daughter.
Knock!
"Hey are you descent?" Juliette sweet bell-like voice came from behind the wooden door.
"Yeah." Arianna pulled the door open, revealing the blonde beauty.
"Wow, you really are gorgeous," Juliette examined her closely, causing Arianna to blush. "I mean I know I saw you last night, but I was a little bit drunk." She smiled and winked cheekily. "So are you coming to breakfast?"
"Oh... Umm.." Arianna hesitated, unsure of whether she should bother trying to build a friendship with this girl. While it was obvious she came from a wealthy family, no matter how wealthy they are there would still be a way for them to benefit from having connections to RF.
"It's okay Miss Richard, I don't want anything more than your friendship" Juliette revealed a smile that seemed to hold more secrets than the US government. Arianna golden-brown eyes widen. "It's hard to find girl of 'our' status who aren't arrogant and obnoxious." She emphasised the word 'our' indicating she was on the same status as her, but then just who was this family. There was only four other family in Paris with the same status as her and none of them would be considered as allies.
"W...who are you exactly?" Arianna raised her dark, sharp eyebrow peering at her suspiciously.
"That doesn't matter right now." Juliette loved to tease and this girl was making it too easy. "All you need to know is like I said, I don't want anything more than your friendship, that includes your life."
Juliette walked lightly out the room before stopping at the door. Her expression turned dark and her voice became serious, "Liam... He doesn't know, and I suggest if you really want to keep seeing him, you keep your mouth shut. He is not as forgiving as I am." Then she continued to skip lightly down the hall.
'Just who is she? What have I gotten myself into? And what did she mean by as forgiving?' Arianna couldn't help but wonder. The young brunette was trying to think of all the family members of the four families, but couldn't come up with all the family members. It wasn't something she found particularly important, believing she'd only ever have to deal with heads of the families. Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing on the dark wooden bedside table. She looked at her phone, to see her mother ringing.
"Shit." Arianna bit her lip as she wondered how she could possible explain this to Joan.
"Ari, where are you?" Joan's concern voiced through her phone. Arianna walked toward the large wall long window out looking a beautiful green field that led to the entrance of a forest, were they even still in Paris anymore?
"It's okay, I... I made a new friend last night... a 'female' friend." She clarified for her prying mother. "And after I passed out her boyfriend and brother brought me back to her place, letting me stay in the guest room." She didn't lie, she was strategically left out some details, like how she flirted with her new friend's brother and slept in his clothes and that she publicly humiliated Michael. Oh and the fact that her new 'friend' was from one of those families. "We're going out for breakfast, then I'll be home."
"Oh that's so good to hear." Joan sounded delitated, but in reality she was well aware of what had happened last night and knew full well who her daughter was with. "Well you have fun with your new friends and be careful."
"I will thanks," she faked a smile, unsure of what to do. Her mother could help, but what if her mother wanted to keep her away from them, the thought of being seperated from Liam made her heart ache.
"Okay, you can tell me more when you get home. Love you." Joan's pleasant voice made Arianna even more anxious.
"Love you too." She hang up breathing a sigh of relief. She ran her fingers through her hair seeming rather distressed.
"If you're fretting about Juliette, then don't." A soft deep voice caused Arianna jumped before turning around to see a tall, slender man with short curly dark brown hair, small pale green eyes. His hands buried in his jean pockets as he leaned against the door frame.
"Felix," Arianna placed her hand on her chest, calming her breathing. "Does everyone in this house have a habit of just turning up out of nowhere?" Felix chuckled as he analysed her.
"You could say it's a couple's trait." His relaxed aura helped Arianna calm herself. "It's unusual for someone of your status not to know who any of us are."
"I... I kind of never took much interest in the politics of business," she admitted nervously. "I suppose that was my downfall."
"Yes. I suggest you brush up on it, before you take over your mother's company or you'll be its downfall." Felix turned to leave. "Come on, we're heading to breakfast."
Arianna was starting to feel like she was being forced into a game of Chess, the only problem was, she didn't know how to play Chess.