TWO DAYS LATER,
Unknown location, 12am
' Lady Boss we found information on this Xavier Stone and we got a picture. His father Eric Stone is a runaway criminal that was put in prison by Damien Khurana, Ken's father. I think his motive is revenge. We found a picture of him.' Brandon says as he hands Arianna a file.
Arianna looks at the file. This person had dark hair and dark eyes but there was no mistaking that silhouette. It was Fred. She had an internal conflict with herself for 5 seconds till she sees the pendant on the chain, XS.
She smiled bitterly. You could never completely know someone.
' Lady Boss do you know him?' Brandon asks.
' That's Fred Shane.' Arianna replies, an intense murderous aura emitting from her.
' What?' Dylan says surprised.
' No problem. Sage Thompson, Fred Shane or Xavier Stone, I will put a end to all this nonsense. I will deal with all my enemies one by one.' Arianna replies.
' Lady Boss have something to eat, you look pale.' Tyler says.
She takes a bite of the cookie and drops it.
' Is it not to your taste?' Blake ask.
' I'm not hungry.' Arianna replies.
' You haven't eaten properly in a while.' Brandon says.
' Are you spying on me?' Arianna ask.
The four guys avoid her gaze.
' I will eat soon. First things first. Contact Ken Khurana.' Arianna replies.
She gives them a few instructions before returning to her Villa.
*********
9 am
' Is everything ready for the press conference?' Arianna ask.
' Yes everything is ready. Arianna you... Arianna!!!' Riona exclaims as her hand comes in contact with Arianna's body.
' Your body is scorching!' Riona says.
' I'm fine Riona.' Arianna replies.
' No you are not! When last have you eaten?' Ashley says.
' I had coffee and some biscuits.' Arianna replies.
' Are you referring to the coffee mug that is filled to the brim?' Raymond asks.
' Or the biscuits still on the table?' Skyler says.
' Olivia, Mira told us you haven't had a decent meal in two days. Eat something.' Arthur says.
' Please Arianna.' Mira says.
' I will eat but not now. The food taste like powdered bricks, I can hardly get them down my throat. Let's settle the important business first.' Arianna replies.
Later that day,
3pm
ARADEC INDUSTRY, Chicago.
Conference Hall,
Arianna stood on the podium. She was dressed neatly but her make-up couldn't conceal the dark circles under her eyes or how thinner she had grown.
' My name is Arianna Havana. I am holding this press conference as a reply to the recently trending video.' She says and pauses.
At that moment, Ken Khurana walks up to the podium and stands next to her..
A series of murmurs pass through the hall.
On the live broadcast chat platform.
' Isn't that Ken Khurana from Khurana Industry?'
' What's going on between the two of them?'
' Suspense is killing me.'
' I do not know who one sidedly posted that video or why but I don't like anyone slandering my son and his origin. Arian Havana is my biological son and I have gotten parent-child identification test done in eight different hospitals as evidence of my claim.' Arianna says and the verified Facebook page of eight popular hospitals upload the results.
' In that case why did you deny giving birth to him in that video?' A reporter asks.
' You see I got pregnant some time during high school and I wasn't willing to abort the child so I had the baby. Unfortunately his dad and I were out of touch during that period. I later discovered that my baby's father was very affluent and I was afraid of losing custody of my child so I kept his origin to myself. However some time ago, Arian encountered an accident and his blood type was unavailable at the moment. I had no choice but to contact his father but I was still afraid that my baby will be taken away from me so I lied about his origin to his dad.' Arianna says and pauses.
Online chat
' Wait does this mean.....?'
' Ken Khurana and Arianna Havana had a thing in the past?'
' Pregnant in highschool? There goes the respect I had.'
*****************
' I never expected my impulse decision to affect my child psychologically and I am willing to fight fairly for my child's custody but I will not allow anyone to tarnish my son in anyway. I do not know who published this video but mind you I will find out and you will hear from my lawyer. And to my baby I want you to know that mom loves you a lot no matter what happens. And I will forever have your best interest at heart.' Arianna says as she descends the podium with Ken by her side.
' One question please..'
' Mr Khurana will you apply for custody for your child?'
' Will you...'
Arianna feels dizzy suddenly and her sight turns dark as she falls backwards, Ken catches her in time and rushes her to the car followed closely by Riona, Ashley, Raymond, Skyler, Arthur and Mira.
************
' Mom!' Arian screamed as he saw his mother collapse.
' Uncle let's go quickly.' Arianna says as he hurried out with Brandon.
*********
Hospital,
' Mom! Where's my mom!' Arian says as he enters.
He sees everyone waiting outside the ward.
' What happened to mom!' Arian says.
Just then the doctor comes out,
' Doctor what's wrong?'
' The patient hasn't slept or ate properly and is overworked so her body collapsed but she is conscious now.' The doctor says.
' Can we see her now?'
' Yes you can.' The doctor replies..
The group hurried into the ward where Arianna lay on the bed looking deathly pale.
' Mom! I'm so sorry. Please don't fall sick, Baby loves you the most. I don't care that we aren't blood related. You will always be my mom.'
' You.. you know?' Arianna ask shocked.
It was a perfect plan to salvage Arian. Ken had agreed to pretend to be Arian's father and silence the media but how did Arian know?
' Baby knows you very well. Just hurry up get better. Have something to eat.' Arian says.
' Yes make her eat. She hasn't had anything to eat in two days. She only ate half a piece of biscuit and didn't even touch her coffee. She would stay awake all night thinking ' Riona says.
Tears stung Arian's eyes.
' Why are you so foolish? You must promise me never to starve yourself again.' Arian says.
' Only if you promise never to leave me again.' Arianna says.
' Deal. Pinky promise.'
' Pinky promise.'
*************
Meanwhile,
' CEO Thompson, someone has bought 95% of all our shares.'
' CEO Thompson, our stocks has decreased by 79%'
' CEO Thompson, our goods has been confiscated at the port'
' CEO Thompson, three of our warehouses have caught fire and the insurance aren't giving us anything as it is of negligence.'
Mr Thompson was confused. Why was all this bad thing happening?
' Daddy!' A shrill voice echoed through the room as Sage Thompson enters.
' Daddy you have to help me! My event company has been shut down for unsafely and all the malls have blacklisted me. Daddy what's going on?' Sage says.
Mr Thompson felt panic creeping in. What was going on?
Just then a group of police men barge in.
' Sage Thompson!'
All eyes turned to Sage.
' You are under arrest for Slander and child traumatization. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. Constable arrest this woman.' The policeman says.
' How dare you touch me? Do you know who I am? I can buy your entire family for the next six generation. Tell me, how much do you want?' Sage says hysterically.
' Attempting to bribe the police force is against the law.' The policeman says as they take her away.
The employees cast judging stares at Sage.
Mr Thompson gets a call, he answers it.
' Cut off Sage Thompson for 10 months or you will lose everything.' The person says and hangs up.
Mr Thompson shivered. Sage has offended a powerful bigshot, There was no saving her this time.
Meanwhile outside,
Some people began throwing eggs at Sage while cursing her. Their accuracy was profound as the eggs hit Sage directly without touching any of the police around her.
' B*tch!'
' Go and die!'
' Spoilt brat!'
They were even reporters.
' What are you all looking at? Just wait till I get bailed, I will teach all of you a big lesson.' She shouted like a mad woman.
*****************
Arianna's Villa,
The group arrived with Riona and Ashley giving Ken the stink eye.
' Why is he here?' Ashley finally ask..
' I will explain when we get inside.' Arianna replies as she pushed open the door and enters the living room.
' Aaaaaaaa!' A blood curling scream of fright and shock fill the air