' Now listen to the plan. Mom is going to England tomorrow with Sister M. And she will be away for about eight days. So we are going to stage a damsel in distress scene where you can be the hero and then Mom will entrust you with my responsibilities till she gets back. Then I will forget a few of my things at your place and you can conveniently meet with mom over dinner to return them. Understand?' Arian explains.
' But what if she really gets hurt while we stage a fake accident?' Ken asks.
' My mom? Arianna Havana? A damsel in distress? Impossible. Mom won't be the damsel, I will be. I will be Arian in distress. Mom can easily salvage the situation herself but me.... I'm just a pitiful, helpless child.' Arian says.
Ken's eyes twitched. Pitiful. Helpless. Why did these words sound so wrong coming from this kid?
' So what do we do?' Ken asks.
Arian giggles as he picks up a steel pipe.
' Hehe! I hope you can bear pain.' Arian says.
Ken suddenly had a bad feeling and his face turns dark as Arian explains the rest of the plan.
' So are you willing?' Arian asks,
' Yes.' Ken manages to respond through gritted teeth.
**************
Later that day,
Arianna returned to her Villa after a stress filled morning. She took an hour nap before proceeding to bake some snacks for Arian.
Mira would return later tonight, she was spending time with Arthur before they would leave tomorrow.
After making the snacks, she freshened up and went to pick Arian up from school.
Meanwhile in Arian's school,
' She's coming. She's coming. Places everyone!' Arian says as he positioned himself under the balcony of a roof "currently undergoing maintenance"
Arianna is coming when she sees a steel pipe falling off the roof towards Arian's head.
' Arian! Look out!' Arianna called out as she ran towards Arian. But someone beat her to it and shielded Arian with his body. The steel pipe fell on the person's back.
Arianna pulls Arian into a hug and examines him thoroughly.
' Baby are you alright? Thank goodness.' Arianna exhales as she showers Arian with kisses.
She turns around to thank the stranger when she sees Ken's face and notices him clenching his fists tightly.
' Senior Ken are you alright?' Arianna says.
' Mom, there's a first aid box in your car.' Arian says.
Arianna takes Ken to her car and takes of the clothes on his upper body.
Ken's back was facing Arianna as she used an icepack to press the swollen spot.
Ken smiled. This Arian was really smart. Despite the pain, it was worth it.
' Why are you so careless? What if hit your head? Don't you ever think before doing something?' Arianna nagged as she tended to him..
Ken immediately remembered the line Arian had given him.
' If anything had happened to Arian, you would have blamed yourself. Arian is your son, so he's like a son to me too.' Ken says..
Arianna is stunned and heat rises up her cheek.. She accidentally pressed the swollen spot harder and Ken hissed in pain.
' I'm sorry.' Arianna says as she blows on the wound.
Ken felt himself reminiscing her warm breath on his body that night.
He tried to think of other things to ignore the throbbing on his lower body.
Meanwhile, Arian nodded in satisfaction as he eavesdropped on their conversation.
He taught a good student. But he had to hurry, his great grandmother will soon that introducing suitors to his mom and all those scums were just eyeing his grandfather's wealth.
Some minutes later,
Ken wears his clothes back and comes out of the car.
Arian put on a sad expression.
His scene has arrived.
' Mom! Can I stay with Uncle Ken while you are away?' Arian pleaded staring at Arianna with his glistening blue eyes.
' Don't trouble your uncle Ken. You can stay with your Aunt Ashley, Aunt Riona, Uncle Brandon or even Uncle Arthur.' Arianna replies.
' But I can't sleep with Uncle Raymond chanting Juliet every second. Uncle Brandon will probably be glued to his laptop and there are always strange noises coming from Aunt Ashley's room at night.' Arian complains.
Ken and Arianna starts coughing. They exchanged awkward glances. Arianna cursed Ashley and Skyler several times in her heart.
' Aren't you meant to ask your uncle Ken for permission?' Arianna says shifting everything to Ken.
' Of course I don't mind. I could use some company.' Ken replies.
' I knew you wouldn't refuse me. Let's go home and pack my things.' Arian says as he runs into the car.
' Are you sure about this?' Arianna asks.
' Of course. He's a cute little guy.' Ken replies.
*********
Meanwhile Raymond finally "convinced" ( bribed would be an explicit way to put it) Riona to go out for dinner.
' Juliet, the food here's Amazing though it is no where close to yours.' Raymond says.
Riona nearly spat out blood. She could only make average dishes and was only good at baking but this man was lying so straightforwardly.
They settled down to eat and Raymond kept piling food on her bowl.
' Juliet try this fried chicken.'
' Juliet their carrot stew is delicious.'
' Juliet have some salad.'
Riona felt her ear grow temporarily deaf. She even had the urge to tattoo her name on her forehead.
' Raymond, what a pleasant surprise.' A melodious voice called out..
Riona turned her head to see a blonde curvy woman in a fitting red dress and lavish makeup catwalk towards them.
Riona's sixth sense could tell her that this woman had a flame for Raymond but what about him?
' Oh hi Lin. Juliet this is my old classmate Linda.
Linda this is my future fiancee Riona Smith.' Raymond says...
Both Linda and Riona was stunned.
When did she ever accept to be his future fiancee?
' Ray, I thought you said that you would never get married and you would just have a couple of flings for the rest of your life.' Linda says staring at Riona.
How could Riona not understand that this woman was referring to her as a temporary fling.
' What are you saying Lin? Don't ruin my reputation in front of Juliet. Juliet that was before, I'm now a changed man.' Raymond says to Riona who replies with an 'oh'
' What are you doing here?' Linda asks..
' I'm on a date, let's exchange contact number I will call you later.' Raymond says.
Linda forces a smile and stretches out her phone.
Raymond inputs his number and she leaves.
Raymond tries to initiate conversations with Riona but she keeps silent.
' Are you alright Riona?' Raymond ask.
' I'm fine. I'm just tired.' Riona says as she stands up and leaves.
Raymond stays seated, a mixture of hurt, sadness and longing in his eyes.
****************
Ken and Arian left Arianna's Villa and headed to the Khurana Mansion leaving just Arianna in the house.
Raymond enters and sits down.
' Ari, does Riona hate me?' Raymond asks self depreciatingly.
' Why would you say so?' Arianna asks.
' Four years. I have been pursuing her for four years. But I still feel like she's keeping boundaries between us.' Raymond says.
' Raymond you do not understand how many boundaries she has erased between you. I'm sure you know the situation with her parents, there are some psychological issues that take long to heal.
Back in our school days, our classmates suspected that Riona was gay because she never stood three feet close to any guy. She didn't even speak to them unless it was completely necessary. But look at you two, She let's you hug her, you can stay over at her house, she takes the initiative to inquire about your issues and she even lets you take her out. I'm Riona's friend and I know she is really opening up to you. Just give her a chance.' Arianna says..
Raymond stands up with determination.
' You are right! I just fight for my Juliet!' Raymond says and hurriedly leaves .
A puzzled Mira enters after him.
' Mimi! You are finally home. That b*stard Arthur is taking you away from me! Cone let's go pack.' Arianna says as she pulls Mira inside while asking about her day.
Mira shakes her head at her enthusiasm.