Ariella didn't know how she got herself to sleep that night. It was long and tormenting, filled with thoughts about what her life had just turned into. When she woke up in the morning, she just sat on the bed, thinking. No clue what she was supposed to do now. She didn't know what her life was going to be like now. Should she just stay in bed and wait for people to come and look after her, to bring her things? She didn't know what she was supposed to do, so she just sat there, staring out the window with a grim face.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. She was surprised, who could be knocking? She hesitated but then said, "Come in."
The door opened, and a maid stepped inside. "Miss. Blackwell, good morning," the maid greeted her.
"Morning," Ariella answered politely, though her voice was weary.
"Mrs. Blackwell was wondering if you would be joining them for breakfast, or if you would like breakfast to be brought to your room."
This surprised Ariella. She didn't know what the rules were now. Was she allowed to leave the room? She hadn't heard the door unlock, so did it mean it was open? But she knew this maid did not have the answers she needed, and she didn't want to create a scene.
"Well…I think I'll join them for breakfast," Ariella decided, wanting to test the waters and see if she really was free to move about the house.
"Very well, Miss. Blackwell," the maid replied, giving a small bow before leaving the room.
Ariella stood up from the bed. She took a shower, dressed well, and watched herself in the mirror before she walked out the door. She was still testing the boundaries because she didn't know what Asher's threat last night meant or what he was going to do.
She had never seen Asher like that before and she didn't know how he was going to behave today. Asher had promised he would talk to his grandparents about keeping her locked up, and she didn't know how they would react. Would they listen to their golden grandson? She didn't know, but she was going to find out.
As she walked into the dining room, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell were already seated. They looked up at her and smiled. She greeted them respectfully.
"Good morning," she said softly.
"Good morning, dear," Mrs. Blackwell replied warmly. Mr Blackwell nodded in her direction, also smiling.
They invited her to sit at the table. Just as she was about to sit down, she was surprised when a handsome, tall, elegant man walked into the dining room. He ran up to her, kissed her cheek, and helped her to her chair.
"Morning, beautiful," he said with a smile.
Ariella was taken aback. It was Asher. Why was he acting this way towards her? This morning he looked fresh and clean and handsome, like the man she had married, and she wondered where the man from last night had gone.
"Good morning," she managed to reply, her voice a mix of confusion and wariness.
Asher pulled out her chair for her, and she sat down, trying to make sense of his sudden change. She was confused but she couldn't say anything.
"I hope you slept well," Asher said, his tone gentle and caring.
Ariella forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, thank you."
The grandparents smiled towards them, kindly. As they started eating, Mr. Blackwell glanced at Asher and said,
"Asher, we need to discuss what happened last night."
Ariella tensed, waiting for Asher's response. But Asher only smiled and said, "Of course, Grandpa. We can talk about it after breakfast."
Ariella's mind raced. What was going on? Why was Asher pretending everything was fine? Why was he here this morning, he was never here when she needed him, and after last night... She knew she needed to stay cautious and find out what his true intentions were.
As they had breakfast, Asher looked at Ariella tenderly, touching her hand on the table affectionately, and throwing glances her way, confusing her even more. Mr and Mrs Blackwell seemed to enjoy it, smiling and happy to be having this time together.
After breakfast, they moved to the family room. Asher escorted Ariella with a hand on her lower back from the dining room to the family room, helping her sit down and sitting next to her. He paid attention to her, touching her where appropriate, and acting like the husband she thought she knew.
Mrs. Blackwell started, "I know yesterday was bad, and I am so disappointed. This morning, you managed to make the headlines again."
Mr Blackwell interjected, "We have never been spoken about so much in the media before, not even when your mother divorced your father and married Duncan's father."
"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Asher answered, "It was all a misunderstanding. But I have already spoken with Ariella, and everything is fine. To make sure she's okay, I have decided to hire a bodyguard for her, to ensure her security wherever she goes. Henry will bring the bodyguard in, and I will introduce them."
The grandparents thought about this for a while before they responded. Mrs. Blackwell looked at Asher and said, "If this is what you think is best for Ariella's safety, we support it."
Mr. Blackwell added, "But make sure there are no more incidents like last night. Our family's reputation is at stake."
Asher nodded. "I understand, and I promise it won't happen again."
A few minutes later, Henry walked into the room with a tall, well-built woman in a suit who looked like she did a lot of workouts.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell, Asher, Ms. Blackwell," Henry greeted them. They all responded, and Henry introduced the woman beside him. "This is Seraphine," he said, nodding toward the room before leaving.
Asher stood up and greeted Seraphine, "Hello, Seraphine, lovely to meet you again."
"You too," Seraphine replied.
Asher continued, "Grandfather, Grandmother, this is Seraphine. She's going to be Ariella's guide from now on. I already interviewed her, and she has passed all the security training. I have immense trust in her that she will put Ariella's safety above all else."
Seraphine walked towards Ariella. "Ma'am, I'm going to be your guide from now on. I hope that you can learn to count on me and that there won't be any problems."
Ariella smiled tightly. "Of course."
Ariella had no idea what was going on. She felt like she was in a game without knowing how to play or what the rules were. Was Asher portraying affection to blind his grandparents about what he was doing? She still had the bruises to prove what he had done to her the night before. And this guide, she suspected, was here to fulfil Asher's will, not actually to ensure her wellbeing. But she played along, waiting to see how this whole thing would play out.
Asher, still holding her hand affectionately, looked at her with a seemingly genuine smile. "I just want to make sure you're safe, Ariella. Seraphine will ensure that."
"Of course," she answered as she looked at Asher with a doubting smile.