Nana Jean.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"I'll be stepping out now, please ensure that nothing goes wrong in my absence," I said, as I took off my chef apron and hung it on the rail in the kitchen.

I had just finished teaching the chefs a new delicacy and was about to rush off because I had somewhere important to be.

"Don't worry, Arielle. Everything is in control," Rebecca said with a reassuring smile.

I nodded, "thank you," and walked out of the kitchen, heading to my office. Inside, I grabbed my bag, but as I made to leave, a thought struck me and I paused, retreating my steps to the restroom connected to my office.

I stared at myself in the mirror and realized that true to my instincts, some things in my look needed to be straightened. I immediately got to work, straightening my hair, reapplying my lipstick, and spraying perfume. The scent of lavender filled the air, calming my nerves. As I looked up at my now perfect self in the mirror, I nodded and walked out.

In the hallway, as I made for the exit, I bumped into Stephen. Oh, no, I cried inwardly. Now was not the time, I do not have the time to engage him.

"Hey," he greeted, his face lighting up with a smile as we drew closer.

"Oh, hi, Stephen," I replied hastily. "Um, have you been in the kitchen today?"

"No, not yet. Is there a problem?"

"Not really a problem, but you should. Rebecca needs your attention with something." And before he could say a word, I hurried past him, patting his shoulder.

"Go tend to Rebecca," I called out over my shoulder, not slowing down.

I could feel his gaze on my back, but I didn't look back. I had to get out of there before he delayed me further with his chit chat.

I quickened my pace, my heels making funny sounds on the floor as I made way to exit. But just as I stepped out, I bumped into Big Joe.

Oh shit, I cussed, wanting to take another route but he already spotted me and was approaching me now.

everywhere with him has become quite overwhelming, in contrast to how it was when he initially arrived. Now, I feel babied and would always look for a way to outsmart him and go anywhere I wanted to, without him. But I guess today was not my lucky day, he must have

with my request to Dwayne to terminate his job, especially with this thing with Jared. It's going to

just don't want Big Joe feeding the wrong information about my new relationship with

hey, Joe," I said, forcing a

Ma." And

hesitated before nodding. "Kinda, but I don't need company because it's just across the

won't be a problem, let's

I fixed him a calculative gaze. I can't outsmart him today, so I'm left with

I'm an adult? I have to be somewhere, and I do not

know -" but I cut him short before he started one

don't

his face softened. "Fine, I'll

said, and tapped his

through the pedestrian lane until I got to the opposite street. I spotted the car where it was parked, and walked towards it. "You're late,"

only because today is the day

Good morning to you, too, Mr Smith,"

Arielle.

and let's

seemed hurt, but nodded, and turned the car on, as he careened it

of the drive to the airport was in silence, save for my brief responses to Jared's questions

at

I

"If we're going to do this, then we have to make it look

nodded, trying to shake off the fog that had clouded my mind. I threw my face

scent, warmth and presence messed up with my head, stirring up old memories. Memories of our past, and memories I

of luggage carts rolling and

I scanned the crowd with our eyes. Simultaneously, our eyes spotted and locked

she is," he said, turning to me, a

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