Chapter 21: Kenith Was Vital To Her Plan

Arianna’s face fell as soon as she heard that comment. She had been hoping to get some answers but all he did was to remind her of the situation she was in. She was doomed.

Suddenly, she grabbed his hand and that caused him to look up but Arianna didn’t care, she needed an escape right now.

“I need your help,”

His brows raised and she added, “Please,”

The man pulled away from his hand, “It seems like you haven’t understood the situation you are currently in. Even if you escape from here, we’re going to hunt you down to the end of the earth,” He drew closer such that their body was almost touching, “Why would I help you escape,”

Of course, he was right. Why would he help her escape for Christ’s sake?

“I just need a little time,” Arianna tried her luck and somehow hoped a miracle would happen, “I have a trust fund with a large sum of money in there but it’s not operational until next year. I just need more time!” She pleaded with him.

.....

“Who doesn’t need more time,” He said.

“W-hat?” she choked.

The collector sighed, “As much as your offer is interesting, I’m a businessman and time is a huge asset to me. Your uncle has used up his time and I’m afraid there’s no room for more favors. Moreover...”

He grabbed her chin and lifted it, saying “Being Big Joe’s wife isn’t that bad,”

Arianna was revulsed, not because of the way the collector held her chin delicately as if he was afraid to hurt her but the thought of Big Joe. She hadn’t met their boss yet but she already has a mental profile of him.

Big Joe was probably a rich, overweight old pervert in search of a new, young wife. When the collector mentioned wife, he didn’t exactly specify wife number what? The fifth? Eighth? Tenth? God, her skin crawled.

Arianna didn’t need to watch movies to know men like that. Even if Big Joe wasn’t married yet and she was the first one, this was a forced, unlawful marriage.

There was nothing like love between them. Heck! She wouldn’t even be respected, after all, she was the bride he bought. She would have no pride nor peace of mind in this marriage and would have to endure till the day she managed to escape or he died. This was a nightmare.

“You would not be maltreated because you’re the boss’s wife,” The collector hinted at the harassment from earlier.

He tilted her chin side to side checking the small bruise across her face slowly as if he was intrigued with it and that made Arianna subtly narrow her gaze at him.

“You would the absolute power after him and everyone would bow at your feet, including me. You would have the authority to do whatever you want and I’ll be at your disposal,” He said without breaking eye contact with her.

He was confusing her, Arianna noted. For some reason, he was suggesting something, and somehow, she hasn’t fully grasped his intentions towards her. But Arianna was sure of one thing, he wanted something from her.

Arianna stepped back immediately, creating some space between them, however, she forget her sprained ankle, and the minute she added weight to her foot, it caused her to wince.

The collector noticed the painful expression on her face and without warning, carried her off the ground in his arms and walked over to her bed where he placed her gently before she could complain.

The man was not done because he made a call and in the next minute, someone came in with a small tray and inside of it was an ice pack.

“Oh,” Arianna realized his intention. So she stretched her hand intending to teat herself but the man simply pulled the small stool that was beside her bed and sat down before her.

“What are you doing?”Arianna asked him, uncomfortable with his sudden nearness again.

“Your husband would be returning home tomorrow to get a look of his wife, I have to keep you in the optimal condition else my head might be the next to roll on the ground,” said Mr. Collector, as she would like to call him since she doesn’t know his name yet.

Arianna didn’t say anything else as he used the cold compress on her face and even when he drew so close their noses were almost touching, she didn’t react.

historical

When he was done treating her face, he then lifted her leg and placed it on his lap where he used the ice pack immediately for about fifteen minutes. During that period, none of them said a word to each other and Arianna refused to be swayed by his kind act.

For some reason, this cold gangster was being surprisingly kind to her, there has to be a catch. Either he was taken by her or he was intending to use her as a pawn in his own plans.

Unfortunately, she had her own plans as well and that was to escape here and if using him was going to be the answer, then so be it. May the best player win.

Thankfully the swelling wasn’t much and there was no need for compressing the ankle with an elastic bandage. Her sprain would heal in a day or two as far as she doesn’t move much and gets enough rest.

“You should rest now,” The collector said and to her surprise, tuck her in.

“I won’t be able to sleep since I’m in a foreign environment and I might need company,” She said and saw an unknown expression cross his gaze.

However, it was gone almost as soon as it came and he resumed his calm demeanor saying, “You would have to endure the loneliness till your husband returns home tomorrow,”

Arianna thought she would die from a heart attack at the mention of her husband. God, this was real. She was getting married and it wasn’t a man of her choice. Heck! She doesn’t even want to marry yet! She still enjoyed being single.

“But then you can make do with Netflix,” He turned on the television and handed the remote to her.

Arianna’s mouth twitched, this wasn’t funny.

“See you later,” He was prepared to leave when she shouted,

“Wait!”

He turned with a raised brow.

“I don’t even know your name,”

He smiled politely, “Kenith,”

“Oh, Kenith,” Arianna nodded, memorizing the name because she was sure as hell that he was vital to her plan.

“Thank you, Kenith,”