Be careful with my heart

Chapter 6

Ariana's Pov

I woke up in the morning feeling good and all stretched out. That bed was really a comfy one.

I took in my surroundings and I was going to ask how I got there but then it clicked on me that I got married already.

"Well, it's the first day as Mrs Blackwood" I heaved a deep sigh.

I entered into the bathroom to take care of my business. Few minutes later, I was dressed for my shift at the restaurant.

I may be married to the richest man in the country but I need to earn my own money.

I left the room and while walking down the stairs, I heard Grandma's voice scolding someone

As I walked closer to the first floor, her voice became more audible.

"Where were last night, abandoning your wife to be all by herself? I raised you better than that." It turned out she was scolding Dustin

"I did what you wanted. You wanted me to get married and I am married right? Can't i live my life the way I want it now?. I see no reason i should be responsible for her This is an open marriage, she is free to do or meet who ever she wants and I am free to do whatever I want." He replied nonchalantly.

"She became your responsibility since the day you married her. Do you get that?!"

I sighed and walked down the stairs. Their heads turned to me when I came into view. Dustin scoffed when he saw and rolled his eyes in disgust

"Good morning ma." I greeted politely.

"Good Morning, darling. How was your sleep?" She smiled genuinely at me

"I slept fine." I replied with a smile.

I glanced at Dustin but he was facing the other side.

"You seemed to be dressed up for somewhere." She scanned my body with her eyes.

"Yes. I am almost late for my shift at the Coffee shop." I answered.

"Shift at the coffee shop?" Dustin's outburst caught me off guard.

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?" Asked, my eyebrows creased in confusion.

"Did you even listen to yourself? Have you forgotten who you are now?! He spat out in annoyance

" Well, you do not expect me to stay in this huge mansion with doing nothing and I used to have a job before we got married." I answered him

"You know what? I have got no time to exchange words with you..... I will leave you to her." He said and walked past me to his room, I guess.

What was that attitude? Who does he think he is? I may be married to him but he is not the boss of me, so I won't let him boss me around

"Ariana dear?" Grandma called me sweetly and held my hands in hers

"You see dear, you going to work at the coffee shop or your other jobs, doesn't speak well of you now...."

"But..." I was going to say.

"Shh, listen to me...... You are Mrs Blackstone now, wife to one of the richest and most powerful business tycoon in the country. So, whatever you do now will be monitored by the press and competitors." She explained.

"I can't stay in this huge mansion without doing nothing. I will go crazy." I lamented.

"How about I give you a job, then you don't have to work as a waitress or a salesperson?" she offered.

"Not as his personal assistant, right?"

"Just let me finish?"

"You are not working as his Personal Assistant okay? You will be working in the jewelry store as the new manager." She announced.

"The Jewelry store? as the Manager?" I asked unable to believe it.

"That is fair enough right?"

"You want her to manage the jewelry store? Really?!" Dustin's voice echoed through the whole space.

Jeez! where did he come from? he scared the living daylight out of me.

He walked down the stairs, working on his last suit button.

"Of course, I want her to. You know how I have always wanted to hand the store over to whomever you marry. So, stop questioning my decision." Grandma snapped at him

"Don't say I didn't warn you." He said and went out

"So, what do you think?" She asked me.

"Erm...... I am not sure about that. I have never managed anything before not to talk of a jewelry store." I answered.

"You will get used to it." She tried to convince me.

"Is the store one of the many investments of Blackstone's?" I asked.

"Yes. Blackstone has a long chain of businesses and lots of investments. How do you think we were able to top the list and still leading? It is because Blackstone never stops on one or two businesses." She elaborated.

"Stop hesitating and give this a trial, okay?" she convinced me further

"But aren't you giving me too much? I mean, we had a deal and you fulfilled that, when I fulfilled mine. So, why are you giving me more?" I asked curiously.

"How many people knows about our deal?" She asked

"You, myself and Dustin. Oh and his friend Ben, I guess."

"That is it. Everyone know you to be a Blackstone now. You are the wealthy, business mogul, Dustin Balckstone's wife, so they expect you to look like one."

She was right. Everyone would address me as "Mrs Blackstone" and considering Dustin's social status, I should look like and dress like his wife.

"But..... I do not have any experience when it comes to jewelry dealing. isn't it better if I just start from the scratch?" I asked.

"Never! I will introduce you to Emily."

"Who is Emily?" I questioned.

"You will find out once she gets here." She assured and signaled to one of the maids

it was a good offer but the question is, can I handle the pressure that comes from it? It's a jewelry shop, what do I know about gems and precious stones? How am I able to tell the difference between a real gold and a fake one? Everything in the rich's world has a name, what if I am asked what kind of diamond or precious stone? The unique story about them?! "I can't do this"

"Erm...."

"Emily will be here soon." She announced

"What role is she going to play in all of these?" I asked.

"She is going to be your Personal Assistant and will also teach you everything you need to know about the jewelry shop." She said.

"I was going to...." She interrupted me by a raise of her finger.

"I know what you are thinking, that you do not belong here, yeah?" She chuckled.

"Well, it's too much for me." I confessed.

"You see, this has been my long time dream, to hand over the Jewelry shop to any woman Dustin marries......" She smiled and held my hand.

"You are the fortunate one." she said with a smile plastered on her aging face.

"Am I? He doesn't even consider me his wife and you know that."

"Oh, he is going to. Just be patient." She reassured me

Few minutes later, a maid came to announce Emily's arrival. Soon after, a woman in formal uniforms walked up to us. She looked all professional and neat.

"Good Morning ma'am, Mrs Blackstone." She greeted politely

"Good morning Emily. I know you weren't at the wedding but you must have seen Ariana in the papers."

"Yes ma'am. it is nice to officially meet you Mrs Blackstone and congratulations on your wedding." She said nicely with a smile.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Emily." I greeted.

"I called you over here for her..... You will be assisting her with everything she needs to know about the Jewelry store because she is the new manager and you are assigned as her Personal assistant. Any objections to that?"

"None ma'am. it will be a pleasure to work with the Madam and I will make sure she is comfortable with the job." She said.

"It is settled then. Now, get acquainted with each other." She said and left.

I went to the balcony with Emily and we clicked pretty well. She told me she'd be at the mansion anytime I feel convenient with. After talking for another minute, she left and i went to my Aunt's house to see Mercy not without an expensive car of course and two hefty bodyguards.

As soon as I arrived at the door, Mercy jumped at me out of no where.

"Oh my God! Mercy! you scared the living day light out of me. Jeez!" I yelled as I tried to calm my poor heart.

"Was just excited to see my cousin" She rolled her eyes at me.

"You saw the car pulled up through the window, right?" I arched an eyebrow.

"Yep. I knew it was you when I saw that expensive car." she emphasized by whistling.

"Yep. They keep reminding that I am Mrs Blackstone now and I have to act like one." I rolled my eyes at my words.

I entered the house and sat on the couch

"Of course" She sat next to me with her legs folded indian style.

"You have to act like one. Do you have any idea how lots of people will be envious of you, especially girls."

"Why?" I asked confused.

"You don't know?!" She arched an eyebrow.

"You tell me."

"First, you took the one and only Dustin Blackstone off the singles market and Secondly, you get to enjoy all his riches."

"Point of correction. I did not take him off the market. He is very much still in the market and you of all people know that and please, I am not here for you to keep reminding me that too" I said to her, rolling my eyes.

"Whatever. But to the outside world he is off the market and probably in love with his wife."

I scoffed. "That is what they think but we know better."

"But you do know you shouldn't be seen roaming the streets yet right? I mean, the world believes you are on a honeymoon with your beloved husband, probably touring the world as we speak" She arched an eyebrow.

"What would you have me do? They forbade me from going to work and I haven't gotten familiar with anyone in that gigantic house." I said

"Won't the press have something to write about this later?" she asked nervously

"Well, I don't know." I shrugged

"Work?" she asked.

"I have been asked to turn in my resignation letter." I informed her.

"You mean resignation letters right?" she mocked.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes at her.

"So, if you turn in your resignation letters, what will you be doing?" She asked

"I will be managing the Blackstone's jewelry store"

"What?! the Blackstone's jewelry store!?! You are serious right?!" She asked with shock and excitement written boldly on her face.

"I thought that was what I said, right?" I looked confused

"I heard you the first time but couldn't believe. Are you seriously managing the blackstone's Jewelry store?" she asked again.

"The second time, Yes!" I answered

"Whoa! I now finally have a rich cousin!" She yelled out in excitement.

"Will you keep your voice down?" I cautioned her.

"Sorry. I was just so excited." She giggled.

"This is big news." She said

"I know right, but...."

"But what? You don't want to?" she queried.

"I have never managed a jewelry store, you know right?"

"I know but I am confident you will do well, just believe in yourself" She encouraged.

"Well, Dustin's grandma got me a Personal Assistant to put me through." I informed.

"You have a PA too?" she asked, her hands covering her mouth trying so hard not squeal

"Yep."

"How better could this get. I think it is time to forward my sss wishlist to you, I mean since you are rich now, I should get whatever I want from you" she waggled her eyebrows.

"Listen, I am not rich, yet. It is not my money."

"You are Mrs Ariana Blackstone, wife to one of the richest man in the world. how can you say you are not rich?" she emphasized demonstrating with her hands.

"Mercy, it seems you have forgotten that I married Dustin because of the deal I had with his grandma and which she has fulfilled. So, I do not have the right to request for more." I said.

"But-"

She was going to say something but my phone rang. When I picked, it was a strange number.

"Hello. This is Ariana Jon-"

I shouldn't use my last name right?

"I mean Blackstone. Who is on the line?" I asked

"The master ask for you to be home immediately." A feminine voice said

"Master, who?" I asked confused.

"The mas-"

"Where the hell are you?" Then I heard a deep masculine voice which belonged to none other than Dustin

"At my Aunt's, why?" I asked confused.

"I don't give two f**k whom you are with, just get your ass back to the mansion." He said rudely.

"Hey! Don't speak rudely to me. I deserve some respect too you know." I retorted.

"I am only going to give you 10 minutes to get here." He said and hung up.

"I hate him!" I yelled out in frustration.

"Oh my God!" Mercy said looking at her phone.

"What! Did something crawled up your ass too?" I snapped

"Oh. Something is about to crawl up your ass. Here, look at the gossip." She handed her phone to me. I was shocked at the headline

"Dustin Blackstone's newly wedded wife seen in public a day after their wedding"

A picture of me, alighting from the car and walking into the building was attached to it.

"I told you the press would have something to write about you being here." She said, panicking

"But I don't understand. Do I not have the right to be anywhere I want?" I asked

"You gave that right when you said 'I do' to a public figure. Maybe it hasn't dawned on you yet, you are married to Dustin Blackstone, a multi billionaire. So, you kinda do not own your life anymore, you already sold it to the public as Mrs Ariana Blackstone." She said.

There was a knock on the door, then the driver entered.

"Sorry ma'am but I have been instructed to drive you back to the mansion." he informed.

"Just go back, give me a call anytime you miss me, okay?" She said in a pitiful tone.

We hugged and I went back to car. Throughout the drive back to the mansion, I thought over lots of things. Does it mean I have sold my freedom to the Blackstone's? if I had known it would turn out this way, I would have requested for more money. Sigh*

The driver pulled up in front of the mansion door, I alighted and entered the house. When I got in, I saw Dustin pacing the room, he looked overly angry. He stopped when he saw me and marched up to my face, I already prepared myself for what was to come.

"Why did you step out of the house? Did I not tell you to take caution when you do things or wasn't I clear enough?!" he roared.

"I only went out to see my cousin" I replied.

"I don't care who you went to see! You should have been able to think with that dump head of yours or do I have to do the thinking for you?!" he yelled again.

"Stop yelling at me!" Everyone turned their heads to me with shock written on their faces

"Do I not have the right to go out?! I only went to see my cousin and I didn't even stay that long! Nobody told me I wasn't supposed to go out and why should I be the only one blamed for this? You didn't come back last night too, how come the press doesn't have anything to write about that?!" I retorted, fuming from every hole in my body.

"How dare you yell at me?" He roared.

To say I wasn't scared of how his eyeballs went from their normal color to fiery red would be a complete lie but I decided to not show my fear.

"That is enough!" Grandma cautioned angrily.

"You are both to be blamed here, okay? Just sort things out amicably." she said

"With her? I'd rather not." He snapped.

"So tell me, how do you intend to settle this mess?" She asked

"The company's PR team will look into it. And you listen to me, there won't be a second chance after this." He warned me then went to answer a phone call.

"I did not sign up for this" I said to Grandma

"I totally understand you dear." She sympathised with me

"Is there any way I can get out of this?" I asked knowing full well that I was just kidding myself.

I already signed up for this. I was in desperate need of money and I sold my life to get it. Now, I am exhausted and it has only just been 24 hours.

Well, I should be happy right? I was able to pay for my dad's medical bills and will be able to get Claire the justice she needs....

"Ariana?" Grandma called me out of my thoughts.

"I understand what you will be feeling but I assure that Dustin will come around, it is just a matter of time. So please my dear, just bear with him." She said softly.

'You bought me already, how can I leave?' I thought within

I was in my room, thinking over everything that has happened. I thought over what I would tell my dad if he happens to wake up. How would he react if he finds out I got married just to be able to pay his hospital bills? He'd be heartbroken for sure but marrying Dustin was the only way to save him.

I was lost in thought when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in" I said to whomever was behind the door.

The door opened and a maid entered. She bowed respectively to me.

"Ma'am? Master Dustin wants you in his office." She said politely.

"What does he want this time?" I closed my eyes in frustration. Just a mention of his name, gets me angry. The sight of him infuriates me too.

"Tell him I will be there." I replied to her

"He wants you to come with me." She said, head bowed.

"Ugh! He is so annoying." I groaned.

I followed the maid to his so-called office.

When we got to his office door, the maid knocked softly then a 'come in' was heard inside.

She opened the door for me to enter and I did.

He was right there, sitting behind his mahogany desk, typing on his latest apple desktop computer.

"You wanted to see me." I said nonchalantly, looking away from him.

"Do you have an international passport?" He asked without looking up from his computer. He didn't even ask me to sit.

What a buttface.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" I answered?

"Prepare yourself, we will be travelling out of the country tonight" He looked up at me.

"Tonight?!!"