The Forbidden Passion

Chapter Ten

Ariana gulped down the water then answered “I don’t know. Can’t say there was really a drive towards it. I just love kids.”

“Well there’s gotta be a story behind your reason for sheltering them. It goes beyond loving kids. There’s always a story behind every successful business. So tell me. What was it?” Samuel asked again.

Ariana watched him intently, how he spoke with charisma and how he listened with so much interest. She thought about what he has said, about what her reason for sheltering those people was, about the reason why she started the organization. There was no need to ponder for long because they answer was at the tip of her tongue.

“Well for sheltering the kids I’ll say the amount of hungry and homeless kids in the world is disheartening. I mean, those kids ends up venturing into selling and using of drugs, stealing and all other sort of dangerous things.” She explained. “We always say we wanna change the world and make it a better place, well what better way by to help change it than helping the needy because then they won’t have to go committing crimes and then the world would become a safer place.” She finished and Benjamin clapped.

“Woahhh.... That’s really cool. You’re so cool Ariana” he said, his face beaming with surprise.

“Thanks cutie” Ariana smiled and replied.

“I have to admit, that’s quite thoughtful and logical too Ariana.” He complimented and Ariana nodded her thanks.

“What about sheltering those abused girls” Samuel asked again.

“Huhmm.. the unfairness that comes from the fact that the victims of r**e and other form of abuse never get the justice and compensation they deserve. I find them the help they deserve to heal from the trauma and make sure they get justice without being deported since they’re undocumented.” She stopped, realizing that they were all listening to her intently, she continued.

“I think it’s unfair how the victim of r**e and abuse faces oppression from the culprit. The rich oppression the poor with their power and never having to pay for their crimes. I know the world is ruled by the rich but it doesn’t justify the reason why they are above the law. If they’re guilty of something then they deserve to pay. So my job is to make sure those girls gets compensated and their abusers gets the punishment they deserve” she finished.

No one said a word, everyone was quiet, sinking in what Ariana had said praising and criticizing her in their minds. Samuel spoke, breaking the silence.

“You are a very intelligent woman Ariana. I don’t even know what you say. You’ve got me dumbstruck” Samuel chuckled lightly, dumbstruck by the amount of intelligence Ariana posses. “You’re so young but very business oriented, not only that, you also have amazing business ideas.”

“Oh so you know I’m young but still wanna marry me” she riposted, rolling her eyes at him and Samuel smirked lightly then answered “I’m marrying you because you’re exactly what I need”

“Whatever!” She deadpanned then went back to eating.

“So when did you start the whole sheltering” Gisele who Samuel had insisted must eat with them asked.

“A little over two years I think.” Ariana answered.

After graduating with a first class honorary in business administration from college at the age of twenty and found her passion in helping the needy, she decided to set up an organization solely for the purpose of providing for homeless kids. Seeing those homeless kids looking tattered and hungry breaks her heart so she takes them in and makes sure they’re well taken care of.

“Wow... That’s amazing. You built all that within two years”Gisele said.

“I didn’t do it alone. My dad helped me a lot with it” she stopped and looked at her dad, flashing him a warm smile which he returned. Although she hates him at the moment, she can’t deny the fact that he was the one that made her her dreams come through. Without his help there’s no way Ari’s Shelter would’ve existed.

“He helped in making my life long dream come through” she added.

Samuel nodded in understanding “ I hope you don’t mind me coming to your organization one of this days” he asked and Ariana shrugged.

“I have no problem with that” she answered.

“Me too, me too, me too. I wanna come too” Benjamin said quickly. “Can i come too Ariana” he asked, his bottom lips puckered out which made him look cute.

“Of course cutie. You can come anytime you want” Ariana said, smiling between each words.

She found Benjamin very adorable and couldn’t bring herself to hating the nine year old. It’s not his fault that his father is reaping her off her chances of living a life she had always dreamed of having, a life with the love of her life. It’ll be normal if she hates him but she doesn’t. Her love for kids wouldn’t let her do so. To her he’s just another kid she needs to take care of and protect from the harms of the world.

Everyone went back to eating quietly again, each one of them in their own head when Samuel spoke.

“Well since we’re going to be getting married, it’s only natural for you to have an engagement ring” he brought out a small box from his tuxedo jacket.

Ariana’s breathe got caught in her throat as she stared at the black box. Her heart beating so fast, her pulse pulsating on her finger tips and her palms sweating and trembling.

Why was she scared?

Maybe deep down she actually thought Samuel would change his mind and help their family out without getting anything in return. Bullshit!!

She was scared shitless. Scared beyond any explanation. She doesn’t want to get engaged or married to this man in front of her. She doesn’t love him and can never love him.

“Isn’t it to early for this. You’ve not even signed the contract yet” Cole said.

“Oh but you’re wrong. Your father and I already signed the contract already.” Samuel retorted.

“Erhmmmm” Ariana cleared her throat and talked “Can we talk in private please” she stood up and said to Samuel and he nodded the positive.

He stood up from the chair, grabbing the box on the table then walked her to his study.

Ariana took in deep breaths to calm her jumbled nerves.

What if she begged him to change his mind? Would he? Or he wouldn’t.

So many thoughts went through her mind and Samuel just watched her.

“Aren’t you gonna say something” he said flatly.

“Can you not go through with whatever deal you made with my dad” She said, her eyes pleading. “I beg you.”

“Doing that means your dad’s company would crumble to the ground and he’ll lose everything, including the house you live in” Samuel explained.

“If that’s what’s going to happen for my happiness to be saved then so be it”

“I’ll make you happy Ariana, you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll give you everything you want. Money, love, fame, anything you want. Just name it” he said reassuringly.

If only Ariana was interested in him then maybe she would’ve been happy to hear him promise her all that but she’s not. To her he’ll always be the old man who ruined her chances of falling in love.

“But I don’t want you.” She yelled. “I don’t even love you and I can never love you. I’m old enough to be your daughter, don’t you see that. There’re so many other ladies out there who’ll be willing to marry you. Why does it have to be me uhn?” She yelled frustratingly as tears formed at the brink of her eyes.

Samuel had his hands tucked in his pocket, his expression blank as he stared at Ariana.

“You make it sound like marrying me is horrifying” he chucked lightly then steadied his stand.

“Listen Ariana, I’m not asking you to marry me for my sake, it’s for my children Nina and Benjamin. They need a mother figure in their life and YOU are the perfect person for that. My son likes you already and I need you to help raise Nina. She’s becoming really spoilt and rude and I honestly don’t know how to deal with her. That’s exactly why I need you to be my wife and their mother” he ended.

Ariana listened and thought about what he said. Benjamin already likes her and she can’t deny her likeness for him too while Nina really needs someone to deal with her tantrums. She seems like the right person to take care of them but still, what about what she wants. Why does no one think about her and what she truly wants to do?

“So please Ariana” he opened the box in his hand and revealed a diamond ring. “Please just accept the ring and marry me”

Ariana stared at the beauty in front of her and thought about her choice. Lately all she’s been doing is overthinking her choices.

So Ariana what will you do?

Accept the engagement ring and become engaged to him or reject it and your family loses everything, including your dear organization and reputation.