ASH AND RUIN

CHAPTER THREE

ASH AND RUIN

CHAPTER THREE

Arielle stood in front of the mirror, pulling her hair into a ponytail. She heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Theo walked in, holding a cup of coffee.

“Good morning. Here, I bought you coffee.”

“Thank you.”

She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder.

“I am ready. Let's go.”

Theo looked at her from head to toe before focusing intensely on her face. She was wearing a black suit and low heels. Her face was bare without makeup, and her expression was cold and emotionless.

“Arielle, are you sure you are ready for this?”

Arielle sighed impatiently.

“Yes, I am sure. Why do you ask?”

“I am just looking out for you.”

“Don't. I am not Arielle from ten years ago who needed you to stop her from tripping.”

He moved closer to her.

“Maybe I want that Arielle back.”

Arielle smiled bitterly. Her hands tightened around the straps of her bag.

“That Arielle is gone. She is not coming back.”

Theo took a step closer until there was no space between them.

“What about the Arielle that was mine? Would she ever come back?”

Arielle looked away, ignoring his face. She brought her wristwatch up to her face.

“We have to go. We are running late.”

She bypassed him and walked out.

Theo clenched his fist. He smiled bitterly before following her, carrying her coffee.

She was still in the hallway with Helen and Arthur. Helen was hugging her while Arthur was patting her.

He walked up to them.

“Mom, are you ready to do this?”

Helen looked up at him. Her eyes were tired, but she nodded.

“Are you sure? You don't have to go.”

Arthur placed his hands on Theo's shoulders.

“This is important, Theo. And it's going to be our first appearance at a social event in ten years.”

Theo looked at his mother before hugging her.

“You will be okay, I promise. And you can leave anytime you want.”

Arielle cleared her throat.

“Theo, we have to go.”

Theo looked at his mom one last time. His expression clouded. He nodded at his dad before following Arielle.

Across the city, in the Whitmore mansion, Sienna Whitmore was in her room with her assistant. She was seated on the couch, her expression tight. Her assistant was visibly fidgeting, her head hung low.

“Zoey, you are saying you didn't see Director A?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Sienna threw a throw pillow at Zoey with great force. Zoey was hit by the impact and tripped, falling to the ground, but she stood up immediately.

Sienna stood up and started pacing around her room.

Director A's fame had spread throughout Aubervale as a business wizard. It didn't matter which company he was in; the company was sure to become a leader in its industry. Director A's identity was a top secret. No one dared leak his identity.

When Sienna heard Director A was coming to Aubervale, she was both pleased and surprised. She sent Zoey to welcome him and bring him to her.

But the f*****g i***t Zoey messed up again.

Her fists tightened. Pissed, she walked over to Zoey and hit her. She pushed her and kicked her repeatedly.

“f*****g i***t. Do you know how much this means to me? If the Launcets get Director A, I would make your life a living hell.”

She didn't stop until her anger subsided a little.

She went back to take her seat. Zoey stood up immediately.

“Miss, I saw someone else at the airport.”

Sienna stood up and went back to Zoey, grabbing her by the hair.

“So that is why you didn't see Director A?”

“It was Arielle Monroe.”

“What?”

“Arielle Monroe. She was with the Launcets.”

Sienna let go of her hair and went back to the couch, her eyes carrying a dangerous glint.

“My bestie is back, huh?”

She smiled.

“I should give her a gift. Let's take her down memory lane.”