Scheme The Schemers
865 Words
Seconds dragged on as Arianna struggled to muster a rebuttal, yet no words—no matter how carefully chosen—seemed less condescending than what her stepmother deserved.
How cruel could fate be, to force her path to cross with such a despicable person? And to think, her stepmother’s glamorous features acted like a foolproof shield, blinding her father entirely.
"Fight all you can while you can, seeing as you’ll be kicked out soon just like the filth you are," her stepmother sneered, masking rage behind a faux smile.
"Oh, I see you can still talk, hoping to banter your way out of marriage? You must be mistaken," she spat, her words dripping with spite.
"It will never happen, I assure you! I would rather die than accept this!" Arianna stomped her feet, burning with indignation.
"My lovely daughter, it already has," the woman cooed mockingly. "You just need to see it. Don’t be naive, my dear. Channel your energy into learning how to be a supportive wife. Mr. Pearson is strict; I doubt he would tolerate your wild, uncouth nature, your rebuttals, or your saucy attitude—I made sure of it."
Disgust coursed through Arianna at the sickening endearments. Beneath the layers of makeup lay the true nature of a vile, calculating being.
"Unlike you, some of us have better things to do than scheme. Inform my father, would you?"
Putting on a weak smile, she said, "I’ll be staying at my friend’s place for a while. Kindly inform your darling husband, who clearly cannot distinguish between family and foe," Arianna hissed.
"I don’t want to be disturbed," her stepmother barked, directing the staff before sauntering off to pack her belongings.
Her stepmother was the most manipulative, scheming woman she had ever known—so Arianna would need more than simple tricks to outmaneuver her. She had been thrown, certainly, by the sudden change in approach, leaving her momentarily stupefied. Previous attacks had been less devious.
She had to stop running!
The harder she thwarted the witch’s schemes, the more relentless the traps became—especially with her eighteenth birthday approaching, for which she was entirely unprepared.
What a day!
After explaining her predicament to her friend, Arianna rushed to the mall for a shopping spree, hoping the distraction would clear her mind. The audacity—her stepmother hawking her off on marriage claims with a hidden agenda—was infuriating. She simply had to expose it.
City H Mall
Arianna sauntered in, determined to meet her friend and find a dress for her eighteenth birthday.
Minutes passed as she waited for Chloe, who was already supposed to have arrived.
Malicious stares from a shop assistant soon made her uncomfortable. She had only agreed to this outing to avoid being trapped by her stepmother or half-sister.
"Hello, Arianna! I’m so sorry for the delay," Chloe blurted, flustered. "The driver bumped into someone—no, almost killed someone! I had to take them to the hospital before I could come down."
"Why so gloomy? Did something happen? What’s wrong?" Chloe sputtered.
Arianna responded haughtily, "The shop asked me to leave. I don’t want trouble. Can we just go?"
"No way! How dare they? This is unacceptable!" Chloe hissed, determined to confront the staff.
As she stormed into the store, she collided headfirst with someone, losing her balance and wincing from the pain.
A shriek followed. "Are you blind?!"
Before Arianna could respond, the young woman continued like a maniac. "That’s the problem with commoners—always messing things up! Argghhh, my dress is ruined! My dad just returned from Milan with this, made exclusively for me. It cost $10,000! How are you going to pay for it?"
Arianna rushed to her friend, panic written across her face, firing questions in rapid succession. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Can you speak? Do we need a hospital? Do you have a concussion?"
"Wonderful! How convenient for both of you," the young lady spat, her icy tone sharp. "Your friend attacked me, and yet here you are, worrying about her instead of apologizing! Do you know who I am? My father will have you locked up!" She lifted her phone, clearly calling her prominent father, despite repeated apologies from the staff.
Arianna felt a surge of controlled rage. "You’re a pampered, rich brat, a daddy’s girl, clearly. My friend hit you accidentally, yes—but you don’t need to be condescending. She’s in pain, and as for the dress—it looks tacky and cheap," she fired, words tumbling out in one breath.
Ah… that felt good.
"What a way to blow off steam," she muttered under her breath.
The young lady stomped, yelling at the staff. "I want to speak with your manager immediately! My father is a patron with a gold card! How dare they treat me like this!"
Arianna scoffed, guiding her friend out, unaware of the chaos left behind. She handed Chloe over to the driver after ensuring she wasn’t dizzy.
Yet a burning gaze lingered at her back, though no one was there.
She had felt it since the weekend began—but now she was certain.
Someone was watching her.
- Writer
