Covert Ties (Hello Mr Arrogant)

Chapter Two

Settling In: Grandpa's Visit

The suite at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel was fully as opulent as Ariana had expected, a meld of sumptuousness and taste, volume upon volume about old money with a hint of modern sophistication. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a panorama of the city bustle below, and inlaid marble shone brightly under soft illumination. It was a world away from the life she had built in London with Lily, where anonymity had been both shield and solace.

Lily ran ahead, her giggles echoing across the big living room as she investigated every little nook with wide-eyed curiosity. Ariana set her purse on the floor and watched her child with a gentle smile. The child's joy was catching a peg to the lighter side of this daunting homecoming.

"Look, Mommy!" Lily called, drawing the sheer curtain back to reveal the cityscape beyond. "We can see so many buildings!

Ariana fell on her knees beside her, by the window, and at Lily's height. "Yes, darling, this is New York. This shall be our new home."

Lily pressed a small hand against the glass as her reflection peered back just as excited. "Will we live here forever?”

Ariana's smile faltered. To tell the truth, she didn't know how long they would be able to remain. There were too many variables, the state of her career, the fickle whims of the media, and of course, the past, which might not remain buried forever.

"We shall be here for a while," she said, placing a reassuring hand on Lily's shoulder, her tone light. "We shall see how things go, okay?"

Lily nodded, seemingly satisfied with that response, and scampered to the bedroom to see what other magic this place held. Ariana remained at the window, her gaze drifting out over the city she had once called home. She was daunted by the prospect of reintegrating herself into the fashion scene once more, but it wasn't just the career aspect that unsettled her; it was the people, the memories, the unfinished chapters of her life she had hoped to leave well alone.

Her phone buzzed in her bag, breaking her thoughts. She fished it out to see Julianne's name flashing on the screen.

“Hey, Julianne. What's up?" Ariana responded, her voice still laced with a hint of tiredness.

"I just wanted to give you a heads-up," Julianne said, her voice quick and to the point. "Your name is already trending on social media, and a few are running speculative stories about Lily. Some are even pulling old photos of you from five years ago, trying to match up timelines."

Ariana's jaw clenched. "Of course they are.”

“It's not too bad at the moment, but we need to decide how you want to handle this. The silence could fuel even more rumors, or if you address it, that could give you control over the narrative.” She advised

Ariana sank into the plush armchair beside the window, her mind mulling over Julianne's words. She was not ready to share Lily's story with the world. At least, not yet. Silence came with its price, though, and she knew quite well from experience that the media didn't take permission before running with a story.

"Let's keep a low profile for now," Ariana decided. "We'll focus on my return to work and avoid any direct mention of Lily. I'll think about giving an interview when the time is right, but for now-no comments about the rumors."

"Understood," Julianne replied reassuringly. "I'll handle it. Just let me know if you change your mind."

After hanging up, Ariana leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes for a moment and willing away the tension that seemed to strangle her shoulders. The life she had lived in London was quieter, simpler. But there was no turning back now. She had come to New York for a reason, and she would face whatever came her way.

The soft knock on the suite door broke the silence. Ariana did not expect any visitors, and instantly her heart began to pound as she thought perhaps someone from the press had already traced her out. But when she opened the door, she was relieved to find a familiar face.

"Daddy," she whispered this time, her smile genuine as she flung herself into the embrace of a tall, gray-haired man.

"You look great, Ari," her father, Henry Lincolns, replied in a soft voice filled with emotion as he hugged her back. "It's been ages."

"It has," she returned; smiling, she then stepped aside to let him in.

"Come in. I wasn't expecting you so soon."

Henry Lincolns walked into the suite, taking in the elegant surroundings with an approving nod. "I thought I'd come by and see my granddaughter right away. Where's little Lily?"

“She’s exploring,” Ariana replied, gesturing toward the bedroom where Lily’s laughter could still be heard. “I told her you’d be visiting, and she’s been excited to meet her grandpa.”

Henry’s eyes softened. “I’ve waited a long time for this moment,” he said quietly. “It’s not every day a man gets to meet his granddaughter for the first time.”

Ariana bit her lip, a flicker of guilt surfacing. She knew how much her father had missed during the past five years, and she hadn't made it easy by keeping her life in London so private. But there had been reasons, complex and deeply personal ones which had driven her to keep Lily's existence a secret for so long. She remembered her father supporting her decision to go, yet she knew he had wished she would someday return and share more than the occasional phone call with him.

"Grandpa!" There was a sudden ringing of a cute voice through the stillness, and Henry turned in time to catch this little girl running up to him with a bright, glowing face. He took her into his arms with a surprising readiness for his years and instantly launched into a babble of talk with her, as if he had known her all his life.

Ariana watched them, a soft smile playing on her lips. It was the first time she saw Lily with her grandfather, and it did something to her inside, soothing some of the anxiety that had knotted her stomach since the moment she'd stepped back onto American soil. Maybe coming back wouldn't be so bad after all. With Daddy's support, perhaps she could bear the storm that lay ahead.

Ariana lay back on the couch between Henry and Lily, pulling herself deep into the cushions as she let this one moment unwind completely. "Dad, you know I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think it was the right time," she whispered, somehow needing to explain herself though he asked nothing of the sort. "I just wanted a fresh start.” “Even if it's a hard one and even if they find out” she murmured to herself.

"I know, Ari," Henry said quietly. "I'm proud of all that you've done. Still, you know what it's gonna be like, presswise. They'll make it rough on you. They won't leave the past alone."

She sighed. "I know, but I can handle it." Her gaze darted to Lily, who was happily examining the shiny cufflinks on her grandfather's sleeves. "I just do not want her to get mixed up in it.”

“You're a tough lady, Ari, and you always knew how to rise above all noise," Henry said as his eyes locked with hers reassuringly. "But should you ever need help, come to me.”

"I know," she said, interrupting him with a soft squeeze of his hand. "Thanks.”

The rest of the afternoon slipped by in the quiet delights of family, and for a time Ariana just let herself wrap within the comfort of familiar company. Lily seemed to take to her grandfather immediately, and watching them together filled some sort of void in Ariana she hadn't known existed. She'd spent years protecting her daughter from the world, but now she wanted to show Lily what having family, real family-close, did for them.

Later, as the sun began to set, Henry stood up to leave. "I won't keep you much longer. I know you must be tired after flying in. But just remember, my door is always open, to both of you."

"We'll come see you soon," Ariana said, walking him to the door. "And thanks again for stopping by. It means a lot to me.”

With him gone, Ariana stood by the door a moment longer, her hand resting on the handle as she took a deep breath. The reunion with her father had gone better than she could have hoped for, but that was only the first step. There was still so much more waiting for her, and already she could feel the past closing in, its presence a palpable threat to the careful balance she strove for.

Turning back into the suite, she saw Lily yawning; her little head drooping with exhaustion. "Time for bed, little one," she said, scooping her up and carrying her into the bedroom.

"Mommy, will Grandpa come again tomorrow?" Lily asked, drowsily, as Ariana tucked her into bed.

"Maybe not tomorrow, but he'll come soon," Ariana replied, brushing a strand of hair from Lily's forehead. "He is very happy to see you.

“Good," Lily murmured, already her eyes drifting shut. "I like him.”

Ariana leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against her daughter's cheek. "I'm glad you do, darling," she whispered. Turning off the light, Ariana closed the door quietly and stepped back out into the hall, her mind made up. She had made this choice to come back, and she would make it work for her and for Lily. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was the calm before the storm, and wasn't quite so sure how long this peace would last.

Tomorrow, she would take the next steps: reconnect with the people she had left behind, face an industry at one time that had defined her, and arm herself to face a man she never wanted to see but knows that man knows and would meet her soon.