Joan was quiet all through the ride, she had been on the run when Dean's car pulled over. The ride to god knows where, was quiet. She sniffed and sobbed, wiping her tears with the back of her hands.

“Why were you there?”

“Do you mind telling me what's going on?” He responded, sipping from the whiskey bottle on the table.

“Its family business.”

“Your pride is not important at this point.”

Silent, her eyes darted around the minimalist decor in the house, searching for what to focus on

“I guess your family would be happy to know where you are, don't you think?”

“Are you usually this annoying?” She was forced to ask.

“Maybe.” He shrugged.

“I don't know what's up, but if you keep it to yourself, I don't think you're going to make it alive next time.”

She stared quietly in suspicion. “You just happened to be there at the right time.

“Yeah, I had a client around the area.” He replied, massaging his temple. Getting Joan to talk was not going to be as easy as he thought, she had trust issues.

“How many cases have you won in the duration of your career?”

“Safe to say I never lose.”

“That's impossible, there are many good lawyers in the city.”

“Well, I'm exceptional, sweetheart.”

She was silent. “I'll get you something to drink.” He walks to his fridge and pulls out a bottle of water. He also makes a cup of coffee and strides towards her direction to serve both to her. “I'm not sure which one you'd like so I made both.”

“Thank you.” She whispered faintly, taking both in gratitude.

Joan brooded on the past events and her life with her family. All these years they've caused her nothing but pain. On several occasions, her second brother had persistently tried to force himself on her. But she was always getting saved by favorable circumstances. There had been a party the last time, and everyone had to be downstairs.

“Are you ready to talk now?” Dean asked her again, his patience was wearing thin. She lifted her doe eyes off her mug and looked at him.

“It started when I was a kid.”

“We lived in a mansion in a high-brow area in the suburbs.”

“My mom was a stylist, and my dad was a renowned sports coach. With his savings, he engaged in multiple investments. He bought properties in areas that everyone else overlooks. Soon enough, luck shone on us, they yielded results.”

“A fashion company and a city mall built their base there. My dad's properties had a ten times return on investment. We were rich.”

Dean perched on the side of the table, listening attentively to the girl who was speaking with so much pain in her heart and nostalgia in her eyes.

“One day, it was my birthday, a normal day in May, I can never forget.”

“My dad was bringing me balloons when he collapsed in front of our home. He never woke up.”

Taking a tissue from the table, she dabbed the streaks of tears making their way to her eyes and sniffed.

“Sorry about that.” He said, hoping it'd offer a bit of comfort.

“It's fine, it's in the past. My dad was my best friend, so anytime I talk about him, I can't help but cry happy tears.” She forced a smile.

“Having a family must be nice.” He chuckled, but caught himself immediately when she was looking at him like he was weird.

“They all died?”

“Don't worry about me, focus on your story. What happened after your dad's death? How did your mom meet your stepfather?”

“My stepfather was my dad's colleague. He attended the funeral and became close to my mom. He'd always buy her nice things and check up on her, but I always felt uneasy about him.”

“But as usual, adults don't listen to kids. Soon enough, they got married. My stepfather changed, he asked my mom to share my late dad's wealth among myself and his four brothers and me since we're all family.”

“What did she say? Did she consent?”

“Of course she declined, my mother may be in love but she's not stupid.”

“That's refreshing to hear.”

“It is, I'm glad she never did. My mom passed away after a few years; her will was read, and she left every single thing to me, including the house we currently occupy. She didn't leave a penny for my stepdad and his sons.”

“That's the spirit.” Dean chipped in, clearly pleased.”

Joan smiled proudly. “She's a diva.”

“My life has been in danger ever since the will was read. I've been kidnapped, tortured, and forced to hand over everything. But not killed, fortunately.

My mom had requested that everything should be donated to charity if there is any reason I can't claim my inheritance or if I lose my life.”

“Technically they're angry at your mom.”

“They did not believe she'd do that to them, she played dumb until the very last day. Although she didn't leave him like I had always wanted, I'm proud she did this one last thing for me.”

“If she had divorced him she'd have to pay him alimony cause she's the rich one. Every action your mom took was with her baby girl in mind.”

Joan bowed her head and cried.

“Here are charges you could press against your stepfather and your brothers. Number one, unlawful confinement, extortion, fraud, and emotional distress.

You can use them today, I'll work the details.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome, but you have to stay safe until the lawsuit is over. Do you have any place to go?”

“No.” She blinked twice and looked at him with puppy eyes.

Dean sighed in frustration and shook his head as he looked at the cute pair of eyes staring back at him. Her family would never find her here, she was certain. Plus they had no idea who Dean was. Staying with Ariel would be very inconvenient, Ariel was married. Newlywed couples need their space.

“I'll leave when this is over.”

“You can stay as long as you don't try anything funny.”

“You're not my type, trust me.” She retorted quickly. Dean blinked uncomfortably as she watched with a satisfactory smile on her face.

When Axel got home, he made his way to Ariel’s room, worried he had stood her up on a date that seemed like a treat. He opened the door slowly, and she was fast asleep. Sighing softly, he walked to where she lay and sat by the side of her bed. Her chest heaved in exhaustion, her neck and shoulders were exposed, her smooth skin made him swallow hard, and he quickly looked away. He stood up to leave when a pair of soft hands held him back. Her eyes fluttered open. He looked at her, lost in thought, and he realized he could not stare at Ariel for long. Her eyes did something to him each time. He quickly looked away and blinked awkwardly.

“You should rest, don't plan dinners for me next time.” He found himself saying. He wanted to apologize, that was supposed to be an apology.

Ariel's eyes darkened, and tears throbbed in her throat. This was it, she was going to unleash her other side. “If you say so.” She replied coldly much to his shock. But he shrugged it off either way and walked away. Ariel was obsessed with him, she'd never stop loving him. She was bluffing, so he thought.