As soon as dinner was over, “ill walk you to your room Ariel, I know you will still be fining difficulty finding your way around here.” with pride lacing his voice he said and Ariel head rose slowly to give him a surprise stare.

Just when Alessandro was about to look back at Ariel she looked away but Alessandro still looked at her for the remaining five minutes she used in rounding up her meal.

“Shall we?” Alessandro questioned and Ariel nodded gently to him. He gestured for her to stand and she hurriedly rose and followed Alessandro.

She quickened her steps to enable her meet up with Alessandro but his long legs co reed much more space than her feet could leading her to step on her sliver body on dress and fell.

“Really?” Alessandro turned around questioning her. “I'm sorry, I slipped,”

“On what?” Alessandro voice was harsh, his jaw tightened as he fumed in anger. “My dress,” Ariel responded in a whisper but Alessandro caught her words which made him stare at her dress after she picked herself from the floor.

He took in every inch of her physique, he was struck by her beauty, his eyes piercing every inch of her skin, adorning her body until they landed on her tiny waist.

Abruptly an unknown force pulled Alessandro towards Ariel and he picked her up, fixing his hands around her waist he flipped her and placed her above his shoulder.

His strong arms playing heroes he walked into the elevator. He didn't put her down until he got in front of her room. “I hope you have some news for me by the morning.”

His eyes still catching a glimpse of her wide hips, he felt a force in his body, wanting to hold her now so deeply, he looked lust at her as Afiel nodded her head and bid him good night. He watched her until she shut the door to her room behind her, her heart thumping in her chest.

Turning around, Alessandro headed back to his own quarters

—-

After Alessandro had gone, Ariel changed into a more comfortable outfit for the night. She was going to get to work so she took out her headset and played a song she cherished especially when she was working.

She took the file from the table and opened it. She began reading, from one page to the next she was shocked by what she saw.

‘How can a mere woman posses such power and be Alessandro biggest rival at the moment she wondered.

After reading a while then she realised that Valentina used to be Alessandro secretary. ‘Maybe that was how she got all the vital Information,’ she said to herself.

Just then a knock landed on her door, nervousness crawling into her like a bad weather covering sunset.

“Who is there?” her frigid voice asked, worry less etched all over her face as she approached her door, not knowing whether to open up or just stay still. She really didn't want to see anyone at that moment.

“Its me Simon, open up, I brought late night snacks, my grandma told me sweets helps elevate ones mood.” Ariel yet contemplated on whether to open the door for Simon or just say no.

But she needed a friend and only Simon had been nice to her since her arrival in that mansion so she decided to let him in.

As soon as she opened the door, “whoo,” Simon breathed. “At one point, I was scared you would turn me down,” he said with a soft smile and walked in.

“I thought you might be lonely, away from home and all the things you are used to, so I thought to keep your company. I would also like to know you more.” he winked at Ariel and found himself a sit.

“Thank you for care Simon. I really appreciate your kindness towards me,” Ariel said walking to be roffice chair.

“You are the only one who has made me feel comfortable from the moment I saw you, you saved me.”

“Naah… its nothing, I like pure hearted and genuine woman and you appear to be one of them.” he smiled warmly making her more relaxed in her sit.

“So what are you working on? Simon questioned moving closer to the tv screens. Then he realised that Ariel was digging into Valentina's secrets, hideout.

“May I ask you a question?” Ariel inquired and Simon nodded in acceptance. “Why did Alessandro say he might loose everything if I don't bring out information about this Valentina.

“Well, I don't think this is my story to tell but…” Simon paused before going on to say.

“Valentina used to be Alessandro secretary…” he pushed again, now making Ariel lost and confused. Why was he breaking the story? Like there was something he didn't want to tell her personally.

“What? What is it? What is everyone keeping from me?” asked Simon, feeling more furious now.

She clapped her hands together. “You know what, don't worry about it, I will find out myself.” she then concentrated on infiltrating Valentina profile, she was determined on knowing who she was and what she possess that could bring down her husband.

As her fingers played across the keyboard, her curiosity spiked, making her mentally encourage herself to work harder even when she felt tired and wanted to rest her head.

Then suddenly her eyes caught something she never expected. “The hell is this,” she asked out loud and opened up the file she had suspected.

As her eyes went from one word to another, her heart rate increased, her forehead creased, panicky surging through her veins making her feet cold.

“Valentina is… she was…” she turned to Simon who sat quietly behind her waiting for her to uncover the truth for herself.

“Valentina is Alessandro's ex-lover?” she questioned Simon, somewhere in her heart she hoped it was a lie because if it was the truth, the war she was fighting was more chaotic than she imagined.

“That's not all Ariel,” Simon said in a calm tone, you should read a bit more.

Ariel immediately turned back to the screens, running her fingers on the mouse, moving downwards, what she saw made her gasp, living her with popped out eyes and an ‘O’ shaped mouth.

“Is this true?” she turned back to Simon. But they was no time for Simon to respond, a hard knock landed on the door, making the two panic as Ariel remained frozen in her seat.

The weight of the what she just uncovered pulling her shoulders down as her heart kept pounding in her chest.

However, she jumped from her sit, she immediately walked to the door, not caring that Simon was in her room and that it was going to upset Alessandro. She wanted answers, clarification.

Why was Alessandro bringing her Into a situation that reeked of heartbreak and disaster?