Chapter 25: Remember Me In Paradise

"Hmm, your sir Kenith seems to do a lot of odd jobs around here?"Arianna innocently said yet hinted at something Cassie failed to recognize or maybe, she did understand it.

"Oh," Cassie chuckled as if what she said was funny, "Our boss kenith is very social and kind. And he's loved by all the women here,"

"Including you?" Arianna said immediately, her head tilted at the young girl questioningly.

A blush crept up Cassie's face at once, "Well, I do have a crush on him but that's just all. Unlike some of the other women here, I can't delude myself into thinking that there's a possibility of having a future with him,"

"You're a smart one then. As much as fantasies are great, we have to return to reality eventually," Arianna said to her. She was really liking the girl and Cassie seem kind and responsible.

"You can't really blame them though, Sir Kenith is Big Joe's right-hand man and the real magnet holding this place together," Cassie revealed and that made a hidden smirk cross Arianna's face. This was what she has been waiting for, information on those fooling around with her destiny.

"He's more loved than big Joe?" She fished for more information.

"Big Joe doesn't spend his time here all the time so it's not surprising that the others look up to Kenith since he's the one who shares Big Joe's will. In one word, he's the one who does the work around here,"

Oh, so that meant while Big Joe had the power of the gang, Kenith had the power of the brotherhood. In one word, kenith was more powerful than his master who doesn't even know his influence is being cut off.

"Sir Kenith is seen as the eye of the master and the second in command after him," Cassie explained, already wrapping things up.

"Has there ever been a time he interpreted Big Joe's will wrongly? Or to be precise, manipulated it for his own benefit?" Arianna asked, probing for more information.

At that question, Cassie went pale in the face but she was quick to cover it up before Arianna saw it or so she thought.

"That's an unnecessary question, madam," Arianna felt Cassie withdrawing to their formal relationship with that title, "But you can rest assured that Kenith is trustworthy and would never harm you nor betray your soon-to-be husband Big Joe. At least with you here, Big Joe would be able to spend more time with us,"

"Yeah sure," Arianna sighed as she got reminded once again what her fate would be at the end of the day.

"What's the problem, madam?" Cassie noticed the change in her mood.

"You know I kind of envy you," Arianna said while looking at the mirror and staring at her magnificent appearance.

"Envy me?" Cassie was surprised.

"You're lucky enough to have a crush," Arianna said with a wry smile, "But I never got to have one nor even think of men. All my life I was more worried about money while other girls worried about their relationship. The opposite sex was a distraction for me nor did I get to think about it much since I was busy trying to fight for my future and survive from my family. And now, when there's finally hope to breathe, I'm sold off to marry a man I don't even know, not to think of having feelings for. I feel cheated." Arianna smiled yet tears slipped from her eyes.

She faced Cassie with her tears streaked face, "It's quite scary. Even scarier than a nightmare. At least I fight my nightmares in my dreams and wake up to see them vanish into nothing, but these monsters are right in my face,"

"Madam...." Cassie felt the sorrow in her voice and felt pity for her.

Arianna turned away immediately, "Why am I even crying, I would ruin my makeup," She said, trying to carefully wipe the tears away so as not to ruin her makeup only for Cassie to touch her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'd redo the makeup and perhaps, with the waterproof ones this time," Cassie said earning a smile from her.

And so, Arianna sat down as Cassie began to work on her face once again. There was absolute silence between them until Cassie said, "Truthfully speaking, it's not all bad getting married to Big Joe,"

"Really?" Arianna snorted. So much for thinking the girl understood her, "Perhaps, you'd be a more willing participant in my place," There was sarcasm in her tone.

"You get the privilege of being his wife, that includes the money and connection, think about it," Cassie said to her.

Arianna was more than shocked. She never thought Cassie would say that to her, no, she was thinking the girl would more of suggest her getting to know Big Joe first before anything. And trust her, that bullshit logic has landed a lot of women in hot shit - only a few were able to get a responsible mate.

"I'm telling you this because I'm your fellow woman and we should look out for each other. I don't know what plans you have, but don't run, they would always find you wherever you go, however, bid your time. Keep your claws sheathed as long as you can and work your way into their body, mind, and soul so when the time is right, you strike!"

Arianna was startled because Cassie said that end part with quite a bit of force. But what shocked her the most was that the Cassie she thought was innocent wasn't as naive as she thought.

"Who the hell are you?" The words left her mouth before she could stop it.

"Someone bidding her time just as you," Cassie grabbed her hands together forcing her to look down on her and back up at her, "I never thought I would see the light until you arrived. Use whoever you want, don't delude yourself into thinking anyone here really cares about you. You're just potent because of your usefulness and when it expires, you're as good as nothing. My only request is that you remember me in paradise, " She added, "Please,"

Arianna was so shocked that she couldn't speak hence she only nodded her head in response.

"Thank you," A wide smile full of relief spread across her face.

However, a knock on the door startled the both of them and they broke apart knowing that it was time to leave.