CHAPTER 2

Two years later....

Arianna wheeled her luggage out of the airport, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar yet oddly familiar cityscape. A whirlwind of emotions churned within her chest.

If it weren't for her brother's deteriorating health, she would never have returned.

But there was another reason, one she hesitated to acknowledge. Just days ago, she had received an anonymous email revealing the truth behind Xander's excuse for ending their engagement a year ago.

He had dismissed her as boring and prudish, declaring that he desired someone more adventurous and thrilling. His words had cut deep, leaving her wounded and questioning her worth.

The thought of spending his life with someone he deemed dull had dealt a devastating blow to her self-esteem.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, shaking her head gently.

"No more dwelling on the past," she whispered to herself. "Right now, my brother needs me, and I'll be there for him."

With determination, she vowed to set aside her own struggles and focus on supporting her brother through his recovery.

"As soon as he gets better," she promised herself, "I'll leave and never return"

Her father's driver, James , awaited her at the airport entrance. Arianna settled into the car, and they set off without a word.

Over an hour later, they came to a stop outside a private clubhouse.

Arianna glanced out the window and realized they hadn't arrived at the hospital or the Johnson residence.

"Why are we here?" she inquired.

Jame's voice was monotone as he replied,

"Mr . Johnson requested I bring you here. He is waiting for you inside."

Arianna furrowed her brow but refrained from further questioning. Instead, she exited the car with a blank expression.

She lingered outside the majestic clubhouse, a mix of apprehension and curiosity swirling within her.

"Why here, Father? What are you up to?" she murmured to herself, hesitating briefly before summoning the courage to step inside the grand doors of the clubhouse.

Inside, the atmosphere was exclusive, with only a handful of attendees, all wealthy and esteemed individuals.

As Arianna stepped inside, her father, Simon Johnson, approached her in haste.

"Father, why am ..." she began, but before she could finish, he interrupted.

"What took you so long..." His tone was curt, cutting her off mid-sentence.

"I..." Arianna attempted to explain, but he waved her off dismissively.

"Forget it," he said, brushing aside her attempts to speak.

Then, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a key card, extending it towards her with clear instructions.

"Go and assist Mr. Harrison. The fate of our company rests on your shoulders."

Arianna furrowed her brows as she stared at the keyboard in front of her, confusion evident in her expression.

"I don't understand what..."

Her father raised his hand, cutting her off mid-sentence.

"Oh don't act dumb. You know what to to. You owe me," he asserted firmly.

"Owe you for what?" she asked her voice growing tense

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be out here begging people to salvage our business. You owe it to me to set everything straight and do as you're told."

Arianna's shoulders slumped as she absorbed her father's words, a sense of resignation washing over her.

He was doing it again….

She glanced back at the keyboard, her mind racing with the weight of her father's expectations.

She met her father's gaze obediently and replied,

"Of course, father."

After her response, Arianna turned on her heels and made her exit.

Simon observed his daughter's departure, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.

In a secluded booth nearby, several well-dressed men observed the scene unfolding before them. Their attention turned to the figure lurking in the shadows.

Xander's handsome face remained stoic, his gaze devoid of emotion. It was as though Arianna was nothing more than a passing stranger.

Yet, a palpable chill settled over the room as Xander's cold gaze lingered where Arianna had just left. He took a sip of his scotch, his features hardening as he contemplated the events unfolding before him.

“Once a Whore. Always a whore” he seethed under his breath.

---

Arianna took the key card and unlocked the door.

As she entered, she was met with the sight of Harold Harrison, his robe barely covering his body. His gaze, filled with unmistakable desire, made her stomach churn.

Setting down his glass of scotch, he eyed her hungrily, his gaze lingering on her figure.

"What beauty," he remarked, a lecherous grin spreading across his face.

"Certainly not taken after your father, have you?" He chuckled, taking a step closer to her.

"I've been waiting for you," he declared eagerly, reaching out to stroke her cheek.

Arianna recoiled at his touch, her discomfort evident, but she remained silent.

Then he reached out, his pudgy hand grasping Arianna's wrist as he ushered her toward the large bed.

Arianna complied, allowing him to guide her, even offering a faint smile as he pushed her onto the mattress.

Harold's desire seemed to overpower him, and he eagerly threw himself toward her.

In an instant, Arianna's hand darted out, seizing a vase from the nearby table, and Harold was suddenly met with a sharp blow to the side of his head.

Suddenly, everything went dark as his body weakened.

Arianna calmly sat up, nudging Harold—who had already passed out—down the bed with a swift kick.

Her gaze turned icy as she surveyed the unconscious man before her.

Arianna wiped away the tears that threatened to spill as she thought about her indifferent father.

She had returned only because of her brother's illness, but deep down, she had harbored a flicker of hope that Simon might have changed in the past year—that he would once again be the caring father she remembered.

But as she stood there, it became painfully clear that she was nothing more than a commodity in his eyes.

He had attempted to trade her away once before, a fact that sent chills down her spine as she recalled the memory of that fateful night.

Arianna was no longer the same person she was two years ago. She refused to be the obedient daughter allowing herself to be mistreated at his whim.

Her body was not for sale.

Not then.

Not now.

Not ever.

With a resolute flick of her wrist, Arianna tossed the keycard onto the nearest surface.

Straightening her clothes, she strode out of the room in her high heels.

As she exited the clubhouse, Arianna's gaze fell upon a tall figure leaning against a car. A cigarette dangling between his fingers, wisps of smoke swirling lazily around him. His dark eyes met hers, and there was a familiar warmth within them.

"Leaving already?" he remarked, his voice hard and devoid of any emotion.

Arianna froze in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat without her realizing it.

A small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Just like old times, she opened her mouth to call out, "Xan—"

"Xander!" A flirtatious female voice interrupted her, coming from behind. Arianna turned to see a woman in high heels trotting towards Xander.

The woman linked her arms with Xander's, her smile radiant. "Xander, darling, let's go."

Arianna felt her words stick in her throat, her face draining of color. In an instant, she felt like nothing more than a pitiful joke.

Xander cast a disdainful glance in her direction, a mocking smile playing at his lips. He extinguished his cigarette, turned on his heel, and slipped into the car without so much as another glance her way.

Before climbing into the car, Xander leaned in towards the woman beside him, his voice dripping with intentional charm.

"Your place or mine?" he murmured, his gaze briefly meeting Arianna's before turning back to the woman beside him.

"Anywhere works for me, darling," the girl giggled, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Then mine it is," he declared, before pivoting away, leaving Arianna standing there, a profound sense of insignificance enveloping her.