Chapter 104

\*\*LUCIANA'S POV\*\*



It's been a month since Jeremy's party, and I've not heard anything about Mrs. Salvador yet.



I'm glad I now have people looking out for me, and trying to ensure I'm not getting bullied. If only I got to enjoy the luxury of care when I was much younger, I probably wouldn't be in this mess.



Or maybe I'm just cursed to never find true love, not even from family.



My mind drifted to Lorenzo and a small smile escaped my lips. Before now, he was the only one who truly cared.



I spoke to Celine about spending the weeks at Arielle's place, and only returning home during the weekends, and she accepted, at least less stress.



"Are you ready Cub?" Arielle asked, walking downstairs and looking at Elegant in a navy-blue tailored suite.



A perfect definition of classy.



"I'm ready" I replied, looking away from her.



"Let's go then." She smiled at me and I nodded, following her behind, and holding her bag.



As we walked out of the house, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude to Arielle and Alpha Duncan. 



Arielle particularly. She had taken me under her wing, and was doing everything in her power to protect me.



I really can't wait to introduce her to Celine. I'm sure they'd click upon first sight, considering that they have slightly similar personalities.



As we stepped into the car, Arielle turned to me with a warm smile. "So, Cub, how's everything? I hope the mansion isn't boring?"



I nodded with a small smile. How can the mansion even be interesting when Keira and Luci have returned to school, and are barely home, except on weekends?



"It's fine," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'm scaling through I guess."



Arielle's eyes sparked with amusement and I knew she saw right through me.



"Duncan was thinking of assigning a maid to you, to ease your boredom." She said softly. "I'm starting to think, that'd be a great idea."



My eyes lit up in excitement. "That'd be so lovely" I whispered, stopping myself from jumping on her.



Finally, I'll stop watching the television until I sleep off, or playing games, or even wait until Damon is less busy, before I get to talk to someone.



I'd thought of requesting earlier, but I didn't want to be a bother. 



Arielle chuckled, entertaining my enthusiasm. How come she's this caring despite being really sophisticated?



"I'll encourage Duncan to go ahead with his plans then. I'm glad you like the idea."



As we arrived at the office, She handed me her bag and a document. 



"Please drop this in my office, and meet me in the conference room immediately." She said, her expression screaming seriousness.



Wait what?



Isn't she supposed to be in a meeting with Chestnut today? Why is she asking me to come along?



I didn't realize I'd stopped walking and was now staring at her with my mouth wide open.



"You have a problem with that?" She raised a brow, with a quizzical expression.



I shook my head. "No ma, I'll join you shortly."



"Alright then, don't be long."



I nodded, and watched her take the elevator heading to the conference room, while I took the other one heading for the fifth floor.



As I made my way to the office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I tried to imagine sitting right beside the same person who contributed to making my early days a living hell, as, together with Lenato, she'd bully me relentlessly.



But Chestnut doesn't even recognize me, right? She said to herself, that the Luciana she knows could never be this pretty.



That shouldn't be an issue. Besides, what do I even have to lose? Arielle already knows I'm a white wolf, and she knows my story and everything that transpired between me and my family.



What's the worst that could happen?



I took a deep breath and dropped the bag and file with Sara, Arielle's secretary, before turning around, to make my way to the conference room.



I've come a long way since those dark days, and although I didn't really change, I wasn't exactly the same timid and vulnerable person they used to know.



With all the new presence and love in my life, I was reassured I had people in my corner, who knew my secrets and were so willing to stand up for me.



The punishment Jeremy had on Mrs. Salvador for hitting me, despite knowing that it might result in an inter pack of beef, is a testament to that.



As I entered the conference room, Clara's eyes flickered towards me, with an unreadable expression.



I met Clara's gaze calmly, trying not to reveal the turmoil brewing inside me. 



Arielle's voice broke the silence. "Now that we're all here, let's get started." She glanced at me, her eyes sparkling with a hint of warmth. "Cub, take a seat."



I nodded and sat beside her, faking a challenge.



Clara's eyes narrowed, and for a moment I could swear I saw a hint of recognition and mischief.



My heart skipped a beat as her gaze lingered on me, her eyes searching for something, probably some birthmark or stuff. 



I held my breath seriously, hoping she wouldn't recognize me. I've tried to divert my attention from the possibility of her recognizing me, but the thoughts kept coming back, each time stronger than the previous time.



The ringing of Arielle's phone slightly broke the tension and staring competition. Deep down I wished she wouldn't take it, but who was I kidding?.



"Excuse me, I have to take this." Arielle whispered and answered the call, walking out of the conference room, leaving just myself and my biggest nightmare alone.



I felt a chill run down my spine as I watched her walk away. 



The air seemed to thicken, and I could see Clara's gaze on me intensify, boring into my skin.



Clara's voice cut through the silence, her tone dripping with innocence. "So, Luciana…" 



My eyes snapped in shock. Wasn't she just the same person glaring at me moments ago, or was it just my mind playing tricks?



"You're Arielle's new secretary, right?"



I huffed, sensing the mischief so strongly. "She introduced me to you the other day, didn't she?" I scoffed, getting slightly defensive. "I'm her assistant, not a secretary."



"Oh really?" She asked, her lips curling into a taunting smirk. "But I don't recall her introducing Luciana Salvador that day."



And it just happened...



She recognizes me...so what now?



"W…what are you talking about.?" I stuttered, avoiding her gaze.



"I was right all along, the familiarity was so striking," She continued.



"I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered.



"Of course you don't, you also don't recall being at the mercy of myself and Lenato." She taunted, leaning in.



"What do you want chestnut?" I glared. "You're not here to bully me as usual, are you?"



Clara's smirk grew wider, her eyes glinting with malice. "Awnn...look at who's grown so feisty now. I like it" she leaned back in her chair, steeling her fingers together. "I'm not here to bully you Luciana, at least not yet."



"So what do you want?" I yelled, my eyes growing misty as my childhood memories flooded my mind.



Her smile grew triumphantly wider. "I want to know what you're doing here with Arielle. You're not exactly... Her type are you?" His voice dripped with venom and I could sense an underlying threat. "When I was first told you were here, I didn't believe it, but now…"



"I'm her assistant, and that's all you need to know." I cut her off angrily.



"I'm the only one allowed to talk, not you." She spat and got off her chair, taking slow yet menacing steps towards me.



"Now what?" I raised a brow, slightly trembling. "You're going to hit me like you used to do?."



"Far from that... I'm not even interested in Arielle's shitty partnership, I only wanted to see for myself if you were still alive." She scoffed.



"Arielle is simply trying to help your poor and sorry ass" I suddenly blurted out, not sure where the confidence came from. "Despite everything, Lenato didn't even choose you."

Angrily and triggered, she marched aggressively towards me and just as she raised her hands on me, Arielle walked in.



"You touch her, and you're a goner..."



Chestnut fell on his knees, shocking the life out of him. 



"I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't mean any of those things I said earlier."



So she could beg, huh!!



Arielle smirked, and her gaze swiftly darted between me and Chestnut. "Save whatever you have to say, and get out...your services are no longer required..."