CHAPTER 113
Xander waited for Arianna the entire night, but she never came to find him. Finally unable to wait any longer, he decided to check the master bedroom.
To his disappointment, the room was empty, with neatly folded blankets on the bed indicating Arianna had already been awake.
He quickly went downstairs.
Arianna was nowhere to be found, not in the living room or the kitchen. Approaching the entrance, he noticed her shoes were missing.
Had she gone out again?
At that moment, Arianna's sole focus was on saving Charlie, leaving no room for any other thoughts. Could she have gone out to earn money?
How was she supposed to raise a million in three days without seeking help from her spouse, who was right there with her?
An unsettling realization crossed Xander’s mind, causing his gaze to darken and his eyes to turn cold.
...
Arianna pulled up to the dock in her car and met her friend Meredith Woolston.
Meredith was in charge of organizing the performers and acted as their team leader. She arranged for them to perform on the cruise ship and handled their payments after the event.
At six o’clock, Arianna followed Meredith onto the cruise ship and entered a designated dressing room to prepare her makeup.
Several affluent individuals in their social circle recognized Arianna, not due to her fame, but because she was Xander's former fiancée.
To prevent any potential issues, Arianna discussed with Meredith the idea of wearing a mask during her performance.
When eight o’clock arrived, it was announced that the party was officially beginning. Meredith handed the dance costume to Arianna, saying, "Get dressed, Arianna, you're on soon."
Arianna had mentally prepared herself for the provocative nature of such dance costumes. However, the costume turned out to be even sexier than she had anticipated.
She hesitated for a moment.
Meredith urged her, "Think about the pay, Arianna!"
Indeed... Charlie's life depended on this money. Why was she making such a fuss about the costume? Earning money through dancing was far preferable to any alternative, like sleeping with someone.
Arianna took the costume, swiftly changed into it, and stepped out with flushed cheeks.
Meredith couldn't hide her surprise as she admired Arianna's slender waist and the long legs exposed by the skirt that barely covered her thighs.
It had been a chance encounter when Meredith had seen Arianna performing a pole dance at a bar during their time abroad. The memory had stuck with her, prompting her to reach out to Arianna for this opportunity.
Meredith pumped her fist in the air, offering words of encouragement. "Good luck, Arianna!"
"Thank you," Arianna replied with a smile.
She took a deep breath, donned a mask, and stepped gracefully onto the stage.
As the music began, Arianna grasped the steel pole and started her dance with elegance. Her long legs wrapped around the pole, her body moving in a mesmerizing circle.
Her movements were controlled yet fluid, each action executed with precision as if she were effortlessly captivating the audience.
There was a graceful allure to her performance, not overly seductive but possessing a captivating, almost otherworldly quality that held everyone's gaze.
When Arianna finished her routine, applause erupted from the audience.
Arianna breathed lightly as she returned backstage. Meredith greeted her warmly, saying, "You were incredible, Arianna!"
After a brief pause, Meredith spoke with a hint of hesitation, "I've got both good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?"
Arianna sensed Meredith's uncertainty and prepared herself for what was to come. She pressed her lips together and responded calmly, "Let's begin with the good news."
"Well," Meredith began with a slight smile, "your performance was outstanding earlier. Mr. Felix Quimby was very impressed and he tipped you generously." She gestured with her hand, counting off on her fingers,
"Five hundred thousand."
Arianna nodded, taking in the information with a measured expression.
Knowing Arianna's goal was to earn one million, achieving half of it in such a short time was a significant accomplishment. Meredith couldn't help but feel pleased for Arianna.
Money wasn't in short supply among the guests, so their tips were often lavish. Arianna remained composed, though curious.
"And the bad news?"
Speaking of that, Meredith couldn't help but sigh. "The bad news is... Mr. Quimby wants to have a drink with you in the VIP room."
Other performers might have welcomed such invitations as opportunities to mingle with wealthy individuals and potentially advance their careers. They would eagerly accept an invitation to the VIP room, but Arianna wasn't there to pursue those interests.
When Meredith first met Arianna, she initially perceived her as someone who would do anything for money. However, as they grew closer, Meredith learned that Arianna, despite valuing financial stability, had her own principles and boundaries.
Indeed, Arianna was that kind of person.
She frowned slightly. "And what if I decline?"
"Meredith, I know you understand I'm not comfortable with that kind of socializing," Arianna replied, her expression mirroring Wendy's concern.
"But Mr. Quimby is the party's host," Wendy said with a deeper frown than Arianna's. "I can help you refuse someone else, but turning down his invitation won't be easy. If you refuse, at the very least, you might lose the money. I'm just worried about potential repercussions..."
Those affluent young men were born into privilege and were used to getting their way without question. Arianna, having grown up in that social circle, knew their expectations all too well.
Furthermore, Meredith had been instrumental in securing valuable opportunities for her. Arianna didn't want to jeopardize Meredith's reputation, as it could affect future prospects with these wealthy individuals seeking similar arrangements.
Arianna offered a reassuring smile and gently squeezed Meredith's hand. "Alright then, I'll go and join him for a drink."
Instead of Meredith breathing a sigh of relief, her furrowed brows betrayed her concern. "Are you sure you're okay with this, Arianna? If you really don't want to, I... I can figure something out."
"I'll manage, don't worry," Arianna assured her.
It was relatively straightforward to handle that clique of men. Appearing submissive was sufficient, given their exposure to numerous attractive women. They were keenly aware of their public image and wouldn't make trouble as long as Arianna didn't provoke them.
Arianna draped a coat over her shoulders, replaced her mask, and accompanied Meredith to the entrance of the largest VIP room on the cruise ship.
Meredith halted and turned to her. "This is where I leave you, Arianna. I'll be waiting outside. Just give me a call if you need anything."
Arianna felt a surge of gratitude. "I'll go in now."
She pushed open the door and entered.
