CHAPTER 64
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
The sound echoed in Arianna's ear, mirroring the rapid beating of her heart.
Just as the call teetered on the brink of voicemail, a voice answered.
"Hello?"
To Arianna's surprise, it wasn't Xander on the other end. Frowning slightly, she inquired,
"Is this Ronald?"
"Yes, I am. You must be Ms. Johnson," Ronald deduced from her voice.
"Are you trying to reach Mr. King? Unfortunately, he's currently tied up in a meeting and unable to take your call. Can I inquire about the urgency of your matter?"
Arianna, feeling pressed for time, quickly summarized her situation to Ronald.
"Ronald, please relay my message to Xander. Thank you!" she implored before ending the call.
Ronald seemed inclined to ask further questions, but the looming deadline cut their conversation short. Suddenly, the door swung open, and the policeman swiftly retrieved Arianna's phone.
"Follow me," he commanded tersely.
Taking a deep breath, Arianna complied, rising from her seat and trailing after him.
The guard conducted a thorough search, confiscating all of Arianna's belongings before leading her to the detention room.
With a chilling demeanor, the guard gestured towards the steel door. "Go in," she commanded.
Steeling herself, Arianna stepped forward and entered the room, the heavy steel door closing behind her with a resounding clang, sealing her fate within.
As Arianna found herself alone in the detention room, a sense of relief washed over her. She sought out a quiet corner and settled herself there, her thoughts swirling.
She couldn't help but wonder when Rochelle would discover her voicemail and whether Xander would take swift action upon learning of her plight.
Hugging her knees to her chest, Arianna pondered the looming question: would Xander come to her rescue?
With each passing moment, the silence outside the door grew heavier, amplifying Arianna's sense of isolation. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, leaving her trapped in a limbo of uncertainty.
Arianna lost track of time in the desolate detention room until the distant echo of approaching footsteps shattered the silence.
Her heart leaped with anticipation as the footsteps drew nearer, halting just outside her door. Arianna's gaze snapped up eagerly, hoping to catch a glimpse of her rescuer.
Could it be Rochelle... or perhaps Xander?
But as the door swung open, Arianna's hopes were dashed. Instead of familiar faces, three formidable middle-aged women entered the room in succession.
As the guard closed the door and departed, the atmosphere in the room shifted palpably. The three women turned their collective attention towards Arianna, their expressions taking on a more calculating edge. Wordlessly, they closed in on her, their movements synchronized and predatory.
Arianna's instincts immediately went on high alert. She sensed trouble brewing, just as she had feared...
With a growing sense of unease, Arianna rose to her feet, her fists clenched in readiness. She had already assessed her surroundings; the detention room was secluded at the end of a corridor, isolated from the outside world.
No amount of shouting for help would reach anyone beyond these walls.
Arianna's silver needles, her trusted weapons, were always within reach, but they were now in the hands of the guards who had searched her upon arrival. Left with only her bare fists, she braced herself for the impending confrontation
Bracing herself, Arianna prepared to face whatever threat these women posed, determined to defend herself at all costs.
The three women exchanged knowing glances before one of them, a burly figure with a sneer, spoke up.
"Well, well, what do we have here? Looks like we stumbled upon a little birdie who thinks she can challenge us."
To them, Arianna appeared nothing more than a delicate young woman, her skin soft and unblemished. How could she possibly pose a threat to them?
Her companions chuckled darkly in agreement, their voices dripping with mockery.
"Yeah, she's practically begging for a beatdown," another chimed in, cracking her knuckles menacingly.
The third woman, her gaze cold and calculating, stepped forward, sizing Arianna up with a smirk. "You're out of your league, sweetheart. Best surrender now before things get ugly."
Arianna met their taunts with a steely glare, her jaw set in determination. "I won't go down without a fight," she retorted defiantly, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
Their laughter rang with disdain as they sized up their opponent, underestimating the fierce determination burning in Arianna's eyes.
