Chapter 3 A New Life

"Hi, Ariel. I'm Jasmine's Father"

Ariel studied him more closely. He had perfectly flawless skin, clear brown eyes and even if his hair was already turning grey, it suited him even more. He could be on any magazine cover without even having to bat an eye. Ariel rapidly snapped out of her trance and bowed, as a form of greeting. "You don't need to be so polite, come here." He stated, "How are you?" Ariel didn't know how to reply to that question.

Why was this stranger showing her such care? She knew for sure that he had no ulterior motives because no one in their right senses would pay her hospital bills for five years just because they wanted to traffic her or anything like that. She took a deep breath and replied. "I'm fine sir". The Doctor motioned her to do closer and she did. " Uh, did Jasmine come along with you? I would like to thank her for----" Mr Carter cut her short with a sigh.

"I told you to stop being so polite, you're going to make my heart act up again. Besides Jasmine is studying abroad for the time being" Ariel could hardly believe her ears, she had never met such a childish old man before, but strangely his presence made it easy for her to relax.

She finally looked up to meet his eyes and offered an awkward smile. "See, there we go. That wasn't hard was it?" Mr Carter Smiled at her and sat down on the couch also motioning her to take her seat in front of him. "I'm very grateful for how you saved my daughter back then, Jasmine explained everything to me but before anything I want to ask you about your family?"

Ariel's heart skipped a beat when that question was asked. Her gaze lowered and her hand clutched onto her blue hospital dress. She shuddered and bit her lips to prevent an outburst. 'Family'? What was that? Did she have one? For all she knew she was just another random number in the country's population.

"Ariel?" Mr Carter called out expecting an answer but he was only shocked to his wits when she stood up and knelt on the floor. Her face twisted with pain, she couldn't take it anymore and if this was what it took to start a new, then she wasn't going to let go for anything in this world. "Please, is it okay if I don't return?" She cried and the duo stared at her in shock.

Who in their right senses wouldn't want to be reunited with her family after staying apart for almost five years?

Or was there something else that they were missing? It could be put into consideration by remembering the fact that even when she was out of danger, she didn't wake up from her coma, it was almost like she didn't want to wake up. Could her reason have been something related to her family?

"Ariel, you don't have to beg. If you do not want to go back no one will force me. I believe that you are past twenty and you are of legal age to decide for yourself what you want" Mr Carter stated sternly.

Ariel felt goosebumps course through her body. Was he serious and not bothered by the fact that he knew nothing about her? 'People are so gullible' She thought before rising to take her seat.

"You could come home with me, Jasmine is gone for the time being and that Unfilial son of mine wouldn't even come to visit his own father." Me carter paused, dramatically holding his left hand on his chest and wiping his fake tears. Ariel almost chuckled at his childish display.

"It would be an honour to go with you Mr Carter" She smiled warmly and her smile lit up the room. Ariel didn't want to be controlled by anyone but Mr Carter appeared to be cheerful, what could go wrong?

******************** Winter was finally fading and it had stopped snowing, the chilly February climate felt like nothing short of a blessing because it had snowed heavily the previous month. In a very expensive Italian restaurant, a man sat lazily checking her wristwatch every now and then.

Octavia Loftis had booked an appointment with Haylon Carter the previous week but he was yet to drive even after forty-five minutes. She didn't want to call because she knew how hot-tempered Haylon Carter was and she needed him to model for Royalty Fashion house's new spring collection. She decided to wait for an extra fifteen minutes to make it an hour.

"Mrs Loftis would you like me to take your order now?" A sharply dressed waiter smiled warmly at her. Octavia wasn't surprised at how they knew her name. She was the uprising queen of the fashion world, besides being very successful she was also beautiful. She had creamé dyed hair which was styled in an Asymmetric cut, her brown eyes were as clear as spring water and her slightly tan skin shone like a million stars had been strewn on them she also had a silhouette many could only dream of. "Hun, Just a cup of Iced American for now" She smiled back at the waiter who left grinning like a kid.

A whole twenty-five minutes had passed before she finally got up and left. Even if Haylon Carter was one of the most popular Models in the world, that was no reason for him to waste her time like that. She drove directly to his Agency and parked in the underground parking lot. Even if she was quite popular and influential, she had to drop the act when it came to The Carters.

Although they liked to keep a low profile, everyone knew not to mess with them as they were the most powerful family on the whole continent. Even political leaders and kings bowed before them.

Octavia took her black quilted bag and breathed in, adjusting her polarized glasses before walking stepping out of her car to the elevator. Fortunately for her, she saw someone familiar rushing out of the elevator. "What a pleasant surprise. Dawn, I was just about to go see you" She smiled at the sight of Mr Carter's Assistant. "Mrs Loftis I rang your assistant a few hours ago let you know that Mr Carter wouldn't be meeting you today. An Emergency came up" Willson explained and Octavia gnashed her teeth.

Did Gracie really forget to inform her?

That dumb assistant of hers was so dead!

"Ahh, is that so? I'm sorry for keeping you waiting Mr Dawn" Octavia smiled politely and they parted ways. Immediately she got into the car her face twisted and she angrily picked up her phone and put a call across to her manager. "Hello, Mrs Loftis is there anything I can do for you?" The receiver greeted politely and she yelled. "I give you five minutes to fire Gracie or you're dead" She hung up the phone immediately and hissed before putting her car on reverse and heading home.

After a long hour's drive, she got home exhausted and just parked her car clumsily before throwing the key at the butler. "Good Evening Mrs Loftis" The maids greeted and she made her way into the Mansion.

The Loftis Mansion was quite distinguished and huge. Her father was the only child and he didn't have many friends. When her grandparents and her mother died it was only her and her father until the witch (Her Stepmother) showed up. "Octavia, you're home, What took you so long?" A heavy voice echoed through the room. Lance Loftis was Octavia Loftis's Husband, and even though they were married she insisted her husband took her family name instead.

"It's that pompous Haylon Carter's fault, he cancelled our meeting at the last minute and Gracie didn't even bother to put a call across to me" She complained, her eyes blazed with anger as she made for the stairs. "And there I was making a fool out of myself, I waited for more than two hours in that Goddamned restaurant!" Lance only shook his head, it was very normal for Octavia to throw tantrums when she was displeased by something, saying something would only worsen her mood so he let her be. Octavia walked into her room and flung her bag on the bed. A scrawny-looking girl was already waiting for her as she helped her with her clothes and knelt to remove her shoes. "Run a hot bath for me" She ordered and the girl hurried to get it done knowing what would happen if she made a slight mistake.

Octavia let her eyes wander around the elegant bedroom which had a huge king-sized bed and a closet filled only with limited edition wears and Tailored dresses. Octavia was simply living the life of royalty. Her gaze finally settled on the paper next to the bed. She picked it up and inspected the old and rough sketch on it, at the bottom of the paper were the initials 'D.L' boldly written in cursive handwriting.

The corners of Octavia's mouth quirked up in a creepy smile as she stared at the paper. "Thank you for being such a Genius Little Sis" she grinned and placed it down on the table before walking into the bathroom.