THE TRUTH IS REVEALED (2): SUSPICION

Arianna opened the door to see Mira seated on the bed.

' Mira, do you need anything?' Arianna asks.

' Time to change your bandages.' Mira replies.

' Thank you.' Arianna says.

She takes off her top and Mira starts changing the bandages.

Arianna's phone rings, It was Ken. Arianna chanted mantras to herself reminding herself to be calm .

' Hello.'

' Litt.. Arianna have you had dinner?' Ken asks with concern.

' Yes.' Arianna replies

' Did you take your medicine and clean the wound?' Ken asks.

' Yes I did.'

They are both silent for a fe seconds.

' Good night Mr Khurana.' Arianna says.

' Good night.' Ken manages to squeeze out.

Arianna drops the phone oblivious to the fact that the call was still connected.

' Do you like him Ari?' Mira asks.

Ken, who was about to disconnect the call, hears this question.

' I don't know Mira. Back in high school, I could bet my life that I was in love with my Senior Ken. Even when he left after his graduation, I still had hope that he would come to find me. I would tell all my classmates that he was doing something important and he would soon come. I waited for two years till I finally got news on him. I snuck out of the house and even rented a disguise to go and meet him. But then I found out I was under an illusion, he never accepted or denied my feelings. He pointed this out to me in the harshest way possible he even condemned my character without even hearing from me once. I won't lie I was actually hoping to receive a call from him saying he didn't mean what he said but.....

Since then I don't know what I feel about Ken Khurana. I know I used to like him alot. But now I think once we are done identifying this hidden enemy, we should go out separate paths and have nothing to do with each other.' Arianna says.

' You don't like him anymore?' Mira asks.

' A relationship cannot be maintained by love only. There has to be a kind of spark you feel when you see or hear the person's name, then you need to learn to trust the person and then you can love the person. But if trust couldn't be developed in 5 years of relation, there's no hope of anything between us.' Arianna replies.

' Let's not talk about all this, tell me about you and Arthur.' Arianna says changing the topic.

***************

Ken disconnected the call and ran his fingers through his hair.

She used to like him? She waited for him.

Go their separate ways? Never!

All the people close to him had been snatched away from him by destiny but not Arianna.

*****************

The next day,

Brandon did exactly what the Mastermind wanted. He published more (fabricated) important documents of the Khurana Industry and even engaged them in three more court cases.

Xavier was gloating. He didn't need to do anything.

He woke up the next morning and joined Arianna, Mira and Arian at the breakfast table.

' Arian what happened to your hand.' Fred asks feigning concern.

' He got hurt at the park.' Arianna replies.

' You need to be more careful next time.' Fred says.

' Okay Uncle.' Arian replies.

' I haven't seen the others around.' Fred says.

' Riona, Raymond, Ashley and Skyler went to attend Skyler's concert in Washington while Arthur is making arrangements for his company's establishment.' Arianna replies.

' Oh, and they left us all behind.' Fred says.

' I have something to finish up here. After Mira and I will take a trip to Paris.' Arianna replies.

Xavier thought she was talking about finishing Ken and he smiled.

' Hey! Why am I not involved?' Arian says pouting.

' Because it is Ari-Mira trip. Last year You and I went on a trip to Italy and Mira didn't come with us.' Arianna replies.

' We'll only be gone for a week.' Mira says.

' A WEEK? Mom! How can I stay a week without you? Don't you know how much I love you?' Arian says playing cute.

Mira says something to Arian in sign language and Arian immediately smiles.

' You guys enjoy your trip. Make sure to video call me every day.' Arian says.

' What did you do to make him change his mind?' Arianna asks suspiciously.

' It's a secret.' Mira replies.

' I have to leave now, I might be back late I have an important meeting.' Fred says as he stands up.

Mira's phone rings and her face turns red.

' Yea yea, go speak to your beloved Arthur. Don't kill us spinsters with dog food.' Arianna replies.

Mira excuses herself and goes to her room.

' Mom let's play treasure hunt.' Arian says.

' No way! You are hurt, you need to rest.' Arianna replies.

' But it's a form of exercise and besides you will be the one to seek the treasures. It can even help me get my mind of the injury. Please Mom, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaase.' Arian says looking at Arianna with his big blue eyes.

' Alright.' Arianna says.

' Yaaay!' Arian replies.

' I feel like I am spoiling you.' Arianna says.

' You can't help it. I'm way too irresistible.' Arian replies with pride.

*******************

' Sir, the ring was made for a man called Xavier Stone. We are trying to dig out more information, I'll get back to you in two days.' A man says to Brandon.

' Okay.' Brandon replies.

Two more days to unravel this mystery man.

*******************

Two hours later,

' One last treasure to find and I win.' Arianna says happily as she clutched 5 small treasure chests.

' The last clue is... Wooden comfort and glory, beauty which products enhance, finds it comfort zone in an Uncle's abode.' Arian read the slip of paper and passes it to Arian.

Wooden comfort and glory? It is made up of wood.

Beauty enhancement, skincare products, accessories.

In an Uncle's abode..

Dressing table is wooden, it holds several accessories and it must be in either Fred's or Raymond's room as they are both uncles.

It must be in Fred's, I have checked Raymond's room before.

Arianna thought as she made her way to Fred's room.

She went to the table and looked through the cupboard, she found a stunning chain with the pendant containing the initials, XS

She checked the other drawers till she found the treasure chest. She was about leaving when she knocked into hair gel spilling a little on the floor.

She drops the chest and packs the liquid back into the container.

She spots a rag and takes it to the bathroom. She dampens the rag when something at the sink catches her eyes. It was a brown container, it was hair dye?

Fred wasn't a natural brown? How did he have dye on his hair for five years? She decided not to ask him. He might have his own reasons. She cleaned up the mess and left the room with the treasure chest.

' You are getting smarter, you beat your record of five hours. I'm a good coach.' Arian says.

' How are you so narcissistic?' Arianna ask shaking her head.

' Mom, you thought me how to appreciate the good things of life and I just happened to be one of them.' Arian replies patting his shoulder.

Arianna's phone starts beeping.

' It's your Uncle Brandon, I'll be back.' Arianna says leaving.

' Take your time.' Arian says as he made his way to the kitchen to have snacks.

' Lady Boss. The ring is bought under the name Xavier Stone, I have asked my men to check for information about him.' Brandon says.

' Xavier Stone?. I don't know any Xavier Stone.' Arianna replies. Suddenly her mind went to the pendant, XS.

' I will inform you when I have more information. Take care of yourself and the Young Master.' Brandon says and hangs up.

Xavier Stone? XS.

Fred Shane-Xavier Stone. XS, Brown dye.

Arianna could feel suspicion growing.

No she couldn't doubt Fred, she knew the importance of trust and she needed to trust him. Moreover, the truth would be revealed in two days.

If only she knew the storm that was brewing.

On the internet, a video was trending.