Chapter 13: A Visit

Arielle laid comfortably in her bed with the leftovers of her cold lingering through her body. The random onslaught of coughs had taken her off guard and she couldn't fathom how such wonderful weather seemed to appear while she remained indoors. Even the small garden her mother had planted, just inches from her window, couldn't pull her from the warmth of her blankets.

She didn't recall being around anyone who could have gotten her sick and she hadn't remembered any germy scenario that could have caused it. Even in her yelling match with Alexander, they weren't standing close enough for any germs to fly off of him toward her. Right?

Arielle sighed and shook her head. He seemed perfectly fine when she called him and called out.

Calling out.

Arielle called out for the first time in her life. She twisted and groaned, pulling the blankets with her. She wondered if Alexander would view her as an unreliable employee because of it. While picking at her bottom lip, her mind wandered to the fast-paced machine that was the AMI tower. Everyone was constantly moving and fulfilling new assignments. She was just another cog in the wheel and it felt that she hardly kept up with them all. With the flow that seemed to exist well before she completed high school. Some days, she wondered if it was meant for her.

Yet now, there she lay, unable to go to work with a cold and wondering how backed up they may be because of her.

"I needed this," she whispered to herself while twirling a messy curly between her fingers. The frizz was beyond apparent, but she hadn't planned to fix it anytime soon.

"I need the space from him," she repeated. Her weakened voice would be difficult to hear just from a few feet away. It was clear that she was trying to convince herself and it wasn't working.

The space from Mr. Marquee was needed, but was it wanted? She didn't know. He had somehow rented a steady spot in her mind, his dark brown eyes staring back at hers even while being miles apart, and refused to leave without a gentle shove. As if he had built an oasis there, constantly inviting her to sit and talk with him. She realized that she was beginning to grow in curiosity about him.

Everything about him. What did he do as a hobby? Did he have more friends than the one she met? Who were his parents? What food did he like? He spoke so little about it all, but then again- she requested that space. She denied the invitation to dinner and she wondered if she was making the right decision.

He took a liking to her. And on days like this one, she wondered why.

"Mi hija!" Her mother sang, pulling Arielle from her thoughts, her mother's long flowing hair moved gracefully as she entered the room. A small tray rested against her hip as she balanced it and a book in her other hand. The wafting scent of breakfast leaped off of the small tray and entered Arielle's nose, earning her interest. Arielle's rushing thoughts abruptly ended- leaving her there to realize that she had once again gone on to think about him.

"Hm?" Arielle hummed, barely moving. Although her cold had mostly gone, her body felt sore with the pangs of fatigue and brain fog. She blinked many times to regain focus, but her vision blurred more instead.

Angelina sighed and set down the small devotional she had in her hand. She glanced over at her daughter. Arielle's nose was bright red, something her mother wouldn't point out, or else her daughter would likely shield it from her sight. The memory of such a reaction gained a small chuckle from Angelina. She held the full tray against her apron, waiting for her daughter to sit up properly.

She could hear Arielle's stomach grumble at the sight of the food she prepared early that morning. Her cold had barely allowed her to drink water, let alone consume entire meals, but her stomach begged for sustenance.

"Good morning, mama." She murmured as she steadily brought herself to a sitting position. "Thank you for this, it smells amazing."

"It seems like you're ready to stomach food. Well here, I switched up my recipe," Angelina spoke with a small smile on her face. She placed the tray down on Arielle's lap and began to dust off her apron while looking around the slightly messy room.

"Your room has seen better days," Angelina chuckled.

"Oh ignore that please," Arielle laughed while gently pressing a hand against her forehead. "I really need to pick things up and sort my laundry, I just need a little more time." She spoke with a nod.

Arielle paused mid-bite and looked back up at her mom. She caught sight of a floral dress beneath her apron. It was new or well-kept and hidden.

"Mom, are you going 0ut?" Arielle asked.

"Oh, not right now. I want to be here with you, but I did receive an invitation for lunch." She replied joyfully.

Arielle's jaw dropped. "Lunch? Is this a- I thought you didn't do the whole dating thing?"

Angelina quickly raised her hands. "It's not a date," she laughed. "The women's group at church planned a lady's brunch a month ago. I'm sorry it fell on a day like this. I can stay if you need me to-"

"No, go. You've been stuck in this house long enough. I really appreciate everything, mom. If I need anything I can call you." Arielle assured her mom. "But where's the dress from? It's nice."

"Oh, this is from Daisy." She pulled at the fabric, making it easier to see the detail of its floral design.

"Daisy? Hm..." Arielle searched her memory for a Daisy, but none came to mind. "Have I met her?" She finally asked.

"Hm, no actually I don't think you have. Daisy is Hope's niece. She's come into town for a little while to visit." Angelina explained as she began to pick up a few small things off of Arielle's floor.

"Oh, well, either way, it was really nice of her to buy that for you." Arielle replied.

Angelina nodded. "It really was. She technically didn't buy it for me. It was the wrong size and past the return window." She chuckled. "We laughed about it and then she offered it to me."

Arielle sipped on her orange juice and fought back a smile at her mother's comment.

"Well you look very nice, mom. If you had the time, would you have breakfast with me?" She asked in a hopeful manner.

"Of course! Let me grab some for myself and I'll be right back," Arielle's mother smiled before exiting her daughter's bedroom. She missed the small conversations her mother and she had while she was back home. She hadn't realized just how much.

There he stood.

He felt like a creep. Alexander stood quietly outside Arielle's home. The cool of the day couldn't pull his mind from her. The gentle breeze did not pull his eyes from her pink-stained cheeks. Arielle's curtains were pulled back from her window, and he could tell. Her legs were noticeably crossed as she sat at the edge of her bed, speaking to someone.

He awkwardly adjusted the large basket in his hands, feeling grateful for its weight as though it kept him grounded, and made his way over to their home. He would have to offer her a one-way tinted window for her own privacy. It disturbed him to see how easily he could view her from afar. Those who couldn't be trusted could then do the same if they did nothing to fix it.

Alexander shook his head. He couldn't focus on this now. He neared the small wooden door and took a deep breath before knocking. It was only slightly larger than his frame.

Within a few moments, a small woman opened it. Her face brightened and he immediately recognized her to be Arielle's mother. Their features were nearly identical.

"Mr. Marquee. I didn't expect you to turn up here." She greeted politely.

Me. Marquee's shoulders relaxed at her tone. She wasn't angered by his presence, nor did she seem as upset as she had appeared to be when they had met at church.

"Uh, yes. I should have called first. I-" he gestured to the basket in his hands. "I wanted to bring Ms. Burnes a get-well present. I sent something in the mail, but I believe they may have lost it." He replied in a professional tone with a smile to match.

Angelina nodded her head, mimicking the letter O with her mouth. "We didn't receive a basket, so y0u may be very right about that." She laughed lightly. "Well here, come on in. I'll call Arielle to see if she's up for a visit. I don't want you waiting outside though." She waved him in and Alexander happily obliged.

She quickly scurried from the kitchen and living area to go toward Arielle's room. This was the first time he could truly take in their home. His last visit was to remove a threat and his eyes were solely focused on the two strange men who broke in. Yet now, he could see just how small their home had been. It seemed that their kitchen and living room were just the size of his bedroom- if even.

The hushed voices from down the hall could be heard from where he stood. He likely could have sat on their couch, but it appeared frail and he feared that he'd break it with his weight.

Small footsteps re-entered the living room, causing his head to perk up quickly. He realized that he was beginning to feel nervous at the idea of her presence alone. For the first time in a long time, Alexander felt ill-prepared. The hand-weaved basket filled with gifts didn't seem large enough to hide the anxiety festering horribly in his chest. It felt as though it had begun to creep through his veins, taking him whole. He gulped and shook his shoulders lightly as he released a breath.

"Hi," he spoke quietly. His words were air more than they were syllables. He pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out another breath before looking up at them again.

It was when he did, that he noticed that Arielle's cheeks were flushed, matching the red hue of her nose. Her skin thankfully kept its warmth, it was a sign that she was healing rather well. When he spotted her hair, his lips twitched as he fought back a smile. It was messy. Messier than he'd ever seen it to be, yet somehow she remained the most beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on.

"Hi," she replied back. Equally as quiet. Equally as breathy. Yet did she feel equally as happy to see him as he did her?

His abrupt arrival in her neighborhood was meant to be a kind gesture, stemming from his heart. The same heart that felt inflamed with affection every time he laid his eyes on her- whether it be in his mind or in that moment.

It was just a kind gesture, there was nothing to worry about. He encouraged himself. His eyes softened as he studied her face.

Arielle cleared her throat awkwardly. Her foot shuffled along with her mother's small smile telling him that he had been staring at her face much longer than he realized.

Angelina spoke up first. "Since we have company, why don't you eat your breakfast with him? I can begin prepping lunch for you to have while I'm away, so I'll be right over there." She pointed over to the kitchen that shared the same space as their living room. He knew that her comment was also a reminder that she would likely hear parts of their conversation or maybe none at all, but the older woman would be able to see them easily. Alexander found comfort in that thought. Maybe it would lessen the chance of another argument.

"Of course, thank you." Alexander nodded in gratitude. His eyes immediately fell back onto Arielle who stood in the same place. Small tendrils of curls fell out of the bun that feebly tries to hold them in. She had barely budged from her spot.

Arielle watched her mother's retreating figure and her eyes landed back on Alexander. Unbeknownst to him, she felt happy to see him. Something she didn't expect to feel, yet there they were, sharing space and she didn't feel the urge to run or make more space.

"Hi," she spoke again, but louder. Alexander beckoned her over with a wave of his hand. He took a seat on one far end of the couch, leaving a large gap. She saw this and smiled at the gesture, taking a seat on the opposite end. She felt comfort in knowing her mother was nearby. She didn't know what would come of his visit, but she knew that she wasn't alone and hopefully, it wouldn't be awkward.

"Hi Arielle, I-  I would be lying if I said that I felt no worry for you. I just wanted to be sure that you were okay." He began. His dark eyes were filled with compassion as he watched her. She realized then that his eyes weren't so dark. There were slivers of gold, very few of them, but they were there. There were flecks of resist brown near the center. It was a like an Auburn and gold forest calling her by name and so she pulled herself out of them.

"Oh," she began and looked down. "I'm sorry to have caused you any worry." She slowly raised her head to look back at him. "I'm beginning to feel better and so I can return to work soon. I just need some more time. Maybe a day or two?"

"Well, that's partially why I'm here, Arielle," Alexander spoke. His demeanor began to shift it was clear that something was wrong.

"I'm sorry, did something happen?" She asked and sat herself up straight while turning her body slightly. The thoughts of food had quickly left her body. She could see her mother glancing over from the kitchen island. The light from the outside flowed into the small space and the tall trees that usually calmed her seemed to fade even further into the background.

"It's becoming a larger safety risk to have you nearby. I spoke with my cousin, Vincent. Lorenzo left a note, a threat. It's not safe for you to do a constant commute. He's placed various checkpoints and I can't find them all. He wants me, but he wants to use you to get to me." Alexander sighed while holding his head. "His empire is crashing and I've been one of the largest contributors toward that fact. He wants revenge in any way he can get it." Alexander continued with a weak smile.

"So what does this mean?" Arielle asked.

"I'll have to place you on paid leave. Indefinitely." Alexander replied empathetically.

"Indefinitely?" Arielle appeared to flinch at the word. Itseemed like such a simple word had torn her career apart.

"Until we can get this figured out. If we can't have this resolved, along with your safety ensured within 3 months, we will have to part ways when it comes to employment." Alexander responded.

"You mean that you'll have to fire me?" Arielle asked quietly.

"I don't want to, but-"

"But you think that you'll have to. How could this happen?" Arielle whispered to herself.

"I'm sorry. I care for you and your safety. Arielle, this would be for the best." He reminded her. She didn't deny that this would likely keep her much safer and take some of the guards off of their toes, but it was something that she wished she could fix.

"Why?" She asked. Finally raising her eyes again to meet his gaze. His eyes widened slightly at her question.

Why? He wasn't expecting such a simple yet exposing question to be asked of him from her. His heart felt that it would explode. He wanted to her. To know every bit of truth from her. He wanted her. That was why.

Arielle wondered if he could hear the pounding in her chest. Her heart squabbling not to give way.

"Why?" He repeated. His demeanor had shifted, that she could tell. The coolness and calmness that he radiated just moments before were replaced by fingers that wouldn't stop fidgeting, a left leg that wouldn't stop shaking, and his hand that ran through his hair repetitively.

"Yes, why do you care about me?" She asked softly. Her large brown eyes were weakening him and she didn't have a clue. He could laugh at the bittersweet moment he was being forced to live through. He swallowed and sat up straighter, trying his best not to melt under her gaze. The very gaze he wanted, yet under different pretenses. Preferably when a rival wasn't searching for her head and when she could reciprocate his feelings. He could tell that she wasn't angered by his care, but he didn't catch onto the new part of her that desired to know why.

Silence.

Her mind was going a million miles per minute. Arielle had concentrated for years and scheduled ahead for every academic achievement. She prayed hard for this opportunity. Her eyes wandered over to her mother who stood at the far left side of the kitchen, reaching for the fridge, completely unaware of her daughter's future altering in their own living room.

Chills raced down her arms, forming goosebumps, but she took a deep breath. Nothing she said could change this. She understood why he had to do this. Breathing a short breath, she glimpsed over at his shaking leg. Atop it was a well-wrapped basket filled with toiletries and trinkets. Her jaw dropped for a moment, taking in the surprise. His lack of response made her feel as though she were under a microscope. Changing the subject wouldn't hurt.

"Is... Is that for me?" She asked slowly while pointing toward the gift.

"Oh," he snapped out of his stupor. His mouth fell open and close as his eyes fell to the basket and his hands awkwardly motioned around it. "This? Yes, yes, its for you." He replied quickly. She could see his adam's apple bob as he swallowed nervously. Arielle gave her boss a small smile. It was a kind gesture and she would be harsh if she didn't thank him and she would be lying if she said she wasn't thankful.

"Thank you, Mr. Marquee. This is really... Sweet." She smiled slowly. She gently pulled at the large ribbon that held the plastic close.

"I was thinking, Arielle. I wanted to apologize. For everything. You have been a remarkable employee and I'm the reason why you're in this mess. I've also overstepped the boundaries that you plainly set for me. I-" he paused. Arielle found herself smiling softly as she listened. Her aching body seemed to relax, the discomfort from her cold fleeing from her bones.

"I've learned more about you from working with you every day and I would be lying if I said that weren't interested in you." Mr. Marquee paused. He realized that something new was in her gaze.

Did she desire to know him too? He wondered.

"But I must respect your wishes. So I give this to you as a get-well-soon gift and a peace offering. Can we start over?" He requested while aiding her in opening the gift basket.

"That- that is very thoughtful of you. So kind of like work friends?" She asked.

He chuckled with his shoulders visibly relaxing. "I'd say yes, but you did share that it wouldn't be appropriate for us to have a friendship. Besides, we will have little contact since you will be away from the office for the unforeseeable future- hopefully, I can resolve the issue that Lorenzo has continued to inflate. My guards will be around you 24/7, but I will not be. You will receive the space you requested."

Arielle's jaw dropped slightly, but she nodded quickly and closed her mouth back. Her mother looked over with a curious gaze, but Arielle nodded her head in her direction in an attempt to reassure her.

"Thank you, Mr. Marquee." She responded cordially. For a moment, she felt uncomfortable with the formalities, but she pushed it off.

He wanted to smile at her, to give her a genuine smile, but he couldn't. It didn't reach his eyes. It was as if a part of him had turned off, switching into autopilot. No emotion swam in the dark pools that belonged to Alexander Marquee. Arielle watched him and she found that she disliked the void in his eyes. She recognized an emotion building up within her. Sadness, but yet again, she shrugged it off.

For a brief moment, Alexander was sure that he saw something in her stare, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. This would keep her safe and this was what she wanted. His father would be upset to hear that his son had become so easily enthralled by a woman he hardly knew, a woman that demanded space.

Yet the silence was deafening. Alexander blew out a breath and gave Arielle another quick and sharp smile before slapping his hands on his knees and coming to a stand. She quickly came to a stand beside him, both opening their mouths to speak at the same time

"I think I may be wrong-"

"I should be going-"

Their words collided, followed by silence. Arielle glanced over at her mother who had turned her back to wash a container at the kitchen sink.

"What?" His question filled the small living space. His dark eyes held emotion within them again, no longer being the dark void it was before.

"I said-" Arielle paused. Was this smart? No. She didn't know for certain. "It isn't important. I am truly sorry- um yes, my apologies, Mr. Marquee. I don't want to hold you any longer. I know you have many things to do." She replied with a tight-lipped smile.

He nodded slowly, the hope in his eyes dimming to the point of erasure. "Okay." He answered back stoically. "I truly do appreciate the opportunity in talking to you. Your weekly checks will reflect the same pay rate you have already been receiving and if you need anything from me, you can alert one of the guards. I will be sending you a detailed list of their names, physical descriptions, and phone numbers for your own safety." He listed off the information like a robot and Arielle cringed inwardly knowing that she somehow made it worse.

He swiveled his head to see Angelina coming his way with a small plastic container.

"I saw you standing and I assume you have to go. Here, take this with you. You can return it when you're able." She offered with a motherly smile. The comment took a jab at his heart. He didn't know if he'd ever be "able" to set foot in this house again without crumbling.

"Oh, I don't think I'll be returning," he responded to her apologetically.

"Then keep it. We have plenty," she reassured him. Alexander nodded and smiled down at the older woman. "Thank you, Mrs. Burnes."

"Not a problem dear. Arielle, would you be so kind as to walk Mr. Marquee-" Angelina paused as she stared behind Alexander. Arielle signaled something to her mother that Alexander couldn't see. He was puzzled by her pause and turned, but the exchange had already ended by then.

"Hm?" He hummed curiously.

"Never mind, I'll walk you out. Thank you again for stopping by." She responded cheerfully.

Each step went against his own hope, but he pushed through. Any sign of growth or change he had thought to be there was squandered.

It was no one's fault, but his own. He thought.

Once reaching the door, Alexander could see that Arielle had already retreated back to her room, taking the basket with her. He sighed in relief that she seemed to like it- or she pitied him. Another thought rang through. He shook his head, ignoring it. More emotional misery wasn't necessary.

"I hope we'll see you again sometime soon?" Angelina asked.

Alexander released a breathy sigh and shook his head, causing a hair to fall on his face. "Not for a while." He gave her a small smile. It was another one that didn't quite reach his eyes, but he turned quickly, hoping that she wouldn't be able to see how fake it had been. It would be easy to pick it apart like a fallen prop. He coached himself in taking each step.

He needed to or else he would fall. He would fall and he would crumble right before their home and there would be a witness to his heartbreaking in daylight.