Chapter 69 Like The Wind
Ariana’s POV:
“Why do you think she locked herself in the abandoned storage room?”
“Foolish.”
“She seems smart, but really, her brain is not quite there?
“I agree.”
+8 Pearls
I had just awoken and caught the tail end of Stefan and lan’s conversation. Stefan’s word–foolish–echoed in my ears.
My head spun lightly, and my eyelids were leaden, but my mind snapped to attention, honed sharp by the sterile scent of disinfectant. I was in a hospital; I had been rescued.
A sigh of relief escaped me, which lan, ever alert, instantly picked up on. “Ah, you’re awake. Let me check on you.”
I opened my eyes and batted away Ian’s approaching hand. Tim fine, really, completely fine.”
Jan stifled a chuckle. “Heard us, did you? Well, the truth stings. Now, how did you end up locked in there? If Stefan hadn’t returned when he did, or if he’d been delayed, you might not have made it
1 clammed up, too mortified to recount the ordeal. The mere thought sent chills down my spine.
Leaving the hospital after my IV treatment, close to midnight, my legs shook, and sweat drenched my skin.
Stefan, watching with a mix of impatience and disdain, finally scooped me up. “Always finding trouble.”
I felt a wave of injustice. How was I to know that door would be a trap! They say curiosity killed the cat, and indeed, it was sheer boredom that spurred my misadventure.
The realization dawned slowly; Stefan’s restrictions were partly to blame. “If you hadn’t confined me to the house, I wouldn’t have been so bored, curious about that door, or caused any trouble.”
Stefan shot me a glance. “Once you’re steady on your feet, you can return to work.”
His words caught me off guard. “You’re not keeping me anymore?”
He didn’t answer, just ‘dumped me into the car and drove us home.
The next day was a weekend.
Stefan didn’t head to the office. After breakfast, he led me on a ‘tour‘ of the Jablonsky Residence, pointedly showing me the room I had been locked in, ensuring I took in every detail.
I was confused. “What’s this about?”
With a trace of sarcasm, Stefan replied, “Just feeding your curiosity. I fear if it’s not satisfied, you might not be so lucky time. Curious still? It’s merely a heap of junk. What’s there to be drawn to
Chastened, I murmured, “How could I have known it was just junk before seeing it?”
Stefan lit a cigarette, pulled me away, and commanded that the door be removed and the room cleared of all debris.
Later that afternoon, after a nap, I woke up parched. Reaching for a glass of ice water, Angela intercepted it. “You’re too weak for cold drinks now. I’ll make you some tea. You don’t know the fright you gave us. Stefan found you drenched and pale as
I could almost picture it and asked nonchalantly, “And then?”
Angela animatedly recounted, “Stefan thought you were dead. His hands trembled when he touched you. Carrying you out.
1/2
12:07 PM
Chapter 69 Like The Wind
A small smile played on my lips. “That fast, like the wind?”
Angela gestured broadly. “Yes, so fast that I couldn’t keep up.”
As she finished, Stefan appeared at the kitchen door. “I was terrified you’d die here. The house would be cursed.”
