Chapter 4 3: A Fox's Gambit

• I felt uncomfortable while eating because I knew, and I could strongly feel, that someone was watching my every move. What's surprising is that it's not my supposed fiancé who seems interested in me, but his younger brother. He shamelessly watches me like a hawk who found its prey.
• I smile politely when Aunt Adelaide and Uncle Morgan look at me. I speak when they ask me questions.
• My attention shifts to Taddeo, thinking that since we sat next to each other at the dining table earlier, he hasn't paid attention to me yet. He doesn't glance in my direction, which gives me the impression that maybe he doesn't like this arrangement? But if so, why did he agree—or maybe everything was forced?
• "Arcel, how’s the shipping lines?"
• I didn't want to look at him, but maybe it was a mistake that I glanced in his direction. I caught Arcel Locatelli looking at me and grinning when our eyes met.
• I hate his smiles, they're obviously fake. He's one of those people who like to smile but are up to something not good. I'm not judging him, I'm just saying based on my perception of him.
• ‘So, you're judging him, right?’
• Shut up, mind. I don’t need your conscience right now.
• "Great, Dad." Even though he's talking to his father, he's still looking at me. I wanted to resist his gaze, but it felt like I was burning the longer I held it, so I was the first to look away.
• After the events at the dining table, Aunt Adelaide and her husband needed to leave. They said they'd be back later. Taddeo and...err, his younger brother Arcel would stay here.
• I don’t know how to strike a conversation with Taddeo. I'm afraid that if I speak, he won't pay attention to me or he might get angry. It's not that I'm a coward, but Taddeo has this intimidating aura, and I don’t want to deal with that.
• "I guess, you already know your room?"
• I was surprised when Taddeo spoke. When I turned to him, he was looking into the distance, still not looking in my direction.
• I nodded even though I wasn't sure if he saw it.
• "Then, you don’t need me to show it to you."
• I was taken aback when he left my side and walked towards the house. We were outside the house earlier to see his parents off. I just watched him, slightly offended by what he said.
• "Ace, I am in the study room if you need anything."
• I noticed Arcel's familiar figure leaning casually against the doorframe.
• Arcel just nodded at his brother's words, his full attention still focused on me. Taddeo, on the other hand, had already left and disappeared from my sight.
• Wow, what a great start in this house! I must deal with the cold and rude fiancé of my sister while having to also socialize with this Arcel guy who I can't understand why he's been watching me since earlier.
• I took a deep breath and walked into the house. I was still nervous as I walked in because I was thinking that Arcel might do something to me, but he didn't.
• I walked to the second floor of the mansion and headed to the room that the housekeeper had pointed out to me earlier.
• I was in the hallway of the second floor when I felt someone following me. At first, I ignored it, but eventually, I couldn't help but turn around and look at him.
• "Why are you following me?" I wanted to be confrontational, but then I remembered that's not how my sister acts when facing other people. She only becomes difficult when it's just the two of us. In front of others, she's an angel sent from heaven—more like pushed because she can't be in heaven.
• Arcel raised an eyebrow, and then he smirked! That smirk could drop jaws, but I wouldn't fall for it. I could feel it, his smiling wasn't a good sign. His smile wasn't the harmless kind, the one that makes you feel at ease. When Arcel smiles, I get goosebumps even though he looks like a friendly guy.
• "I'm not," he said nonchalantly. His tone was playful, yet it gave me a shiver.
• "If you're not following me, then what are you doing? Wherever I go, you seem to follow." I didn’t want to be sarcastic because I have an image to maintain, but it just came out naturally.
• I didn't know if I blinked or if, for a second, I saw his expression darken. His smile remained on his lips, but the emotion in his eyes was completely different.
• "My room is beside yours. So it's natural that wherever you go, that's the direction I'm heading. I am going to my room."
• I bit my lip at his words until I registered what Arcel had said. I swallowed and felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. What was that, Theana?!
• Arcel walked away. At first, I thought he would just pass by me. But to my surprise, he stopped when he was in front of me.
• "Hmm, I thought Alethea Saunders was prim, proper, and all that," he started, surprising me. "You were acting like a dignified woman in front of my parents, but you actually have a smart mouth, right? I wonder who is the real you?"
• In my mind, I was already cursing. Why do I even engage with Arcel? Because he's infuriating! Even though he's not doing anything and just staring at me, I'm annoyed with him!
• He crouched towards me, and I slightly avoided him. "Aren’t you a tricky one, hmm? When you're facing other people, you act all prim and s**t, and when they’re gone, you’re snobbish."
• "I'm not—"
• "I’m going to figure out who’s the one behind your mask, Lisichka."
• My eyes widened when he gave me a nickname! I can understand Russian since my father had Russian blood, so... why is he calling me that?
• "Stop!" I interrupted him. "Stop calling me that."
• I managed to sound decent and casual. If I could turn back time, it seems like a better idea to just ignore this Arcel guy. Now, he won't leave me alone!
• "What?" he said playfully, but his eyes are dark. Sinister even.
• "Lisichka. Don't just give people nicknames randomly," I said, bowing my head because I don't think I can meet his eyes anymore.
• "I will call you whatever nicknames I have for you."
• I jumped when he touched the end of my hair. He twirled the strands of my hair using his forefinger.
• "And that certain nickname suits you the best."
• I swatted his hand away and stepped back. I looked at him squarely, trying my best to intimidate him, but it seemed to have the opposite effect on him. "I am not your little fox—"
• "Oh, yes, you are, Lisichka. Your personality is like a fox. You're deceitful in a clever way. A secretive woman who is hiding a lot of secrets behind her mask." He grazed his tongue on his bottom lip. "And I am going to uncover your secrets in any way possible. Everyone has their dark secrets, including you."
• He's getting under my skin, but I need to do what my sister often does. I need to forget that I'm Theana and become Alethea.
• I smiled at Arcel and dropped the bravado I had earlier.
• "Mask? I'm not wearing a mask." I smiled sweetly at him even though I wanted to glare at him. "I'm sorry if you think I was acting snobbish earlier. I was just nervous, and I don't know how to deal with new people. I'm not really like that."
• Arcel's smirk faded at my words. The only expression left on his face was the darkness lurking in his eyes.
• "Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to rest." I kept smiling at him until I turned away. As soon as I wasn't facing Arcel anymore, my smile vanished.
• Shit! Shit! Nice save, I guess. Why am I letting that guy get to me? I need to remember that I'm here as Alethea, and everyone knows Alethea as a shy girl!
• "You are really an interesting woman, Miss Saunders." I stopped walking when he said that. I took a deep breath but chose to turn to face Arcel. The grin returned to his lips. "And a challenging one, at that. You know what, I love challenges. It makes my blood pump. And I am serious when I say I am going to know your secrets. I have the feeling that you're hiding something behind that pretense of yours. I know a liar when I encounter one. And if you're going to be part of this family, I need to make sure that... you're not hiding anything from us, right?"
• I swallowed hard. While earlier I could still pretend in front of him, now I'm scared by his threat.
• Arcel walked away again, but before he passed by me, he stopped in front of me.
• "See you later, Lisichka." And then he left. He turned at the end of the hallway and seemed to head to his room.
• I was left standing there, stunned. I swallowed nervously because of Arcel's words. Is he threatening me?!
• I reached for my phone when it buzzed. I took a deep breath before checking who texted. I immediately saw my sister's name.
• Ale: I deactivated all my social media accounts so no one can search for me. You should do the same. Remember to pose and act like me, Theana. Don’t mess this up or I’m going to mess with your life.
• I opened my social media accounts and deactivated all of them. I don't let others control or oppress me, but my attitude changes when it comes to my family. They have me enslaved no matter what happens.
• The guilt of my father’s death still eats me alive. I feel like I have to pay for it for the rest of my life to Mama and Alethea. Because honestly, if I hadn't run away as a child just for an item they didn't give me, maybe my family wouldn't treat me like this now. Maybe Papa would still be with us and we'd be a happy family of four.
• But there's nothing I can do if I always let these thoughts dominate me. I'll just pretend until Alethea recovers, and after that, freedom.
• That was my initial plan, but it seems fate has other plans for me. I never imagined that stepping into the Locatelli house would mark the beginning of a life I never thought would happen to me. Freedom and a quiet life are completely denied to me.
• Arcel was right about one thing. Everyone has dark secrets they hide, and it seems I wasn't prepared for all of that.