Chapter 5 Caught Off Guard

• Gasps were heard all around us as the cameras flicked faster than ever around us. I knew that this would be on the front page of the magazine tomorrow, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise.
• “See, simple." I told her.
• “You're insane!" she looked at me, shocked by my actions.
• I let out a laugh. “You have no idea." I replied to her.
• Soon, the music came to an end. She angrily dragged her hands away from mine and walked out of the dance floor, leaving me standing right there. After all, couples were supposed to get off the dance floor together.
• I rolled my eyes as I stepped off the dance floor. I'm done here.
• As soon as I was about to walk out of the reception, my best friend tagged me. and said,
• “Don’t tell me you got that chick wet on the dance floor." he whispered at me as I reached out to grab a juice from a waiter.
• “You have no idea." I replied to him as his eyes widened.
• “That’s your sister now, man."
• “We already hit it off, so there is nothing to hide about." I told him.
• From there, I took my time to explain the situation to him, and his eyes widened the more I let on.
• “Damn, you just couldn’t try to keep it in your pants, could you?" he said as he let out a laugh.
• “Tell me you don’t plan on hitting that again?" he asked.
• “I never plan on hitting that again. You know I never go back." I replied, and we smirked.
• Ariana’s POV
• As soon as I left the dance floor, I angrily returned home as it was already nightfall. Where my mother had stayed before all these, as soon as I stepped into the house I was fretted by packed boxes and missing furniture. My mother had given out then more all our belongings away.
• I sighed as I shed the dress, I was so exhausted and I couldn’t get a particular annoying face out of my head. I made my way to my room, as I had packed all my belongings and left only my bed. As soon as I got there I collapsed onto the bed.
• A sudden shake pulled me from my slumber and I woke to see that it was totally morning and my mother was standing before me her eyes filled with anger.
• Sitting up, I glanced at her to see she was fully dressed, which meant she had just arrived properly to scold me.
• “Good morning, Mom." I greeted, but her frown indicated she was pissed off and I knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.
• "How dare you!" she snapped.
• "How dare I what?" I shot back at her.
• Her response was a sharp slap across my face, leaving me surprised, pain shot through my whole body due to her slap.
• "You humiliated the family by leaving so abruptly, not only did you leave Damien on the dance floor, you made a show." she accused me as she glared at me.
• “I did nothing, I only left because I was exhausted and I needed to lay my head!" I replied while holding my cheek, as I glared up at her.
• “You have no right to slap me, mum, I did nothing!" I added with anger.
• But she brushed it off, pulling out her phone to show me a damning article – "Billionaire's Stepdaughter Unhappy About Her Mother's Union."
• I stared at the article in shock, I tried to speak but couldn't find the words. This was my life now, I was now a billionaire’s daughter.
• "You could have at least pretended to be happy for me, Ariana, I know you're unhappy about the whole arrangement but it is for our good!" my mother scolded, glaring at me.
• “Your good, mother, not mine. I am contended where I am." I said back and she rolled her eyes at me.
• “Oh please, you ungrateful brat. your action will now be monitored by the general public and I wouldn’t have you ruin this for me not now or ever." she said, “So you will be coming with us to New York."
• “What?" I looked at her in shock, said as I stood from the bed.
• I just rented a cheap apartment and got a job as a waitress. I've got everything set up for myself and I can't let her ruin that!
• “Oh you heard me right. I spoke to Brian and he is willing to let your actions go, but you will need to be monitored to avoid destroying the good name of this family.” She wasn't consulting me, she was giving me an order. “You will move to New York with us and you will be given a job at The Blacks Cooperation."
• “Why are you doing this? Why force me into a life I don't want?" I pleaded, desperation seeping into my voice.
• "This is for your good, what a rare opportunity.” Her eyes, cold and unmoved, met mine as she replied, “How would people think if you were here struggling for a few pounds and I was living the coveted life?"
• “They would soon see you for who you are and I wouldn’t be there when you get dragged down for being a gold fucking digger." I said.
• She raised her hand to slap me again but I held it in the air as she stared at me with so much hate. "Don't ruin this for me, or I swear I will kill you."
• She dragged her hands away from me. “You have no choice but to come with us, you have five minutes to prepare." she added as she walked out of my room her heels clicking on the floor.