FALLING TO THE ABYSS

"I'm hungry." Viper grumbled as he lie listlessly on the sofa. "When are they gonna send us some food?"

Arianna sighed. Even if they were kind enough to send them food, she wouldn't eat it. Who knows if it's poisoned? "Viper, listen. It's our third day here now. I don't think they want to keep us alive. If you get a chance to escape, go for it without hesitation." she instructed.

Viper was startled. He turned to look at his lady boss but she didn't seem to be kidding! "What do you mean? You're asking me to flee? Alone?" he asked with widened eyes. When he saw Arianna nod with a grim expression, he sat up and stared at her incredulously. "No way! There's no freakin' way!" he exclaimed.

Arianna didn't say anything. She lowered her head as she contemplate on how to escape. Viper on the other hand was feeling giddy. It might be because of hunger or because of anxiousness. Arianna was his lady boss. How dare he leave her to save himself? He has been working for Yago for several years now and his main job was to protect her. He was willing to die for her! But now she's asking him to leave? Why? She doesn't make sense. "If there's really that kind of opportunity, we should leave this place together!" he stated.

Arianna shook her head. "Even if I'm able to leave this place, I can't go back with you. They already know I'm hiding Yago. I need to break all contact with him and go into hiding. You though... you are capable of moving around without being detected. You need to go back to protect him." She explained.

"My lady, you don't understand. Boss would kill me if he finds out I abandoned you!" he reasoned.

"Whatever happens, you have to go back to protect Yago. I won't die. I'll contact you once I'm out. You need not tell him. This is an order." Her eyes told him that her mind was already set on this. That nothing can change her decision. But his conscience won't let him agree. He didn't voice it but he didn't think he could obey her command this time!

Both of them turned silent after that conversation. Each thinking of their own plan. After a few minutes of silence, they both heard light footsteps coming from outside. Someone was coming at last!

Arianna stood up from the bed. She moved to sit at the small table while Viper stayed on the couch. Both of them watched the door slowly open with a creaking sound.

"How are you?"

Arianna narrowed her eyes when she saw who came. Unexpectedly, it's them. She calmed herself before responding to his question. She tried to look as relaxed as possible.

"Hungry! I thought you guys came to bring us our meal! Why are you coming empty handed?",she answered before turning to the next person who came in. "How do you do, sister? Are you here to bring me a new set of clothes? I've been wearing this one for three days already!", she greeted her with a smile. But the other woman looked at her with only disgust in her eyes. It's as if she wanted nothing but to stab Arianna repeatedly with a knife.

"Are you hungry? Don't worry. You can soon get out of here." Roy announced.

"Great! I've been waiting for you all this time." she replied cheerfully. "Oh right, when did you two get together? You look good next to each other!"

"Well, thank you." Roy responded with a smile. "Belle's my girlfriend now. Should I call you sister in law now?",he jested.

Arianna chuckled. "That's up to you. I'm not against your relationship anyway. You better take care of my sister from now on."

Belle frowned in displeasure. These two were talking like old friends! They're smiling to each other as if they weren't in conflict! Such people who can keep up such facade are the most dangerous type of all.

"Alright." he answered. "Anyway, I'm here to take you with us. You're not going to turn us down, will you?", Roy asked as if it was an invitation between friends. One wouldn't sense any tension between them.

Arianna stood up obediently. "Of course! Who would want to stay in this boring place? And I'm starving, too. You better treat me to a good meal later." she stated as she walk closer to Viper. "Remember. Don't tell him anything." she whispered to him with a solemn face, before reverting back to her nonchalant expression. "I'm going now! Take care of your self when you go home!" she then said aloud as she patted Viper on his shoulder.

Viper watched as Arianna walk out with those two. What did she mean by what she said? Is she planning to go with them alone? That's too dangerous!

Viper stood up and strolled to follow them outside but he was stopped the by three men standing on the doorway. "Not so fast, dude. Wait for a few more minutes. We'll let you out after they leave." one of the man stated.

"What do you mean let me out?" he asked with furrowed brows. Are they planning to execute him?

"You heard him." the other one replied. "You can finally leave this place today. Don't worry, messengers are always kept alive.."

Messenger? Viper was having a bad feeling about this. He watched as the man took out a small card and passed it to Viper. "Here. Take this to Vier dela Vega. Tell him if he still finds Arianna Reid important, contact this number and take him back himself."

Viper's eyes darkened. So this is what Arianna meant by the chance to escape? Has she foreseen this turn of event before, so she warned him prior to not reveal anything to Yago? Was she planning to sacrifice herself this time? He hoped not. Arianna is such a smart woman. He hopes she still keeps some tricks inside her sleeve. Should he trust her words and obey her words? Or should he head straight to Yago and inform him about all these? Viper didn't want to do any of those. He wants them both to stay safe but what could he do?

***

"Sister, why did you break up with Jayden? I thought he's already smitten by you?" Arianna joked as the car they were in ventured along a desolate road. It's been quiet and boring all through out the ride. Arianna suddenly thought it would make her feel good if she try to tease this sister a little.

Belle glared at Arianna but didn't say anything. Roy laughed at Belle's expression though. Arianna was on the passenger seat while Roy was sitting on the driver's seat with Belle beside him. "That garbage doesn't deserve my lovely Belle. She can only have me in the future." he commented.

"Well, you're not entirely wrong. I do like you better than that cheater. You look good together." Arianna replied. "But brother in law, can you tell me where you're taking me now?", she probed. Her lively smile remains.

"Are you flirting with Roy?" Belle couldn't help but burst out. "Now that Jayden doesn't want me anymore, you suddenly lose interest in him? You only covets what's mine!"

"Huh? You're wrong sister. I wasn't interested in him at all. I was doing it for you! Brother in law is right. You don't deserve someone like that!" She knows her white lotus acting was good, and Belle gets irritated at it the most. She's so easy to annoy.

Roy's right hand left the stirring wheel and reached out for Belle's. He held her left hand and aqueezed it. "Don't be jealous. I'll only have you from now on."

Arianna laughed. He can't believe there will be a time when Belle would be able to stuff her dog food. Roy seemed to be a sweet guy. If Belle could marry him, she believes she could live a better life. "Say brother in law, I want to ask you something. I won't ask you what you're about to do to me but, can we make a deal?" Arianna already know that they're taking her to be the bait anyway so she didn't have ask further about that. They'll probably keep them somewhere and wait til Yago come for her, right?

"What is it?" he said as he glanced at Arianna from the rear view mirror.

"Well, since I like you, I want you to live longer. You spare my life this time, and I promise not to have you assassinated in the future." she proposed.

Roy chuckled. "I quite like you too. I don't have a grudge against you. Belle however wants your life, so what am I gonna do about that?"

"Then let her kill me. You don't have to do it yourself, do you?", she answered nonchalantly.

Roy raised his brows. This woman is quite interesting! "Alright! I promise I won't kill you!", it's not as if nobody else can kill her!

"I'm quite curious though... Sister, why do you hate me so much? This might be the last day we'll be able to talk to each other like this so we better settle all accounts." Arianna narrowed her eyes as she watched her sister's furious look. If she ever survive what's gonna happen today, she feels like she could finally bury the hatchet between them.

"You're my father's illegitimate daughter. You fought for Jayden with me. You schemed against me several times! Why wouldn't I hate you to the core?" she yelled.

Arianna chuckled. "Is that all? You schemed against me too! And I met Jayden first. I don't like him anymore though, so we don't have to fight because of him anymore. However... about Carl.... " she pause for a while before letting out a sigh. "I was an illegitimate child... but I'm still his blood and flesh. You though.... you're not a Reid." she revealed.

Belle turned to glare at her. "What do you mean by that?"

Arianna look straight ahead. They were approaching a narrow road overlooking the sea. The road is becoming steeper. Are they heading somewhere above the mountain? It seemed like her guess was right.

"We're not sisters. Carl isn't your father and Carl has been aware of that fact for years now. You're Jane's daughter from another man."

Belle stood up and tried to claw Arianna in fury. Roy panicked and reached out to stop her as they were travelling a dangerous road. One small mistake and they're going to fall from the cliff. "Belle, Calm down." he urged her.

Arianna was dissatisfied when she saw Belle stop from attacking. She wasn't able to anger Belle enough. She needs to do things herself.

"I'm sorry," Arianna whispered as she lunged and grabbed the stirring wheel from Roy with her handcuffed hands. The car stirred to the right. Arianna squeezed herself forward, stretching her leg to reach and step on the gas pedal. A moment later, the car accelerated towards the cliff in full speed.

From a distance, Viper watched in horror as the car he was tailing plummet to the cliff. He stopped his car as his hands shook in fright. Would his lady boss be alright?