Chapter 3: Arianna

We were on a dirt road and at the end of it was a house. The hummer pulled into an empty parking spot to the right of the house. The house was more like a big cabin. It was made of logs and they were stained an orangish brown color. The front of the house had a wrap around porch with flower beds in front of it. The flower beds were in full bloom. With colorful flowers that gave off enticing aromas that filled the air. The porch had two doors. On the far left of the porch there was a sliding door, and on the far right a normal front door with a window in it. From the start of the porch on the left a roof extends from the side of the house. stretching past the width of the porch and ending half way above the flower beds. This roof length ended five feet from the normal front door. Genna and I climbed out of the vehicle, Bailey jumping past us. The dog dashed into the woods as we climbed the stairs leading to the porch.

"BAILEY!!! BAILEY COME!!!," the scream in the direction she ran in.

"Save your breath, she will come back later," Genna told me as she moved her hand away from covering her ear. We continued to the normal looking front door. Just as Genna was about to open it. It opened from the other side. We both signmotaisly moved out of the way. Out of the door emerged a short blond woman wearing heels.

"Welcome Ms. Miller and Ms. Smith. I am Mrs. Dale. it is good to finally make your acquaintance," she said, moving to shake our hands. "Did you have a good trip?Me and Genna looked at each other.

"Yes," we both said.

"I will be in charge of your wedding planning and make sure everything is running smoothly here," she said. Gesturing to the door she said "let me give you a tour," we followed her into the large house. When we entered a very wide but short hallway that turned left. To our right just as we entered the door was a shoe closet. To the left was a washer, drier, sink and cabinets. As we walked forward to the end of the hallway was a room.

"So right in front of us here we have an office, and to the right we have our first bathroom. Now if we turn left and keep walking. We enter the kitchen," the whole house opened up into a big room. To the left was the kitchen, with a beautiful rustic counter and hardwood floors. To the right was a staircase leading down stairs.

"These stairs continue down stairs to the living area with a tv, two bedrooms, pantry, doors to outside, second bathroom, and doors to a workshop. But if you look to the right of the stairs there is another living area complete with tv and couches. If we continued straight past the kitchen," we followed her as she walked on. On the left wall was the other front we saw earlier. "Here is the dining table. To the right of the dining table is a bedroom. If we turn around and take these stairs up," we turned around. Right above and going in the opposite direction of the stairs leading downstairs, were stairs heading up stairs. We went up the stairs. The top floor was a very large loft area with a wide living area. On opposite sides of the living area were two rooms.

"And up here we have our last spots on our tour. This is another living area, this one does not have a tv. On either side of this area are two bedrooms. On the left we have Ms. Miller, your bed room and on the right is your bed room Ms. Smith," she walked toward Gennas room and we entered it. There was a king size in the middle of the room with a window behind it. To the left of the room was a window and under that window was a single sized bed. At the head of the bed was the left side wall of a closet. At the foot of the bed was the right side wall of another closet. On the right side of the room were two dressers pressed up to the wall.

"Now if we leave this room and head over to Ms. Smith's room," we all slowly shuffled out of the room and headed over to the so-called room. My room was the exact same set up but just the opposite. So my dressers were on the left, not on the right. And the single bed with the closets was on the right, not the left. The whole house had a rustic feel to it. Every room had hardwood floors except for the bedrooms that were carpet.

"Lets go sit at the table down stairs and talk about what is going to happen within the next few weeks," we all walked down stairs following Mrs. Dale. Sitting down at the table, Genna and I on one side, Mrs. Dale on the other.

" So ladies, I can't imagine how scared you are, but I assure you everything is going to be okay. As of today Friday, May 19th of 2042, you have a job. This job is to be a wife and a mother of the Garcia and Davis family," she took a break to clear her throat and then looked at us one at a time, "Ms. Smith you will be marrying Elijah Garcia and Ms. Miller, you will be marrying Crew Davis. Your ceremony will be on Sunday," my eyes shot open wide with shock and fear. I looked over at Genna but she did not look back. "This ceremony will be public and it will also be streamed on live tv for others to view. During the ceremony you must act like you are in love. This also means you will have to kiss Mr. Davis and Mr. Garcia and this kiss must be believable. Saturday night there will be a banquet dinner for the wedding and very important people will be there. So you must be on your best behavior," she stopped to clear her throat again. "Mr.Garcia and Mr. Davis will arrive tonight at some point, I encourage you to get to know them. You will have a dress fitting tomorrow morning," I felt Genna's hand grab mine under the table and she gave it a little squeeze. Mrs. Dale continued on, "now ladies after the wedding you will not be forced to share a bed with Mr. Davis and Mr. Garcia, but you will be forced to share a room. This is why the rooms are set up like they are up stairs. Also at some point in the future you will be expected to have a child but that is for future discussion," she stopped to clear her throat once more, with a heavy cough. Then continued, "now I hope Mr. Johnson explained to you about the compization your families will receive for your absence," she paused waiting for an answer.

"Yes he did," Genna responded.

"Good," Mrs. Dale said. "Then I think that is all I have for you. Do you have any questions?," Genna looked at me and I looked back. I don't know if she could tell that I was on the verge of breaking under the pressure of all the info just thrown at us. She looked back at Mrs. Dale.

"So where are we exactly?," she asked.

"We are at the Davis and Garcia vacation home. This will not be your permanent home but you will live her for a little while,"

"And how long is a little while?," Genna asked again, starting to get frustrated with the lack of choice in our lives right now.

``However long Mr. Davis or Mr. Garcia wants to stay here," Genna sighed in frustration. "Now if that's all I will be back tomorrow morning for your dress fitting," she stood up and started to walk for the door we came in through. Turned around one more time and said your luggage is in the entry way here," then she disappeared around the corner. We heard a door open then close. I could feel the tears start to roll down my face.

Genna walked over to me and hugged tight. I could feel her tears on my back as we hugged each other and cried. She let go of me and pulled away. Wiping her tears away, I did the same.

"Lets go and unpack," she told me, her voice a little weak and shaking. All I did was knod. We walked over to the entryway and grabbed our one suitcase and went upstairs. Walking into my new room was weird. This room was very rustic. The walls were that same wood color as the outside. The walls on the closet were wood panels of that same wood. The bed frame and dressers were maded out of striped wood logs. These logs were stained the same color as the rest of the wood. The carpet was short and soft, it was a dark gray color. I walked to my left, over to the dressers. I opened the top drawer on one of the dressers. I opened my suitcase and placed my shirts in the top drawer. Opening the middle drawer I placed my pants and shorts in it. Finally, opening the bottom drawer, I placed the remainder of my clothes. I grabbed my pillow and blanket from the bottom of the suitcase and walked over to the bed under the window. I eyd up the king size bed in the middle of the room. It looked huge and intimidating. The bed was nicely made with four pillows at the head of the bed. The pillows rested on top of a buffalo plaid comforter that was tucked in at the corners. The signal bed looks the exact same as the king bed just at a smaller scale. I left my blanket and pillow on the bed. Walking back over to my suitcase. I picked it up and put it in the closet at the foot of the single bed.

I went to find Genna. She was in her room unpacking as well. Her room was almost the same as mine. Except her bed comforters were a blcak, navy blue, and green flannel. She turned around and saw me.

"So tonight. Tonight….," she said, struggling to find the words.

"I know right. I don't know what to think about it. I'm excited but at the same time I am very scared,'' I told her, crossing my arms.

"I know I feel the same way. Let's go find Bailey and explore outside,". She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and we went outside.

It was warm outside. The sky was clear of any clouds, the sun shining through the forest around us. There was a gentle breeze blowing through the air, causing the flowers to release their heavenly aroma. The hummer and guards were also gone. That was a relief.

"Bailey!! Bailey!," yelled well standing on the porch. Genna walked up to the railing and leaned up against it.

"What do you think they will be like?," she asked, examining the flowers below from over the railing.

"I don't to be honest but i hope that they are at least nice," i said

"And handsome," Genna added with a giggle. Her giggle made me laugh. "What?," she said, looking at me. Her face turned serious. This made me laugh harder.

"Nothing," i said still laughing

"No, what are you laughing about?," she demanded. This made me laugh some more. She glared at me and my laughing slowly stopped.

"It's just i am worried about them being descent people, and you are concerned about them being handsome,"

"Well I am worried about that too. It would just be a bounce if they were handsome as well,'' I shrugged. Just then Bailey came bursting through the woods. She came running up to the porch and sat next to me.

"Ewww…. You're all wet." I said.

"I think I saw a lake on the way here," Genna said.

"Want to still explore?," I asked her.

"Yeah,". We started by walking around the house. Behind the house we found a trail leading down a hill. We followed the trail. It was quite a wided trail and it was lined with rocks. The trial wound down the hill and at the end of it was an old dock overlooking a private lake.

"You have to be kidding me. They own a lake all to themselves,'' I said to Genna as she came to stand next to me at the end of the dock. Bailey came bursting at a full speed run past us and jumped in the lake. Splashing us in the process. Genna and I looked at each other, bursting in laughter as bailey doggy paddled back to shore.

I folded up my pants, and took off my boots. I put my legs in the water. The water was nice and warm. Wherever we were in Queens Land the weather was nice. Genna looked at her reflection in the water. Her medium length brown hair was in two very messy space buns still in from yesterday. She was wearing a white long sleeve crop top, and high waisted blue skinny jeans. She bent down taking off her black and white Vans, along with her socks. She folded up her pants and sat down next to me. Placing her legs in the water as well. I stared at my reflection in the water. My hair was in a very long messy side braid. My eyes had very faint black circles around then. My brown eyes staring back at me. I looked up.

The lake was very beautiful and calm. Trees surrounded it as we sat there and watched the lake. Bailey came up to me and pushed her panting face in mine. Then proceed to lay down next to me.

We sat there for hours, talking about random stuff. Every once in a while we sat in silence thinking. It was starting to get dark out. In front of us the sun began to set behind the trees. Turning the sky into a vivid range of colors. reds, yellows, pinks, blues, purples, and eventually black filled the sky. When stars started to appear we decided to head back to the house. We walked up the hill and to the front door. As we walked inside Bailey pushed past us and ran around the house exploring. Genna went up stairs and I walked over to the fridge and opened it. The fridge was stocked full of fresh food. I closed it again, deciding I was not hungry. When I heard a vehicle pull in. I looked out the window over the sink. A hummer just like the one we were in earlier pulled in. two taller men climbed out. They looked to be our age. I bolted up the stairs Bailey followed behind. Bursting into Genna's room out of breath I said.

"They're here," Genna shot up and we both ran down stairs. We stopped at the front door near the washing machine and drier. The door opened. I felt my heart speed up as the just man stepped inside carrying a suitcase and had a laptop bag around his shoulder. He was tall, maybe around six feet tall. He was a little tan but not overly tan. He had a semi muscular body. Like if he worked out every other day, but he still looks very strong. He had a strong jawline. His face was very symmetrical. He had beautiful emerald green eyes, and he had freckles dotting his cheeks. His hair was halfway in between curly and wavy. It was a fawn color and went down to his eyes. He had a few little scars on his face but they were barely noticeable. To put it frankly he was hot.

"Hey, ladies. I am Crew," he walked up to me taking my hand in his. He shook it welcomingly. "You must be Arianna,". Dropping my hand, she walked over to Genna. Took her hand and kissed it. "And you must be Genna. It's lovely to finally meet you,". Genna was blushing. "Can you help me bring my stuff up to our room,". She nodded and led the way. Leaving means in the entryway. Then Crews pops back out from around the corner. "Oh yeah, one more thing. Elijah is outside grabbing his stuff,". Then he disappeared back around the corner.

I waited in the entry way for a few more minutes before Elijah came in. He was tall too. Maybe around six feet as well. He was fit. He looked very strong but not like a bodybuilder. He definatly works out every day. He was pailer than Crew was but he was not as white as a ghost. He had a sharp and strong jawline. He had black hair in an undercut hair style. His eyes were a bright sapphire blue. He was also carrying a suitcase and laptop. I walked up to him.

"Hi, I am Arianna," he just looked at me and nodded. "You must be Elijah,"

"Yep," he responded without looking at me. He had a low, smooth deep voice.

"Do you need me to carry anything?," I asked.

"nope," he said, walking past me and going up stairs. I followed him into our room. Bailey greeted him excitedly. He just ignored him. I could hear Genna and Crew talking from the other room.

They seem to be getting along.

I walked over to my bed and sat down. I did not know what to say or ask.

"So are you excited for the wedding?," I asked.

"No," he said sternly.

"Me either,'' I responded. He just kept ignoring me as he unpacked his suitcase. I left the room with Bailey. Shutting the door behind me. As I was heading down stairs I passed Crew and he stopped me.

"Is he talking to you?," Crew asked.

"Not really," I told him.

"I will talk to him,"

"No you don't have to do that,'' I said. "He will talk to me when he is ready,". Crew did not listen and he went into our room, shutting the door behind him. I could hear Crew yelling at Elijah, and Elijah yelling back. Genna came walking up to me. Wrapping an arm around me she said.

"Let's go down stairs,". I just nodded. We went down stairs and sat in the living area. The door opened and out came Crew slamming the door behind himself.he came down stairs and sat across from me and Genna.

"I am sorry about his attitude. It's going to take hima little while to get used to the fact of marriage," he said to me. "So where are you girls from?,".

"Bertha," Genna responded.

"Is it pretty there?," he asked.

"Yeah," Genna said. I stayed out of the conversation. Letting the two of them get to know each other. They continued with small talk for a little about five minutes before we heard a door open. Elijah came down stairs and sat next to me. I was nervous. But he still kept his distance.

"So Arianna. Did you play any sports?," Crew asked me.

"Yeah, I played rugby," but then fell silent. Realizing I would never get to do that again.

"That's funny because Elijah plays rugby as well," Crew said, kicking Elijah in the leg and nodding his head in my direction. I had to give Crew credit for trying to get a conversation started. I turned to Elijah and asked.

"What position do you play?,"

"I play wing," he said, not looking at me.

"Cool," I responded. "I play prop,". He did not respond. Bailey came up to me and laid down on my feet. "Do you play sevens or fith-teens?," I asked. He did not respond. I turned away from him and just left him alone. Crew glared at him and he glared back. Then he said,

"I play both," I smiled at the fact that he responded. He looked at my smiling face and rolled his eyes.

Asshole.