Chapter 10: A Glimpse into His World
Chapter 10: A Glimpse into His World
The car moved silently through the streets while the city lights formed golden and silver streaks behind the windshield. The atmosphere inside the car remained heavy with unexpressed tensions.
Ariana took a rigid seat next to Jesse while keeping her hands folded in her lap. Since her agreement to join him she felt uncertainty rise within her during this tense moment with his direct presence.
She now found herself in an unknown situation that made her feel anxious.
Jesse remained relaxed while reviewing his phone screen showing no signs of awareness toward her anxiety. A powerful sense of absolute control hid itself beneath the apparent peacefulness of his posture.
Ariana finally broke the silence. "Are you going to tell me where we are going"
Jesse turned his dark gaze toward her as he revealed a hint of amusement in his facial expression. "You'll see soon enough."
His voice was smooth, unreadable.
Ariana hated that answer.
Men in her life constantly failed to recognize her worth. Antony had done it. Rachel had mocked her. Jesse never made the mistake of underestimating her abilities.
He was testing her.
She gazed at the passing city streets as she refused to face him. She decided to face this situation without entering blindly.
She observed everything as she acquired knowledge about the situation.
A luxurious estate appeared as the car approached but high walls and discreet heavily armed security with visible weapons encircled the property. The view of the estate caused Ariana's stomach to tense up.
The location functioned as more than a high-end establishment.
The presence of power remained hidden behind darkness.
A valet with a respectful bow opened Jesse's door before Ariana observed how people reacted to him.
Subtle shifts in posture. A flicker of recognition in their eyes.
No one questioned his presence. No one dared.
Once Jesse exited the car the surrounding atmosphere shifted. His powerful aura pushed against people around him to show he was more than just wealthy. He was influential. Feared. Respected.
She had just positioned herself by his side.
Ariana stopped for a brief moment before she began to walk after him.
She would not allow his presence to diminish hers.
The interior decor was impressive yet Ariana paid it no mind.
She focused entirely on the crowd while taking in the impressive number of people who were present.
Not just business moguls. Not just CEOs.
But politicians. Foreign dignitaries. Media barons. These individuals shaped industrial activities alongside economic operations and nation's leadership directions.
Everyone in the room accepted Jesse's effortless movement while he interacted with them freely.
A cold sensation made its way from Ariana's head to her toes.
She originally believed her conflict revolved around Antony and Rachel. Reclaiming her life became possible by defeating her adversaries.
She had been enjoying a brief session in a small, low-depth swimming area.
This was the ocean.
She exhaled slowly.
Adapt, or drown.
Antony Raymond fiddled with his cufflinks while remaining completely unaware of the situation.
Tonight was meant to be his opportunity of the year. This opportunity presented itself for him to finalize new business agreements while increasing his sphere of power.
His complete unawareness led him to an impending catastrophic experience.
Rachel stopped moving as she surveyed the room before she abruptly froze in place.
Antony frowned. "What?"
Rachel held onto his forearm with intense force. Hard.
"That's…" Her voice reduced to a barely audible tone. "That's Jesse Ren."
Antony stilled.
A persistent feeling of discomfort began to rise up from his stomach.
Everyone knew the name. Jesse Ren not only occupied the powerful table but he fully controlled it.
Antony's pulse quickened.
Then he saw her.
Ariana.
Standing beside Jesse Ren.
The woman he anticipated to be damaged and discarded proved herself completely unapproachable.
But as someone untouchable.
Antony's stomach dropped.
Jesse didn't introduce Ariana.
He didn't need to.
Instead, he let her observe.
He effortlessly moved through the space while conducting negotiations which controlled economic sectors and global economic activities and money transfers between nations.
Ariana listened and absorbed everything while standing next to him.
The way he conducted business was what Jesse primarily did.
He didn't flaunt power. He was power.
Ariana experienced genuine understanding for the very first time.
In her previous life Jesse Ren never depended on getting married.
He never needed anything from anyone.
Despite his previous needlessness of ownership she now belonged to him.
Why?
A change in atmospheric pressure disrupted her stream of thinking.
Antony and Rachel were approaching.
Rachel was composed, but Antony…
He was struggling.
Jesse didn't acknowledge them immediately.
The investor from abroad conducted negotiations over an agreement that surpassed Antony's monetary understanding.
Ariana almost felt pity.
Almost.
Jesse eventually shifted his head toward them in a small movement. His eyes turned toward Antony in that moment and his expression remained both frigid and distant.
One brief look from him erased everything Antony had.
You are beneath my notice.
Antony clenched his fists. Jesse took pride in his ability to control circumstances and understand how to manipulate environments.
The environment of Jesse Ren's domain surrounds me right now.
He had never felt so small.
Ariana faced Antony as she raised her chin to confront his shocked stare.
Fear flashed across his eyes for the initial time.
Jesse looked at Ariana for the first time before their departure.
"Now do you understand?"
Ariana heard her heartbeat thumping loudly in her ear.
She did.
She believed she battled against Antony and Rachel.
The display Jesse had just provided to her revealed something far worse than she could imagine.
The real game. The one that dictated everything.
She found herself positioned right against its boundary.
With him.