CHAPTER 14: The Unexpected Ride

CHAPTER 14: The Unexpected Ride

A cool night breeze brought distant sounds from the high-society event which Ariana had recently departed. She controlled her breathing to calm down as she reviewed her entire sequence of actions. Antony and Rachel dedicated their efforts to embarrass her. She responded by reversing the situation.

The peaceful engine noise interrupted the silence right when she was about to call a ride.

The shiny black car stopped next to her in the street.

The tinted window rolled down.

Jesse Ren.

He sat back in his seat with his arm on the armrest as he kept his glass filled with whiskey untouched. His dark eyes stared at her from behind cool and unreadable features.

"Get in."

Ariana tightened her grip on her phone in her hand. "Is this a coincidence, or were you waiting for me?"

Jesse's lips twitched, almost amused. "Does it matter?"

She hesitated. Her body signaled that entering the vehicle would bring her towards an intense connection with the driver. She might lose the ability to manage this situation.

Ariana made a promise to herself that she would never let another person control her decisions.

She entered the car while taking a deep breath as the leather surface felt cool against her skin. The door mechanism completed its cycle which confined her within the small space.

With him.

The vehicle glided through urban routes with effortless motion as it left the parking spot.

The space between them felt intense without tension because unexpressed thoughts hung in the air.

Jesse maintained his composure while remaining in control at all times. The effortless way he sat while his eyes passed briefly toward her suggested he was evaluating her and determining her worth.

Finally, he spoke.

"You handled yourself well tonight."

The woman turned to face him showing a composed facial expression. "You were there."

It wasn't a question.

Jesse's gaze didn't waver. "Did that surprise you?"

Ariana held his stare. "No. The curiosity remains in my mind regarding your decision to stay hidden.

His smile showed briefly through the side of his mouth. He smiled and said "Taking your stage would break basic courtesy rules." That would've been rude."

She folded her hands gently on her lap. He was playing with her. Testing her.

Fine. Let's see who tests who.

Jesse moved the whiskey glass in the air but left it untouched. "Antony and Rachel seem… desperate."

Ariana raised an eyebrow. "You sound almost concerned."

"Not at all," Jesse murmured. "I just find it fascinating—watching people scramble when the ground beneath them starts to crack." He glanced at her. You started the damage that now cracks this place.

Ariana revealed her understanding with a short smile. You seemed absorbed in other activities.

Jesse's smile stayed intact while his eyes showed a faint change in color. "I pay attention to what interests me."

A faint hesitation crossed her lungs as they stopped moving. The moment was too short to count as anything authentic when it happened between them.

She turned her attention from the city lights passing by. "If you have something to ask, Jesse, just ask it."

Jesse tilted his head slightly. "Alright. Why have you agreed to meet tonight?

Ariana could read through his question.

Why did you begin resisting their relationship this evening? What changed?

She could lie. She could create an unclear reason.

Instead, she met his gaze and said, "Because I refuse to be the fool I once was."

Jesse paused to think. Then, he smiled.

Not mocking.

Not amused.

Just… intrigued.

The vehicle moved without problem while people fought within its walls. Not of words, but of control.

People viewed Jesse Ren as a dominant figure who could not be approached.

At first she believed he did not care about their marriage as he only accepted it as his responsibility.

She discovered her earlier judgment about him was completely mistaken as she sat next to him.

Jesse Ren was a strategist. He determined every tactical step as he planned ahead. The newest challenge for Jesse Ren fell to Ariana since she sat next to him.

Jesse studied her with deep thought. "Not quite the same woman I remember."

Ariana turned her head slightly. "Should I take that as a compliment?"

"That depends," he said smoothly. "Would you rather I still see you as weak?"

His words pushed a painful emotion through her system.

She raised her face a little while displaying her smile. Jesse does not have to define me. My purpose here is not to impress you.

He studied her face for numerous seconds. Then, he chuckled softly. "Good."

His tone made her heart beat faster even though she did not know what he meant.

The car slowed to a stop.

Her residence.

Jesse grabbed her attention when he spoke.

"Be careful, Ariana."

She turned, meeting his gaze.

The individuals you battle will use unethical tactics against you.

His voice carried no emotion but his message created a cold sensation in her body. Jesse Ren delivered more than a simple comment when he spoke. He was warning her.

She gripped the handle harder. "I know."

He kept his eyes on her before returning to his normal position. "Good."

She exited the building while locking the door.

The car drove off into dark evening.

She held her position for a short time while her heart raced.

Jesse Ren had been watching her. He was interested in her next move.

But more than that....

She wasn't sure if he was a threat… or the only person in this game who could match her.

And that realization was more dangerous than anything Antony and Rachel could ever throw at her.