THE PRICE OF A NAME

What's going on here???" Lucian demands.

"Nothing...I just needed some rest." Arianne gets up and Rowan follows suit.

"I was keeping her company" Rowan stands up to him. But then Lucian grabs her by the wrist and makes his way out the building. As they enter into the car, the air feels tight and suffocating. Until they arrive at the house.

"What did Rowan say to you?" Lucian questions while Arianne pulls off her heels.

"Nothing." She says absentmindedly. But he doesn't believe her.

"I'm talking to you! Its in your best interest to tell me the truth wife." He deadpans. Walking towards her in anger.

Arianne makes a quick move to run up the stairs but Lucian follows her.

She screams ,locking herself inside one of the rooms. Then he bangs the door.

"Open up Arianne…I won't ask twice."

"Why do you hate me so much??"She yells out. Almost sobbing. But then there was no response.

"I don't hate you.." His voice softens from the other end its almost as if she imagined it.

"I get that you don't want me… just stop. Making me so scared. "She pleads but his laughter rumbles.

"Oh really? Says the woman who ran into my room for safety." Lucian teases.

"Wait. What do you mean?" Arianne snaps her head toward the room and realizes the setting was completely different from her room. Beige curtains hung on the walls with white sheets spread on the large bed. There's a golden mirror to the right and Lucian's wardrobe on the latter end. The sight almost makes her scream but then the big problem was how to face Lucian once she opened the door.

"I need to rest now Arianne.. You literally just kicked me out of my own room." Lucian's deep voice fills the hallway. Then after thirty long seconds, she opens the door to see Lucian's puzzled expression. His hands tucked in his pockets, his blue eyes staring at her in a way she can't quite decipher.

"I..uhm…sorry.." Arianne apologizes and leaves. As she walks out his words cuts through her mumbling.

"Stay away from Rowan. He's trouble." Lucian says like an order.

"Goodnight Arianne." He continues before pulling off his suit. Arianne turned to ask a question about what Rowan said to her but her words hang in her throat when he starts to unbutton his shirt. Revealing the tattoos from his sculptured chest down his arms. She makes a quick turn and hurry back to her room.

Exhaling loudly, she throws herself on her bed. The thought of Rowans warning still has her concerned.

"What is it about Lucian that I need to know?" she ponders for a moment but when nothing comes to mind she drives off to sleep.

 ***********

The weekend has been a mix of melancholic air with Lucian's suffocating presence. Arianne tries to avoid seeing him until when necessary. Like the cold mornings or at dinner. Unable to remove the thoughts of Lucian's intimidating demeanor that makes her feel uneasy. She scrolls through her phone for something to draw her from away.this tension but then a message pops in her phone.

"Still bored? " Rowans message enters.

"A little.. Just hovering a bit." Arianne replies.

"I could come keep you company ..if you're fine with it" He teases which makes Arianne laugh.

"You realize your Lucian's cousin?" She questions.

"I though we agreed on just being friends with each other...no tags necessary." Rowan counters with a smiley mog.

"Alright then. So what do you want to talk. About?"

"Everything.." Rowan replies and for the first time in so long Arianne felt heard .

 *************

Meanwhile at the office, Lucian is swamped in documents that require his attention.

"You have a meeting in the next 30 minutes sir." His secretary pitches in after giving a full breakdown of the day's plans.

"Alright... Have my meeting with the curators scheduled for the evening." He speaks. While still engrossed with the files on the table. Just in, Rowan walks in while texting on his phone. A smirk on his face.

"To what do I owe the pleasure Rowan?" Lucian frowns while he relaxes into his seat.

Rowan slums into the plush couch at the side, his feet against the table.

"Cant I just check on my dear cousin?"

"You never come without a request. What is it this time.?" Lucian exhales as he arranges the stack of papers into an envelope.

"Right. I just need a little funding. You know business been terrible lately." Lucian scoffs, aware of how Rowan luxurious lifestyle has been impacting his business.

"Alright. I'll have my secretary send you a check by the end of day." Lucian says.

"And use it wisely this time."

Rowan gets up sluggishly. "you know. If grandfather hadn't willed the entire company to you.. You'd be in a similar position ."

"You forget yourself Rowan." Lucian threatens.

"Easy. Can't take a joke ?" Rowan adjusts his jacket with a sheepish smile and heads out. Just then a call comes through Lucians phone.

"Hello Mr Gerald. " Lucian speaks formally.

"Hello Lucian. I was hoping I could speak with you concerning a matter. Arianne's father speaks through the other end.

"Go on…" Lucian responds. His hands in his temples.

"Its been months now and if you have some free time, I'd like to host a family dinner. " He goes on to speak but Lucian cuts him short.

"I'll host it at my place. Does this weekend sound good enough?"

"Yes .. Sure. Arianne's father says and the call ends briefly.

Lucian has always been the type to be brief about conversations so throughout the call, he spoke very plainly and straightforward with Arianne's father.

 He turns back to addressing the files on his table, trying to cover up with the load of work before the end of day.

 About 30 minutes in, his secretary comes back to remind him of the meeting scheduled. Then he gets up, grabs his phone and shuts the door behind him as it makes its way out.

 ***********

"Hey you.."

"what is it Rowan…?"

"Oh come on. We've been texting back and forth for months now. " Rowan teases Arianne.

"you didn't text me this morning. I feared something had happened to you."

"Of course not.. I'm at the safest place you could imagine. At home." Arianne responds though the word "home" tasted vague in her lips.

"A sheep is never safe in a wolfs den." Rowan insists.

"You keep speaking in parables…tell me what I should know." She pleads but he wouldn't.

"The question isn't about the truth. Its if telling you is worth it." He deadpans .

"What do you mean?"

"What's in it for me? " Rowan asks. "I'll tell you the truth. But you have to return the favor soon."

" What do you want?" she asks.

"Patience Ari…I'll tell you when the time is right."

Rowan goes on to tell her the secret behind Lucian's closed doors.

"There was a girl in Lucian's Life long before you came along. She died and her memory still haunts him."

Rowan spill's.

"oh…why? What happened?" Arianne types quickly.

"Perhaps because he was the cause of her death." He responds.

"Find your way into the locked room and you'll find your answers there."

His last words send a jolt through Arianne. As thoughts begin to encircle around her mind.

"Who is she ?"

Did Lucian have a hand in her death?

And if he did, what would he do to me???

 *********