Beauty is Beast

Chapter Five

I was off, everything was off, everything was wrong. I thought I would get closure after watching that video, but I don't think I have ever been so wrong in my life. Instead of the closure that I wanted, I got a gazillion questions, and I don't think that someone had an answer to them.

I shook my head as I turned to face Ares, he was perfecting what he called, killer combo, and to be honest, if he managed to pull that off, poor Dorian would lose the spar in a matter of minutes.

"What's wrong?" Ares panted as he got out of the ring. "Your head is not on the game," I shrugged. "Oh, come on Belle!" He exasperated. "I know you don't like me, but maybe I can help."

I rubbed my eyes and licked my lip. "I am just confused," I sighed. "Something is not adding up." I ran my hand through my hair, I was far too stressed for this. "Come on, cool down moment. You are more than ready for today."

Ares narrowed his eyes at me. "Belle," I turned to face him with a raised eyebrow. "Just try to calm down." I rolled my eyes and turned my back to him. "I'm not going to hurt Dorian."

I turned around and scoffed. "I'm not scared for Dorian," I spoke. "It has nothing to do with you or him or this gym. Let me be Ares, don't go digging if you are not going to open up either."

Ares rubbed his face before reaching out to hold my arm. "I can't fight you," He spoke softly but clearly. "I can't fight you, because," He licked his lips, his eyes unfocused, he was having a battle. "I can't fight you, because I am learning to fight, my abusive father." He added in a whisper.

I stared at him and nodded. "Don't expect, that only because you told me your secret, I'll tell you mine." I spat. "I'm also sorry for what you are dealing with," Ares gave me a sad smile. "He is supposed to care for you," I licked my lips. "Just give me some time," I added in a small whisper.

Ares nodded and took in a deep breath. "Are you going to cheer for me tonight?" He added with a smirk.

"I don't cheer," I winked. "Hurry up, I want to go home." Ares chuckled and did the cool-down routine that I had set up for him. I turned to face the office, I had always known that my father's death had been very abrupt, but not once it ever occurred to me that it might have been premeditated. 

"Orin," I gulped as he simply nodded his head. "I saw my father's last fight yesterday," I continued and he turned to face me. "I found something," I bit my lip and Orin gave a sad chuckle. "You knew?"

Orin sighed. "It's not like I knew, but I suspected," He placed his hands on the counter facing me. "You see, I heard your first warning, and I focused on the fight, and just like I am pretty sure you saw on the video, it wasn't an accident,"

I gulped and opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Orin knew or suspected all this time and he didn't say anything! "Why!" I shouted as I bolted out of my chair. "You saw your best friend being murdered and you never even thought of saying something!" I accused.

"It's not as easy as you think Belle," Orin growled. "I have been trying to gather evidence to actually accuse someone, but I have no clue where to start!" He cried and I could hear how broken he felt. "I didn't want to give you hope," He whispered.

"But now?" I whispered. "Can we do something?" Orin shrugged. I rubbed my eyes. "Orin, please, let's think together, let's go through the video, let's do something! I can't keep still now that I know that he was murdered in cold blood!"

Orin nodded and let out a breath. He had been carrying this information for so long, that I think that he feels relieved that someone else figured it out. "Sure, but Belle," He warned. "We have to be very careful, we don't know who wanted him dead or why," I gave him a simple nod. "This," He motioned to the air. "Stays between us, until of course we can go to the police and such,"

"Yes," I whispered. "Of course," I grabbed my things ready to head to school when I stopped in the hallway. "She," I spoke and I heard a 'huh' from Orin. "The Enchantress," I spoke. "She has something to do,"

"That's your mother you are accusing Arabelle!" Orin shouted and I raised an eyebrow. "Why?" He questioned.

"Who spat on the table after the will was read?" I questioned and Orin nodded. He was thinking back to that day. My mother had thrown a tantrum when she figured out that she got nothing, everything had gone to me, and Orin was the one my father had trusted with me. "It's a start," I shrugged. "I'll see you at the gym," I spoke and walked away.

I slammed my locker shut, finally, school was over which meant that I had some time to review the video again before I had to see the match.

I had a hard time focusing on what we had to do today and even talking to Ares or Dorian, my mind was simply not working, unless it had to do with thinking about who could have murdered my father and why.

The main person on my list was my mother, whom I hadn't seen in the last 4 months, and not because I didn't want to, but rather because she had bailed on every meeting we were supposed to have.

"Belle!" Ares shouted as I was about to leave school. "Belle, wait up please," He spoke and I sighed.

"What Ares?" I questioned.

"Do you like the nickname Greek?" Ares questioned and I was taken aback. I had forgotten about the nicknames, every fighter has to have one.

I smirked. "I'll see you at the ring, Greek," I climbed on my motorcycle and left.

There is no time to be thinking about nicknames when I need to figure out who ruined my life.