Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 31: House of Cards

Pari expected the interiors to be simplistic, sophisticated and slick- The Arin Kare signature. But she was taken aback when she stepped inside the main hall. It was moderately gaudy, the interiors were luxurious but gave off the feeling of a community centre than a resort. 

The main hall seemed like an extension of the festival down at the village. Crowded and lively with people dancing. But at the back of the hall, as if hidden from spectators there was a small door behind a huge curtain. Arin slightly pushed it aside and took Pari behind the curtain. 

Her cheeks lit up in an instant. Arin was so naughty! Pari thought to herself, she instinctively closed her eyes and pushed her lips forward waiting to by engulfed whole. Instead she heard Arin's chuckle. Pari slightly opened one eye taking a peek, what's taking so long!

"Desperate aren't we, darling" He slightly pinched her nose and pushed her back. 

Pari suddenly found herself on the other side of the door. Embarrassed she turned away avoiding his touch. She could hear Arin laugh behind her but she was more focused on what lay ahead. 

It was a parlour, just as luxurious and adorned as the rest of the hotel. In the middle was lots of sofas forming a circle and towards the wall were beauty tables with make-up, jewelry, fur and whatnot. It almost looked like backstage of a theatre, elaborate and rich. But that wasn't what caught her eye.

As Arin led Pari to the centre of the parlor, beautiful women wearing scanty clothes, decked with make-up crowded around them. There were more than Pari could count. Their attention wasn't on the new girl who suddeny showed up in their abode but a familiar face behind. 

"Arin! Where have you been?"..."Why didn't you visit?"...."Don't miss us anymore boy?"..."you have grown more handsome!" Multiple women screeched and spoke at the same time as they threw themselves on him. They held onto his arms, touched his hair and excited spoke to him. Pari instintively stepped aside as she watched them. It annoyed her that Arin didn't push them away, that he spoke to them tenderly, almost like an innocent teenager. 

"Girls! Let him breath" An authoritative, mature voice finally put an end to the cacophony. An elderly women appeared. Pearls wrapped around her sagging neck as a thick white fur balanced the blitzy pink dress she wore under. Her greying hair was elegantly swept up in a bun. 

"Darling!" She walked up to Arin like an old grandma. The young women parted like the sea of mosses to let the woman embrace Arin. 

"My lady" Arin jokingly greeted, earning a heartwarming laugh. "Why didn't you visit child? Is work too much? Tell me if someone is bothering you, nothing an old lady can't solve" But even in this seemingly-loving exchange of words there was a hint of professionalism and respect, as if Arin was her superior.

"Calm down, lady. Just busy. How are you? How's everyone?"

"We are good" all the women chimed in as the old woman mouthed 'see'. Amidst this, suddenly the woman's eyes fell on Pari.

""And who is this? An enchanting face no doubt" the woman reached out to Pari and carassed her cheek. Pari was embarrassed at how easily she said those words. "What's your story?" The old lady pitifully mumbled. Before, Pari could comprehend, Arin pulled her to his side and wrapped his hands firmly around her shoulders.

"Everyone! This is Pari, my beautiful fiance" Arin proudly announced.

Everyone gasped, whined, applauded but Pari didn't pay attention to them, the old lady was what caught her attention. Though subtle, she noticed her eyes glimmering as if tearing up. She suddenly stepped forward and embraced Pari in a tight hug. "You must be an angel" she said as she pulled away and lovingly took another look at Pari.