The Mansion Prison

Chapter 3

When Ariel gets home from school Friday her Mother is in the apartment waiting. She looks gorgeous and has her expensive clothes, makeup and hair already done. Her Mom is hard to read but Ariel is pretty sure she is nervous under the confidence. She follows her Mother's instructions and soon she is also fancily dressed up. Her Mom is an expert at doing hair and makeup having frequently worked with and then for her friend Amy. Looking in the full size mirror in her Mother's bedroom Ariel barely recognizes herself. She can hardly believe that just two months earlier she was a homeless runaway living on the street in a different State.

Her Mother keeps up a steady stream of warnings to get along with her fiancé and not cause any problems. By the time they leave for the restaurant Ariel is scared to death to meet Alexander Spencer. Looking at Ariel you would never know it tho. Her pretty face is devoid of any emotion. Growing up her Mother would torment Ariel whenever she became emotional or cried. Her Mother never showed her love or seemed to want her love in return. Diana preferred to have a daughter that was happy without any complex emotions. She had hated when Ariel became rebellious and talked back sarcastically. By the time Ariel ran away things had become physical between the two of them. Her Mother always managed to get men to restrain Ariel and lock her in a closet until she apologized and went back to acting happy. Finally Ariel had enough and ran away to her Father's mansion in another State. He never even saw her. Instead one of his security guards took her back to her Mother with strict warnings about stopping the generous child support.

That scared her Mother but she only became even more verbally and physically abusive to her rebellious angry daughter. Finally Ariel got out of her tight control and ran away. So far as Ariel knows her Mother never even looked for her. She certainly did not report her disappearance to the police because she did not want to lose the child support. Surviving on the streets made Ariel even harder and less emotional. She no longer even dared be angry. Her Mother had made it clear she would be abandoned if she did anything to jeopardize her Mother's marriage to this Alexander Spencer.

On the way to the restaurant, Diana forbade her from telling anyone about who she was marrying. She planned to completely walk away from her previous life and friends. Shocked Ariel asked coldly, "So does that include Amy?" Diana responded without any emotion, "Yes Ariel. Amy knows nothing about Alex and I insist you keep it that way. You are lucky I am even including you. You get the chance to be in one of the richest families in the World. You will go to the same private school as his children attend. Do not cause me any problems Ariel. I will never forgive you if you ruin this for me. Do not make me regret not leaving you behind like I am leaving Amy." Ariel nods and says, "I understand Mother. I will tell no one. Thank you for including me." Instantly her Mother happily says, "I knew telling Alex about you was the right decision Ariel. You have change since before you ran away. Now you are very responsible but it is silly to work yourself to death in a restaurant. Use that pretty face and young body to endear yourself to your own rich man. Not Alex's children tho. Treat them like brothers and sisters. Family is very important to Alex. Get close to them but do not have sex with them. Save that for getting your own rich husband." Her Mother began weaving some fantasy life where she and Ariel were married and went on trips together. Ariel only half listened as she tried to calm her nerves for meeting Alexander Spencer the 3rd.

The destination ended up being a 5 star French Restaurant. The clothes that had seemed so extravagant minutes before paled in comparison to what the other diners were wearing. They were led to a private room where a well dressed handsome man at least 20 years older than her Mother sat drinking and typing on a laptop. He immediately put away the laptop and stood kissing her Mother. It was apparent he was completely enamored with her. Indeed her Mother looked like she came from this world. All her actions mimicked the other patrons. Her mother had always been a chameleon fitting in wherever she went but Ariel was still shocked. If she did not know who her Mother was she would have assumed she was just another rich heiress born and bred into wealth.

Ariel modified her own behavior to those around her as she politely was introduced to Alex. He barely seemed to notice her as he gave all his attention to her Mother. Ariel noticed in a panic that the menu was written all in French. As she was contemplating how she could order the waiter appeared and gave a spiel that included the specialties. Not much caring what she ate Ariel immediately picked one of those specialties. Her Mother described what she wanted to eat and Alex ordered for both of them in fluid French. Ariel said nothing except to politely but vaguely answer questions. Mostly she was ignored which was fine with her. She was felt like a fish out of water in this environment. She just concentrated on using the correct utensils and not doing anything embarrassing. As soon as she felt like she had eaten enough she put down her fork in relief and the waiter immediately took away her plate. She declined dessert. She just wanted to get out of this restaurant without anyone realizing how much she did not fit into this world.

After growing up in the poorer part of the city and literally being homeless just months before she was sitting in a restaurant where the price of this dinner would most likely exceed the rent on their apartment. Yet she could not enjoy it. She was too busy pretending to fit in. Alex and her Mother ordered more alcoholic drinks as she sipped on her water. Taking a long drink Alex focussed his attention upon her. She just returned his stare with a blank face. She guessed he was trying to intimidate her. After a minute of just staring at her Alex says, "Ariel, Tomorrow you will meet my family. They are very upset over the divorce and I do not want you to do anything that makes this marriage harder on them then it already is. Do I make myself clear?" Ariel had no idea what he expected her to do or say to his family but instead of asking questions she just nodded politely verbally agreed. Thankfully he then went back to talking to her Mother asking, "So do you need to take her home then? I feel like we have not seen each other in ages."