Arianna couldn't sleep a wink not like she even tried to. She kept staring at her newly crafted suspect board biting on the cap of her marker, a bad habit of hers.
"What is it? where is it?" When the voice in her head couldn't provide the answers she tore down the board. "I'm just going to have to start over"
"What are you doing?" Arianna hadn't heard her grandmother come in.
"I'm missing something and I need to find it fast" her grandmother settled the cup of hot chocolate on the bed side table and joined Arianna
"Need a fresh pair of eye? I always found all your missing stockings" she joked
"It's late, you should be in bed"
"Oh please all I do is sleep, especially now that I can't go out"
"Fine" Maybe speaking to someone will make it clearer. Her grandmother took a seat facing the board while Arianna stood with her marking tools. "So, Julianna has two sons one from her arranged marriage and another from an affair. Travis from the arranged marriage, who she doesn't want to make heir. And the second son, Jasper, who after this night's event seems suspicious, it almost like he doesn't know what is going on but as the second son he definitely can't be that ignorant"
"Then maybe he isn't" her grandmother said stretching to take the cup of chocolate which was meant to Arianna undeniably.
"That can't be Harry said" then she remembered more vividly than ever "I didn't.. he never mentioned who the second son was"
"You must have jumped to conclusion"
"But Julianna and Jasper are working in place of Travis right now. He literally flashed jasper in my face to get me to join their side"
"That's probably what they want you to think" Arianna was so shocked at how stupid and hasty she was, most of all she was amazing at how her grandmother had outsmarted her although she wasn't going to acknowledge that.
"But why.."
"It's simple isn't it?" Arianna know why but she couldn't bring her self to say it "Julianna knows you, she knows you will win this fight and is using that to her advantage"
"She wants Jasper to take the fall?" Arianna swallowed the disgust lining her throat "She is killing all the birds with one stone"
"Most importantly, how is Harry getting wrapped up in this? he isn't playing detective too is he?"
"He works for Julianna so he is automatically at the center at it all"
"Poor boy. Your parents always spoke of him said he was so smart and nice, it hurt me when I was told he was an orphan, I told your parent to make sure they always invited him over for the holidays so he doesn't get lonely"
"Yeah I wish I could forget that. Well that sweet boy sold his heritage for a background" Arianna said with disgust. "Wait a minute, background? Orphan? You've got to be kidding me!"
Arianna's grandmother wasn't buying it even till the following morning "It can't be Arianna, Harry can't possibly be. He is just an orphan boy"
"Ma we have established that anything is possible with these people. And it fits perfectly an orphan boy appears out of nowhere and happens to work at a world class car company. Harry isn't even an engineer!"
"I'm just saying you should give it more thought"
"I will ma but I want to think with people that will not dot on him" her grandmother was unapologetic and wouldn't buy the idea no matter what
Arianna hailed a taxi. She wasn't sure she could get a cab to go into the evil forest so she dropped at the edge determined to walk the remaining mile. Halfway through she met Travis perched on a bench and panting.
"Early morning run?"
"Oh, morning Arianna didn't expect to see you in the woods"
"Hoping to meet red riding hood then"
Travis chucked lightly and got up.
"Who do you think Julianna's second son is?" Arianna asked suddenly. Travis looked thoughtful. If not for last might's revelation, Arianna never thought it would be something to think about she thought it was obvious and a fact, like asking a kid the colors of the traffic light.
"Hmm I really don't know.."
"What? You have no ideas what so ever!?" How was she the only one that jumped to conclusion? No she wasn't the only one. She had told Louis and Mr. Benson and none disputed her claim. "You don't think it's Jasper?"
Travis arched his brow "It can't be Jasper, I told you Jasper is Matilda's son. I know that for sure. Dad asked me the same thing this morning"
"But you said you suspected Jasper was going to take your place. Why did you think that?"
Travis looked away and ruffled his hair before replying "well that's a long story. I was four then. It was midnight and I couldn't sleep so I left my room. Everywhere was dark but the moon was bright outside and it leaked in through a window in the parlor, Julianna stood there staring out. She had a suitcase by her side I didn't know if she was leaving or just getting back since I rarely spent time with her. I was scared so I ran to her and hugged her she jerked and pushed me away, I could see her expression clearly in the moonlight, she was disgusted. The following day Jasper and Matilda showed up, Jasper and I went to the same school and were treated equally but no matter how hard I tried Julianna always favored Jasper over me"
"Why hadn't you said any of this before!?"
"I didn't think it was important" Arianna was furious at herself how had she let communication be so scarce on their side. "And regarding this same topic, my dad said he had some news."
They walked through the forest to the cottage, Arianna was deep in thought that she smacked her foot at the stairs.
"Careful now" Travis said helping her up the stairs "they are at the dining, I need to go freshen up"
Arianna made her way to the dining. Louis and Mr. Benson were at their predicted positions. Louis munching on something and Mr. Benson staring at him with amusement.
"Arianna! Such perfect timing"
"Morning sirs" Arianna slumped into one of the chairs too exhausted to think anymore.
"You look happy" Louis commented. A sarcastic comment was just what Arianna didn't need "Want some?" Arianna didn't have the faintest idea what he was offering her but she was sure she didn't want any.
"Please let there be good news" she said to Mr. Benson.
"I doubt it would be even classified as news but it's definitely new information. It's about Julianna's affair and who her actual second son is" Arianna didn't interrupt she promised her grandma she would give it a second thought and she didn't want to be proven wrong for the second time , her credibility was at stake. Travis joined them before Mr. Benson began his narration.
"Seems we are all complete" Mr. Benson gestured to the cute girl who always stood at the corner. Bring her in. She nodded and disappeared up the steps minutes later she was back with an older but vibrant woman. It was Matilda.
YOU ARE READING
Therapist's therapy
Misterio / SuspensoWhat does it take to be a therapist? Sanity, or insanity. With the world getting more messed up therapists are finding it hard to keep up and maintain their sane. Ariana isn't different. After getting employed she begins to rethink if it was a job...
