5 Do we have any pets inside the house?

"This is our last stop. The garden area, you were so eager to see" Fret said showing the exotic place.

This was the last stop that they were supposed to see since Ariana was getting impatient throughout the tour asking him to take her to the garden area.

Ariana's eyes sparkled at the sight of the beautiful place which was built with colorful flowers. "This is so beautiful" The same words escaped her lips and she stretched her mouth into a pleasant smile.

"Miss Ariana must have a liking towards nature?" she heard Fret speak from the side and that caught Ariana off guard. The smile on her face stiffed, suddenly getting cautious about Fret's words.

She forgot that he had been standing next to her observing her every reaction.

Ariana pursed her lips into a thin line before she bobbed her head agreeing with his assumption.

"Can I have a look around?" Ariana asked pointing her finger ahead while her head turned towards Fret as she took his permission.

Fret didn't understand why would she ask for his approval before touching or looking around the mansion when everything here belonged to her.

They were just mere servants who were obeying their master's orders.

"You can do anything you want Miss Ariana," Fret said and motioned her to go ahead and look around.

Ariana felt obligated as she yet had to get comfortable with the new surroundings.

Letting out a polite smile, she then walked deeper into the garden, looking thrilled by the serene place. The beautiful flowers and the fragrance they gave enlightened her mood and she slowly relaxed.

Her eyes curiously observed the place while Fret kept tailing behind her, answering her queries related to flowers which were new to her.

"It's such a beautiful place," she said kneeling in front of a particular flower plant that caught her attention.

Leaning forward, she inhaled its beautiful fragrance when something struck her and a face flashed in front of her eyes.

'They smell just like him' she thought and slowly pulled back.

Ariana forgot the time she had remembered Lucian in these few hours. Giving a last glance at the wildflower, Ariana was about to stand when something caught her eyes and she asked," Do we have a pet inside the house"

Pointing at the big animal foot printed on the ground next to the plant Ariana stood up.

Fret who had been standing behind immediately looked in the direction her hand pointed. 'Damn...' he cursed mentally.

His eyes moved toward the girl who appeared all innocent, but her words had managed to shake his composure.

"Hmm... Miss Ariana, I think we should get inside the house. The weather doesn't seem good for him" Fret tried changing the topic and Ariana immediately looked at the sky.

Dark clouds had started to gather above them. "Looks like it's going to rain" she mumbled under her breath and looked back at Fret.

"Let's get in," she said and they both entered the house.

Fret thought he had managed to skip her question and was rest assured but it was all in his head.

"You didn't answer me Fret. Do we have any pets inside the house" Ariana was curious to know about the footprint she witnessed inside the garden. It didn't look ordinary to her.

Fret halted his steps. It took him a while before he turned and faced her." No Miss Ariana we don't have any pets here " he answered her truthfully. "But-" further opening his mouth to speak Fret warned her. "We do have wild animals roaming around the property. If you have noticed there is a forest on the other side of the mansion"

Ariana frowned as she remembered him mentioning the woods next to the land. Those words skipped from her mind, she thought and bobbed her head.

"Yes I do" she replied.

Fret noticed the sincerity in her eyes and continued," I would suggest you don't step out of the mansion at night. Those animals stepped out for hunt at that time, so it's better to take precautions" he further stated.

Ariana's eyes grew wider in shock. " Have they harmed anyone around?" she asked out of curiosity.

"Yes, they have" Fret straight away replied and watched the color on her face turn pale.

'Am I able to warn her' he thought.

Fret came to notice one thing about Ariana and that was, the girl was very curious about this place and he doubted if they would be able to stop her from going against their master's will.

Ariana didn't bother him further and walked back to her room. Fret on the other hand heaved out a sigh. His words had managed to strike fear within her curious mind.

Once he watched her disappear from his sight his eyes darkened and he turned to look at the door. Composing his appearance, Fret walked towards the main door and opened it.

"Who are you?" he asked the man standing in front of him with some type of equipment in his hands.

"Master Donovan summoned me to install a telecommunication system inside the house"

The darkness within Fret's eyes disappeared as he examined the man before he took him in.

****

Inside the room, Ariana settled on the couch with a book on her lap while her eyes and hands were busy flipping pages after she finished reading it.

She decided to read something just so she wouldn't get bored and just when she had finished reading a few pages, she heard a knock on the door and her head flung towards its direction.

Placing the book on the small table ahead, Ariana then walked to open the door. A deep frown marred her forehead when she found Fret standing in front of her.

His face was as blank as ever.

"Yes Fret," Ariana asked the tall man who was just an inch away from hitting his head on the top frame of the door.

Ariana pursed her lips as she tried to fight a smile but then she noticed someone behind him and her smile dropped.

"Sorry for interrupting your reading time but we need to install a telephone inside your room" Fret lips twitched in embarrassment and he watched the smile on Ariana's face disappear the second she noticed a visitor.

The man peeked from Fret's shoulder and smiled.

Ariana took a step aside giving a way for the two men to enter the room. The technician who came to fix the telephone was short as compared to Fret who had a tall, lean body.

Giving her a light bow, the man started to do his work. Fret kept a keen look at him while Ariana walked back to her seat and resumed her reading. By the time she was half done, the technician had finished installing the phone, and after some time both Fret and he left the room.

Eyeing the new device on the table, Ariana smiled. Now she would be able to talk with Martha and the kids. In a happy mood, she climbed down from the couch and walked toward the telephone stand.

Dialing the orphanage number, she called Martha. Ariana knew Martha must be busy working inside her cabin and it would be a good time to talk with her.

After a few rings the old lady finally answered the call. "Hello," Ariana smiled as she closed her eyes feeling like it had been years since she last heard from Martha.

It was still a few hours since she left but she was already missing her.

"Martha, it's me Ari" Composing her overwhelmed heart, Ariana spoke. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she waited for Martha

"Ari is that you?" Martha sounded a little doubtful as she didn't expect Ariana to reach out for them after she left.

Ariana creased a little when she heard Martha's words. 'Did she think I will forget about them because I found a new place' A pout appeared on her lips as she didn't expect this kind of reaction from Martha.

Martha wasn't just a warden, she was the mother of all those children to whom she gave shelter.' How did she think I would forget my mother'

"You thought I would never call you. Didn't you Martha?" Ariana spoke. Displeasure was evident in her voice.

Martha was still in shock and instantly broke out of her thoughts the moment she heard her hurtful voice. She thought it was her imagination, but it was Ariana who was talking to her on the other side of the phone.

"How can I forget you, Ari? You are my best child. It will be a shame I will forget such a good child" Martha couldn't contain her happiness when she heard Ariana's voice. Though she sounded upset by her words, that didn't stop her from sulking over her.

Ariana couldn't keep her anger with Martha. Her soothing words had managed to wipe off the void in her heart replacing it with happiness.

"You shouldn't or else I will come there and remind you about me" Ariana faked her anger making the old lady laugh.