Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
Ariadne looked at Arthur. "Of course I'll eat it," she said, meekly. To his relief, she began to cut off a piece of the omelette, gathered it onto her fork with salad, and put it in her mouth.
As he watched her, he took a sip of water. Stay calm, he told himself. As she swallowed, he smiled at her. "Sorry. I just-" he stopped, realising what he was about to say. "I worry about you."
She looked up. "You worry?" He nodded. "Yes." He looked back down at his plate.
"What made you worry?" she persisted.
"Well, I noticed that you'd lost some weight - I was concerned you weren't taking care of yourself." He took a bit of omelette.
She blushed slightly. "I guess skinny girls don't do it for you."
He nearly choked on his omelette. What is she trying to do to me? "Ari, unhealthy girls don't do it for me. I'd be just as concerned if you turned up to the warehouse weighing 300lbs." He winced - he sounded so cold, so clinical - and took another swallow of water.
She nodded. "OK." Another forkful of omelette disappeared into her mouth. He clutched his fork more tightly. "I'm sorry, what I meant is-" he tried to formulate the words - "I just want to-" his voice faded. He couldn't explain or justify himself.
The next few minutes passed in silence. Ariadne concentrated on eating, Arthur, his appetite virtually gone, contented himself with drinking water. After a few more minutes, Ariadne pu her knife and fork down. "I'm done."
He raised an eyebrow. "You've eaten less than half of it."
She looked at him. "Arthur, I can't eat anymore."
"Ariadne." His voice was firm. "You're-" He stopped, and pushing his chair back, stood up, quickly striding into the lounge area to retrieve his coat. His heart was racing, and he could feel his blood pulsing uncomfortably in his temples. She hurried after him. "Arthur, wait-"
He turned to her. "What are you trying to do?" He almost shouted. "Why are you behaving like this, like you're trying to defy me? What do you hope to get out of this, Ari?"
She fell silent. Ashamed of his outburst, he turned round, and started pulling his coat back on. I have to get out of here, he told himself. As he turned back round, he saw her face, pale, and guilty. This only increased his anger more.
"I know what you've been dreaming," he told her. His voice was toneless, and he saw her eyes widen with shock.
"I saw it," he said, ignoring her expression. "I saw how you dream about me spanking you, about me-" he swallowed, shaking his head. "What type of man do you think I am, Ariadne? You really think that's how I feel?"
She bit her lip, tears starting to form in her eyes. "No," she whispered. "No, Arthur, I'm sorry-"
"Look, it doesn't matter," he said, rapidly. "But don't do it again, ok? Don't do things like that, don't-" he stopped. The look of anguish on her face was more than he could bear. Tears were streaming down her face, and she took a step back.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and turned and practically ran from the room. He heard a door shutting, which he assumed was her bedroom door. Cursing under his breath, he went and knocked on it. "Ari, please."
"Just go." He heard her stifle a sob. "Please, Arthur. You're right, I shouldn't have done it, I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
He tapped again, more gently. "Ari, come on. I'm not saying that, I'm-" he blinked, and paused. What am I saying? he wondered. "Ari, please let me in. We need to talk."
"But, what you said-"
"Look, Ari, I'm not going to carry on yelling through a door! Let me in, or I'll-" he stopped, and before he realised, the next words had left his mouth.
"Or I'll punish you."
"No." Her tone was defiant. Arthur gripped the door handle, and turning it, opened the door. As he opened it, he saw her, sitting on the bed. In her underwear.
He swallowed. She's manipulated you, an inner voice shouted, but he ignored it.
"Ari." His voice was firm. "Get off the bed, and bend over."
She did so. As he walked over, he felt himself tremble slightly. Turning, he took hold of the door handle, and shut it firmly.
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