The Two Families

Chapter One

I jolted up to the sound of blaring alarm next to me. The clock displayed the time in red block letters: 04:00 am. I used all my strength to push myself out of bed, stepping over the pile of clothes on the floor. I heard a loud snore from the sleeping girl on the bed on the other side of the room. I walked over, shaking the sleeping girl, trying to wake her up.

"Payton, wake up!" I whispered.

The brunette groaned, pulling out the strands of hair from her mouth. I grabbed my towel before going into the shared bathroom to take a shower. I lived in a two-bedroom apartment with four girls, who are all struggling to make ends meet. Turning on the shower, I sighed, wondering when all the struggle will finally come to an end.

I had a job interview today with a man named Luka Marino who owned the famous investment company "Marino Investors". I had just finished my degree in business management, and I was drowning in student debt. I worked three jobs to try to pay off the student debt that I never managed to get a proper job. I overheard two men talking obnoxiously loud during my shift at the local coffee store, saying that the owner of Marino Investors is looking for a personal assistant. There was no harm in applying to the job.

Getting dressed in my grey pants, jacket and white dress shirt, I walked out to the kitchen to meet Payton, who has to go to work too. 

"Good morning Payton," I greeted.

"Morning Aarina," she grumbled, pouring coffee into her mug, before sitting down on the couch in front of the TV.

"You need to get ready for work Payton," I pushed, making my toast, before plopping down on the couch next to her.

"I hate my job Aari, it honestly sucks. All I do is deal with drunk married men who can't keep it in their pants and complain about their horrible wives all day. Bartending is the worst."

I laughed because that was the only thing I could do in this situation, and Payton knew that.

"When are we going to get the life we deserve Aari?" Payton asked, sadness lacing her voice.

"Soon Pay, I can feel it," I replied, despite feeling helpless.

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I thanked the taxi driver and paid the fee, before stepping out of the taxi, looking up at the sleek, large building in front of me. The smoky glass windows glared down at me, teasing me, judging my thrift store-bought clothes, mocking me as if I had no business being here. I didn't have any business here. I shouldn't even be here. Why would the most prominent investment company hire me? A freshly graduated student, with no work experience and under immense student debt. I pushed out all the thoughts weighing down on me and walked to the large doors, pushing them open. 

Sounds of heels clicking against the marble floor crept into my ears. Muffled voices and chatter were heard across the large foyer of architectural marvel. I walked past all the classy dressed people, eyeing them in their perfect clothes with their hair perfectly done.

"Umm hi, I am Aarina De Niro, here to meet with Mr Marino for a job interview," I informed the receptionist, who smiled and began typing on the laptop.

"Alright, go straight to the elevator. Go up to the seventeenth floor and talk to the receptionist there. I sent her your information and résumé. She will assist you."

Thanking her, I walked over to the elevator, pressing onto the number "17", tapping my foot in anticipation. The soft elevator music filled the small space along with my rapid tapping. The bing of the elevator brought me back to reality, and I stepped out, onto a carpeted floor.

"Hi, I'm Aarina De-" I started to the receptionist.

"He'll be with you in a minute. Take a seat." She deadpanned.

Stunned, I took a seat and pulled my phone out. It was seven in the morning, meaning Payton would already be at work. I texted my roommates on our group telling them that I reached. I received good luck messages and a picture of Payton looking like she wanted to punch someone with the caption: a man offered to buy me a drink? I work here? I chuckled loudly at her facial expression.

"Something funny?" A deep, silky voice erupted, making me jump in my seat, looking for the source of the voice. I locked eyes with a man in a blue suit; the top two buttons were undone, exposing his tattooed, firm, olive-toned chest. Looking up at the man, his beard was perfectly trimmed, his green eyes sparkling with mischievousness.

"I..." I trailed off, mesmerised by the six-foot-something man in front of me.

"Luka Marino," he announced with a smirk, "you must be Aarina. Please come in and have a seat."

He held the door open, gesturing inside with his hand. Clearing my head, I got up and made my way into the large office, decorated by would have to say the best interior designers. I sat down on one of the black chairs in front of his desk. He took off his jacket, placing it neatly on the back of his chair, before sitting down and crossing his arms over his chest. The white dress shirt's sleeves were rolled up neatly, exposing a small sleeve of tattoos.

"So Aarina, tell me, why should I hire you for my company?" He raised an eyebrow.