“Precisely,” Heine nodded, “Judging by the messy angles of the posted video, I figured that it was recorded with a phone. I’m certain such a mere item can pass through those five all-rounder groups of security that you stationed.”
“Do continue,” Elsa crossed her arms.
“I’m also sure you’ve promised a pretty penny to them, so bribery from the press won’t be accepted. That is why I presume the press isn’t exactly to blame, resulting to the very conclusion,” Heine paused, and yawned, “One of the guests couldn’t resist shooting the live telenovela episode.”
“And they said the wealthy were the definition of grace,” Elsa darkly mumbled.
Heine feigned a dramatic gasp, admitting, “Why, you hurt me. I’m wealthy and the definition of grace.”
The other blonde chuckled, “You’re quite exempted, don’t worry.”
As if on cue, Elsa could have sworn she heard a fist connecting to the flesh of someone’s rib outside. Soon, the brutal noise was quickly followed by another, this time an indignant groan, and the doors were suddenly thrown open—almost fooling Aiden if Marshmallow truly possessed an iron fist that must have caused the faint bruise tarnishing the right corner of the culprit’s mouth.
“Well then luckily for you, I’ve made the job easier. All thanks to technological needlework.”
When the guilty party decided to try and break free from the rigid grip, agony instantly rushed to both of his arms as the bodyguard locked him in place.
The wide smile adorning the Executive Director’s face tainted the captured’s ability to resist fear. “Digging is utterly boring without getting the real deal out of the dirt. Don’t you just agree, Garrett?”
“Get the hell away from me, Schmidt!” The least favored board member scowled.
Heine rolled his eyes. “And you should stay away from animal-printed suits.”
“Garrett,” Elsa’s shock didn’t extend, whilst she flatly questioned, “Had your fun at the party, I see?”
“I do have to admit, remarkable occasion it was, Miss Arendelle,” Garrett sneered, “Though I couldn’t entirely enjoy the festivities that night, you know. Simply served as an ugly reminder of how foolish and reckless you have been.”
Aiden walked up behind his fiancée, frowning, “Mister Garrett, I advise you to watch your tongue, especially with how you are speaking with my future wife.”
“No,” Garrett growled, “What about you shouldn’t even have marched in here in the first place? And long story short, it took me more than eight forsaken years to get to sit by that board table and you–it took you what?”
Aiden opened his mouth to reciprocate an answer, yet the older man wasn’t finished.
Wasn’t aware that he was warmly welcoming himself into a nightmare.
“Took you to be the CEO’s plaything?”
Slap!
Without delay, Elsa’s hand came roughly in contact with the man’s cheek; her practiced composure now completely in tatters and the terrifying sound of skin meeting abused skin disquieted the formerly fixed atmosphere of the room.
Even then examining the harsh redness of what she inflicted, guilt—for the very first time in her life—didn’t swallow her conscience in whole.
Aiden pulled her away from the wincing man once he was certain she allowed him to do so, his arms making her surrender to his warmth. He kissed the shell of her ear soothingly, catching a glimpse of the impending tears staining the spot near his collar.
“I d-didn’t.. Aiden, I p-promise..” She murmured hoarsely. Stroking her hair, Aiden gently shook his head, “I know, I know darling. Of course.”
He angrily steered his gaze to a flinching Garrett, rage governing his tone as he kept the blond close, “I can bear hearing you badmouth me, but insulting a woman’s integrity is something I won’t be able to forgive you for.”
“As if I wasn’t telling the truth,” Garrett scoffed.
Aiden coldly spoke, “Accept that you really weren’t. That is, if your ego can take it.”
The Creative Director received a dirty look in return. Under Heine’s command, Marshmallow left with the man still secured between his grip, who is surely questioning his future on his trip off to unemployment.
“So the lions can roar,” Heine clapped proudly, emerging from a desk chair, “I’m referring to both of you, by the way.”
“You’ve done majority of the work, Heine,” Elsa sniffled, whilst she grabbed a tissue, “Didn’t entirely roar, I guess.”
“Love,” Aiden chimes in, “I wouldn’t believe any word out of Garrett, you... Just gave him what he deserved. I highly doubt that he managed to film that this time,” He joked, in hopes of lightening his fiancée’s mood, “Come on, darling—Ramen House?”
Elsa linked his arm in hers, shyly confessing, “I want a plate of gyozas and the regular.”
“You got it.”
“And we’ll be starting on some desk-accessible wedding planning while I clear up papers.”
“Yes ma’am,” Aiden saluted with a grin, “But...”
Elsa raised a brow, sighing, “But?”
“You’ll get those—as soon as you turn that frown upside down.”
Elsa mustered up a small, loving smile upon said condition, wiping the remaining streaks of tears off her face. “Now?”
“There she is,” Aiden nodded softly, drawing a circle on her cheek with his thumb, “I’ll be back with lunch. Want anything, Heine?”
“No–but thank you. I don’t think they serve chicken parmesan salads.”
“Right.”
Heine folded his arms, gaze trailing to his friend whilst they watched the darker-haired man leave the scene.
“Precious, isn’t he?” Elsa mumbled.
Heine chuckled, agreeing, “I’m simply glad you decided to wear that ring around your finger.”
To be continued
on the next chapter...
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𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰
Romance❝I'm sorry I wasn't your yesterday.❞ Elsa's life was deprived of happiness. Not until she found two strangers; one whose smile can heal any broken hearts out there, and one who was mesmerized by her instead of the stars. Elsa's life was deprived o...
54 - Stalemates (EP. 02)
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