Aria
The phone keeps ringing non-stop and I'm about to throw it out of the window, if the windows in my office could open. I press the decline button and another call pulls through, I repeat my action before and press decline. Eventually I call Rhea into my office to update me on my schedule for the day and to inform the receptionist about these calls.
She comes in quickly, file in hand and phone in ear, "Yes, Friday is the final deadline." She must be speaking about my the White Palace, everything is pulling through smoothly so I'm happy I can make this dream come true for Marae. Only I know how many sleepless nights she's had perfecting this project.
She sits in the chair and I wait patiently for her to finish the call, "Is that about the White Palace?"
"Yes, the system still needs a few adjustments but everything is going as planned." she explains. I'll have to check up on that, I wouldn't want any probelms especially after these last few days.
"Alright, enlighten me." I lean back into my chair.
"You have a meeting with some of the investors at midday. Mr. Davinski has been calling our line non-stop, journalist and reporters as well. We need to go on-site to the White Palace because your father thinks it's best. And Mr. Hermandez insists on picking you up this evening." she snickers at the last line.
"Come again?" I lean forward.
"He says he needs you for something" she smirks, raising her eyebrow. The suspicious look she gives me says it all. I know Rhea knows I have done sort of relationship with Ash.
"Fine, I'll call him. If Davinski wants to see me, he'll come to me personally and tell the Ruvi not to let any of these journalists through my line their giving me a headache." she leaves and I look in my purse for some energy pills.
"Where are those pills?" I dig into my bag and nothing comes up. I'm confused for second but than I remember who could've had access to my thing, Marae is one of them of course but she would go through my bag without my permission but there's someone else in mind.
I dial his number and he picks up on the second ring, "Aria, are you actually calling me? You have my number, wait what did you save me as" he rambles. He sounds particularly excited got some reason, even though his tone is monotone as always.
"Dickhead. That's not what I called you for." I deadpan.
He shuffles a bit and adjust the phone, "Change that. What'd you call for?"
"Why are you shuffling so much?" I ask, noticing the fabric rubbing off in the speaker.
"I have bloods on my hand, tryna wash it off" I hear a tap in the distance and he adjust the phone to the other side of his ear, "I really don't like how comfortable I said that."
"Why do I find that so sexy?" I deadpan. I gape and tighten my mouth when I realise I said that out loud. What was that? Why did I say that? Oh, he probably thinks I'm crazy.
"That's interesting, very interesting." he chuckles, "Why'd you call corazon?" his uses his business tone this time.
I sit forward, signing some contracts, "Oh, what did you do with my pills?" one of the documents clauses just straight piss me off and I discarded the whole thing. When reading the next one I put a pencil line through some of the clauses and highlight what I want to fix. "Don't even try to deny it."
"I threw them away" he deadpans.
"Why?"
"Because they make have side effects, and they can ruin your health." he continues, his tone become softer.
"I'm aware, I need them to stay focused." I frown even though he can't see it.
"You can stay focused, amour. But those things always make you hyperactive, remember when you used to drink alot of energy drinks in college, remember what it did to you?" he explains.
"I used to get hyperactive and jump on your bed till I pass out for 32 hours" I say, a little quieter.
"Exactly, order a vanilla latte. You'll be fine in a few minutes."
"Fine."
"Good girl. Now let's talk about this blood kink of yours." I picture him smirking behind the phone. I hang up and rub my temples, I swear he gives me such a headache.
For the rest of the hour I finish up the signatures needed on the contracts, it's a long process having to read through every clause and term to make sure everything is the way I've negotiated with my clients. By the time I'm done atleast seven of them are left unsigned because they have ridiculous clauses. Alot of people think because I'm a woman I work on emotions and not logic.
They couldn't have been more wrong, one thing I never do is bring my emotions in business. I work strategically, with curious and logical thinking. No matter how much a women proves her worth, people will always underestimate her. It's what made me as rich and known as I am today. I have no business nursing peoples emotions and giving them my sympathy. Most people who walk through these doors have dirty pasts like me.
Rhea calls in to inform me of the board members arrivals and I ask her to meet me in the boardroom with a vanilla latte. I prepare myself and fix my appearance while making my way, I hear chatter commencing in the room. Rhea immediately stands behind me with the coffee as we enter in the boardroom. It's fully packed and every seat is taken even though this isnt a formal meeting.
The next few meeting are spent talking about the previous meeting, matters arising and new matters. About twenty minutes into the meeting the third item on the agenda is being discussed which is the White Palace project. I stand and Rhea turns on the projection screen.
"Next on the agenda is the White Place project." I press a green button and it reveals the image of architectural design for how the building will look, "As you can see, the building is a few months away from being completed, everything is going as planned so far. Have we finalized a date for the launch?"
"I have but I want to make sure everything is set in order for the date to coordinate with the deadline set for the building." Marae says over the videocall. "Once again, please excuse me from the meeting."
"Alright, you're excused Marae. Please inform Mr. Hermandez, that midnight is appropriate for the pickup." I mumble the last sentence a little lower.
"Of course, I will be in the office tomorrow to check progress. Good-River you can't smell the chloroform, you might pass out." she hangs up and the boardroom turn into a fit of chuckles.
"Excuse her," I move the presentation to the fifth slide and sit back down in my seat, "Account settlements."
"Miss Lee Johnson hasnt settled her accounts since early this year April. Mr. Davinski company is facing yet another scandal causing an income loss to both the businesses. And slightly off the agenda, news reporters want to know your relationship with Mr. Ash Hermandez, they fear that the history of criminal activity will interfere with the company reputation" Elle, my accountant specialist explain.
"Harris will deal with Miss Johnsons account, I want that settled by the end of this week. I will personally deal with Mr. Davinski's scandal on my own and not that it's anyone business, my relationship with Mr. Hermandez is purely business all his 'criminal acts' have never been proven therefore no one suggestion is needed on the matter." I explain.
"Of course, Miss Middleton. Unfortunately you have to be on-site in less than an hour so we will close the meeting for now. The new meeting will discuss the investors, technical and financial problems along with your position in the company as per the shareholders demands." an employee explains.
"Then it's settled, send me a copy of the minutes and email me the details of the accounts. As for the topic of my position in the company it will remain as is, cancel it out from the agenda" I stand, Rhea standing along side me. "I take full responsibility for the current situation we are facing but that does not mean I will keep a blind eye to any sort of disrespect, this is my company and it will continue so."
"Although, I have always given a equal opportunity for everyone so I ask all of you now, without the shareholders and investors present, who believes I am incapable of running this corporation." I raise an eyebrow slowly.
There are twenty people seated in the room and seven of them raise their arms, five of them men and two of them woman. The men look as if this is the day they have been waiting for, while the woman who raised their hands look as if they are gradually losing their faith in me.
"I respect your decision, and I will prove to you why my name is Aria Middleton. Meeting is adjourned." I walk out of the room, and the chatter continues. I'm greatful for the respect of not speaking in my presence so I try my hardest to be lenient but with authority.
I spend the rest of the afternoon with Rhea at the construction site of the White Palace. It was a bad idea to wear red today but atleast its not white. When we arrive at the site, we're given protective helmets and gloves because chemical products are being used today. I'm given a file on a clipboard and I skim through it quickly.
We walk around the entire building, making sure things are going smoothly. Rhea advises me to stay for the meeting and I comply, it was a good idea infact because I learned the progress. We're apparently short of a few builders but they're being replaced as soon as possible. I normally don't do on-site inspections but this is Marae's project and everything has to run accordingly.
Over the years, Marae has supported me in the performance of this company. Two years ago she presented a pitch for this vision she had, after two long years of finally organizing everything in a few months she will finally be able to launch it. That is the problem though, the White Palace has become a worldwide phenomenon. If we actually launch it, we might become on of the most relevant companies to come up on end.
Marae's vision is something everyone wants to have their hands on and even though I've helped her with most of it. It belongs to her and only her. I'll be damned if I let anyone try to destroy this project.
It's 11:15pm. By now everyone has left and the only people who might still be here are the late janitors, his night might've ended at 11:00 as well since its so quiet and I find myself sitting in the silence. Noises of papers printing and my pen signing along with my keyboard typing bring the only set of noise for a distance. For the most part I'm should be done for the day by midnight which is when Ash should be here.
I push my chair to the left side of my glass table and grab the third vanilla latte today. I lean forward again to the right side and place the coffee behind mmy laptop after taking a few sips. My Email is already flooded with interview requests, invitations to fashion show and movie premieres along with red carpet event invites. I switch it to my business email and go through the last few documents I asked in the afternoon meeting.
At 11:20pm, I hear the elevator chime and I wonder why Ash is so early. I hear footsteps coming but they suddenly stop, I look up to see if anyone is standing at my door but there's no one there. What game is he playing now? It's quiet and the silence is pin drop worthy, I try to look out but I'm only met with some darkness because of the dimmed lights.
"Ash?" I'd assume it would come out louder but instead it sounds like a soft whisper. I move from my chair and my heels clank again the floor with each steps I take.
When I stand outside my office all I see are empty desks, and darkness. Maybe, I'm imagining things. I'm about to go sit down but the footsteps start again, I turn around quickly but again no one's there. This time I get a bit suspicious and remove the gun attached to the wall behind my bookshelf. The footsteps resume again and this time I hear something being pushed as well.
On instinct I immediately point the gun in that direction, a man pushing a dumpster cart appears so I hide the gun behind me. He looks up and smiles and I smile as well.
"Good evening, mam. My apologies I didn't think anyone would be here." his voice is hoarse and I wonder how old he is.
"Yes, of course. I won't get in your way I'll just be in my office." I answer politely and walk back inside, I put the gun down on the coffee table and walk over to the printer. Its shut off and I don't understand how, I leave it and decide to use one of the employee booths to print the file.
When I come out the man is emptying the bins into the cart, I nod and walk over to a random desk. The file prints in excessive time and I sigh and wonder why mine is still not working. Shrugging it off, I walk back but stop to ask if his good in maintenance.
I turn around and a needle is shoved into my neck. I stare at the man when he raises his head and reveals his face from underneath the cap his wearing. His young but probably around his thirties meaning my suspicion was right. I feel my body go numb the longer the needle stays in my neck, gradually my legs wobble and I lose control of my entire body. He pulls its out and I reach my hand to touch the tiny prick.
"B-bitch!" I stutter and my face hits the concrete, I taste a metallic fluid in my mouth and wonder if he poisoned me or just paralyzed me. My right still has movement and his standing in between both my legs. I use the force of energy to kick him in the shins before he clutches his chroat and reveals a gun.
Well, damn Aria you just had to kick him huh.
"You little bitch!" he groans and aims the trigger at my right thigh, he pulls the trigger and the pain is unfelt but it slowly gets my leg to start movement again and the pain is excruciating. I scream at the pain while blood drips on my floor. He walks away to go fetch what I'm assuming he left in the cart.
The cart is near the elevator and I still have a bit of control in my arms, I remember I left the gun on my coffee table and I turn over pain and all to crawl over the table. I use all my strength and it leaves a trail from the hallways to my office when I finally reach the table. My last bit on strength is used to lift myself up and my arms shiver when I try to reach for the gun.
I hear footsteps, he's walking. I'm assuming he notices my body missing because his steps pick up and now his running. I groan and grab the gun losing full control in my left arm, good thing I'm right handed. I see him in the view of my door and pull the trigger multiply times not caring whether the aim is good or not because I'm about to become fully paralyzed.
I count every bullet I shoot and he stands behind the wall. I'm left with one bullet and I felt my right arm starting to shiver as well. Shit. The unknown fucker comes in knife in hand and kicks the gun out of my reach. Sucks to be him cause I was already paralyzed. He bends down over me, my back leaning against the coffee table. I squeeze my eyes shut when I suddenly hear fabric ripping, he uses the knife to rip off my shirt and removes my blazer.
"Fuck you!" I slur through gritted teeth, left in only a lace bra and my pants. He looks at me dead in the eye and punches my left temple, my face jolts to the right and he squeezes my chin and brings it back to face me. I repeatedly open and close my eyes, trying to decipher the black dots I'm seeing. That metallic taste in my mouth returns and this time I'm sure it's blood.
He drags me on the floor by my hair and I can't even do anything to atleast pull it back. I look around and notices we're standing near a window. He let's go of my hair and I sigh in relief, in the next few seconds I hear glass break before realizing in my half-conscious sate that he broke my window. Papers file out the window, he tugs my hair again and I'm certain I'm about to be pushed off a 40 storey building, paralyzed.
I move a few inches before the elevator chimes again. More people, fucking perfect. He stops midway as if his confused who that might be, I glance at the clock with watery eyes and notice its reads 11:47pm. I've never been more happy for Ash being early in my life. Footsteps are heard as they come closer, until they suddenly stop and a gun is reloaded. The man bangs my head against the floor and jumps out of the window.
Fucking hell.
Ashs body comes in view his face is pale white as he searches the room. His brown doe eyes land on me and he freezes dropping the gun and runs over to me. His hands are full of blood and I can assume its mine. His hands cup my face and waist, carrying me half way onto his lap. He look terrified, like the image he sees in front of him is shredding his heart. I feel bad and I don't even understand why, I just never want to see him like that.
"Aria? Aria, stay awake up. I need you to tell me what he did!" I zone back in when I realise I wasn't listening and slowly slipping into unconsciousness. He tugs my hair but only gentle even though it still hurt I don't have the energy to tell him. His shaking my body an awful lot right now and his hands are shaking too.
"You'll be okay, you'll be fine. Fuck me, not again" it's sounds more like he's reassuring himself than me, he rocks my body slowly and I think he's still in shock. I take a deep breath and force myself to try and speak.
"Jumped...window" my words are jumbled and I don't think he understands me but he looks out the window to the nothingness, "he drugged me, I'm paralyzed from the neck down" I manage to say a full sentence.
"Fuck, did you see him?" he asks, I shake my head and leans against his chest. Although I can smell a lot of blood, Ashs scent find way to me and I felt a feeling of comfort in it. I bask in his mere scent and it hugs me, giving me solace as I pass out.
"I said midnight, you're early" I chuckle but instead cough out blood. He smiles a little before frowning and starts picking me up.
"Sleep. You need it" he rests his cheek on my head and I laugh a bit. He doesn't want me to sleep, he's lying.
"I can't" I say even though the drowsiness I feel over takes me. My eyes open and close constantly fighting a battle.
He steps into the elevator and kisses my forehead, I find myself leaning my forehead against his kiss. "How about now?"
"Mhm." was the last thing I said before completely passing out for what felt like the thousandth time that night.
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I'll edit it promise.
And the others.