Zaria 🌹
One week later
The sound of my heels clacking on the floor was faded by the muffled sounds of people around as I entered into the lobby of the building. Damien has scheduled our meeting at his office today. And I am nervous.
I don't know if the office temperature was hot or if it was my anxiety that burned on my skin.
The logo of The Achlys Group shined on the wall behind the marble counter. The coffee-colored high ceiling walls decorated with gold LED lights casting on them. The shiny marble floor. Two comfortable white Olympic sofas matching the floor parallel to each other with round tables, and beautiful little white chandeliers hung on the ceilings.
Many men and women chatted with each other softly standing stiff and poised, as if trained.
I walked towards the receptionist who has her attention on the screen in front of her.
"Excuse me" I said.
"Hello Ms. Williams, How can I help you?" She greeted me with a smile.
"I'm here to meet Mr. Damien Erik. We have a meeting scheduled."
"Sure, let me check." she began typing something on the computer.
Soon, she dialed a number on a cordless telephone and spoke to someone in a hushed voice I couldn't hear.
"Ma'am, you'll have to wait a few minutes. Mr. Erik's secretary will be here soon to escort you to his office." she said with a gentle smile and I nodded in response.
I sit on the comfortable sofa and took a magazine from the table. It was a big magazine brand, presenting the most successful and large organizations. The Achlys Group was on the front page.
Ranked no.1 What? I was shocked but not surprised.
Impressed to some extent even.
There were photos of current & previous CEO's and other people but there wasn't any single photo of Damien.
After a few minutes of mindless reading, I heard a sound of heels making its way towards me. I glanced in that direction and saw a beautiful tall Blonde woman.
She wore an expensive jumpsuit but I won't call it a jumpsuit because it didn't cover her belly and it had a deep neckline blouse. It was separate from the pants. Her outfit didn't cover most of her light skin.
She wore golden jewelry and Siren makeup. She looked stunning - Bold and confident.
"Hello, Ms. Zaria?" She approached me.
"Yes" I stood.
She gestured to me for a handshake but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I'm Mr. Damien's secretary, Gianna Martin."
"Nice to meet you" I shook hands with her.
"Mr. Damien's office is on the 58th floor, I'll guide you there" she starts walking implying I follow her.
We walked to the white pastel colored elevator wing. The elevator door ping opened and we entered inside. There was no one except us. Gianna pressed the 58th floor button.
"You're a little early." she said.
"Better early than late." I stated.
She was standing to my left but I could feel her gaze wandering on me without having to look at her. It makes me uncomfortable.
"That's good, Mr. Damien doesn't like people being late" she said, her voice hinting something.
I just smile in response; I don't want to engage with her more. She breaks the few seconds of awkward silence.
"You're his fiancé, right?" She asked.
And I nearly choked on my breath.
Like Damien said that night, he had his men spread the news about us. Every big magazine, news channel, and newspaper couldn't Stop speaking about us. It was a big shock to my readers. They messaged me on my social media and many people filled my inbox with messages and calls. Many headlines disclosed my face openly. I went from 389k followers to 795k in one week.
God!
I sneaked in a peek and I was surprised to see the tinge of jealousy in her eyes. She looked at me like I'm her enemy.
She's jealous over who? Damien?
Isn't he, her boss? Do they have that kind of relationship? No. Cause if that were the case, he would have married her.
Honestly, I don't even know why is he marrying me out of everyone. Damien and his actions are a mystery to me. One I cannot wait to unravel.
Before I could say anything, the elevator door pinged open. I walked out as fast as I could. It's better if I stayed away from her.
Not watching where I was going, I accidentally crashed into a big muscular chest.
"Ohh, I'm so sorry" I apologized as I looked up to that man.
He has blonde hair, light skin, light green eyes and sharp jaw with a muscular tall body.
A familiar face.
I gasped.
What he is doing here ?
A memory from last year replayed in my mind.
"Your lips taste so good" Lucien moaned in my mouth as he moved his right hand up my left thigh.
I could hear the muffled sound of music playing in the bar downstairs.
I shouldn't be here making out with a stranger.
Lucien's mouth consumed mine.
The kiss was intense, hard and passionate.
Yet I had a strange bad feeling, like I shouldn't be here. It's not right.
He moved his tongue inside my mouth and I followed him. His left hand in my hair gently gave me a tug.
We're in a private VIP room of the club. I was sitting on his lap. None of us removed clothing but I could feel his hard bulge. His other right hand cupped my left breast and squeezed it. A moan left past my lips.
"I want to take more of you" he groaned. He lifted me up by grabbing both of my thighs, and gently dropped me on the bed.
Right when he was about to climb over me, I heard my phone ring.
I would never pick up a phone during my personal time but my gut feeling told me something is wrong about this man and I should run away and I guess the phone call was another sign of it.
I reached to pick my phone; I saw Thia calling me.
"I'm really sorry but I have to pick this one" I apologized.
"That's alright" his voice held a meaning like he was sure he was going to have me anyway.
His eyes roamed all over my body and I was 100% sure he was thinking about me naked and how he will take me tonight.
And now he is really being a pervert. I'm so fucking uncomfortable. I shouldn't have come with him upstairs.
"Hello," I said over the phone.
"Zaria, I need you here right now" her voice held distress.
"Are you alright? What happened?" I panicked as well.
"It's about dad, please com-" I heard a loud sound of glass shattering, Thia screamed in pain.
She suddenly cut the phone call.
My heart is racing. Is my dad hurting her? I need to go. Fuck.
"Listen, it's an emergency and I need to go right now" I panicked as I stood and grabbed my purse.
"Wait, no! Don't go" he said. I looked at him in disbelief.
"I said it's an emergency. my family is more important for me" I retorted.
"At Least give me your number" he asked. He looked angry, irritated and feral.
Why?
"Sorry to say this but I don't want to give you my number"
First, he was being a pervert then tried to stop me even after I said it's an emergency and became mad when I refused to keep up with his bullshit.
This man had some major issues. I unlocked the door and before I could step out, he grabbed my hand harshly.
"You're not fucking going anywhere" he warned me. This time his eyes held a dangerous and deadly warning.
My gut feeling was right.
I punched him in the nose really hard, he winced as he jerked back.
Fucking men.
"Keep your ego to yourself" I rolled my eyes as I left.
My eyes flared, my blood boiled and my jaw clenched as I came back to reality. Lucien was standing in front of me with an amusement full look on his face. His eyes glanced all over me.
Thank God I was wearing a thick trench coat but this time his eyes held something different, something wicked and sinful.
My gut feeling told me to run for the hills.
And my gut has never failed me.
"Long time no see" his emphasis on long had me confused a bit. "Honestly I didn't think you will come all the way to my office to meet me."
"I'm not here to meet you" I said honestly. Firm expressions on my face, trying to let him know I'm not at all happy to meet him.
"Ms. Gianna you can go. I'll take it from here" he said to Gianna.
"Sure Mr. Erik " Gianna said as she left.
Mr. Erik? What the hell?
And why the fuck she left? It's not that I wanted her but why did she leave on His command? Confusion all over my face.
"Then why are you here Zaria?" He whispered against my ear and then stood straight.
I looked around in what looks like a private Luxurious lounge of the building. A waiting area made of glass. Individual offices of workers who are high in positions. The brown marble floors shining under the bright led architectural lights with minimalistic decoration which appears aesthetic and soft to the eyes.
I looked around to see where Damien's office might be and I saw a glass hallway to my left leading to a brown double door.
That was the center of my attention.
My guess was that it must be his office.
"I'm here to meet Damien" I said with bitterness as I looked back at him.
His smirk fell and I noticed something similar to disappointment in his eyes.
"Sorry but he's not here" he said confidently.
"We have a meeting scheduled and even Ms. Gianna led me here. It wouldn't have happened if he wasn't here" I replied.
I had a point. I wouldn't be here if he wasn't present because the lady on the counter would have told me about it.
"Yes he was here a few minutes ago but I saw him leave the office" he was confident about what he was saying but I sensed bitterness in his voice. I didn't believe him.
"Why are you her-" before I could finish my sentence, I heard a door open to my left.
I looked through the hallway and saw Damien making his way out of his office, clad in a tight black shirt and pants,holding his black jacket in one hand. I snapped back at Lucien in disbelief. I knew it.
But why did Lucien lie to me?
"Care to explain?" I asked sternly.
He rolled his eyes and looked to his right, facing opposite of Damien's direction.
I heard the sound of Damien's oxfords making its way towards me.
"In case if no one taught you how to behave professionally, you should stick to the timing and get your things done first rather than wasting time chatting with people." Damien said calmly in his deep voice.
It was hard to catch the insult in his levelled tone. But I did catch the insult. And it pissed me off.
He stood to my right and placed his tattooed-rings hands inside his pockets, eyebrows frowned like always and gave me a dissatisfied look. His presence made the people around tense, like he consumed each molecule of oxygen in the air.
"Ohh I'm sure I don't need lessons on behavior from you " I said annoyingly.
He crooked his one eyebrow. "I expect you in my office right now, Ms. Zaria" Damien's voice was highly commanding and it released some unknown feelings that were lying dormant.
"And Lucien, did you talk to dad about your move?" He turned to Lucien.
Talked to dad? Why would Lucien talk to Damien's da-
The realization hit me harder than a tsunami.
I remember Fred asking Damien where Lucien was at the party and when Damien replied he doesn't know where his brother is and a few seconds ago Gianna addressed Lucien as Mr. Erik.
Holy fuck.Damien and Lucien are fucking brothers!
The pervert man I fucking made out a year ago in the club is the brother of the wicked man I'm about to marry. How the hell my life became this complicated?
Something similar to guilt crowded in my throat. It's not my fault that they turned out to be brothers but now that I've to live my life with them being present in my life is making me highly strung.
I can't confront Damien about my past history with Lucien... at least not yet.
How does one do that even? 'Hey dear future husband! I almost slept with your brother but that was a long time ago and I regret that so much that you don't have to worry about anything in future.'
Yeah, I don't think.
Maybe I'll tell him when I'll form a better understanding with him. But for now, I especially have to stay away from Lucien.