The new update
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Anastasia's POV (Edited)
Ever since the moment, I stepped off the Atkinson's Tech, I was fuming with rage. First of all, I didn't like the way Aaron framed me. I never thought he would stoop so low in his quest for revenge. He stick true to his words about showing me how much of a devil he can be.
Although, I was expecting some kind of reaction from him but this was never on my freaking mind. Throughout the years, Aaron chose to kept his dirty side away from me. I never knew he was capable of such things too. In the long run of our rivalry, he never once try to pull me in to the dirt.
He never once did.
But now, it's like he reached his breaking point. It's like he was controlling himself for so long and now he just burst out. It's like, he couldn't hold it any longer and decided to end it all at once. I usually don't mind competing with my rivals.
I played dirty with them and they did too. But I never expected that there would be a time when Aaron and me would also be playing dirty. We chose not to show our worst sides to each other. We did it in the respect of our given past.
We never did talk about our past after what happened but still there was this unspoken respect we show each other. But now all of it is gone. Only anger, and the quest for revenge is left. In the long run of our rivalry and competition, we have sell our souls and our feelings.
We neglected our respect, our feelings, our morals for this infinite rivalry.
I slammed the door of my car and settled down in my seat. I took deep breaths to calm myself down over and over again. My mind was a jumbled mess. I couldn't think straight. I was worried because although, I acted casual infront of Aaron, but deep down I'm afraid.
Aaron doesn't like cheaters and back stabbers. He will surely get to the end of it and will surely find out the person who was behind the leakage. I couldn't let the job of Shaun be affected by my mess. He told me that it was important for him to be out of this mess and I need to do everything I can to keep my end of the deal.
So, after drinking a whole bottle of water, I was able to breath properly. I took a large gulp of air before pulling my phone out. Kayden's missed calls and thousands of text messages were staring at me. But I chose to ignore it.
I'm not ready to face the tornado yet.
I dialed Shaun's number and almost instantly, he picked up the phone. His panicked voice reached me as soon as he picked up the call
"What the hell? What am I gonna do now?"
He was breathing heavily and I could feel the worry and fear radiating off of his voice. I tried to calm him down first and then spoke
"Look, you need to calm down. Ok, I'll find a way. You don't have to be worried."
"Cut the crap. We're screwed. Sir would never let me see the company again. Heck! He would fire me of worst, he would black list me. My life will be ruined. Shit!"
He cursed loudly causing me to hiss at his tone. I tried to relax him but he was only getting more and more anxious. I know I did wrong by involving him. If I didn't find a way to keep him safe, he would confess to Aaron himself in the fear.
"Listen, stop panicking. I told you I'll get out of this mess. Meet me at the nearby cafe to my house. I'll find a way, don't worry."
With that I hung up the phone and pulled my car to life.
~~~~
I was sitting on the secluded booth away from everyone's view and gazes. I was also covering my face with a hat because I don't want to be known by anyone. If anyone saw me there, they would only get a motive to issue tabloids about me. I don't want attention on me now more than it alright has.
I was waiting for Shaun to come but it's been an hour and he hadn't arrived yet. I was losing my calm. I'm already troubled up and I want to solve the situation as soon as possible. I can't afford anymore loss than ever.
Soon, I heard footsteps approaching me. As I turned around to look, I sighed in instant relief. Shaun's undercover look greeted me. He slid into the front chair of the booth facing me.
I took out my glasses before checking that none was seeing my way. I can't afford a headline saying that Anastasia Richmond is in a secret relationship with Aaron Atkinson's employee, now can I?
"Where were you so late?"
I couldn't help but ask.
"You can't blame me for that. Mr. Aaron was checking every employee, I couldn't leave. It would be suspicious."
I clicked my tongue in annoyance. There's no doubt that Aaron would leave any corner or hook unchecked. He would soon find out who was behind the leakage and before that, I need to find a solution.
Shaun distorted state made me guilty. I shouldn't have dragged him into this. He doesn't deserve it. He needs to be have a proper job and a stable lifestyle.
I took a deep breath before apologizing
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this. I shouldn't have asked for your help."
Shaun only looked at me for a moment before he grumbled
"What's done is done. I need a solution right now."
I nodded my head before telling him my plan
"Look, there's no doubt that Aaron would find you. He definitely will and we need to act before he even get a hint of you. I can assure you that I'll help in every way possible."
He only chuckled dryly and let me spoke again
"Look, I know you're worried and afraid right now. But I promise your job won't be affected. I will not let him fire you."
"Oh yeah, how are you so sure about that? Mr. Aaron hates cheater and liars. My career and life is ruined."
His dejected voice was a slap on my face. What have I done? I shook my head to get rid of these depressing thoughts before I stated trying to assure him
"Look, Shaun I know I did wrong. But you need to be cooperative. I can only help you when you atleast cooperate with me."
He rolled his eyes before he asked leaning back on the chair
"What can you do to help me?"
I replied less than a second
"In every possible way."
He got into thinking for a while. I patiently wait. He kept quiet for whole minute before he began
"I want to leave the city. Like you said, Mr. Aaron would find soon enough that I was behind it. I can't afford to get black-listed. I can't lose my career."
"What do you want me to do?"
I couldn't help but ask.
"You will arrange everything for me. I need the earliest tickets to whatever country. You'll also help me find a job too there."
I nodded my head. This is the least that I can do. Shaun deserved that.
"You don't have to worry about it."
I stated and for once I thought I had everything settled and taken care of.
~~~~
"Here's your ticket. You're about to go to Canada. My friend lived there and he'll help you find a suitable job."
I handed the ticket and money to Shaun. We're at the airport and he's only minutes away from boarding. I have did my best to secure the earliest flight to him.
He nodded his head before taking the ticket and money from me. He hanged the backpack on his shoulder before he saw the boarding was about to begin. I nodded my head at him and he left.
I finally heaved a sigh. Atleast, I was able to clear one mess. I sighed in relaxamnet. But my happiness was short lived when I heard a commotion. My confused eyes looked towards the boarding area and there's seemed to be a cause.
I walked closer to take a look. My eyes widened when I saw that the security was dragging Shaun out. He was struggling and trying to get out of their grip. But they held him tight. I immediately ran to him before asking the officers
"What are you doing? Where are you taking him?"
They didn't say anything and the look of pure horror washed on Shaun's face. I can't seem to calculate all of that. Everything was ok. What went wrong? I ran to the officers again before asking him
"Who the hell is behind this? On whose order are you dragging him away?"
"Me!"
A chill ran down my spine on that voice. No, no. It can't be. He can't be here. He can't know of that. I stood rooted to my spot to shock to react. He can't be here. He can't.
I turned around cautiously and almost closed my eyes in realization because that was him. Aaron Atkinson. He was looking straight at me with deadly calm aura and blazing eyes.
He was clenching his jaw so hard that I feared it would break. He then turned to the officers motioning him to released Shaun. He looked so afraid and shameful. Aaron took threatening steps towards him but I instantly covered him.
"He didn't do it."
His eyes turned to me and it seemed like he was trying his best not to lash out on me. He closed his eyes before speaking in a strict and hard tone
"Get out of the way, Anastasia."
His voice was so eery calm that I changed my position. I was fearing him. I never saw him like that. He looked almost murderous. He eyed Shaun who had his head down.
He then started speaking in his unusual cold voice
"Now tell me, Shaun. Do you take me as a fool."
Shaun remained quite not uttering a word.
"Do you think I wouldn't even know what's going on in my own damn company? Do you think it's that easy to fool me? To lie straight at my face. Do you?"
He was still deadly calm and he wasn't even raising his voice. But damn, it looked scary. I didn't say a word. I know it will only cause more trouble to Shaun.
"Now, tell me. What should I do with cheaters and backstabbers like you? Should I fire you? Or should I destroy your career in a snap of my fingers?"
Shaun instantly looked up horrified.
"No please sir. Don't. It will ruin my career. "
Aaron let out a laugh. He stepped back before he hardened again
"You didn't think about your career before spying on me."
"Look, Aaron. He did what I compelled him to do. You can't blame him. I was the one who force him."
I tried to intervene. His eyes snapped to me before he stated
"I don't need any explanation from a dirty and disgusting person like you. You're no better than him. You also lied to me. You stole from me and copied my work. You're not any less worse than him."
I was taken aback by his words. He never used that tone on my once. Not ever, never. He doesn't even use such hurtful and harsh words to me ever. He was always the reserved and calm guy infront of me. His words did something to my heart.
It's like he twisted a dagger before inching it closer to my skin. I looked at him with wide eyes and my eyes might probably be wet from tears but I refused to let them down. He can't see vulnerable.
"So Shaun, I hope you're ready for your new job. I believe you're going to Canada. But do you seriously trusting that woman? Do you think she's saving you? You're wrong."
I looked at Aaron barely recognizing him. He eyed me from head to toe before he turned to Shaun and stated
"It's in their blood to betray people. They don't possess any feelings. They only know how to crush them. She is not what you think she is? Once you're no use, she would discard you. They always do that. They always use people for their own benefits. They don't even hesitate in ruining their family or the relationships they have had."
And at that point, I realized that Aaron might not be angry about what Shaun did. He was angry because of that day. The day that change his and mine life forever. The day when our relationship was destroyed never to be repaired again. The day that costs us our whole future..
~~~~
I hope I was able to convey their complicated relationship.
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I'll see you soon.