Chapter Two

I started my day as usual and I got dressed in my denim shirt and jeans while my grandfather was making us breakfast. He takes good care of me and I owed him my entire life for raising me so far. I have never complained about anything to him as he has done so much for me. Although we were poor, he has never made me feel like we were poor and unfortunate. Now, it was up to me to find my purpose in life and that starts with working a shitty job at the devil's mansion to earn money for my higher studies.

"You could come by the mansion later if you want, dear. I'll do some of your work while you spend some time between those books." I heard him call out from the kitchen and smiled at his words for always looking out for me. He knows my love for books and how much I love to spend time in the public library, reading books for free. Reading is like an escape from the reality for me and it also inspired me to pursue my education in English literature. I just want to write a book on my own in future, no matter how long it takes.

"It's okay, grandpa. I'll just read in between my work." I replied as I collected my things and rushed out of my tiny room in our house. I grabbed a seat behind the kitchen counter as he placed a plate full of freshly cut fruit and scrambled eggs. My stomach grumbled at the smell of it and I started to eat while going through my phone.

"You know you don't have to do this, Aria." I stopped eating and looked at my grandfather. He had a sad look on his brown eyes and I didn't like it at all. I knew what he was about to say and tried to keep my shit together. This topic always makes me angry and he knows it.

"Grandpa, come on. Not today!"

"Aria, we don't need this house. I'm sure you will be able to buy a house bigger than this once you study and get a job. Let me sell it." He started with the explanation which only made me roll my eyes. I shook my head and grabbed my half empty plate to the sink to wash it.

"Please, grandpa. You can't change my mind. I won't sell this house for my education. I just can't. You and grandma spent your whole lives here and it just feels wrong and you know it."

"But....

"No, please just drop it. We are getting late." I muttered angrily and stormed out of the house. This was the only topic which makes me lose my shit and I hate getting angry on my grandfather. It makes me feel so guilty. I know he is just trying to help me out but not at the cost of giving up something that means everything to him. I can work for my education and I will not stop till I get what I want.

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The rest of the day goes by as usual doing the same old work and I decided to take my lunch break outside the mansion in the huge ass garden maintained by my grandpa. There is something about this garden that makes me feel calm and relaxed. I pulled out my sandwich and the book I was currently reading. I lost myself in both the food and the book immediately. After sometime, I felt a dark shadow looming over me and I frowned first before turning around to see the intruder ruining my lunch break.

"You've been sitting her for 45 minutes.I don't pay you to waste your time." I heard the deep familiar voice that I heard last night before I could see the face. I stumbled on my feet as I got up and cursed myself for always losing my shit in front of him.

Stupid arrogant jerk!

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hudson. I always take my lunch break here and I'm almost done." I muttered, looking down at my worn out sneakers and bit my lips anxiously. What was he doing here? This is so unusual. Nobody in the mansion knows this spot.

"Get back to work. Remember, you still work for this asshole and I suggest you to keep you comments about me to yourself until you exit my wing." He added before walking past me and I got a quick whiff of his strong expensive cologne that made me feel giddy in a way I didn't want to admit to myself. I froze as the realisation dawned upon me. How did I forget about the cameras? So does that means he always watches these cameras?

He was a fucking mystery and I was pretty sure that I was either going to be fired by the end of the day or become his new play thing to be tortured and humiliated from now.

Perfect!

I groaned out loud as I dragged my ass inside to resume my work and I found Ginny cooking something. I pouted as I stood beside her and she immediately notices the worry on my face.

"What's wrong, dear?"

"I think I need a new job, Ginny. I'm going to be fired." I announced, folding my hands in front of my chest and she gives me a puzzled look.

"What the hell did you do?"

"Ummm...I might have called Xavier an asshole and he found out." I whispered and she almost choked on her own saliva.

"You did what?"

"Ugh! Don't make me repeat it? He just caught me on his camera. What do I do now?" I whined, covering my face with my hands and she started to laugh at my misery.

"Why don't you slow down and tell me what exactly happened?"

And that's exactly what I do. I explain her everything that happened from last night and she had a confused look on her face.

"You are not going to be fired. He would have done it by now if he didn't want you working here anymore." She added casually and returned to her work and now it's my turn to be confused.

"What makes you say that?"

"Trust me, I've seen him fire people right on the spot. Consider yourself lucky or maybe..." She paused and turned to face me again with a playful smirk on her face. I raised my eyebrows in a questioning manner, urging her to continue.

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe he likes you."

I burst out in laughter at her response as the reality of the situation was totally the opposite. He hardly even knows my name and the way he spoke to me earlier is definitely not the way a person talks to someone they like.

"Oh come on, Ginny. He didn't even know my name until last night and he is the devil did you forget it. He doesn't have a heart, just a black hole in the place of it." I replied and we both heard the sound of a throat being cleared. That same familiar sound. I could smell his cologne even before I could turn around and face him.

Crap!

"Oh my God! Please don't tell me it's him." Ginny whisperd and I took a deep breath as I turned around to see Xavier, standing in front of me with a blank look on his face.

Was he angry? Was he annoyed? Give me something, Jesus!

"Aria Abrams, granddaughter of Stuart Abrams." He spoke in a dangerously low tone and I could feel my legs shaking in fear. Why was I scared of him? The worst he could do is fire me but the way he kept staring at me was so intimidating that I hated myself for being too weak.

"You can resume your work, Ginny. And you, follow me." He pointed at me and walked away while I looked at Ginny with fear evident in my eyes. He must have heard everything and decided to fire me.

That's it. I screwed up my best chance at education.

"Don't worry, dear. Try to apologise and sometimes tears might also work. Don't give up, okay?"

Ginny gives me a quick pep talk and I nod immediately before following him upstairs where he could seal my fate. I didn't mind getting fired but I still decided to give my best shot at keeping this job.