LOGINThe gala that she’d signed herself up for, put her in a crisis. I have nothing to wear, how am I gonna look presentable? Just when it felt as though her thoughts would explode out of her head, someone knocked on the door. A maid whom she recognized as Mara dropped a box. Aria raised an eyebrow at the scowl on her face. Well, if she thought of her as a proud vixen, she might as well fit herself fully into that role. “From who?”, she asked making her voice as proud as possible, looking down at her through her nose. Mara looked angry enough to have a heart attack, almost making Aria break her role. “From Miss Isabella,” after saying that she left as quickly as she could. Why would she send me a dress? This can’t be a trick… right?. She opened the box and inside was a beautiful peach colored silk gown,. It had a deep V-cut and was adorned with lovely pearls. It was positively the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen. With a newfound excitement, Aria put on the dress
She opened her eyes, blinking to ease the sleepiness away. The blanket was the first thing she noticed. Ah”, she gasped sitting up quickly. She looked around, but was met with a space, he wasn’t here. Aria curled into herself, running her hand through her hair exasperatedly. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen asleep last night. He would get mad right, he couldn’t be that petty, Could he? Resigned, she stood to her feet, went to brush her teeth, and get ready for the day. Making sure to keep the night gown properly to return to Agnes. Just as she was heading down to get breakfast, she heard a voice from below. It sounded sickeningly sycophantic, the owner clearly a woman with a mission. Unease curled its way into Arias's chest. Roman Knight although well known and feared by others, was someone nobody knew about his private life. How could I be so stupid, she thought. She hadn’t asked if he was in a relationship already, or worse if he was married. How could sh
With a pounding heart, she rushed into the house. The anticipation was intense. “Miss, you are back. Go freshen up and come have something to eat dear, I made my specialty, a delicious beef roast.” As Aria sat to eat, her mind wandered back to what transpired in the car, his beautiful eyes, his commanding yet magical tone, and most of all, that toes-curling kiss that had her questioning every reality she thought she knew until now. “Are you okay dear?, Your face seems a little red.” Agnes came in from the kitchen holding the last dish, from what she'd prepared. Could you be running a fever?, Victor! She called out. I'm fine Agnes, she said, quickly covering her cheeks that were burning up. She hadn't realised how far her thoughts had strayed. Okay, then I'll have Victor get some medicine. The weather might make one weak easily. The rest of the meal went by in silence. Agnes retired earlier to the kitchen leaving Aria to her own thoughts. After dinner, she went bac
Close to home was a very beautiful but simple art cafe. Rapahels, as the name suggested, was an art cafe. The owner was a nice old lady who lost her son, Teri. From what she’d heard, Teri was an art major, and the cafe remained as a memorial to him. During one of her breakdowns in her teen years, she’d discovered the place, and it’d become a constant spot for her and eventually for Lena. On a warm and comfortable day, she’d discovered sat by the window, the breeze caressing her skin. She agreed to meet with Lena at this cafe. Aria, although having spent the night in the mansion, still had not seen Roman. She felt like she was waiting around to be hunted. The thought sent a shiver down her spine. The click-clack of heels let Aria know that the person she'd been waiting for had finally arrived. She slid into the booth, her tight and short but very stylish wear making her shimmy into a comfortable position. She sighed. I'm exhausted. Lena worked a lot of jobs, including the
With no time left to reflect on the prior events, Aria was back at the hospital.The smell made her nauseous.The surrounding a constant reminder of what she had to lose if she didn't go through with itBesides, she could already tell Roman Knight wasn’t someone to play games with.She was trapped in a situation where she barely had a choice.When she entered the room, a nurse was there. “Aria?,” as though having confirmed she nodded at her. She seemed to approach her with a sense of empathy, as if she understood what she was going through.“I'm nurse Lena and I'll be handling your mother's case personally.”, These are the documents, she said before handing them over to Aria, without a second thought, she scanned through and signed quickly before handing them over.“Thank you” she said, barely a whisper.Lena nodded with kindness in her eyes.When she left, Aria sat on the chair by the bed, taking her mother’s frail hands into her own.She lay pale under the sheets, soft stran
The call connected on the second ring. Aria pressed the phone tighter to her ear, her fingers cold despite the warmth of the hospital corridor. “… Hello?” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. More than a second passed before a voice was heard. “Miss Brooks.” The voice was male; it sounded much like the man she’d spoken to earlier, but what stood out the most was his tone. He wasn’t surprised, like he’d expected her call; the thought unsettled her. Her grip tightened slightly. “Yes.” “Mr. Knight has been expecting your call.” The sentence made her stomach turn, like a cornered prey, left with nowhere to hide. Aria swallowed. “I was told to call this number.” “You were told correctly.” He confirmed. “There is a location,” he continued. “If you are still interested.” Aria’s gaze flickered to the hospital room door. Through the small glass panel, she could just make out her mother’s still figure beneath the white sheets. “… Where?” she asked. He gave her
Aria’s footsteps echoed softly against the polished hallway as she sprinted out of the club, her bag clutched tightly in her hands. Every step sounded louder than it should.Her chest heaved with each breath, sweat slicking her palms, and the weight of last night’s chaos still pressed against her l
Aria’s breath came fast as she pushed herself back across the mattress.“Don’t touch me.”Her voice shook despite the sharpness of the words, her eyes narrowed.She kept her eyes leveled with his, while looking around for any weapon.It just so happened that at a time like this, the only possible w
The tray felt heavier than it should have.Aria balanced it carefully as she followed Lena down the dim corridor lined with towering black doors polished to a mirror sheen, thin lines of white light tracing their edges.The glossy floor reflected every step, and the quiet glow along the walls made
After parting with Lena, Aria started her walk home.It wasn’t a far distance from the cafe to her house, but at that time, a stroll seemed like the best idea..Strolling had always been a hobby, especially in the evening or after dark. Simply walking, feeling the wind on the skin, having the chanc







