Chapter 01

Aria's perspective

“You are fired.” My boss walked off in a huff after pronouncing my "sentence".

"Oh no!" I groaned as my eyes settled on the big box that sat on the edge of the desk.

Standing up resignedly, I grabbed the box and tossed it on my chair. With a hand, I swept off everything from my desk into the box and heaved a sigh.

"Do you need any help clearing all out, Aria?" Sarah's annoyingly chirpy voice buzzed in my ears. 

"Thanks, but no." I answered listlessly. 

"You know, I've always been wondering how you got employed in the first place, Aria.” 

Sensing the mock in her tone, I looked up, only to find Sarah flashing me a pretentious smile while arranging the files on her desk.

Before I could even come up with something to snap back at her, the office door was shoved open forcefully.

It was my boss again. 

“I told you to get out of here in ten seconds! Wasn't my orders were clear weren’t they?” He was thunderous 

“Crystal clear, Sir.” I lifted my box, forcing a smile. “...I’m leaving right away.” 

It was getting late outside. Walking on the street aimlessly, I couldn't feel worse. 

Finding another job wouldn’t be easy since I was considered a mole in the company. 

Yes, I revealed trade secrets to a rival company. More specifically, they offered to pay me for that when I happened to need money to settle my debts. 

That explained why I ended up here now. Just as I was deeply troubled by all this mess, my phone beeped. 

Dropping my box down on the ground, I got the phone out of my back pocket. It was a message from the landlady. 

My rent was overdue, and she was gonna lock me out tonight.

“Argh!” I screamed and ruffled my hair with both hands. With tons of bills piling up, I gotta land a new job as  soon as possible. Or I'd become officially homeless. 

Fuck!

As I finally made my way to the bus station, the last bus had just left before my eyes...

Just perfect!

Nothing seemed to work in my way today.

Worst day ever! Beaten savagely by the harsh reality, I started to walk home awfully, my shoulders sagging. 

Maybe it was time to leave New York for my hometown in Maine, where I lived with my parents before they had passed away.

That’s if I couldn’t get a job the following week. I would be kicked out of my apartment by then.

My stomach growled loudly as I was lost in deep thought.

Couldn't feel a penny in my pocket, I found myself come to a dead end when my feet took me into a park by the roadside.

Sitting down on an empty bench near the entrance, I took a deep breath and was about to pity my dog's life when a faint din reached my ears from the depth of the park. 

"What's going on? Is anyone having a campfire party here?" I spun around curiously and caught a few glimpses of flash now and then.

After taking a few more steps inside the park, I was able to find that several young men and women were seated around a merrily blazing log fire in a green space, talking, drinking and eating.

It was an outdoor gathering indeed! Thank God! He had some mercy on me nonetheless.

My stomach grumbled noisily as my roaming gaze stopped on the steaks.

Swallowing hard, I moved my feet and tried to mingle in.

My eyes widened at the grand food as I approached them. Stopping beside a man who was serving himself some lasagna, I grabbed a plate and waited for my turn.

When I was glancing sideways nervously to check if I got noticed by anyone, someone came to my side. I could smell his strong cologne and feel his predatory eyes on me.

It seemed like a century when it was finally my turn. Not planning on sticking around for long, I simply filled my plate with steaks and pasta. 

I just had this strong feeling that his scorching gaze would follow me wherever I went. I'd better just leave after filling my empty belly.

“Is that enough? You can take some more.” A deep baritone whispered behind my ears, at which I flinched. 

“Did I scare you?” He asked, his gaze narrowed and his mouth drawn tight. I could feel his voice in my stomach, deep and confident.

“No, I'll just...” I pointed toward the entrance of the park, hating how guilty my voice sounded.

Looking away from his blue but burning eyes, I fled away from his presence with my plate.

Sitting inconspicously in a corner, I was ready to devour the food when his stares sent shivers down my spine.

His eyes wouldn’t go off me! I noticed he had been watching my every move.

I ate the food quickly, feeling so uncomfortable under his stare. Why was he ogling over me like a hawk?

I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

What have I gotten myself to this time?

Ignoring the shivers that ran down my spine, I stood up and headed out of the park.

Nervously, my hands ran down my jeans. When throwing a glance over my shoulders, I saw someone following me.

Someone was coming after me!

I increased my pace; so did he. My heart thumped wildly in my ribcage as if it would burst out of my chest any time. 

Finally, I took to my heels, running as fast as I could. My mind was spinning. 

“Somebody help!” I screamed out.