Aliya Finch stood in front of her parents staring at them as she brought up her proposition.
This is the only way we can save the company, if i am able to marry Ryan Andres then our company can get funding from them through the marriage alliance. The Andres are at the top in technology and Construction. I already discussed with Ryan Andres and we seem okay to each other, I just wanted to inform you, if all goes well then the wedding happens in three days.
Aliya, darling, you don't have to, this is my responsibility, you shouldn't compromise your happiness and your life for this, Edward Finch, Aliya's father said.
Yes dear, your father is right, we could just sale our properties at most, we will be able to pay off the debt with all our assets.
Dad, mom, it's time you guys faced reality, the company is going bankrupt and our assets might be seized, Dad could go to prison. How could I just sit back and do nothing. Jeremy is still in high school, I can't let all this affect his future. I already made my decision and that's final, you don't have to care about my happiness, I'm happy as long as you all are safe and happy, Aliya said as she held her parent's hand. I have a meeting later on with Ryan, you shouldn't wait up for me, I will be late, she said leaving the Finch residence.
The Finch couple looked at their departing daughter and then at each other with helplessness, their daughter has always been stubborn and her idea was indeed the best solution so far, they couldn't stop her, they just pray that everything works out and they overcome this crisis.
The Velvet Lounge
Aliya sat at the bar area gulping down alcohol aggressively, she was going to be married in three days, her life, her world, her dreams, everything was going to be changed.She had just finished her meeting with Ryan Andre, the man she was getting married to. Ryan has being interested in her for a while now but not really out of love but admiration and respect. They both were like minded individuals, passionate about work and zero belief about love or happily ever afters. When she proposed the deal, Ryan was more than happy to comply, the two came to an agreement of a marriage alliance with Aliya offering thirty percent shares of the Finch Corporation if they overcame their crisis, though it was a marriage, they both still sought benefits for their respective companies. Everything was finalized so fast and, within three days they would become a legally married couple. Well not that she cared about love and marriages but she never expected to get married so early, she was just twenty four. If it was the sacrifice she needs to make to save the company and her family then she would do it over and over again.
Aliya started feeling tipsy from the effect of the alcohol, she has always been a heavy drinker as she always attended business events and dinners where drinks were often taken. Aliya was the face of the Finch Corporation, since she finished her master's degree in Harvard business school, she became the Vice president of the Finch Corporation taking care of the company which she has done exceptionally until the recent crisis.
Aliya felt an abnormal feeling in her body. Oh shit, she has been drugged, she has been careless just now. In a place like The Velvet Lounge, this was a common practice. She had a private meeting with Ryan hence she didn't come with her secretary or bodyguard. She needed to get out of here before anything more happens.
Aliya stood up and staggered away in her eighteen centimeter heels.
At the hallway of The Velvet lounge, two guards were conversing. The lady is supposed to be here by now.
The boss is already getting impatient, what should we do? If we fail to complete this task tonight, we might get killed.
Shut up, let me think of something. They two guards were contemplating when they saw the drunk Aliya staggering and holding unto the wall for support.
The two guards looked at each other. Why don't we just take her to the boss, the boss doesn't know the lady's face, let's just do it.
Aliya was already so weak when the two guards approached her and seized her, she tried to fight back but her attempt were futile, she was so weak, the drug was really potent.
They took her to a suite and tossed her on the bed leaving almost immediately.
The room was dark with only the headlamp on, making it impossible for one to make out the features of the room.
Aliya felt uncomfortable and hot all over, she was already half unconscious when the big bad wolf emerged.
Aiden saw the little woman spread on his bed, her face was flushed and she was tugging at her clothes repeatedly as though she wanted to get rid of it. He gulped down hard, he was suprised that he was attracted to her which was uncommon to him, he got closer to her on the bed to see the misery woman who evoked a reaction from him, that was when he saw her face.
It was her, the face that taunted him all this years, he was just back, he hadn't even looked for her and yet she has presented herself to him.
Aiden let out a devilish chuckle.
Perfect. Really perfect. His fingers traced the lines of her face.
Aliya felt a cold ice in her fire world, she held unto the source of the cold pulling it to her and muttering, I need..... I need you.
Aiden was not prepared for the tug and he fell on top of her with his lips brushing hers.
“It’s your fault! If you hadn’t left the house and Aiden had gone to find you, none of this would have happened! Aiden would still be with us. You killed Aiden, you caused this!” Matilda lashed out, tears streaming down her face, her voice cracking with pain and fury.Aliya staggered back, the words hitting her like a physical blow. She turned to Miguel, her eyes wide with desperation. “Tell me it’s not true, right? Aiden is okay, right?” she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.Miguel’s face was grim. “Madam, Sir’s situation is still unknown. I have already dispatched men to search for him, but there’s no news yet. The cliff is very high, but the terrain below isn’t too rough. There might be a chance of survival, depending on the impact of the accident.”Aliya’s legs gave way, and she slid to the floor, clutching Miguel’s arm for support. The reality of the situation crashed down on her like a tidal wave.She recalled the previous night, the scent of alcohol clinging to Aiden, he had
Aiden finally released her so they could catch their breath.Aiden, what are you doing here? Aliya asked breathless from the kiss.What do you think am doing?How did you know I was here, did you have me followed?Aiden ignored her questions “Why did you leave the house?”Aiden can you stop answering my questions with questions. I left the house because I needed my space. I needed time to think and get clarity of what we’re really doing. I need my time alone, I don’t want you here.Aiden sneered, who do you want here then? Him?Aliya looked at him unbelievably, “You see Aiden, that’s the problem with you. You are overly suspicious and insecure. I need some time away from your suspicions, accusations and lack of trust. I have told you repeatedly that there’s nothing on between Ryan and I but you don’t trust me. You don’t believe anything I say, what’s the need for this relationship then?So you want to call it off, for what? For him? Aiden asked, his voice laced with subtle danger.Ali
Aliya felt a cold dread settle in her stomach as she left Hendrix Global. Aiden's accusations had cut deeper than she'd expected. It wasn't just the lack of trust; it was the implication that he saw her as someone capable of betrayal. Each word he'd spoken replayed in her mind, a painful echo that amplified her hurt and confusion.Going home felt pointless, a charade. How could she share a space, a life, with someone who questioned her integrity? The foundation of a relationship was trust but theirs lacked that. She yearned for the days when his eyes held only adoration and belief in her, but it was no more. Now, the thought of facing him, of pretending everything was alright, was unbearable.As she packed her things, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. It wasn't just physical,it was emotional. The constant need to prove herself, to defend her loyalty, was draining. She longed for a place where she could be herself, without the weight of Aiden's suspicions. Maybe, just maybe, distan
Hendrix Global buzzed with activities with everyone frantically moving around busy with work.Earlier this morning, there has been an outbreak of rumors slandering their company accusing them of going through the back door to get the Harbour Drive project.Miguel stood before Aiden, he was scrolling through the tablet seeing various trolls from people.Using such a cheap trick, Aiden sneered. Contact the media company responsible for this, I want this news to disappear immediately and if they refuse, you know what to do.Yes sir.Ma, there are rumors about Hendrix Global and public opinion doesn’t seem to be on their side. People are saying that a fairly new company in the capital city shouldn’t be handed such an important project and that they must have bribed their way in.Let me take a look, Aliya took the tablet from Linda going through the article and comments. It was really not good. How could there be an article about this all of a sudden? With the views and negative comments
Things have already turned like this, are you still going to deny it? Aiden asked coldly.Aiden, you have to believe me, I didn’t do any of the things he said, tears were already streaming down Aliya’s eyes.Aiden clenched his hands into a tight fist. The sight of her in tears was breaking him. “ You don’t have to act so pitiful, it doesn’t suit you” He walked out.Aliya turned to Davis, wiping her tears. Why? Did Matilda tell you to say this? How much did she pay you to say this huh?I don’t know what you are talking about Miss, please get me out of here.Aliya knew that she wouldn’t get anything out of him so she turned and left.Aliya confronted Matilda, “it was your doing right?”Matilda turned to her smirking, I don’t know what you’re talking about?You orchestrated this whole thing just to cause misunderstanding between Aiden and I? You betrayed him.You are falsely accusing me without evidence, Aiden won’t believe you. Matilda walked closer to her, “ Even if I did it, so what?
Aliya moved closer to them and hid behind the pillar there.You assured me that the proposal would win this bid and now this, Davis said, quite frustrated, he seemed to have drunk a lot.Matilda looked around cautiously before talking to him. I gave you a good proposal, that doesn’t mean that other people wouldn’t come up with a better proposal, instead of blaming me, you should blame yourself for being incompetent.I’m incompetent, I can go tell him that you stole his proposal, you were acting all lovey dovey, I bet he didn’t know that you stole his proposal.You won’t do anything like that, I’ll try my possible best to give you some compensation and that’s it. I can’t be seen with you, let’s meet up tomorrow at the usual place, Matilda fled.Davis hit the pillar, scaring Aliya who emerged from behind the pillar.What were you doing there hiding huh? You overheard us, Davis moved closer.He was a step closer to Aliya grabbing her hand but she landed a heavy slap on his face.How dare