CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5 - Aria’s POV (FLASHBACK)

The color drained from Mom's face as she stared at me. "Tell me you're joking, sweetie.” 

"I wish I were," I answered honestly.

Dad pinched the bridge of his nose, looking as though he had suddenly aged ten years. "Victoria Antoinette Montgomery," he said through gritted teeth, "do you even understand what you've done?"

"I accepted a job."

"You accepted a job from my greatest enemy!"

"So?"

"So?" he repeated, almost laughing in disbelief. "William Thompson isn't recruiting you because he sees talent. He's trying to humiliate me!” 

I folded my arms. "Maybe. But if he's willing to pay me three times my current salary, I would say he's the one making a bad business decision."

Mom sighed. "This isn't funny."

"I'm not trying to be funny, Mom.”

Dad looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before lowering his voice. "Listen carefully. You're not stepping foot inside Thompson Enterprises. Do you understand, Madame?” 

"I already gave him my word."

"I don't care!"

"I do."

His jaw clenched at my response but he didn’t dare say anything. 

"You've always taught me that Montgomery never breaks their promise,” I reminded him with an innocent smile.

"You can't use your own lessons against me," he muttered.

"I just did."

Mom rubbed her temples.

"Both of you, stop!” 

Dad took a long breath before speaking again. "If this is about spying, forget it. We don't need a spy inside Thompson Enterprises.” 

"I wasn't planning to steal company secrets."

"Then why are you so determined?"

I hesitated. There was no way I could admit that I had developed an embarrassing crush on Richard Thompson after he caught me from falling down the stairs. Dad would probably lock me in the mansion before letting me anywhere near Thompson Headquarters.

"I just want to prove myself," I lied.

Mom studied me carefully. She had always been frighteningly good at reading people. "Is that really all?" she asked.  

"Yes."

She narrowed her eyes but I just smiled.  She didn't look convinced but then Dad suddenly laughed without humor. 

"You'll resign after one day."

"What makes you so sure?" I asked him. 

"Because the Thompsons are impossible!” 

That caught my attention. "Impossible?"

"He has fired more assistants than I can remember."

I blinked. "Really?"

Dad nodded with absolute confidence. "William is just toying you, young lady,” he continued to discourage me but instead, it only made me more curious. 

“Still, I am not changing my mind, Dad. Who knows if I might become the lady of that house?” I teased him. 

“You wouldn’t dare!” 

I just giggle. “Please, Dad? Let me work with Richard Thompson,” I blurted out a mistake. 

“So this isn’t about spying but getting close to that womanizing bastard!” he snapped. 

“Please, Daddy? Mom, help me convince him.”

“Are you trying to ruin your life for him? He doesn’t even know you!”

“He will…in the next few days. Please Dad?”

“Why are you being like this, Victoria? Why him? There’s Dominic Westbrook and he is better than William’s grandson!”

“Dominic and I are just friends, Daddy. You know that.”

As I continued to convince him, Dad glanced at my mom. “Talk some sense to your daughter, Evelyn.”

Then he left. 

“See? You made him angry,” Mom said. “Darling, you are not a teenager anymore chasing a man whom you have a crush on,” she told me. 

“Mom, are you familiar with love at first sight? I think I feel that way for Richard Thompson. What if he is the only one for me?” 

“Fine. I’ll talk to your Dad about it. But Victoria please, you should be careful in the enemy’s headquarters.” 

“Thanks, Mom! You really are the best!” 

When Monday came, I was the happiest on my first day at Thompson Enterprises. Little did I know that accepting William Thompson's offer would become the biggest mistake of my entire life.

The towering glass building stood proudly against the morning sky. It was every bit as magnificent as our building nearby. Employees dressed in tailored suits walked in and out with purpose, each carrying an air of professionalism. I took a deep breath before stepping inside.

"First impressions matter, Aria," I reminded myself before going to the reception counter. 

"Good morning, Miss. May I help you?" she asked. 

"My name is Aria Delafontaine. Mr. William Thompson asked me to report today."

The receptionist's smile widened. "Of course. We've been expecting you. Please head to the thirty-second floor. Miss Natalia will be assisting with your orientation."

After thanking her, I entered the elevator. As the doors slowly closed, excitement bubbled inside me. I was finally entering Richard Thompson's world.

Later on, the elevator doors opened onto the executive floor. I glanced to the left and right but before I could figure out where to go, a sweet voice called my name.  

"Miss Delafontaine?"

I turned around. Standing before me was an incredibly beautiful woman. She had long chestnut hair cascading over one shoulder, flawless skin, and delicate features. Her fitted office dress complemented her graceful figure without looking inappropriate. I believed she was only a few years older than me. 

She smiled warmly and extended her hand. "You must be Aria Delafontaine, right? I am Natalia Hart, Senior Executive Assistant.”

The moment she introduced herself...everything clicked. She is the same woman Richard had greeted so affectionately during the previous event. 

I forced a smile as I shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Natalia.” 

"You too. Mr. Thompson has a meeting this morning, so I'll show you around first."

Well, she was surprisingly kind. She introduced me to the other assistants, showed me the executive pantry, the conference rooms, and even where office supplies were kept. Everyone seemed to respect her and whenever Natalia spoke, people listened. 

"She's amazing," I whispered to another assistant.

The woman beside me chuckled. "Well, she's been working directly with Mr. Richard for almost four years."

"I see..."

"Honestly," she leaned closer before lowering her voice, "she practically knows what he's thinking before he even says it."

Four years?  No wonder they looked so comfortable together. Still, I convinced myself not to overthink.  Maybe they were simply close colleagues and nothing more…but then, I clearly heard him calling Natalia ‘baby’. 

In the morning, Natalia guided me with almost everything and since I have always been smart, it wasn’t that hard to learn the basics. Before lunch time, Natalia was able to go back to her desk, and I remained in the admin office for further training. 

Around noon, one of the admin assistants whose name was Karen approached me with a bright smile. 

"Can you help me bring these documents to Mr. Thompson’s office? Natalia didn’t answer the phone so she might be out. Just leave these documents on his desk, okay?”

"Of course!” 

"Alright. Thanks, Aria. Wanna have lunch together? I heard there’s a new dish at the cafeteria,” she mentioned. 

“Sure, Karen!” 

Trying to hide my excitement, I carefully walked toward Richard’s office. This would be the first time I'd see Richard up close. So,  I straightened my blazer before knocking. There’s no response from the other side of the door so I guessed he was really busy. 

I knocked again, but still there was nothing. Thinking he might be taking care of important matters, I slowly turned the doorknob. Fortunately, the door wasn’t locked. 

"Mr. Thompson?" I called softly but since there’s no response, I stepped inside. 

Then I froze. Richard Thompson had Natalia pinned gently against the wall beside his desk, and one of his hands rested on her waist while the other cradled her face. Their foreheads were touching and a second later, his lips captured hers in a slow kiss. 

The folders slipped from my hands and papers scattered across the polished floor. Richard immediately pulled away and  Natalia's eyes widened. Our gazes met for a second. 

"I'm... I'm sorry..." I stammered, my face burning with embarrassment.

Without waiting for either of them to explain, I hurriedly crouched to gather the scattered documents and my fingers trembled so badly that several pages slipped from my grasp again.  

Before I could finish picking them up, a pair of expensive leather shoes stopped in front of me. Richard bent down and without saying a word, he picked up the remaining papers and handed them to me. 

It was the first time our eyes met up close, and I discovered that he was even more handsome than the last time I saw him. But instead of admiration…all I felt was disappointment.

"I should have knocked louder," I interrupted with a strained smile, refusing to look at either of them again.

Clutching the folders tightly against my chest, I walked toward his desk and left the documents there before walking out of his office as fast as my shaking legs could carry me. 

The moment the doors closed behind me...I let out a bitter laugh. My dream had lasted exactly...for a half day! 

“Aria?” 

I blink in disbelief upon recognizing the old man’s voice. It was Richard’s grandfather and it seemed he was looking for his grandson as well.

“Hello, Mr. Thompson.” 

“How’s your first day at work?”

I faked a smile before responding. “It’s great, sir.”

“Good to know that. Anyway, is Richard inside? I’ve been calling his damn phone and the brat refused to take my call!” 

I should lie to William Thompson that Richard wasn’t in the office, or else, he may witness something scandalous. What if Richard would continue ravishing his secretary while I was away?

“Yes, Mr. Thompson.”

I waited until the old man entered Richard’s office, and then, I heard the commotion. I smirked at the thought of exposing their affair on my first day.