“Why, yes,” she replied with a lopsided smile.
She looked quite the villain when she does that. Theresa does put Cruella to shame. Except Cruella had more fashion sense that this person standing in front of me.
“Say whatever you want to say and get out,” I growled. I tapped my foot on the floor and drummed my fingers on the table.
“Do not worry too much about Hardin. I will take good care of him in your absence.” She brushed her hair over her shoulder with her left hand. Like a cat, I got enraptured with the bright glint on her finger.
I ground my teeth and glared at the diamond ring on her finger. That should have been mine.
I forced a small smile onto my lips. “Congratulations, future Mrs Kingston.”
Theresa frowned for a moment. She must have expected a tantrum. She stepped in front of the door and spat, “Try to be less arrogant, will you?”
“I am not responsible for your insecurity, now get out of my way.” I bundled two boxes in my arms and pushed my way through. She crashed on the floor as the door opened.
With a disgusted scoff, I stepped over her.
“Why are you such a horrible person?” She cried.
I rolled my eyes with disdain. The employees halted in their work and watched us with curiosity. If she kept this up, people would think I'm bullying her. I could not care less.
“Why did you do that?”
Alarmed at his entrance, my arms shook. Hardin ran to Theresa's side and picked her up. She faked another cry of pain.
“Apologize.”
I sneered, and sauntered out of the marketing department. With the use of the elevator, I got to the ground floor. I dropped the boxes in my car and hurried to the last one in my office.
When I re-entered, the department was empty except for Hardin. He leaned against Maya's desk with a sullen expression.
“Brie.” He grabbed my arm and held my waist.
“Mr Kingston, I have to take the rest of my things. I would advise you keep your advice so my terrible reputation does not affect yours,” I said, annoyance clear in my tone. I pulled his arm away and went for the last box.
“I am sorry, Brie.”
“For what? Breaking up with me? Telling people what should between us? Getting engaged to Theresa? Your actions don't sound sorry.”
“It is just... I have a reason for doing this.”
“Just what? What reason? Come on, tell me. Tell me what it is! Tell me so I can understand! Tell me why!”
He closed his eyes and rubbed his palms against his trousers. I waited for a response, but none came.
“I thought so,” softly, I said. “It was nice working with you, Mr Kingston.” I heaved the last box and carried it in my arms.
Without another look, I left the department. Drowned in the silent yet bewildered stares of the other employees, the only sound heard were the clicks of my heels. My shoulders slumped as an invisible weight crashed on it. I placed one foot out the doors of Atlantis and then the other.
Everything felt different. I would never be a part of Atlantis anymore.
“He did what?!”
Victoria flung her hairband across my bedroom. Her hair fell over her face as she paced back and forth. She looked like she stepped out of The Exorcist with her bouncing hair and laboured breathing.
“How could he do that to you? He had absolutely no right to do that to you!”
“I know!” I yelled, also furious.
“And that slimy bitch. If I get my hands on her, I'm going to crush her windpipe!”
“I will help you hide the corpse,” I added.
A creepy smirk grew on her face as she swept her back. In an instant, her expression turned sad. “Why are we bad with the first choice of men to marry?” She softly asked.
I fingered my untucked shirt and looked at the vase on the bedside table. I followed the swirling green lines with my eyes. Anna never planned on being with Nolan, Victoria thought she'd stay with her ex-husband forever and I expected my story to be different.
“My parents can not know about this,” I said, unbuttoning my shirt.
I could see my parents gloat and saying, 'I told you so.' They never approved of my working at Atlantis or dating Hardin. He never met their standards. No man has ever. Not even Victor, who had relations with the current Queen of Lilaria, Anna.
“I would not tell them.”
“I trust you not to. I'm not sure about those bloggers.”
She scrunchie her face in disgust as she sat on the bed beside me, making it dip. She wrapped her arms around me. “I am here for you.”
I squeezed her arm gently and replied, “I know.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Find a new job.”
“Would you like to model for me when you have a free time? I have new ideas for Spring Fashion.” She clapped her hands in excitement. Demi Lovato's uplifting song, Warrior, played. Victoria reached for phone while I unzipped my skirt and pulled it off.
I picked my phone from the bed and scrolled through previous messages. I paused when I reached the message from the anonymous person. Thinking of my horrible last day at Atlantis, anger surged through my blood once more. I suffered disgrace from my family, got kicked out of my home for supporting him, worked one forty-four hours a week to help his family business grow. He had the guts to kick me out? Hardin Kingston will regret what he did today.
I unblocked the number and typed, 'So you want to help me?'
'Took you a while to come around,' came the quick reply.
'Help me take down Atlantis.'
'As you wish...'
A lopsided smirk touched my lips. Hardin will pay for what he has done.
Maybe this was not a good idea.A week had passed, and I resolved I planned to do the right thing. But now, I was not so sure. I had only good ideas that resolved things perfectly. This, however, felt messed up. I am going to meet a stranger who shared a few words with me over the phone. How did this stranger even get my private number?!I gripped the steering wheel while I eyed the restaurant with outdoor seating. I probably should have texted Victoria my whereabouts, just in case something bad happened.But as my best friend always says, when in doubt and fear, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses helped contain your emotions.I pulled open the compartment and took the stylish sunglasses I bought myself some weeks ago. My view of the world turned grey as it stayed firm on my face. Grabbing my purse, I stepped out of my car and made for the restaurant called, Beaumont.“Reservation for E. P?” I
I grinned at the man and said, “Hello.” I closed the file and got to my feet, putting my palm forward for a handshake. “Miss Brianne Delmont.” His palm was interestingly smooth as he gripped my palm. Hardin's were coarse from hard work. I remembered massaging his palms with healing ointment after a long tiring day. Shaking off my nostalgia, I put some distance between the man and I. Looking away from his piercing gaze, I asked, “What is in it for you? You would not help without getting something out of it.” Edward peeled off his suit jacket, revealing an austere white shirt and green tie underneath. His shoulders heaved a bit as he sank into his seat. “I want just one thing; the end of Atlantis.” “But the organisation is an ant compared to yours,” I said, with my arms folded. “But there are other men deserving of you,” he quipped. “Have you been spying on me? How did you get my private number?” His eyes twinkled as his mouth quirked at the corners. “I have many sources.” Or h
An alien invasion could happen right now and I'd be glad. Anything could happen as long as I do not have to wake up at five in the morning again.I trodded out of the elevator and into the twenty-first floor. The time on my wristwatch ticked six oh one as I sat in my new chair.“You are late.”Seething, I took notice of the well-dressed man leaning against the CEO's office door. “Good morning to you, Mr Paxton.”“Punctuality is key to unlock greatness in the business universe,” He continued, ignoring my greeting.Not interested in silly little talks, I noticed the post-it notes and files on the desk. One post-it said, bring Mr Paxton a cup of black coffee with lots of cream and two teaspoonful of sugar in the morning.Really?“I should go get you your coffee.” I got to my f
“No.”“Excuse me?”“No.” His cold gaze intensified and I shut down the urge to shiver. Tilting my head higher, I stepped closer to him and said, “I will not send you the documents and the location for the photoshoot.”“Why is that?” Edward asked.“When do we start plotting my revenge? I feel like I'm doing free labour here.”“But I'm paying you for your 'free labour'.” Rolling his eyes, he pushed me to the side and sat at my seat. His fingers repeatedly clicked the keys on the keyboard as he stared at the monitor screen.“Atlantis' stock keeps rising every week and we are doing nothing. I feel like a fool right now. I trusted you to help me but I'm working myself to death for you. I haven't had a proper meal in a while,” I said, slamming my hands on the table
The silver barred gates drew open and Paxton drove us past it. Tall palm trees arched and covered the moon. The streetlights bathed the road with a warm glow.“I was nine the last time I came here,” I said, keeping an eye out for the monkeys I once saw.“You were?” He asked.“I do not remember what I came here for but I recall it was hot and boring.”Slow music danced to my ears as we rode closer to the mansion. It remained as large as I remembered. Paxton pulled to a stop in front of the building and got out of the vehicle. I did the same, drawing stares from the people around. Drawing my purse to my side, I took my sweet time walking around the car to Paxton's side. He curtly held out his arm and I held it.The mint green dress I had on swished around my feet as I walked up the stairs to the house. Uniformed servants greeted
“That,” He whisper yelled, pulling me by the arm. “Was that all you could come up with?”After declaring myself as Paxton's girlfriend, the parents stared at us with wide eyes and faked laughs. They were not the only ones who got shocked tonight. Paxton chuckled and gritted an agreement that I was his girlfriend. Once his parents left us, he led me away to the guesthouse.Once inside, he sent every person out and shut the door. He slowly turned after locking the door. “Do you know what happens when you declare yourself as my girlfriend?”“Partly.” Actually, I did not know and I do not care. “We could break up tomorrow morning. No stress,” I clapped my hands and bobbed my head.“You do not know, do you?”“What is the big deal about it? Besides, should you not be more concerned Tonia you are s
“I would rather break up.”His question and my quick reply lived rent free in my head for the rest of the day. His cold looks never slipped throughout the day. Paxton got harsher by the minute, barking orders and ignoring every person around him. Nico had to ask if I hit a sore spot. I am pretty sure I did not. Something about his mom made him that way.“Will you sulk all day?” I said, giving his desk a gentle knock. “Mr Paxton, can I have your undivided attention?”His unfocused gaze finally met mine. His eyes darkened as he clenched his fists.“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to get rid of your mom and me? I have an idea that would solve this.”“Talk.”“I will be your girlfriend. Just one more time until tomorrow morning. Your mom seems to be the type that n
We pulled up in front of his house at nine in the morning, still reeling of alcohol. The sun was out shinning and the wind blew gently.“Do I look irresponsible enough?” I asked, adjusting my tight and small, thin strapped top.“You deserve an award of the sultry and lusty daughter-in-law,” he replied.I grinned and ran my hand through my hair to mess it up. I propped open the glove compartment and take Paxton's gin. Opening the bottle, I cast him a withering look as he glared. “I need to be drunk to give a performance of a lifetime.”“Take only a little,” he gritted.I shrugged and took a huge swig. Capping the bottle, I handed it back to him. “Come on, let's get this show started.”“Oh.”My grin grew wider at Mrs Paxto