Ariana’s POV
The ride was quiet and boring, except for the music blasting out of the speakers. I watched each scenery pass by as the car moved.Soon the car stopped by a large gate, and the car glided in through the gates after the driver had verified his card with security. The sight that greeted me was beautiful, with vibrant flowers and lush greenery stretching as far as my eyes could see.Soon the car rounded a fountain, and my eyes widened at the beauty of the villa in front of me. The villa stood tall and majestic, its white walls drawing more attention. Funny, I was half expecting the building to be black since Brian had "Black" in his name, but it seemed like I had guessed wrong.I couldn’t tell when the driver had left the car, but soon he opened the door for me with a smile while gesturing for me to step out. I stepped out of the car while keeping my gaze on the house, knowing that this was the kind of place I saw in movies.A friendly voice brought me out of my stare.“Oh, Miss Ariana, welcome to the Black's villa. We’re so glad to have you here.” The voice belonged to an older woman whom I would guess was in her fifties. How she knew my name is still a mystery to me, but I guess she could see how shocked I was before she said.“Oh, we were contacted by Mr. Brian, and he told us to prepare for you,” she replied. I smiled at her.“Forgive my manners, miss. Thank you for having me,” I replied, and she smiled at me.“You're welcome. Right this way, miss,” she replied as we walked into the building. Everything was polished and beautiful. When I was brought to my room, I knew that this was the best room I had stayed in. It was two times bigger than our old apartment and was connected to a balcony.The woman, whose name I had come to discover was Mrs. Belle, informed me of my newly arrived wardrobe and for me to prepare for a family dinner by six pm.The wardrobe was everything, with clothes for all seasons and different designer bags and shoes I would have never dreamt of owning.The next few hours were spent with Belle as she took me around the villa. I discovered it had everything one could ever dream of, including a garage filled with exotic cars a swimming pool that was right under my balcony, and so much more.I was exhausted when I returned to my room, and I had a quick lunch before taking a nap.I was woken up by Belle as she informed me that my parents had arrived, including Damien, and I was to prepare for dinner in an hour.I settled with a simple pair of jeans and paired it with a crop top as I descended the stairs.As soon as I stepped into the dining room, the sight before me caught me off guard. Brian and my mum were at the head of the table, holding hands and whispering to each other. I scanned the room and I could tell there weren’t any signs of Damien.Taking my seat next to my mother, I greeted Brian, who replied to me freely. And before I could greet my mother.She reached out and stroked my cheek with a warm smile, which was unfamiliar. This was the first time she had ever shown such a gesture or smiled at me. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of skepticism. I knew this was merely a facade to impress her new husband.“How are you doing, honey? Hope everything is to your liking?” She asked.“Yes, Mother, I am doing just fine, and the house and everything is to my liking,” I replied, trying my best not to gag at the affection in her voice.“Oh, that's great. Your mother and I ordered a brand-new wardrobe for you. I hope everything will be to your liking, and make sure if there is anything you want, make sure to reach out to me,” Brian replied in a calm and caring voice, which brought out a genuine smile in me.“Thank you, Mr. Brian, you have done more than enough,” I replied.“Oh, honey, Brian, I heard earlier when Brian told you to call him dad…. Give it a try, Hun, he is now your father,” my mother cautioned me. I could feel my anger building up inside me. How dare she, after what she had done to my father, expect me to call her new husband a new fatherly figure.“Oh dear, don’t push her. It should be up to her, after all, we are all getting to know each other,” Brian explained. I could see the guilt in his eyes. I knew the man was a good man, and in less than three days, he had changed my life dramatically, and the least I could do was to appreciate him.“Oh, Noo.. forgive Bria… Dad, it's just that I am not used to calling someone dad for a long time,” I responded while letting out a short laugh to chill down the tension in the room. I could see my mother glaring at me from the corner of her eyes, and I knew she would be coming for me later on.“Ok, dear, now let's settle for dinner,” he said as he clapped his hands. As soon as he did, maids strolled in with different dishes in their hands as they laid it down on the table. I watched as Brian asked a maid to fetch Damien.Meanwhile, I dug into a traditional English dish that was placed before me, digging in eagerly, trying to shake off the unease in the air.After a few minutes, Damien entered the dining room, and I couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly he commanded attention. He was more handsome, and his presence was imposing and alluring. Even the maids stared at him and popped out their breasts to get his attention. It was my first time seeing him in an outfit that was not a suit, instead, he was wearing a simple t-shirt matched with blue jeans."Sorry for being late," Damien said, his voice smooth and confident. "Had some last-minute work to attend to."Brian waved off his apology with a grin. "No worries, son. Glad you could join us."My mom's eyes sparkled as she looked at Damien. "Yes, it's lovely to have the whole family together," my mom added with a giggle, and I could see Damien rolling his eyes as he smiled at her.“So, how’s work been treating you?” Brian asked, directing the question at Damien.“Oh, you know, the usual. The Italians are stressing me again over the contract, but I have it sorted out,” he replied while digging into his chicken.“Oh, that reminds me. You need to take Ariana along with you tomorrow and offer her a position in the company. I can’t have her stay at home bored,” my mom chipped in. And my eyes widened at her proposal. I knew she had told me about this already, but hearing her say it in front of Damien did something to me.“Ah, yes, you were just complaining about getting your dead secretary position fixed. It seemed like the opening will have to be filled by Ariana,” Brian suggested, and I could see myself still that second. I wanted to demand I be given a job so I don’t have to see this jerk's face every day, but I knew that would draw more questions as to why I would want that.I looked up, and I could see Damien glaring at me already while smiling. This was the wrong scenario ever, and it just happened that my stepbrother, who I fucked and he probably hates me, would be my boss.“Oh, yes, she can have the job, but mind you, I wouldn’t treat her like family but an employee,” Damien agreed while smirking at me. Something behind his smirk told me this wasn’t good, and I was in deep shit.“That's so great, it gives you guys enough time to get to know each other,” my mother said, and I could feel myself gag at that moment. I began coughing at her words."Are you feeling alright, dear?" My mom's voice snapped at me as she reached out to offer me a glass of water, which I humbly took."I'm fine," I muttered, forcing a smile. But inside, I couldn't shake the sense of unease that gnawed at me. This was bad, really bad.“Can I be excused? I am done with my meal,” I replied.“Oh, dear, you can. You need rest for tomorrow,” Brian said, and I wasted no time in getting up from the table without looking at any of them and walking away.I ran up the stairs to my room, and after getting lost in the halls, I found myself at the door of my room. Before I could open the door and step inside, I could hear footsteps behind me. Looking behind me, I saw him, smirking at me. I knew he enjoyed making me feel uncomfortable.“See you in the office tomorrow, and make sure I don’t catch you masturbating again,” he replied as he let out a laugh. I hurriedly opened the door and rushed in.I knew my face was red, and then I froze as I realized something. His room was right next to mine.Ariana’s POVI could feel the morning light streaming through the curtains. I groggily opened my eyes with a tired yawn, stretching my hands out to the bedside table while my fingers fumbled with my phone to check the time. Soon the phone came on as I glanced at the screen, my heart skipped a beat. I squinted as I stared at the screen. It was 10:00 AM. Panic surged through me. I knew I didn’t know enough details about this job, but I knew I was very late.With a jolt, I shot out of bed, the covers tangling around my legs as I stumbled toward the bathroom. I didn’t waste time in the shower as I took a quick shower. How I had overslept is beyond me, and what would Damien think? He might take this as an excuse to not give me the job.The shower did a good job of wiping the remnants of sleep from my eyes. Soon, as I was dried enough, I put on my office wear, which was a black skirt and a purple top paired with some heels.Without glancing at the mirror, I rushed out of my room and nearly
Ariana’s POVI stood still as he glared at me, wondering why he had just called me insolent. As far as I knew, I did nothing wrong but brought the coffee he ordered.“Is something the matter?” I asked.“All I asked for was a simple coffee, but guess what? I couldn’t have that,” he snapped at me. It was shocking, as I wasn’t expecting the response. I felt like there was something behind his attitude and this had nothing to do with coffee.“I got what you wanted, you asked for no sugar,” I replied.“Well, guess what, I like my coffee without milk,” he responded, and I tried so hard not to roll my eyes. Just as I decided to give him a piece of my mind, I wasn’t going to stand here and watch him belittle me to nothing. I was interrupted when the door opened and a beautiful brunette walked in.She was stunning. She was six feet tall, and her height made her seem like a model. Her long, endless legs seemed to stretch as far as they could go. Then there was her gown, it was just below her wai
Ariana’s POVI stood at a loss for words, and without hesitation, I ran out of the office. As soon as I got into my office, I slammed the door and breathed hard. Damien wasn’t my first fling. I had been with different men before him and left them without even caring about them.But why does he seem to affect me so much when I see him? Something about Damien made me crave more of him. Memories of the little time we spent that night have been unforgettable. Seeing him with her put so much rage, jealousy, and envy inside me.I knew he was a douchebag and had mocked me since then, but I can’t get him out of my head. I knew I needed to move on from what we had. He was my stepbrother now, and there is no way we're going to end up together.The office got so suffocating. I don’t think I can stay any longer and see his face. It's not like I have a job anywhere else, so I left for the canteen.I ordered a sandwich and settled in my chair to eat. The rest of the customers were paired up in pairs
“Ariana’s POV”Soon everyone dived right into the food. I focused on eating my meal and didn’t meet anyone's gaze as I ate.“So, how was work today, kids?” Brian asked us as we ate.“Work was good, father,” Damien replied. I looked up just in time to see Brian looking at me and waiting for my response.“It was eventful,” I said, and I could feel Damien meet my gaze. I held his gaze. He gave me his signature smirk as he dived down to his food. I saw Britney looking at me with so much hate, but I didn’t return her gaze as I continued eating.“So, dear, tell me about yourself,” my mother decided to ask Britney.“Oh, I am so sorry for not making introductions. I am Britney, Damien's girl and the future rightful heiress to my parents' company,” Britney responded, and I rolled my eyes.“Showoff,” I mumbled, while keeping my eyes on my food. I knew she heard me as she turned and glared at me.“That's so wonderful, my dear. Have you guys decided a date for the wedding?” My mother asked, and I
Damien's POVI knew she wanted me, her body language said everything. When she arrived late for work that morning, I had let her get away with it. Normally, I fired anyone who came even a minute late to work. But when it came to her, I brushed it off. What happened between us was a coincidence, and I didn't want it to happen again. Ariana was an angel, and I was the devil. I couldn't strain her with my darkness.The coffee incident was out of frustration from losing a contract to Lucas, who was my greatest rival in the business world, and I took it out on her. Luckily, Britney came just in time for me to pour out all my frustration during sex.When Ariana walked through the door and caught us in the act, I smirked at her as she looked at me in horror while I continued rambling inside of Britney. Luckily, Britney had her eyes closed while enjoying the moment and didn't know that Ariana was in the room.Britney, on the other hand, was my girlfriend and more of a sexual partner. She wa
Ariana’s POVI let out a yawn as I groaned and stretched my body, the morning light filtering through the blinds of my window. The headache hit me, pounding through my skull like a relentless drumbeat. I struggled to recall the events of the previous night, but my memory seemed hazy.I was so confused about how I had ended up in my bed this morning. The only memory I had was going to the toilet at the club.I dragged myself out of bed, feeling nauseous as I stumbled towards the bathroom. The urge to vomit hit me like a freight train, and I barely made it to the toilet before emptying the contents of my stomach. Collapsing onto the cold tile floor, I struggled to make sense of what had happened.I glanced down and realized I was still in my dress from last night, the fabric crumpled and stained from a night of revelry. How did I end up back home? I wracked my brain for answers, but the memories refused to surface.I took a quick shower. I knew I was late for work, but I didn’t know how
I stood there as I held my cheek, glaring at Britney. She must have seen the headline and assumed the worst.“Less than one week in the Black's mansion and you are trying to steal my man,” she gritted out. I wasn’t going to stand aside and watch her destroy my reputation.“Mind your words, Britney. I visited that club without any idea of Damien. I am still as confused by that picture as anyone else,” I said, and I could see her getting more angry.“You will pay, I will make sure of that,” she said, and I rolled my eyes at her.“You have already implicated yourself, Britney. I will contact my lawyer, and you will pay for the assault you have committed today,” I said as I smirked.“You can’t go against me, girl. Less than a week in the family, and you think you can take me on. I'd love to see you try,” she said as she let out a laugh.I looked around, and almost everyone had a phone in their hands as they took several pictures. I knew I couldn’t continue this. Just when I was about to le
I ignored her as I attempted to walk past her, she reached out and grabbed my hands. “Where so you think your going to?” She asked me, and I tried to wiggle my hand out of her hands.“My room ,mum, hope you don’t have a problem with that i replied.“Are you just going to pretend you don’t know what your did Ariana”she asked.I knew what she was talking about but I wasn’t going to pay her and mind. She was literally going to assumed the worst even if I did.“You whore, I told you to stay away from Him but there you were. Sneaking out to go to club with him and having him get you home drunk and half naked for the whole world to see,”she said and in rolled my eyes.“It wasn’t intentional mother, believe it or not” i replied as I walked away from her, she trailed after me.“Come stand here when I am talking to you,”she responded and I stoped and turned to face her.“Mother, I can’t deal with this. I need to rest” I responded.“You ungrateful brat, I have warned you times without number