The Rise

She nodded politely. "You may choose whichever outfit you prefer."

I gently touched one of the dresses. The fabric was unbelievably soft. I've only seen brands like these in magazines. After they left, I stood there for almost five minutes. Alexander Steele...just how rich was he?

An hour later, my phone rang.

Naomi Calling. I answered immediately.

"Naomi!"

"Oh, thank goodness!" Her voice almost made me cry. "I've been calling since last night."

"So have I. I couldn't reach you. The network was terrible."

"It really was," Naomi replied. "I couldn't sleep. I was so worried.”

"I'm okay."

"Where are you?"

I told her the Imperial Hotel.

"I'll be there in thirty minutes."

True to her word, Naomi arrived shortly afterward.

The hotel receptionist called my room.

"Miss Reid?"

"Yes"

"A Miss Naomi Vega is here to see you."

"I'll be right down."

Naomi was already waiting in the lobby. The moment she saw me, she ran forward and hugged me tightly.

"So you're really okay."

"I'm okay."

She pulled away and looked me over from head to toe. "You...you look different."

I laughed. "I feel different."

Her eyes dropped to my dress. "That dress alone probably costs more than my rent."

I looked down. "I didn't buy it."

Naomi raised an eyebrow. "You definitely have a story to tell."

Naomi's apartment was just as I remembered. Small and neat. Very simple but warm. The moment we stepped inside, she kicked off her shoes and walked straight to the kitchen.

"I'm making tea," she called out. "You're telling me everything."

I smiled faintly. "That sounds like an order."

"It is."

A few minutes later, we sat on the couch with two steaming mugs between us. Naomi folded her arms. So…?

I took a deep breath. Then I began. I told her everything. Leaving the Reid mansion, walking in the rain, the gas station, meeting Alexander, the hotel, the marriage proposal. Before I could finish, she suddenly jumped up from the couch.

"What?" She almost spilled her tea. "Alexander Steele proposed to you?" Oh... my... goodness." She sat back down.

She stared at me. "Aria, do you even know who Alexander Steele is?"

"I know he's one of the biggest businessmen in London, the CEO of Steele Group."

Naomi laughed. "One of?" She shook her head. "No, he's in a completely different world. You and your family only recently moved to London. Before that, you lived in Milan.”

“I remember seeing his name in business magazines."

"Exactly." Naomi leaned forward excitedly. “But that's only a small part of it. He owns companies in London, Paris, Monaco, Zurich, Italy…his influence reaches almost everywhere.”

I blinked. "I didn't know he was that powerful."

"Because you never paid attention to business news." She pointed a finger at me. "Your whole life was Jason."

I lowered my eyes. She immediately sighed. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"No." Naomi reached over and held my hand. "I'm really sorry."

I forced a smile. "You were right all along."

"About what?"

"You warned me about Jason."

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Please." She waved her free hand. "Don't even mention his name. It irritates me."

I couldn't help laughing. "You really dislike him now."

"I disliked him before. She folded her arms. "Now I can't stand him."

We both laughed. Naomi became serious again. "Listen to me carefully. I'm not really persuading you to marry Steele. She paused. " But I'm saying... look at what happened yesterday.” She continued. "They didn't stand by you, they didn't comfort you, they chose Jason, after everything you've done for that family" 

A painful smile appeared on my face. "I spent years helping Dad expand Reid Holdings. I worked late nights for Reid Holdings, I helped organize meetings, I brought in clients. Most importantly, I turned down the best job offers because Richard said the family business needed me."

Naomi gently squeezed my hand. "They never deserved you."

I nodded slowly. She adjusted in her seat, And I was saying, people don't just know Alexander Steele. They fear him. Even your father, Richard Reid…” She shook her head. "He's nowhere near Alexander's level, not even close. If you marry Alexander Steele..." 

She leaned closer. "Nobody in your family will dare harm you, Jason won't try it, Lila won't. Richard threats won't even dare. I stayed silent. “They'll think twice before even saying your name.” She added

This time, I almost fell off the couch laughing. Naomi stared at me for a while before she joined me. Our laughter once again filled the apartment.

Later that evening. I opened the dark blue file. Every condition was clear. I read every page twice. Then I closed the file.

I reached for my phone. He answered after the second ring. "It's... Ariana. I'll accept your offer."

Then Alexander spoke. "Tomorrow." Nine o'clock. Old Marylebone Town Hall, London.”

The morning came quietly. I stood in front of Naomi's apartment building with my suitcase beside me. The air was cool. The streets of London were already coming alive. Cars gliding past. People hurrying to work with cups of coffee in their hands. A cyclist ringing his bell with cheerful energy. 

Naomi walked me to the roadside. She folded her arms and looked at me carefully. "So..."

"So?" I echoed, trying to sound braver than I felt

"You really slept."

I smiled. "I was too tired not to."

She laughed softly. "I don't know if I should call you brave or crazy."

"I've been asking myself the same thing all morning."

Naomi pulled me into another hug. "Whatever happens today, call me."

"I will."

"And if that cold billionaire says anything that annoys you..." She pointed a finger at me. "don't hesitate to annoy him back. Give him a taste of that Aria fire."

I laughed. the tension in my chest easing just a little. "I'll remember that."

A black cab stopped beside us. I grabbed my suitcase. Naomi opened the door for me. "You've got this."

I nodded. "I hope so.”