Chapter 6 Episode Six

She opened the door quietly, careful not to make any noise to wake Elijah up, and she had no energy for a conversation. With everything going on in her mind, she just wanted to have a hot shower and sleep; food was even out of her mind.

Morning came too soon.

Aria woke up to the smell of pancakes wafting from the tiny kitchen she now shares with her brother. After checking the time and finding out it was almost noon, she hurriedly got into the bathroom to shower and get ready for work. Rushing out and almost tripping on a shoe, she met Elijah in the kitchen, munching blueberry pancakes directly from the stove.

" I didn't hear you come back last night,, He said

The memory of her almost being kidnapped flashed through her head. But she didn't want him to worry.

"Yeah, I had to work late, I'm also running late now."

He set the pancakes in front of her.

"But you have to try these blueberry pancakes, I made them for you. You know...to thank you for letting me stay here, I know how much you love your privacy.

She eyed him.

"I need to go, I have to go through some numbers with my boss", but thanks, tho.

"Well, I can pack it for you..."

She was already out of the door. On her way to the gallery, she kept thinking about Damian's offer. She knew she didn't have a choice but she couldn't stand the thought of spending time with an arrogant man like that; she knew she couldn't handle it.

On getting to the gallery, she immediately dropped her bag in the back room, and her colleague rushed in.

"Aria, where have you been?, Cassandra's been looking for you; she's furious."

"I was at home, I left here really late, she knows this."

"She's in a really bad mood today, you have to go see her now".

She went to Cassandra's office to confront her about her attitude.

"Hi Cassandra, Sorry I'm late, I woke up late..."

" I don't care, I need an updated report of all the paintings we have left."

Shocked, but still being professional

"I was just about to send it to your email right now."

"I expected that by 8 am this morning, " she said while eyeing her.

"Okay, did I do something wrong?"

Cassandra snapped

"Do you have to do something wrong to do a job?"

"No, it's just that you've changed towards me," she said calmly.

Without taking her eyes off her laptop, while waving her away.

"We're done here."

"Is this because of Damian?"

Cassandra shot her a stare

"Get out."

Aria nodded and left quietly.

Once Aria was gone, Cassandra picked up her bag and left the gallery. On getting to a big, quiet estate, she drove to a stop in front of a huge glass mansion. She got out, walked elegantly into the mansion like she owned the place.

"Welcome, Miss Voss."

An elderly woman wearing an apron greeted her at the door.

"Where's Damian?" she asked rudely without acknowledging her greeting.

"In his study, he asked not to be disturbed."

She was already walking towards the study, heels clicking sharply on the glass floors. Without knocking, she pushed open the door of the study and walked in. Damia, who was fully immersed in work on his computer, shot his head up with a frown.

"I told Agnes not to let anyone in."

"And I didn't listen," she replied, dumping her bag on the table and folding her arms over her chest.

"What do you want?" he asked without taking his eyes off the computer.

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About whatever you're thinking of having with Aria Vale"

He looked up at her.

"And how is that any of your business?"

"Because she works for me, and I don't want you to have anything to do with her".

Leaning back on his chair,

"Technically, she works for me, and I can do whatever I want with whoever I want".

Adjusting her dress and moving closer to him

"But she's not your type," she said with a calm and soothing voice.

"And who are you to determine who my type is or not?".

"I'm just saying, as a friend. She's not good for you."

Standing up and pinning her with his eyes

"We are not friends, Cassandra, you work for me. Now get back to work".

"We've known each other for a long time, I think we are worth being called friends," she said while trying to caress his arms.

"Get out," he thundered

Shaking, she picked up her bag and ran out, almost in tears. Getting to the door, she found Agnes looking at her with pity.

"What are you looking at, you old hag?" she screamed and ran to her car.

There and then, she made up her mind to make Aria's life miserable till she leaves the job voluntarily because she knows she can't fire her without provoking Damian.

Back at the gallery, Aria kept thinking of Damian's offer. She knew she had to do something to help Elijah out because there was no way he was going to get that money himself, and if those men could find out where she worked, it was only a matter of time before they found out where she lived and found Elijah. After what happened the last time, she didn't even want to think about what would happen to Elijah if they found him this time. She hates being afraid. Ever since she was a little girl and she had to look out and protect her baby brother, she has banished fear from her mind. She has always been strong, maintaining a hard look so no one can intimidate her or her brother. She learnt to be a big sister, a mother and a father to Elijah from a very young age. She couldn't let him ruin his life like this.

She thought of telling Elijah about Damian's proposal, but she knew he would not agree to it; aside from him being too proud to let her help, he wouldn't want her to give herself to a man for money.

At the end of the day, Aria made up her mind to find the money somewhere else; she would do two, three jobs to raise the money, but she wouldn't agree to Damian's deal.

Or so she thought.