2. Damsel In Distress

Six years ago,

“Cara, you are late again!” the manager of the local eatery shouted as he watched a young girl around the age of twenty-one, rushing inside through the back door of the restaurant, dressed in a pair of blue jeans with an old black t-shirt.

“I’m sorry, sir! I missed the bus and had to walk four miles to reach here.” Cara apologized in her softest voice, panting, trying to catch a breath, and took out a white shirt and black miniskirt from her bag.

“Change quickly. It’s the fucking peak hour, you lazy ass!!” He sneered, and Cara rushed inside the washroom. She changed into a white shirt and a short miniskirt, quickly pulling her long, dark blonde hair into a ponytail, and sighed looking at her pale face in the mirror.

She applied a baby pink lip gloss on her dried lips and tied a red and white checked apron around her waist, and dashed out to fix her white cap, only to meet the cold eyes of the manager who handed her a notebook and pen, gesturing for her to serve the couple sitting at the last table. Cara nodded and started her day cheerfully.

“Two cheese bacon, egg hash, and two filtered coffees, please.” She communicated the order to the chef and heaved when Sandra, her co-worker, nudged her arm.

“What caught you up again?”

“What does the look on my face explain?” Cara lifted an eyebrow.

“Oh! I get it. But don’t you think it’s high time you take a stand for yourself?” Sandra encouraged, but Cara yawned in response. “I don’t know your tragic story, but the lead should always fight back!”

“I’m tired.” She said when the chef slid the tray full of exotic food in her direction, an enticing aroma hit her nostrils, and her stomach growled in response. “And I just realized I’m hungry.”

“Thank you, chef!” She smiled at the old man and quickly made a move, serving the happy couple. “Enjoy!” As she turned to leave, a voice interrupted her.

“Excuse me,”

A chill ran down her spine, and Cara halted in her tracks, recognizing the contempt in the voice. She tilted her head to the right and goosebumps appeared on her skin as her hazel eyes met with none other than Cynthia Glazier.

“Get me some more red wine!” The woman ordered nonchalantly, not sparing a glance in Cara’s direction, and the latter stood rooted in her place as if she had seen a ghost. The woman finished her drink and shifted her focus to Cara, who shivered under her gaze.

“Y-Yes, r-right away!” She stammered out and sprinted to the bar section of the restaurant. “W-wine!” she stammered and looked around for Sandra, but she was nowhere in sight.

“Why are you wasting your time looking here and there?” The manager scolded her, and Cara looked at him with doe-like eyes. “Take the damn order and serve!” He growled, keeping his volume in check. Cara nodded, getting the wine and walking over to the woman, who crossed her legs under the table and stared at her with an amused expression on her face.

Cara served the wine, but she was so nervous under the woman’s constant gaze that she accidentally spilled it over her expensive white dress. “I’m sorry!!” Her face turned pale, and she quickly took some napkins to help.

The woman glared at her. “Stay away from me. Call your manager!” she growled in Cara’s face, and the latter gulped, apologizing continuously.

“What have you done, Cara?” The manager appeared to save the day. “We apologize for the mistake, Mrs. Glazier!”

“Mistake! This girl standing here is a big-time mistake. She spoiled my expensive dress. Do you even check the staff before hiring them?” Every set of eyes in the restaurant turned to the scene. “I demand you fire her right now!” The woman crossed her arms across her chest and demanded.

“Please, forgive me,” Cara’s eyes filled with tears, and she was ready to beg her, sitting at her feet.

“Get the fuck out of my sight, you lowlife!” The woman threw a disgusted look at her. “Are you firing her? Or do you want me to make your small eatery famous for atrocious services?”

The manager wasted no time in making a decision. “Cara, you’re fired!” He dismissed Cara without delay, but the latter continued to beg deaf ears until the guard threw her out.

A sinister smile spread across the face of the woman as she watched Cara through the glass window, standing outside, helpless and sobbing.

***

Grayson Group of Hotels,

Aries's piercing grey eyes checked the picture of the woman in the waitress uniform that his cousin Genelia had sent him. “Who is she now?” He frowned, texting her before turning off his phone for the staff meeting.

“Grayson Group of Hotels should always be on the top!” Aries spoke, his deep voice commanding the attention of all his employees. “Our forthcoming hotel will be constructed in New Orleans, and I will designate a few of you to spearhead the initiative.”

Every face lit up with a smile, wishing for that one golden chance that could launch them straight into the sky, as working with Aries Grayson was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I will conduct an internal assessment in a couple of days, and those who qualify will have the privilege of co-leading this project with me.” Rising from his high executive chair, he announced the news with a confident smile, buttoning his jacket.

“Meeting adjourned.” His gruff voice echoed in the conference room as he made his exit, with his assistant close behind.

“What is next?” Aries strode into his office and made his way around the desk, easing himself into the comfortable high-rise executive armchair and switching his phone on.

“You are done for the day. Tomorrow you have a business dinner with Russian investors and Mr. Simon Sanchez will join you.” The assistant answered, and just then Simon, the financial advisor of the company, and his friend walked into his office unannounced.

“And before that, you’re meeting your grandma for lunch today!” He smirked in his direction and Aries huffed.

“I know why she’s calling me,”

“Still, you’ve got to join her! She doesn’t take no for an answer! The old woman is still authoritative!”

Aries picked up on the sound of his phone ringing as Simon spoke to him, and he noticed his cousin Genelia's name flashing on the screen. “Excuse me,” He signals for them to give him some privacy.

The moment the door shut, he responded to her call. “You should look into this matter! You’ve got to help me, Aries! You promised to help me!” Genelia's distress was escalating with every ticking second, and Aries was losing his composure.

“Will you be fucking stop ranting? What are you talking about?”

“You promised to help me. You said Natalie will be out of Keith’s life before I step into New York.” Genelia said. “But you’ve done absolutely nothing so far to kick her out of Keith’s life! And now I see him holding another woman in the middle of the running road! Who the fuck is she?” she shouted over the phone call.

“How the fuck I’m supposed to know!” Aries retorted in an equally high pitch. “I’m the fucking CEO, not your Keith’s stalker! Get a life, lady!”

Genelia fell silent, anxious that he might retract his offer to help. “Look, I agreed to help you kick Natalia out because she is a fucking slut, sleeping around behind his back. I want to help my friend see her true color. Though, do not hope for anything further from me.”

There was a long silence between them. “And stop stalking the cop, damn it! What if Keith finds out you’re stalking him?” He gritted his teeth.

“Why are you shouting at me?” She cried. “I was worried and I could only talk to you about it! Fine, I don’t need your help!”

Aries drew a deep breath and asked calmly. “Who is this girl in the picture?”

“Keith was seen with her on the road. She was seen walking down the road mindlessly when Keith saved her from an accident. My informer saw them talking for a few minutes and then Keith handed over his card to her!”

Aries was at a loss for words. “Hello, are you there?” Genelia glanced at the screen.

“Are you freaking crazy or what?” Aries knitted his eyebrow. “He just saved that girl from an accident!”

“But why did he give his card to her?” She asked in a high pitch.

Aries gritted his teeth and looked at his phone screen. “I’m hanging up. Grandma is calling.”

“Aries, I bet something is going on between them. Why would he give his card to her? I’m sending you a picture. Have a look at it!” Genelia ended the call.

Aries was watching the picture she sent to him when another text popped up on the screen from her. “Her name is Cara Silencio, and she got fired from her job this morning,”

***

From the Brooklyn Bridge, Cara had a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Her enchanting hazel eyes were shedding tears, and she cursed her life. She recalled an incident from the morning when she boarded a bus to reach the café where she worked as a waitress.

At the next stop, two men boarded the bus and their eyes settled on her. Unaware of them, Cara took out an apple from her bag. The men in black pants and leather jackets reached to stand where she was sitting.

A look of horror crossed Cara’s face as her eyes landed on them and the apple fell from her hand. Her eyes reflected her deepest fear. One of them smirked in her direction, and she quickly tore her eyes from them, looking out of the window. Her heart pounded in her chest.

It took her some minutes to gather her thoughts when the bus stopped at one of the busiest stations and she saw the maximum of the passengers rising to their feet to leave. Cara took advantage of it, as she knew they wouldn’t highlight it in public, and rushed out. Both the men chased her but lost track of her on the busy road.

And that’s how she got late for her job… again!

“Are you all right, dear?” Passing by, the old couple stopped and Cara snapped back to reality.

“Yes, thank you!” She smiled in their direction, wiping her tears.

“Everything is gonna be fine!” The woman patted her back, and they left. Cara continued to stare at the sunset.

“Why didn’t you take me with you, Dad? It’s so hard to live,” her voice clouded with emotions as she rubbed her face. “They’ve tracked me down again! Cynthia Glazier and Alfred Doyle won’t leave me alone! They won't rest until I take my life.” She cried helplessly and her hands trembled as she covered her face.

***

Aries and his grandmother chatted and caught up on old times over their delicious lunch. “You’re twenty-eight, Aries! Perfect age to get married.” Clara, his grandmother, chattered away while he savored his chicken, listening intently.

“I’ve shortlisted some girls for you and you’re going on a date with them. You need to settle down now. I want to play with your kids!” she said. Aries glanced into her dreamy eyes and sighed, realizing she was daydreaming again.

“Grandma, I don’t need to get married to give you grandkids. Just tell me how many you want?” A self-satisfied smirk played across his face, only to be met with a sharp smack from his grandmother to his biceps, accompanied by a disapproving glare.

“Why are you not excited about getting married? Not ready to say goodbye to your Playboy status?”

“Women are not trustworthy. For example, my mom. The biggest bitch of all time!” His knuckles turned white as he clutched the fork, fury blazing in his eyes.

She looked at him anxiously and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, and he turned his attention back to his grandmother. The storm in his eyes died slowly, and a smirk stretched on his lips. “How can I share my life with someone I can’t trust?” His cold eyes exposed the void space of his heart.

“Not all women are the same, Aries! I can find a nice girl for you if you trust me, of course.” His grandma chuckled.

“I have faith in you, but I'm not ready to settle down.”

“What about that model you’re dating these days? Aren’t you serious about her?” His grandma inquired.

Aries gave an amused smile. “We have an arrangement!” He said to stay brief and uncomplicated, not getting into the nitty gritty.

“Arrangement?” She lifted her eyebrows when his phone rang up.

“Just a minute!” He said, answering the call from his office.

“Okay, I’ll meet them at the party.” Taking a sip of his juice, he disconnected the call. “I really need to go, Grandma!” He stood and planted a kiss on her cheek, “But I’ll visit again. Take care.”

“Be ready by eight. We're going to an event.” He texted his girlfriend, Shasha Lewis.