Aria’s POV At work, I could start to see the physical evidence of the club expansion. Construction crews with cranes had set up on one side of the building. They’d even torn down one of the walls in the hallways I usually walk down, to prepare for the new addition to the building. Likely in anti
Determined, I opened my phone and called his number. The phone rang three times before he picked up. “Aria? Is everything okay?” He sounded rushed and stressed. “Yes, I just –” “Unless it’s an emergency, I have to go,” he said. It wasn’t exactly an emergency, and it didn’t feel right to lie
Aria’s POV The day of the parent-child sports day, I arrived at the school at 10am, wearing my sneakers and exercise gear. William and Joe were both in their gym clothes, excitedly waiting for me. Some of the day’s events were set to take place inside the school’s gymnasium, but most of them wer
Aria’s POV When I awoke the next morning and checked Liam’s room, he was gone again. I truly had no idea how he could keep up this pace. With a sigh, I turned from his room and went to help the kids get ready for the day. Once the kids were off on the school bus, I got into my car and drove to t
Aria’s POV Joanna stepped up to the microphone. “Thank you. As I’m sure things have been run with some measure of success around here, I want to confirm that I have no intention of disrupting that process. In fact, I only wish to increase the output of that success.” “I don’t like the sound of t
Aria’s POV After the meeting was officially over, my co-workers and I returned to our offices and to our work. Having thought it over, I decided that Joanna’s belittlement was some sort of motivational mind game. While it hadn’t been particularly effective on me, I could see how it might earn te
“I work hard every day,” I assure, “And I never miss a race.” “My records indicate that you used PTO recently, to take off a day. These vacations should not be allowed in the middle of the race season. I’ve already spoke to HR, instructing them to not approve any more breaks this time of year.”
Aria’s POV After the meeting, I stumbled back to my office in something of a blur. I couldn’t believe what had happened, or what this meant for me and for the drivers. How could this happen? How could everything go so wrong, so quickly? What in the world was I supposed to do now? Sitting beh
Aria’s POVFinding no luck at Markus’s, I returned home. I wanted to tell Liam about the strange invitation I’d found, that asked me to be at some fancy venue on a Saturday night, but something about Liam that evening was making me hold my tongue.After all, didn’t he say he was also going to be out
I might have understood the high society way of life but that didn’t make me partial to it. The opposite, having to negotiate for everything was exhausting. Everyone was out for themselves. Chuck agreed to keep things quiet until Sunday, but I imagined even that wasn’t entirely selfless.In a few mo
Liam’s POVI’d been on hold for ten minutes before the owner of one of the news outlets finally picks up the phone. I knew Chuck well enough. We’d hung around at the same parties and same events in my younger years, back when I’d been a driver with a partying reputation to uphold.Since I fell out o
Liam’s POV“I sent out the invitations,” Joanna said first thing the next morning in the office.“What? You were supposed to let me see the list first,” I said, surprised and annoyed. Per our previous discussions and agreements, I was supposed to have the final say on the list of invitees.She rolle
Aria’s POVDuring break, I went to the coffee machine in the hallway to get myself a fresh cup. Unfortunately when I went to pour, the pot was empty. Sighing, I grabbed the pot and turned toward the breakroom to use the sink to refill it.Turning, however, I nearly walked straight into Joanna, who I
Watching me, she slowly raises a brow. “If I can make it happen this Saturday, you’ll let me invite whoever I want?”“Within reason,” I said. “I don’t have to tell you why I want to keep this a secret,” I said. If Aria found out about this, it could be the end of everything. I wasn’t going to risk l
Liam’s POVThe next morning, Joanna sat in our shared office avoiding work and creating the official guest list for our engagement party instead. Occasionally, she would throw out a name. Again and again, I would remind her.“I want this to be as small of a party as possible, Joanna.”Again and agai
Liam’s POV Markus’s smile grew, seemingly even more pleased. “Good. You’ve finally seen the truth in things then. Women. Relationships. What do they matter? Legacy, that’s what’s important. You are making the right choice, son. Finally. But then, I always knew you’d come around.” He only could be
Their leaving together could have been a coincidence. Even so, an uncomfortable feeling rose up in my stomach. They looked good together, side by side. Both so attractive, model-like, even though Joanna seemed much happier than Liam. His unhappiness was what gave me the strength to step forward.