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
“Oh,” the man said. Understanding crossed his face, but so too did annoyance. “Surely you were told you were being demoted. You didn’t think you’d keep your office, did you?” “I didn’t know what to think,” I admitted. “No one really gave me any information.” “Well, this room is mine now,” the ma
Aria’s POV “He wasn’t a good father,” Liam continued. “In fact, he’s someone that I’ve come to hate. But I never really thought about the bastard actually dying. Now he wants to inherit the family business and continue his legacy. In the past, I was never good enough, but now suddenly, Markus is d
Liam’s POV I didn’t care how much work was left that day, when five o’clock rolled around, I packed up my briefcase and headed for the door. My assistant, at her desk, gave me a curious look, but didn’t utter a word. “Don’t stay too late,” I told her. Work was very important, but so was life
Aria’s POV When I walked to Joanna’s office, her assistant sat behind the reception desk, glaring at me. I could only imagine the lies Joanna had told this assistant about me, to get her to hate me this much without even knowing me. Regardless, I held my head up high. If I had to walk through th
Liam’s POV “I’ve been expecting your call,” my father – Markus – said on the other end of the phone. “You are a stubborn one to have kept me waiting for so long.” “I foolishly thought that you decided to mind your own business,” I replied. “You haven’t tried anything like this in a while.” In
Liam’s POV In a flash, I grabbed Joanna’s wrist and pulled her hand away from my chest. “Don’t presume to touch me.” Joanna’s flirty smile slipped right off of her face. “I don’t care how long we’ve known each other, Joanna. Aria is the one that I love. You will not change that. And if I conti
Aria’s POV Finally Liam stilled. Slowly, he turned around to look at me, then studied my face as if he was trying to determine if I was being serious or not. Once he realized I was, his face twisted into disbelief. “Don’t be ridiculous, Aria.” “That’s what the rumors are all saying.” “You kn
Aria’s POV My co-workers could have been sharing more gossip, but it seemed more likely, judging by the words they said behind my back, that Joanna had been talking about me with everyone. For that to be true, she wasn’t just on some professional vendetta against me based on my work and work eth
Aria’s POV “This is a closet,” I said, looking at the cramped space. I wasn’t sure how they even managed to fit this desk in here. Did they have to disassemble it in the hallway and then reassemble it here? “I’m sure I could find you a smaller, even more cramped space if you would prefer it?” Jo
“Oh,” the man said. Understanding crossed his face, but so too did annoyance. “Surely you were told you were being demoted. You didn’t think you’d keep your office, did you?” “I didn’t know what to think,” I admitted. “No one really gave me any information.” “Well, this room is mine now,” the ma