"I Quit!"

RED'S POV

I dialed her number ten freaking times, she didn't pick. I was getting pissed off, impatient, so I had to go into her office.. Sorry, barge into her office in anger.

"Miss...

I stopped on my word when I didn't see her by her desk. I walked further to her desk and sighted her phone on the table. I picked it up and I scoffed at her lockscreen wallpaper - Harley Quinns. Typical. I'm not surprised.

I swiped it up and dang it! It has a password lock. Okay think think think! What will a crazy human being like Ari use as her password? I just hope she doesn't catch me ransacking her phone. Let me try crazy, damn!! Incorrect. Arietta? Dang it!!

Ummm...Harley Quinns? Oh my...it unlocked. Okay Ari, let's see what's in here. What should I explore first? Let's go to gallery. I clicked on gallery and I started feasting my eyes. So far, all I've been seeing at pictures of guns, bullets, Harley Quinns and Joker. This girl is super wired.

Oh finally, something normal. It's a picture of her and a very suspiciously handsome dude. Who is this dude? There are countless of pictures of her and this particular dude. Mtcheeew, six abs? I have eight dummy and they are much sexier and hotter than yours. Ugh, just looking at them makes me wanna puke. Who in his right mind would date a girl like Ari? That girl is super crazy to handle. I hissed and dropped her phone back on the table. Where exactly is she anyways?

I took the elevator down to the cafeteria, I could really use a snack. Just as I entered the cafeteria, I sighted Arietta with some dude I don't even know. They were laughing and giggling, even holding hands? I spent almost 15mins trying to reach her on the phone. I even had to look at stupid pictures because of her and she's here, chattering with some...with some guy?

"Miss Blake!!" I yelled and she slowly turned to me.

"Sir?"

"Check your phone." I said and she sighed.

"My phone isn't here, it's in my office."

"I've been calling you for almost 5minutes, what if it was an important call? Was that how you would have missed it?"

"But sir...I just came here for a quick lunch and..

"Shut up and follow me!" I snapped and she looked back at something. She mouthed something and I rolled my eyes. I turned to leave and she trailed behind me. We entered the elevator and I tucked my hand in my pocket. I turned to her and I found her smiling. She's probably smiling because if that dude.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked and her smile dropped into a frown.

"There's no rule that says no smiling." She replied simply and I smirked. We exited the elevator and we walked to down to my office..

"Tell my driver to prepare my car..I'm going out." I  said and she stopped on her tracks... 

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"What?!!!" She screamed, making me to turn abruptly only for my face to meet her boiling face. Shee had her fists clenched and her eyes blazing in anger. Her eyes were twitching like she's stopping herself from doing something. Oh oh, did I awaken the angry side of momma crazy? She closed her eyes and breathed in sharply. She breathed out and gave a small smile.

"I mean, right away sir." She said with a small bow before she left. What was that all about? Just about a second ago she was blazing hot with anger, huffing and puffing like a tigress ready to take down her prey and then everything disappeared and was replaced with a simple smile?

                                 ARIETTA'S POV

I watched as he spilled rubbish and total gibberish from the stink hole he calls a mouth. He came down to the cafeteria, interrupted my lunch, my beautiful chicken casserole got wasted. I didn't get to eat at all and all he just wanted to say was for me to call some stupid driver? Just one gaze at him and I feel like ripping his super disgusting and ugly head off his body. Is hatred a strong word to qualify what I feel towards this dude? I don't even care..I hate Michelle Grande!!!

My fists are  clenched, teeth gritted, anger in my head. Okay Arietta, don't so something stupid, think about something that will calm your nerves. Think about Mitchell Grande being ran over by a truck. No a train is better, think about that and also picture yourself there to witness his tremendous death! I breath in and smiled at the beautiful and nerve calming image in my head.

"I mean, right away sir." I said with a brisk nod and exited his office. I went straight to mine and slumped on my chair as soon as I got to my desk. I picked up my phone from the desk and scoffed at the missed call notification. I remember placing my phone on the desk with the screen facing upwards not down. Or am I hallucinating? Michelle has messed with my brain cells. I pulled a call through to the driver and told him the boss wants him.

I heard a knock on my door and I raised my head up from the files I was going through..

"Come in." I said and the door opened revealing Carl with a lunch bag in his hands.

"Hey Carl, what brings you by?" I asked as he made for my desk.

"Can I sit?" He asked and I nodded with a smile.

"Um..sorry for bothering you, I just stopped by to confirm if you're okay."

"Why won't I be?" I asked in a chuckle.

"Well, the boss yelled your name angrily, ordered you to follow him and that only means one thing - trouble. So I just came by to check on you. You're not hurt or anything right? What happened? Did he scold you? Was he harsh on you?"

I couldn't help but smile at how caring and worried he sounded. I just met him and he's this caring? If this guy was my boss I would thank my ancestors. But unfortunately, all they can get now is curse after curse.

"Awwwwn. You care so much, now I wish you were my elder bro." I cooed and he smiled shyly.

"I'm fine Carl, thank you so much for your concern."

"You're welcome and I also brought you this." He pushed the lunch bag to me. "I figured out you might be hungry since you didn't eat half of your food so I brought you this."

I unzipped the bag as he talked and I squealed at the sight of my favourite banana milk. Is this guy an angel? I took out the pink lunch box and opened it.

"Chicken Casserole!" I squealed and he laughed.

"Oh thank you, thank you Carl. You just made mini Ari and I the happiest persons on Earth."

"You're welcome but who's mini Ari?"

"My tummy." I said poutingly and he laughed. Clearly flustered. Yeah, no one can handle my cuteness.

"That's funny but I hope you enjoy it."

"I will, thank you so much. Is there a way I can repay you?"

"Actually, no,.you don't need to. I did this out of love and care."

"I can't stop saying thanks."

"And I'll keep saying...you're welcome." He said in a singsong tone of Maui in Moana and I laughed.

"Well I gotta go." He said as he stood up.

"Bye Carl and thanks once again."

"You're welcome." He said with a wink and I smiled as he exited my office. I turned to the plate of delicious looking casserole before me and I grinned. You're about to get demolished baby.

                    .         THE NEXT DAY

                                             RED'S POV

"I don't know why you're still here Ruby."

"Come on, you should spend time with your little sis once in a while. You're slowly drifting apart from me and I don't want that to happen, who am I gonna be teasing and annoying when that happens?"

"You have Levin."

"Asshole."

I chuckled and tilted my head to the side before lying beside her on the bed. I took a long draw from the cigarette in - between my fingers and I puffed it out and sighed. What am I missing? I've arranged the blue, green and red colours of the puzzle but I'm still battling with the yellows. If I wanna arrange them, I'll end up disarrangeing the ones I've arranged before.

"Something bothering you?" Ruby asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Not really, aren't you supposed to be preparing for school?" I asked, squeezing the cigarette in the ashtray on the stool beside me.

"Don't really feel like going. You should also be preparing for work, you don't wanna keep your hot secretary waiting do you?"

"Hot indeed." I said sarcastically as I got off the bed. "I'm going to take my bathe and when I come back, I don't wanna see you on my bed. Go to the guest room and wash off your stench. Dress for school and get your butt out of my house."

"Whatever."

I hissed and strode to the bathroom. I went under the shower and made water flow down my body. I breathed in and out as the water hit my face, that was when that memory came back...that same memory.

                                        ARIETTA'S POV

====

I found my legs walk towards him as he played that beautiful tone on the mini piano. He is so good. Wow look at his dressing, he must be super rich. His eyes darted to me and I quickly turned. I turned back slowly to face him and he still had his eyes glued to me. He slowly got off the bench he was sitting on and made to walk away.

"Where are you going dumdum?" I asked and he turned, giving me a quizzical look.

"I should be asking you that? Shouldn't you be at home to something? How old are you that you're roaming around?"

"You don't need to know, but I'm sure older than you are."

"I'm seven, I'm sure you aren't more than five."

"Well...I'm five."

"I knew it." He said with a smile and I rolled my eyes. He came towards me and took my hands

"Did you get hurt?" He asked, examining my injured wrist.

"Well yeah."

"Come sit".

He pulled me to sit on the bench and took out an handkerchief. He used it to wrap my wrist and I smiled.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome. What are you doing out here all alone? It's really dangerous..don't you have parents?"

"Well, they are in heaven. I'm living with my super wicked and harsh guardian."

"They hurt you?" He asked and I nodded with a sad pout.

"She hurt me very much and...and I cry everyday."

"Awwwn...that's bad, are you crying?"

"No." I said in a sniff as I cleaned my tears. I felt a hand wrap round me and I stiffened.

"It's okay." He cooed and I smiled before hugging him back. We pulled out of the hug and he patted my hair.

"So you ran away from home?"

"Yeah, I've not eaten since morning and it's evening."

"Well you're in luck." He said as he opened his bag and brought out a...

"Burrito!!" I said hungrily and he chuckled.

"You can have it."

"Really?" I squealed excitedly and he nodded stretching it to me. I collected it with delight and munched on it hungrily making him to laugh. I finished the burrito and he gave me a bottle of water to drink.

"Thank you."

"It's fine and also, it's dark, you have to go back home."

"But I don't wanna go. Aunt Felicia will beat me." I whined tearily.

"I would have said you should follow me home but my mama will scold me. Where do you live?"

"Liberty Street..."

"That's kinda far from here.."

He reached for his pocked and passed me something

"500bucks?!!" I exclaimed on shock. How did he get this? He must be super richm

"Yeah, take that and use it to buy something for yourself."

I couldn't talk, I was just staring at the money in my hand. He took out a super cool phone from his bag and I gulped. This phone will surely worth a lot.

He pulled a call through to someone and I just kept staring at the phone.

"I just called my driver. He'll come take you home." He said and I nodded.

"Want me to play something for you? He asked taking off the mini piano from his back.

"Sure."

He placed his hands on the keys and started playing a song. He was like a pro. The way he smiled as he played, it was so fascinating. The tone made me to feel at peace...it was magical.

"That was beautiful." I said clapping my tiny hands and he smiled.

"Thanks."

*Honk honk*

I heard a car horn and I turned to the front. He took my hand and made for the car.

"Hey Mr Maximus." He said to the driver.

"Hey big guy, what are you doing here? Your mum will be home soon."

"I know, I just came for a walk and I met a friend."

"Hi sir." I greeted and the man smiled with a wave

"Mr. Max can you help me take her home?"

"Where?"

"Liberty Street."

"Sure. Come on and you should go back home."

"I will."

He turned to be an I smiled.

"Make sure you get home safe okay? And don't let you aunt see the money I gave you." I smiled and took off my favourite hairpin form my hair. I took his palm and placed it in it.

"That's my favorite hairpin. My mum gave me this before she died. I don't have money to repay you so I'm giving you this."

"No..I can't take this."

"Please take it..I really wanna give you."

"Thanks I'll keep it and not let it get lost." He said and I smiled.

"What's your name?"

"I won't tell ya." I said sheepishly.

"Then I'll call you cute bunny then."

"And I'll call you little dumdum."

"Hey not fair! I gave you a cute name"

*Hooooonk*

The man blasted the horn and I sighed.

"I guess this is goodbye. We'll see each other again right?" I asked and he nodded.

"Pinky swear?" I asked, stretching out my pinky.

"Pinky swear."

We intertwined our pinkies and I stood on my toes to peck him on the cheek. His eyes widened and he blushed. I smiled and took my pinky from his.

"Bye bunny." He said as I entered the car.

"Bye dumdum."

I waved at him till he was out of sight...and then....

=======

*Grrrrrrrrrrr*

Out of anger, I smashed the stupid alarm clock with my fist. I sat up on my bed with my eyes half opened. I was enjoying my sleep and some crazy alarm just had to spoil the moment. I glanced at the wall clock and I sighed, 6am..

I smiled when my mind went to that dream. Too bad I don't usually see his face anytime I dream about it. I kept his hankie like my life depended on it. Its been sixteen years and I've not come across him.Whenever I'm sad, I usually hug his handkie and surprisingly, I always feel happy. I don't know why I was too stupid not too get his name back then.

Enough reminiscing, you need to prepare for work or else your bastardized boss will tear you apart. God should have replaced that dude with a goat when he was being created.. Nonsense!

                   LATER IN THE AFTERNOON

"I'm done with the draft sir."

"Good..forward it to me."

"Yes sir."

I left his office and strode to mine. Thank God he isn't acting like an angry racoon today. I forwarded the draft to his laptop and I took my phone in preparation to go downstairs. On my way, I ran into a very beautiful brown skinned elegant lady. She had this super beautiful afro hair that is packed up in a bun, her long sleeved turtle necked body hug mini gown glued to her body like a second skin.The way she walked, oh my God she's super beautiful..look at those curves.

"Good afternoon...

"Oh hi there, my dear, this is Mitchell's office right?"

I almost melted when she talked, is she Grande's girlfriend?

"Yeah..he...

"Mum?" I heard a voice behind me and I turned..Mitchell? Who is he calling mum? Do I look like a mum now? Is he trying to mess with me?

"My baby!!" The lady squealed and jumped on him.

"Mum? What are you doing here?"

Holy mother of hot boys! That's his mother?! The files on my hands dropped on the ground in shock. I can't believe this, she looks so twenty. Anyone that sees her with him will think they are couples. I quickly packed the files from the floor and scurried away.

I got to Mary's desk and delivered the files. I went straight to the cafeteria and ordered something to eat. My break will end in 30mins, let me use this time to my advantage. I ate my food and surfed through the Internet. I turned and sighted Mitchell's mum three tables away, she wasn't looking as bright as before. She was now looking dull and sad. Talking to her won't kill right? Right!

I strode to her table and she looked up when she noticed my presence. She had tears in her eyes. What did that heartless monster do to her?

"Ma'am? Are you okay?" I asked worriedly and she sniffed.

"I'm...I'm fine." She said with a fake smile and my face dropped...why is she sad?

"I know we just met but I'm a really good listener." I said and she smiled. A genuine one this time.

"Well, you see, it's Mitchell..I feel...I feel he doesn't love me anymore."..

"What? Why would you think that?"

"Because he's changed. When he was little he was this little boy that can't do without me. He loved me and I saw it in him. But now that he's all grown up, he doesn't even see me as his mother anymore. I know that when children grow up to be all mature, they tend to drift apart from thier parents a little bit but my son's case is different. If I wanna spend time with him, he'll shut me out. Sometimes when I call, he doesn't pick, I really wish he can go back to being baby Mitchell again because I miss his love. I don't even remember the last time he hugged me or told me he loves me."

I couldn't help but to feel sad and bad for her. Anyone that sees her will think she's all happy and fine but she's not. I can't believe that dude will be this way to his own mother. He can be cold to others but his own mother? That's crazy! Does he know what I'll do to get my parents back? He has a mum and he's behaving this way towards her? What if she leaves? What if she dies? What the heck is wrong with that dude??

"It's okay ma'am.. stop crying." I cooed, taking her hands in mine.

"Ma'am, even I don't know what to say, I know how you feel. Seeing your own son drift far away from you every blessed day. It's just like losing him. I lost both of my parents so I know how you feel. Don't worry ma'am, just go home and have a nice rest.. everything will be fine."

"Thank you."

"It's fine ma'am. Just go home, take a bath, have a nice rest and do something that'll give you peace of mind."

"Thank you dear, I'll do just that." She said and I smiled. I walked her to the driveway and gave her a hug before she entered her car and drove off. I wiped the tear that dropped from my eye and I sniffed. it's time to give that dude a piece of my mind!

I took angry steps to the elevator and marched straight to his office. I barged in and disappointedly, I didn't find him there. I sighted the puzzle box on his desk and I rushed to it. I started twirling and twisting, trying to solve the puzzle..it was super easy.

"What the fuck are you doing!!!" I heard that familiar voice thunder and I smirked. I dropped the puzzle on his desk and turned to face him.

"Who the hell gave you the right to touch my stuff...who do you think you are you...

"That's it! What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snapped and he widened his eyes. I don't care if I say shit today, I have had it with this motherfucker.

"What?"

"You heard me right, what the heck is wrong with you? Was this how you were born? Stupid, annoying and a dickhead? Michelle Grande I'm asking you a question. Okay I get it, you're cold to everyone but to your own mother? How could you?"

"You have no right to tell me that because you're nobody to me...you're just a secretary and that's it!!

"Well this secretary is telling you, fuck you! I know I'm a nobody in your life but I have the freaking right to tell you you're nothing but a cold hearted beast. You don't deserve to be called a human. Your mum was crying downstairs, saying you don't love her. What kind of son are you huh?" I yelled.

"Stop talking Arietta"

"You don't tell me what to do because you don't have the damn right to do that Mitchell Grande. What?you're angry? What are you gonna do? Tear me apart like the monster you are? Shutting everybody out fo your life isn't the solution to whatever problem you have with your life. It will only kill you slowly and you'll die of depression. Do you know what I'll do do get my parents back? If God tells me to make a human sacrifice to get my mama and papa back I'll surely offer your head on the platter. You have a person that loves and cherishes you, someone you can still call mum and your shutting her out of your life? You know, I think you shouldn't even have been born. Because having no child is better than giving birth to one who doesn't even acknowledge you and the love and affection you're showing him!!!" 

"Get out of my office or you're fired."

"You don't need to fire me Mitchell Grande...I quit!!!" I thundered and his face softened.

"What?"

"Yes!" I took off my ID card and shove it to his face.

"I quit!" I said, going towards the door...

"I'll give you one more chance to think this through. Go out that door and don't come back." He said and I breathed in before turning to face him.

"I don't work with monsters. Good luck with your life Mitchell Grande." I said with finality before stepping out of his office. Bastard!

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