"Call Mary and tell her to come to my office."
"Yes.....
I couldn't even complete my statement before he slammed the door to my face. Calm down Ari. Don't let him get to you, you need this job..sorry, you need the money this job pays so you just have to keep up with his rude and arrogant face. Arrogant but super hot and... gosh! Arietta, snap out of it!!!Phew! I got back into my office and called Mary as instructed. I took out my phone from my bag and just as I did, Mel's call came in."hey Melly Melly.
"Ari, I just reached your place and you're not home..where are you?
"Home? Oh..I forgot to tell you,I got a job
"A what?!
"Hey...careful with the screams, the baby might fall
"Ari, what job?
"It's a good one tho. I'm working at Grande Corps."
"No freaking way
"Yes way..
"How?
"I have my ways Mel."
"Let me guess, you pulled a gun to the CEO's head and threatened him to give you a job?
"Ha ha..very funny, I just got lucky I guess."
"Hmm.. we'll talk later, bye Ari
"Bye
I dropped my phone and hummed as I went through the files on the table. Deliveries, shippings, blah blah blah. Mhen, this company is so expensive imagine owning this whole company to oneself. Arrogant brat is so lucky. I don't even know his name, I think I have to do a lot of research on my boss.
MUMBAI, INDIA
AUTHOR'S POV"Sir I think you're taking this too far, we've been searching for almost 21yrs. I think we should cancel this mission."
"Cancel?!" An elderly man sitting on a chair yelled.
"Just hear what this nitwit is telling me. Cancel? She is my daughter Ranu, I can't cancel anything." He protested.
"Sir,.I have an information for you and you're not going to like it." A man with a gun hanged on his back said as he came in the room.
"What's that?"
"During our search, we found out that Christie and Blake lived once lived in Philadelphia, Liberty Street, a very underdeveloped area. Our search team located where they were living and..
"And what?"
"They died a long time ago,in a fire accident both Blake,.Christie and...
"And?" The elderly man asked..his voice already breaking.
"And Anika, your niece"
The man looked around not knowing what to do or say.
"Are..are you sure that's the right information? Maybe you got it all wrong and...
"Sir..." Ranu cut in and sighed." That's the truth..your..your niece died 20yrs ago."
The man laughed bitterly and in no time,his laughter turned into tears.."Anika." he chocked on his tears and Ranu went to him..
"I'm sorry sir."
RED'S POV
"I'm gone for the day, tell George to see through the activities of the company for the rest of the day, you can leave. Not you Miss. Blake." I said and she cursed silently but I heard anyways.
"Miss. Blake "
"Yes sir." She said rudely and I smirked. This chic is messing with the wrong person.
"While I'm gone, I want you to arrange these files." I said pointing to the stack of files beside my desk. She widened her eyes in horror at the amount of files on the ground.
"Sir, I'm not sure I can finish this before my closing time..this is 4pm and..
"You do as I say or you're fired!" I snapped and she breathed in sharply.
"I want them arranged..." I said as I stood up from my chair . "Alphabetically." I added and she gasped. I chuckled and picked up my car keys.
"See you tomorrow Miss Blake." I said with a wink ans she clenched her fist. Who cares? I walked away from my office and straight to my car. I started the car and I drove off.. destination, my coven.
I got down from my car and sighted Frank upfront. I walked to him and he offered me a treat."So you're home early today?" He asked and I hummed as I took off my jacket.
"Yeah. Just want to pay more attention on cracking this puzzle." I said as I placed the puzzle cube on the table.
"Don't you think it's weird?"
"What?" I asked
"This puzzle cube. I did a night check on the treasure house and I didn't find any puzzle cube but the second morning I saw it on a table right in the middle of the gold cellar. How it got there, I don't know."
"Maybe someone put it there."
"But who?"
"The person put it there so we can see it, he or she wanted us to see it and pick it up, probably to solve it."
"But why? What of it's a bomb? That when it is solved, boom! It explodes."
"Or maybe, it's something precious that the owner wants us to safe keep. That's why the puzzle is so manipulative and complex. Let's be optimistic and pessimistic at the same time." I said and he gave a thoughtful gaze. I picked up the cube and stared at it intensely..what are you hiding?
ARIETTA'S POV
"Aaaand..I'm done."
I placed the last file on the other stack. I glanced at my wrist watch and I groaned. 7pm? It took me 3hrs? Oh I'm so gonna kill you little brat!
I huffed and picked up my bag. First day at work, it was tiring and at the same time, kinda fun. I went to my car and drove off. I still need to research about that prick. Yeah, I'm tired but I'm too curious.I got home and unlocked my door. I went straight to the kitchen and filled a pot halfway with water. I placed it on the lighted gas cooker and I went to my room. I stripped off my dress and I stared at myself in the mirror. I'm not some super curvy girl but my boobs and butt are moderate. I stared at my tatted body and I grinned. I don't regret getting them. I changed into a bumshort and crop top. I went back to the kitchen and emptied a medium sized sachet of macaroni into the boiling water. I sighed and sat on one of the dinning chairs. I took out my chain from inside my cloth and I stared at it intensely. I've had this chain since I was a baby, it's a gold chain with a small gold key pendant..weird, I think.Maybe it's just a regular pendant but I feel there's more to this pendant than meets the eye.I cooked my macaroni and mixed with sauce. I settled down to eat and I switched on my laptop. Time for some research.I went to Google and typed "CEO of Grande Corps."Wait, isn't that stupid? Naaah..I'll go with that.It brought different types of information and my eyes caught his full name."Mr. Michelle Ame Grande." His first name is Michelle? Mitchell???
Oh my God. I bursted into laughter. I can't believe his name is this feminine. Gosh, he has such a beautiful name but an ugly attitude. Hmm, age, 23.. just 2yrs older than me. Iooh let's go to pictures. I clicked on images and I wowed, he's so hotMhen, look at those abs one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight. Eight freaking abs!! How many do I have? I think four? Four super sexy abs.Wait wait wait, I clicked on one picture that caught my eyes and zoomed it. It's a picture of him and surprisingly, a lady, they were kissing. Ewww, cringy.Hmm..nice straight legs, beautiful black hair, curvy as fuck!Damn. I'm sure her shape isn't real but full of silicon. Fake ass and fake boobs. Hmm, this is another picture with another girl? This one is more beautiful and less curvy. But still curvy. There are tons of pictures with this particular lady. Is she his current girlfriend? If she is then she's in a lot of bad luck. Who exactly would wanna date that asshole? Not me if you ask.Maybe she's a gold digger, Mitchell is kinda rich you know. I don't even care, it's his business. I need to eat my food is getting cold..My phone rang and I quickly went to it. I picked it up from the kitchen island and answered the call."Clarry
"Come open your door." She said in a low sad voice and I quickly rushed to the door and opened it.
"Cl..Clarry, why are you crying? What's wrong with you?" I asked in worry and she just came in without replying.
"It's my parents." She said as she sat down burying her face in her palms.
"What happened?"
I sat beside her and she sniffed before looking up.
"Well, my parents think that since I'm done with college, I should go to Korea to have a one year business course."
"Why?"
"Because they want me to take over thier dumb company and also, they want to marry me out."
"What the...that's stupid! You're just 23. There are tons of guys you need to fuck before you get married. Why would they think that?"
"I know right? I told them that I wanna work in a art gallery. My dream since I was little was to become an artist but my dad says the dream is stupid and a waste of money. All he wants me to do is to become some dumb business woman and I don't want that. I opposed to thier decision and they told me to move out of thier dumb house, blocked all my bank account so now, I'm broke and homeless."
"Oh Clarry." I cooed and hugged her. "You're not homeless, you have here and about money, we'll work something out okay? Don't worry everything will be fine. You'll be okay I promise."
"Thanks Ari."
I just hope I don't meet her parents somewhere, I'll make sure I give them a piece of my mind..I mean it!RED'S POV
"Hey."
"Ruby, what are you doing here..at." I glanced at my wrist watch. "9pm?"
"I was bored, mum was annoying and I had to babysit Levin. I'm so exhausted."
"And what gave you the thought that you'll feel any better at my place?"
"Well, you're fun than others."
"Checks out " I said with a wink and she faked a gag. I shook my head a slumped on the bed beside her. I switched on my laptop and I went straight to Google. Let's see who she is. Arietta Blake..search!
Sister of the renowned neurologist in the United States. Melanie Blake. Oh I know that woman, she operated on mum once. I can't believe a crazy and messed up girl is Doctor Mel's sister. They don't even look alike, maybe Ari resembles her dad. I went to images and I shook my head at the sight of her tatted arms. She's so boyish in all these pictures. Always packing her hair upwards, wearing ripped jeans and tank tops...no gown or skirt..is she a lesbian?Oh this one was taken on the beach and holy Molly she's super hot, she's wearing a super revealing bikini in this picture and I can't take my eyes off her.."Why are you grinning and drooling?" Ruby asked, snapping me out of my lustful trance.
"Nothing."
"Wait...are you..are you staring at a girl?..."
"No." I said as I quickly shut my laptop.
"No? I just saw a girl's picture on your laptop..."
"I wasn't checking anything."
"Oh really? Then give me the laptop and let me see."
"Why? is it yours?"
"Well it...
Out of the blue, she snatched the laptop from my laps. I tried to hold her but she ran into the bathroom and locked the door.
"Ruby, get the hell out now and don't open that laptop."
"I must and I will."
"Ruby come on. I'll give you $5000 of you don't open that computer."
"I don't need your.....oh my gosh this girl is hot."
"Ruby...why!!" I whined and she giggled.
"Bro, this is girl is super sexy, look at that super flat tummy. No wonder you were drooling. What's her name?"
"Ruby...
"I'm calling mum right now."
"No, stop."
"Then tell me who she is."
"I will just come out..."
The door creaked open and her stupid grinning face popped out.
"I need explanations."
"Fine."
She sat on the bed and I sighed before sitting beside her."Start talking."
"Whatever...well, she's my...my new secretary."
"Woooooooooow." She drawled and I glared at her.
"Go on."
"There's nothing to say again. Aside she's super bratty, annoying, crazy and a pain in the ass.'
"Hmmm...sounds like the perfect girl for you."
"Okay...eww." I said as I stood up.
"What? She's dope"
"To you. To me, she's stupid. She's the number one on my to kill list. I hate her guts."
"What?"
"You heard me right." I said with finality and went into the bathroom. Perfect girl ? Ewwwwww and gross ,I can never date her. She's not my type at all. Damn! Ruby is crazy.
."So what are you gonna be doing while I'm at work? You just can't be sitting home all day. How about this? Um..."It's fine Ari, I'll just go for a job hunt while you're at work and speaking about work. You better go now or you'll get spanked by your boss.""Oh yeah that bastardized human being, if care is not taken I would shove my ID card down his throat and shove out whatever it touches ""You know that's impossible right?"I gulped down my glass of latte and I sighed out in satisfaction."I know, but it would be if he keeps up with his stupid attitude. He's too cold and arrogant and that'll make him die early.""Ari" She said in between laughs and I shrugged."I'm stating facts here. Too much coldness isn't good. No one likes cold-hearted people and he being cold will chase people away from him and then he'll be lonely and boom! Depression comes in before you kn
RED'S POVI 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, bullet
THREE MONTHS LATER ARIETTA'S POV"So it's rainbow and princess themed?" I asked Rosé, my 10yrs old client, and she nodded."Yeah, more like a Disney themed kind of party.""Ooh, I like that so let's talk about your outfit. I'm thinking more of a ball gown or what Disney princess do you love most?""Um..I love Princess Jasmine from Aladdin." She said and I hummed, writing down all the important information in my notepad."Oh really? So why do you like her?""Well, because of her super beautiful dress and also, because of the type of charisma she possesses. She proved to be brave, she um..she didn't let anyone shut her down despite the fact that Jafar
THE NEXT DAY ARIETTA'S POV"Good morning everybody!!!!!!!"Whoever just screamed should be ready to be roasted and fed to the birds. Who wakes up this early in the morning, only to scream like a maniac?"Dante, seriously? Why are you even here?" I heard Mouris's voice groan and I snapped my eyes open only to see Dante's face inches from mine."Morning Sunshine." He said with a wink and my lips stretched to a smile. Stop smiling like that asshole, you're making my heart go..badum!Badummm!!"You know I'm supposed to kill for shouting like a maniac right?" I said as a matter of fact and he chuckled before pulling me up from the bed to my feet."Oooh, I see a love ship coming up." Kor
RED'S POVI sat on the beach, enjoying the evening breeze, sipping my banana drink with my legs crossed. I'm supposed to meet the planning committee today. I think I sent them an invite, they should be here soon. I was about standing up when I heard a familiar voice. I turned my head and I saw her, in a super sexy orange bikini, posing by a palm tree. I couldn't take my eyes off her. My eyes racked up and down her body almost undressing her. She looked really beautiful and sexy. My breath got stuck in my throat when she turned to my direction. She looked shocked, I also looked speechless. I couldn't take my eyes off her for it was hard to do so. She took the glass of fruit juice in her hand close to her lips and she looked away. I turned away from her, trying to figure out what just happened..damn!"Mitchell!" I heard a squeal from behind and I stood up. I turned back and I smi
ARIETTA'S POV"The stupid waiter didn't give me myfruit salad at the end of the day. I was so angry, I think I need to report her to the authorities of this place. Like the fuck? I waited 30 fucking minutes hoping the son of a bitch would bring my apple salad but no, he made me wait. I really have to..."Kim can you let it go? You've been complaining from the way home now you're still snapping around!" Isaac said with a groan and she hissed."Don't think I'm overreacting, it's just..I really wanted that apple salad and he just disappointed me. If I should meet that dude one day, I'm gonna squish his balls.""Enough threatening, more resting. We have a long day ahead us tomorrow and believe me you won't even have time to look for some motherfucker." Bessy said as a matter of fact and I chuckled."Truth be told, I had the best time ever. Ari did you see those isla
RED'S POVFrank sat with shock written all over his face, rooted in one spot. He gulped and put off his shirt. The cube was trembling in my hands due to my uneasiness. I carefully placed the cube on the table and picked up the masterpiece with my trembling fingers."Are...are you sure?..ma.. maybe it's fake." Frank shuttered and I kept staring at it. I'm not at ease right now. What's in front of me is worth more than the whole of the world. I rushed to my room and picked up a hammer from my tool box. I went back to the living room and held the hammer tight. If this diamond is fake then this hammer will break it into pieces. If it's not, the hammer itself might crumble into pieces. I raised the hammer up and slammed it on the diamond with full force. Just as I did, the hammer broke away from my hand, almost injuring my fingers. I stared at the still intact stone on the table and I gasped."It's real?" Frank said with disbelief and I laughed. I picked it up and gave
One Week Later Arietta's Point Of View "The carnival is coming in just three days, the carnival is coming in just three days... hey," Kori sang, dancing around the living room with Mouris's hands on her shoulders. I watched as they both showcased their craziness. Clarry is helping me with my pedicure, and Bessy is going through stuff on her laptop. Kim is smiling and texting. I'm sure she's flirting with one dude. The past week has been hectic as hell, there was no breathing space. Just work, work, and more work. I've grown a little bit thin, my collarbones are more prominent. It is better if they cook a special bouquet for me on carnival day because I'll eat more than an elephant would. After this whole thing, I'm taking 3 days off work. All is going well except for one thing, or should I say one person, Linda. Gosh, that chic is so annoying. Anytime she was with us, she always wants to prove to Mitchell that she can do anything. He's your boyfriend, we get it, but her clingi
Caroline's Point Of View I brought the phone from my ear and gulped before placing it back."Mike? How?""Oh, darling, you thought I wouldn't come back for you? You're mine, Caro... I'll always come back for you, baby.""Where are you? We need to talk.""Oh, look ahead of you, sweetheart."I did as he said, and my eyes caught him sitting on a bench with his super-hot signature smirk plastered on his lips. He looks handsome as ever, even more handsome than he looked 20 years ago. When did he leave prison? Mike was the man I was having an affair with before I met Santo. He loves me so much, I know he does, but I don't love him, well, I do but not in that perspective. Mike has been someone that has been very good to me since the very day I've known him; he has been the best companion ever. When I was neglected by my father, when everything was taken away from me.Flashback 20 Years Ago"You worthless child, why? Do you wanna kill me before my time? Tell me, what haven't I given to you,
**Arietta's Point Of View**"Damn, I'm really tired... I slept on the cold ground... even the blanket didn't help... I need a good massage.""I've got you covered." Kori rushed to me and sat on the bed with me on the ground. She started massaging my shoulders, and I sighed in pleasure... she's really good at this."Does this make up for my mistake?""Definitely!""Sooo..." Clarry drawled as she came to sit beside me, "how was the night with... you know, the boss?" She asked with a wink, and I twitched my lips to the side, trying to suppress the blush that almost crept to my cheeks."What do you mean by that, and why are you grinning at me... stop that, it's creepy.""Oh, come on... don't act all Holy Mary. We saw the cloth you wore, don't tell me nothing happened between the two of you with his revealing your dress was. I'm sure there was some sexual tension between you two last night," Kim said from where she lay on her bed, and I rolled my eyes... sexual tension indeed... getting al
Red's Point Of View At first, I was nervous, my heart was thumping against my chest very hard. What if she slapped me? What if she hated me for life. You know you won't be able to handle it if she ignored you, so stop! All these thoughts clouded my head as I leaned closer to her. She looked unbothered. The anticipation in her eyes gave me a slight hope that I would not regret what I was about to do. Our foreheads touched, and I could feel her heart beating against my chest. I was about leaning further when she raised her head up to meet mine, joining her lips in the process. I was taken aback at first, but melted in the kiss She gave me access to her mouth, and I slipped my tongue in. She pulled me closer, and I gripped tight to her thighs. I felt sparks of electricity roll down my spine as I kissed on. She nibbled on my lower lips and I sucked on her tongue as I felt different things. The feeling for this to never stop, the feeling of me always having her in my arms forever, the f
**Red's Point Of View**"Stay with me please," I kept saying as I swam with all my strength. We almost got to the shore when I felt her hand slipping off mine. I quickly pulled her up and carried her in bridal style. I carefully laid her on the sand, and I collapsed beside her. We made it. Thank God for that. Let me catch my breath first. Then I'll find somewhere for us to sleep. After gathering my strength, I carried her up in bridal style and walked into the bushy island, walking down a pathway for some time before I finally saw a house, a partly destroyed house. I got in and placed Ari on a small bed by the corner. I looked around the dirty room, trying to figure out where we were. I saw a wide cloth hanging on the wall, and I shifted it aside, revealing a portrait of a man and a woman, whom I assume to be his wife, and a little baby in the arms of the lady. The little baby is wearing a bracelet on the wrist, and it has something embedded on it, like a name. It spelled out... An
Arietta's Point Of View"Holy shit!"He rushed to the wardrobe and brought out a shirt and a pair of shorts. He wore them hastily and took my hand as we made for the door. This is what I don't get, why is he making such a fuss? I mean the bag is only containing candies, right? Or there's something else? I sighted one of the room service ladies down the hall, and we rushed to her."The plastic bag you took, where is it?" Rick asked immediately we got to her."Sir?""You mixed up the bags; you were supposed to take this," I said, stretching the other bag to her. She collected it and widened her eyes immediately she saw what was inside."Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I must have mixed them up when I picked it up.""It's fine. Where is it?" Rick asked impatiently."Gosh, my colleague has disposed it in the trash cans outside the building. That's not even the problem. The problem is that the garbage truck would have packed the trash."Without warning, Rick dashed away. I and the lady ran after
**Red's Point Of View**"Because I'm happy, come along..."I sang happily as I walked back home. Why am I happy? Good question, which I don't have an answer to. I just found myself smiling and singing for no reason... gosh, what is wrong with me?"Hey, Frank," I called as I walked in, taking off my coat in the process."What have you been doing, where are you coming from, and why are you looking..." he trailed off, like he was looking for the right word to use. "Not yourself.""What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine. And for your questions, I went to the club. I think that answers all your questions.""Right...I'm going for a night swim.""And I'm going to bed... see ya."I went to my room and slumped on the bed. I took my phone and decided to text Ari. "Good night."She didn't reply, so I concluded she was asleep. I switched off my phone and drifted to sleep.**The Next Day***Lantonio's Mansion***Linda's Point Of View**"Hey, sis," I heard a loud squeal beside me, and I groaned."To
One Week Later Arietta's Point Of View "The carnival is coming in just three days, the carnival is coming in just three days... hey," Kori sang, dancing around the living room with Mouris's hands on her shoulders. I watched as they both showcased their craziness. Clarry is helping me with my pedicure, and Bessy is going through stuff on her laptop. Kim is smiling and texting. I'm sure she's flirting with one dude. The past week has been hectic as hell, there was no breathing space. Just work, work, and more work. I've grown a little bit thin, my collarbones are more prominent. It is better if they cook a special bouquet for me on carnival day because I'll eat more than an elephant would. After this whole thing, I'm taking 3 days off work. All is going well except for one thing, or should I say one person, Linda. Gosh, that chic is so annoying. Anytime she was with us, she always wants to prove to Mitchell that she can do anything. He's your boyfriend, we get it, but her clingi
RED'S POVFrank sat with shock written all over his face, rooted in one spot. He gulped and put off his shirt. The cube was trembling in my hands due to my uneasiness. I carefully placed the cube on the table and picked up the masterpiece with my trembling fingers."Are...are you sure?..ma.. maybe it's fake." Frank shuttered and I kept staring at it. I'm not at ease right now. What's in front of me is worth more than the whole of the world. I rushed to my room and picked up a hammer from my tool box. I went back to the living room and held the hammer tight. If this diamond is fake then this hammer will break it into pieces. If it's not, the hammer itself might crumble into pieces. I raised the hammer up and slammed it on the diamond with full force. Just as I did, the hammer broke away from my hand, almost injuring my fingers. I stared at the still intact stone on the table and I gasped."It's real?" Frank said with disbelief and I laughed. I picked it up and gave
ARIETTA'S POV"The stupid waiter didn't give me myfruit salad at the end of the day. I was so angry, I think I need to report her to the authorities of this place. Like the fuck? I waited 30 fucking minutes hoping the son of a bitch would bring my apple salad but no, he made me wait. I really have to..."Kim can you let it go? You've been complaining from the way home now you're still snapping around!" Isaac said with a groan and she hissed."Don't think I'm overreacting, it's just..I really wanted that apple salad and he just disappointed me. If I should meet that dude one day, I'm gonna squish his balls.""Enough threatening, more resting. We have a long day ahead us tomorrow and believe me you won't even have time to look for some motherfucker." Bessy said as a matter of fact and I chuckled."Truth be told, I had the best time ever. Ari did you see those isla