Chapter Forty four

Ariana's POV;

I reached for my pink strawberry flavored lip gloss and rolled it all over my puckered lips as I patted my lips together making sure that it was evened out. I had little to no makeup on as I prepared for the day ahead of me.

Just yesterday I had received an email along with a call to congratulate me on getting the job at Aiden's company, Avilla Corp. Words cannot describe how elated I was because I finally got a reason to leave this prison like house everyday. I opted for starting up immediately for this same reason.

I reached for my bag after making sure my outfit-which comprised of a black and white long sleeved, below knee length, with a bow stylishly placed on the left side of my waist corporate dress and stilettoes with twisted straps-was in check. With all said and done, I touched up my hair one more time before picking up my matching white Louis Vuitton handbag as I strutted out of the room.

I still had some time to get something light for breakfast so I headed to the kitchen.

"Good morning Ma Rosa, Lorenzo." I said interrupting their usual bickering session.

"Oh sweetie, you look so good. You're heading out so early?" Ma Rosa inquired eying my outfit while at it.

"Yeah. I'm starting work today." I said trying to contain my excitement.

"Oh congrats!" Both of them said in unison, I thanked them as I bit into my apple.

I walked out and ran into mom as she came towards the kitchen. From the look of things everyone except Damien was seated for breakfast.

"Good morning mom." I said as she pulled me into one of her warm hugs.

"How are you dearie?" She asked fondly.

"I'm good, how are you?" I replied.

"I'm okay. I haven't seen you in a while, I guess you didn't miss me enough to come check on me." She said and I immediately felt guilty.

Ever since the fallout between Damien and his father that night, I had not seen or spoken to her but I had sent my regards through Fiona and Jesse respectively when I spoke to them.

"I'm so sorry but I did send my regards when I came across..." I was explaining.

"Yeah I know, I was just pulling your legs." She chuckled and I joined in. She really got me there.

"You're heading out for something?" She questioned in the same manner as Ma Rosa.

"Yes. It's my first day at work today." I informed with a soft smile splayed on my lips.

She gasped.

"Oh honey, I didn't know you had gotten a job." She said with a grin.

"I did, the call came through yesterday."

"Congrats sweetie." She gave me a hug.

"Thank you." I mouthed after pulling away from the embrace.

"So where's this company?" She inquired.

"Oh it's Avilla corp, I'll be working as a junior financial analyst in the firm." I responded eagerly.

"What?!" A third voice came through, looking really mad by the way.

"You'll be working in Aiden's company?!" Tracy gritted and I wondered why on earth she was looking so angry about it.

"Why?!" She looked like she was going to shed a tear sooner or later. What was her problem this time? This girl just had to stop being on my case for no reason, it was getting annoying.

"Tracy! What on earth has come over you? What does her working in Aiden's company have to do with you?" Mom scolded while Tracy glared at me. Finally, someone spoke up for me.

The air had gone awkward and I decided it was about time I took my leave.

"I'll have to leave now so I wouldn't be late for my first day." I announced to no one in particular and started walking out of the room quickly. I was about walking past Tracy when she held me by my arm, I looked up at her and then down at my hand in her grip.

"Your days in this house are numbered." She said with so much confidence, I wondered if she had something up her sleeve. I eyed her wondering just what her problem was for a moment before walking off without saying a thing to her. If she thought I was going to exchange words with her, she had another thing coming.

I left the dining room and walked towards the main entrance door quickly when I heard Damien approaching from upstairs. Somehow we walked past each other at the foot of the stairs without saying anything to each other. The strong, alluring scent of his cologne filled my nostrils and almost knocked me out my senses for a second but I fought a good fight and went on my way without looking back at him, no matter how much I wanted to.

I walked out of the house and saw that Miguel was ready with the driver. We exchanged pleasantries before he pulled the door open for me and I got in, I was off on my way without any delay.

My phone rang during the ride and I saw that it was my father, I had texted him about me securing a job and he was so excited about it when we talked.

We chatted every single day, no matter how short it was, I just could not stop myself from checking on him. He kept gushing about how nice Damien was and how well taken care of he had been since I got married to him. I did not know how to feel about that statement but I decided not to pursue the topic further because we were both in high spirits. Damien might have been an asshole to me but at least my father was well taken care of and was happy even when I was not. I decided that thinking about it would only worsen how I felt so I dropped the thought and concentrated on the talk with my father which lasted for quite a while, all through the ride, in fact.

I ended the call with my dad the moment we had parked in front of the company.

I slid out of the car and waved goodbye to Miguel before they drove off. They were going to pick me up at closing hour, I was sure Damien trusted I was safe within the confines of the building, that was why he did not make Miguel stay back, besides that, it would have called for unnecessary attention which I totally abhorred. I exhaled nervously before walking into the building.

"First day at work, here I come." I said to myself.

I waved at the receptionist who returned my wave with a smile. I headed straight for the elevator and joined the crowd of people in it.

In a matter of minutes, I got to my department's floor and headed inside it.

"Hello?" I said to the secretary in the department.

"Oh you must be Ariana, our newest recruit." The middle aged woman said warmly. I nodded and smiled at her in the same manner.

"You're very welcome." She said and I nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you." I replied politely.

"I'll show you to your office, come on." She beckoned me while I followed her looking around the place as I did.

She led me to a medium sized see through glass wall office that I was going to share with one other person who was not on seat yet. She showed me my desk and told me to let her know if I needed any help, I nodded and thanked her before she left.

I placed my bag on my desk and took a seat on the swivel chair observing my surroundings. The office was simple and chic and had a somewhat feminine touch. I guessed my colleague whom I was going to be sharing the office with was female and I was right.

A petite brunette with bobbed hair and hazel eyes soon rushed into the office and sat with her head placed on the desk for a while before she looked up and saw me.

"Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed holding on to her chest, she reminded me of me whenever my annoying husband startled me. It was actually humorous to see and I wondered how he did not laugh at that sort of expression.

"I did not see you there."

I chuckled awkwardly as she spoke.

"Sorry I startled you." I apologized.

"It's alright, I was not even looking in the first place." She dismissed with a wave.

"I'm Stephanie Miller." She introduced herself, stretching her palm forward, I took it in a firm handshake.

"I'm Ariana Delaney." I said.

Using the Kingston name just did no't feel right with me. It was better if people were unaware of the fact that Damien Kingston and I were married.

"Nice to meet you Ariana." She said steadily with a polite smile on her face.

"Pleasure's mine." I smiled back.

We got on talking and she showed me the ropes of the job as a financial analyst. In all, my day went on pretty well and I looked forward to climbing up the ladder to the zenith of a successful career, starting from this point. I was more than hopeful.