Chapter Forty seven

Ariana's POV;

Four weeks on...

I sat in my office speaking to Stephanie about some work stuff while I typed up some things on my computer.

I had been working in Avilla Corp for about a month and it had been amazing. The workers here were friendly and so receptive. Unlike back in the house where I had some hostility from Tracy, there was nothing as such here, thankfully.

Damien had been away for weeks and we never communicated while he was away. I felt at peace in his absence and the fact that I was working saved me from the prying questions of mom and ma Rosa concerning our relationship. My work was a much needed reprieve from all the drama that would have occured in my presence.

The floor's secretary soon appeared at my desk informing me that Aiden had called for me. That was weird because I only came across him a few times since I started working here and we exchanged pleasantries cordially. I just hoped nothing was amiss.

Without delay, I excused myself, avoiding Stephanie's questioning gaze while at it. Stephanie knew I was married but did not know whom it was and even if I preferred she did not find out at all, I knew it would have to come out sooner or later.

I soon got to the CEO's floor and slowly, I made my way to Aiden's office. I looked around in awe for a discreet moment. This place was so well designed, it screamed class and as expected looked better than every other floor in the building.

I said hello to his secretary who smiled at me. I assumed she knew who I was because her smiled seemed recognitory. She directed me to the large office and led me in.

"Here you are, Mrs Kingston." She said with a wide smile, I almost thought her face would stretch while at it.

Ha! I knew it! No secretary would smile at anyone just like that.

"Thank you." I said and walked forward.

"Sir, you called for me." I said professionally to Aiden who seemed so engrossed in what he was doing on his laptop until he looked up at me.

"You and the formalities." He chuckled. I smiled at him as he gestured for me to take a seat. I sat on the soft seat, it felt like I was sitting on clouds. I involuntarily sighed as my derrière welcomed the fluffiness of the seat.

"I know right." He said knowingly and we both laughed.

"I know you must be wondering why I called you here." He said. I nodded immediately.

"It's about you and Damien." He said. I was perplexed.

"What about us?" I asked in confusion.

"When's the last time you two talked?" He questioned.

"Uhhh." I was reluctant to speak because it sounded awkward for me to talk to a stranger about my marriage though he's my husband's best friend.

"Relax Ariana, I know about the contract." He revealed.

That had my eyes bulging out of their sockets.

"How did you find out?" The alarm bells were already ringing in my ears.

"Damien told me about it from the onset even when I tried to dissuade him from doing such a bizarre thing." He shrugged and said casually.

"Why would he let someone know but would not let me tell anyone?" I questioned.

"Simple. He trusts me, not the people you want to tell."

"Fair enough. I'm not surprised anyway."I muttered, I was sort of annoyed that I had been fooling myself around him when he knew the truth this whole time.

"Now, back to what I was saying, you two should try making this thing work out. You're raising lots of suspicions." He said and my ears perked up.

"Listen, I'm not trying to pry into your marriage, it's nothing like that. I'm just saying that you both should not let your egos get in the way and blow this all up." He paused for a while and stared at me probably trying to make sure he had my attention.

"Damien can be cold and mean but he can actually be a very nice person-"

I scoffed in disbelief.

"-if you get to know him." He completed.

"Don't give up on him just yet, give him a chance. Believe me, I talk to him about his attitude towards you all the time and I'm sure he'll change. Even if you guys don't work out as a couple after the contract expires in about seven to eight months, you could still be friends."

That was news to me, I only had a few months to be married to him before becoming a divorcee. I sighed at the thought of him omitting that information only for him to dump divorce papers on me at nine months of marriage. Just great. I had every right to explode in anger at this point but at the same time, I did not. Aiden was not at fault here, it was that silly husband of mine.

"Ariana, Damien needs you. He's going through a lot and he needs your help now more than he would admit." Aiden looked really worried.

Anxiety crept through my veins when I saw how his face contorted worrisomely.

"What's wrong with Damien?" I question.

"I'm not in a place to tell you anything, I believe he would tell you in due time. But just know this, he's going through a lot and you have to be there for him, please." He pleaded.

Why did everyone keep making me seem like I was a healer of some sort? I asked myself because I could not understand all of it.

"Ariana, when he gets back today-"

"Today?!" I exclaimed as my heart got beating hard against my chest. I was up on my feet the next second.

"Why is he coming back today? Oh my goodness! He should stay a little longer!" I spewed out in panic, pacing the room back and forth.

"Is he that bad?" Aiden looked amused while my mind was spiralling out of control.

"Yes! He's that bad!" I waved my hands all over the place to emphasize my point.

"Just try to be nice, I'll talk to him." He assured.

I sighed in defeat.

"Fine... No promises though." I said begrudgingly.

Aiden nodded and gave me a grateful smile which I responded to with a nervous one.

We said our goodbyes and I went back to my office, thinking about all he had said all through.

"Hey." Stephanie waved in my face when I got seated.

"Huh?" I said confusedly.

"I've been calling your name." She stated, staring at me weirdly.

"Sorry, I got a little lost in thought. Is there a problem?" I said.

"What did the boss say to you?" She inquired.

"Oh it's nothing serious, just stuff." I said, arranging my bag, it was just a few minutes until five o'clock so I had to be prepared to leave.

"Oh okay. Can I join your ride? My car's faulty so it's not with me today." She requested.

"Sure, no problem." I agreed without hesitation. Dropping her off would buy me some time to prepare for seeing Damien tonight.

We walked out together and met Miguel at the parking lot. We exchanged pleasantries and I got in with Stephanie marveling at the ride.

"Wow, a body guard and driver? Your husband must be really loaded Ariana." She commented. I chuckled nervously but did not say anything in response.

We went on with the ride, making small talks as we went. I decided it was best to drop her off at her condo.

"Oh Ariana you don't have to, I'll just take a bus from here." She tried to protest but I was not having it.

"No I insist. We'll drop you off and head home afterwards."

"Aww thank you." She said.

I smiled slightly.

The ride took about fifteen minutes more and we had her safely brought home. I turned down her offer to come in for some coffee.

"I'm sorry, my husband's coming back from his business trip today so I have to get home as soon as I can."

"Eager, are we?" She teased and I laughed hard before saying goodbye, waving until we drove off.

I sighed heavily. I do not know why but I just felt nervous about seeing Damien again after a pretty long while and I wanted nothing more than time get rid of the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

****

I got in around past six, my heels clicked the floor as I walked in stealthily. I spotted Pa Walter as I fondly called him and I waved with a smile which he returned warmly.

"Damien's in." He said with a lopsided grin. I did not know how to react but my eyes darted to the stairs then back to him and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"He's in his room." He clarified for me.

"I'll go say hi." I said with a tight lipped smile, he nodded. I hoped he did not suspect anything though.

I took the stairs one at a time, slow and steady until I got up to the hallway.

I moved further in and stood in the middle, between the doors to the rooms opposite each other. I pondered on going in to freshen up first before going over to see him and vice versa. I was really in a dilemma at this point.

After much contemplation, I decided to go with my gut and headed for...

To be continued...