Chapter Two: La Viva
1393 Words
Aria's pov
Two things can make my crappy day better: coffee and fantasizing about taking my pointy heels and stabbing them into Brittany’s eyes—my department head who is an absolute nightmare.
Sadly, one of those will land me in jail, so I guess I’ll have to settle for the coffee.
I stood by the lunch stand, stirring the rich, bitter liquid, letting it settle into the depths of my soul. When the caffeine hit, I felt an immediate sense of relief. I took a long sip and nearly moaned in satisfaction. It was like a deep breath for my body, a small reprieve from the madness I had just survived.
“Tough day?” Camilla’s voice broke through my self-indulgent moment. I looked over my shoulder to see her standing there, her arms folded across her chest, a sympathetic look on her face.
“You have no idea.” I let out a frustrated sigh, not caring to mask the anger in my tone.
Camilla had been my ride-or-die since the moment we first met at our interview reception. We’d hit it off immediately—mostly because we both had no time for fake smiles or pretense. We’d been inseparable ever since, and frankly, I couldn't have asked for anyone better.
She was everything I wasn’t—tall and striking with her dark skin, deep-set hazel eyes, and voluminous curly hair. I was more of the light brown type with light hazel eyes framed by wild curls and a short, curvy frame. Despite the differences in appearance, we clicked like we were cut from the same cloth.
“What’s going on?” she asked, genuinely concerned.
I glanced around to make sure our lovely department head, Brittany, wasn’t lurking nearby. The woman was a snake in heels, always waiting for a chance to take a bite. I lowered my voice and leaned in closer to Camilla.
“I swear, Brittany has it out for me.” I groaned. “She’s like a walking, talking headache. I just want to take my heel and—”
“Okay, okay,” Camilla interrupted, holding her hands up in mock surrender. “We don’t need to resort to violence. Yet.”
“I’d be doing society a favor,” I muttered under my breath, but Camilla didn’t miss it. She smirked.
“What did she do this time?”
I felt my teeth grind as I recounted the latest injustice. “Yesterday, she had the entire day to let me know about the presentation for the Carter Industry meeting. Instead, she waits until this morning to tell me.” I sipped my coffee with a grimace. “Now I’ve got this impossible task hanging over my head. She knows I won’t be able to finish it in time, but that’s the point, isn’t it? She’s setting me up to fail.”
Camilla’s brows furrowed in sympathy. “That’s messed up. She’s trying to make you look bad.”
“I know. It’s like a game to her.” I leaned my head against the coffee machine. “I’m so sick of it.”
“Don’t worry,” Camilla said, her tone brightening. “Once the deal is signed, you won’t have to work with her anymore.”
I tried to smile at that, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
She squeezed my shoulder in solidarity. “You’ll make it through. You always do.”
Just as I was about to respond, the unmistakable sound of Brittany’s heels clacking across the polished floor interrupted our conversation. I didn’t even have to look up to know who it was. The icy chill in the air was all I needed to confirm it.
I turned around slowly and faced her.
Her hair was neatly pulled into a tight chignon at the back of her neck, and her gray eyes locked onto mine like a predator’s. Her lips were devoid of makeup, but that only made her fake smile seem more sinister.
“Are you done with the work?” she asked, her tone dripping with feigned sweetness.
I forced a smile. “Not yet. I’m on my lunch break.”
She didn’t even flinch. “It would be a lot more prudent to skip your lunch and focus on getting the work done, don’t you think?”
I could feel my blood pressure rise, but I kept my voice even. “I’m up to par with everything I need to do, Brittany. The extra work you handed me this morning? That’s not my fault.”
Her smile faltered, but only for a second. “As the supervisor on this deal, I can assign tasks as I see fit,” she said, her voice hardening. “I suggest you get back to it as soon as possible.”
I forced myself to nod, my jaw clenched so tight I was sure it would crack. “Noted.”
Without another word, she turned to Camilla, giving her a stiff nod. “Nice to see you too, Camilla.”
And with that, she stalked off, her heels echoing like the footsteps of a predator about to pounce.
I watched her go, my glare practically burning holes in the back of her head. “I need a drink. A strong one.” I muttered under my breath.
“You’re not wrong,” Camilla agreed, giving me a sympathetic look. “I’m with you.”
I didn’t know how I was going to get through the rest of the day, but Camilla’s next words were a welcome distraction.
“I was supposed to go to La Viva tonight,” she said, glancing over at me with an apologetic smile. “But my boyfriend’s coming over, so I can’t make it anymore.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with me?”
Camilla reached into her bag and pulled out a small, pink slip, handing it to me. “Here. It’s an access pass for tonight. You’re going. I’m giving it to you.”
I stared at the pass in my hand, still processing what she had said. La Viva was one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the city—getting in was nearly impossible unless you knew someone. Or in this case, had a last-minute pass from your best friend.
“What’s the catch?” I asked, suspicious.
“No catch,” Camilla insisted, shaking her head. “I’m just doing you a favor. If you don’t use it, it’s a waste.”
I looked down at the pass again, a sudden sense of excitement bubbling up inside me. I didn’t even care about the details; I was going to La Viva. Tonight.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice softer now. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Camilla winked. “No problem. Now get back to work before the queen gets back and finds something else to micromanage.”
I managed to force a smile as I turned to head back to my desk, my mind already racing. Piss on Brittany. La Viva, here I come.
---
By the time I finished work, I was practically vibrating with excitement. I’d showered, exfoliated until my skin felt like silk, and chosen the most daring dress I owned. Black, short, and dangerously tight, it clung to every curve. No bra, just a sheer black thong, and sky-high heels that made me feel like I could conquer the world. My makeup was bold—red lips that screamed confidence and eyes lined to perfection.
The bodyguard at the club gave me an appraising look as I approached the entrance. He ran his eyes over me slowly before licking his lips. I didn’t even flinch.
“If you’re not busy at the end of the night,” he started, his voice low and seductive, “I get off at midnight.”
I winked, unbothered. “I’ll keep that in mind, big boy.”
His response was an obvious shift in his posture—exactly what I wanted. I grinned, letting the doors swing open and stepping into the pulsing energy of La Viva.
The air smelled like a combination of alcohol, s*x, and weed—a heady mix that made my pulse quicken. Tonight, I was going to let go.
- Writer
