chapter 2
1131 Words
Chapter two.
“Wow!” Aria cheered. “That was scary, you killed it!”
Jade turned to her and raised an eyebrow “You ignored the elephant in the room,”
“Oh Claire,” Her eyes became dull. “I know she was the one since I woke up,” Aria sighed.
“Let's go to the car, it's not safe here,” Jade suggested and pulled Aria along.
“Who's he?” She asked as they settled down into the car.
“Maddox Vale” Aria replied.
“Maddox what?” Jade's face brightened as she clapped her hands. “You've got it big then” She said with a light smile.
“I don't intend to blackmail him. We were both drunk” Aria looked at her laps as she picked on her finger.
“Me too. That's not what I was talking about” Jade wore a teasing smile as she looked Aria up and down.
A blush crept into Aria's face, she looked around the car, not knowing where to put her gaze.
“I was just teasing,” Jade laughed.
“You're really giving up on acting?” She asked, this time more serious.
“I'm just taking a break” Aria sighed. “I need money and I don't get any acting jobs anymore, I need something that would provide me with money,”
“What if I find you an job by weekend?” Jade questioned, her eyes boring into Aria.
“Oh come on” Aria laughed, a hollow and bitter sound. “It's been months and I don't even get ads job again” She added, even though her heart was beating with anticipation.
“I had been working and one would work out” Jade replied. A ringing tone echoed across the small car and Jade retrieved her phone. Her face cracked into a smile and she motioned for Aria to keep quiet as she took the call.
Halfway through the conversation, her face fell and by the time the phone call was over, her hands were trembling with anger.
“What's that?” Aria asked carefully.
“An ad” Jade replied curtly.
“And?” Aria's could hear her heart beat by this time.
“It's a nude ad” Jade sighed and Aria looked away, tears pooling in her eyes.
“I would make one work” Jade vowed. “Let's go see your brother” She added and Aria nodded.
*Vale Tech*
“These are the newspapers for today,” Ryan said as he placed the newspapers on the desk beside an untouched cup of coffee.
Maddox's slim fingers picked them up, eyes skimming the headlines.
“These are entertainment news. What do I need them for?” He asked, his piercing eyes fixed on Ryan.
“I'm sorry boss” He made to retrieve the papers but was stopped by Maddox's fingers which were pressed onto the papers.
Maddox's eyes darkened as his gaze swept over the face boldly printed on the cover of the papers.
“Leave it” He ordered and Ryan nodded, retreating into the corner.
“Why are you overly jittery today?” Maddox raised an eyebrow.
“Old madam is returning today” Ryan replied, his expression giving a “You don't know about that” look.
“She is what?” Maddox froze. “Fancy her to take me unaware” He muttered under his breath.
“You haven't done anything wrong, relax” Maddox flicked a finger at him and Ryan took a deep breath.
“You know how she is” He mumbled, sinking into the soft feel of the couch.
Maddox returned his attention to the papers and his eyes narrowed as his gaze caught the marks he had left behind during the heat of the moment.
“Aria Blake” He mumbled before picking up his phone to dial a number.
“Find me everything you can about Aria Blake” He said into the phone then grunted in reply before dropping it back on the table and returning his focus to his laptop.
His phone rang breaking the silence in the office. Ryan raised his head from the files he was reviewing and he waved at him to continue his job.
“Aria Blake?” The other person voice echoed through the phone and there was no doubt about their excitement.
“Tell me you were the one she had the one night stand with?” The person asked.
“Lucien!” Maddox called, his voice rang out as a threat and a warning but it seemed the other person was unaware or completely unfazed by the warning.
“Wow Maddox! The marks you left would surely take days to fade away. You sure are a great learner.” He rambled away. Ryan raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching as he fought hard to hold back his laughter.
“Do you have the information I asked for?” Maddox asked irritatedly.
“Yes, yes. I got it. How would I have known of your enjoyable night out” Lucien laughed. Maddox sighed and another laughter echoed again.
“Aria Blake, she is a failed actress that has a sick brother and no money to pay for her bills. She's also the illegitimate daughter of the Blake's” He reported.
“Good” Maddox said.
“Just good, you don't need a blind date or something” It was Lucien turn to be irritated.
“No sir” Maddox rolled his eyes and hung up the phone with a deep sigh. “What have I gotten myself into?” He mused and then his eyes fell on Ryan.
“And you, why are you grinning?”
“Absolutely nothing boss” Ryan chuckled and returned to his work.
“Old madam is here” An announcement rang from outside the door. The air shifted inside the office, the temperature dropped.
Ryan straightened and stood up, Maddox froze, hands clenching his pen and eyes fixated on the door.
“Grandmother” He greeted as an old lady walked in the door. Two bodyguards flagged her on both side while a female secretary carried her bag. She was dressed in a sharp suit outfit and her hair was tied into a professional high ponytail. Her heels echoed against the marble floor with each step she took.
“Son” She gave a small smile before making herself comfortable.
Maddox waited anxiously for her to say the reason for her visit. She never visited without a reason.
“Aria Blake” She said and Maddox jaw tightened.
“What about her grandmother?” He asked cautiously.
“You're going to marry her” She dropped the bombshell.
- Writer
