Ruin Me

CHAPTER TWO

***

«|BREW HAVEN CAFÉ»

The small, cozy café smelled of cinnamon and fresh-baked pastries. Brew Haven was a local favorite, with warm wooden walls, art deco lamps, and indie music playing softly in the background.

Aria spotted Olivia immediately; her best friend waved frantically from a corner booth, her strawberry-blonde hair pulled into a messy ponytail.

Aria threw herself into the seat opposite her and buried her face in her hands.

“What happened?” Olivia demanded, pushing a hot cocoa toward her.

Aria pulled her hands away, face red and blotchy. “I’m an i***t, Livvy! A certified, diploma-carrying i***t!”

“Tell me everything.”

Aria sniffled and recounted the entire disaster the fake publishing deal, Damon Wolfe’s face, the debt, the horrifying contract.

“And now,” Aria finished miserably, “I’m going to be his secretary for five freaking years. No writing. No books. No career. Just fetching coffee and living under the thumb of the devil himself!”

Olivia blinked, processing.

“…Wow,” she said finally. “That’s… yeah, that’s pretty bad.”

Aria groaned, dropping her head onto the table.

“But hey,” Olivia said brightly, “you’re still alive. You’re still you. This doesn’t define you.”

Aria peeked up miserably.

“You’ll find a way,” Olivia promised. “And besides… maybe he’s not all bad.”

Aria gave her a look.

Olivia grinned sheepishly. “Okay, yeah, he’s a stone-cold bastard. But who knows? Maybe it’ll make one hell of a story someday.”

Aria laughed through her tears, wiping her eyes.

Maybe.

Maybe someday, when it didn’t hurt so much, she’d turn this disaster into gold.

For now, though, she had a new reality:

Five years.

One devilishly handsome boss.

Zero escape.

***

“Wait, hold up…” Aria’s mouth dropped open. “You caught Matt with who?!”

Olivia rolled her eyes and sipped her caramel latte. “Some redhead with lips so fake, I swear I could hear them squeak. I walked in on them in his apartment. His face turned white, and she just stood there like she was in an audition.”

Aria gasped and almost choked on her muffin. “What?!”

“Yep. I looked him straight in the eye and said, ‘Thank God, now I finally have a reason to dump your lying ass.’”

Aria laughed so loud, a few people turned to look.

“And you’re fine?” she asked.

“Girl, I lost feelings for him months ago. Since he lied about that trip to Miami. Said it was for work. But his ‘coworker’ turned out to be Tiffany with a tramp stamp.”

Aria cackled. “You need to write a book. It’ll be a hit!”

They kept laughing and talking, and slowly, Aria started to feel better. After finishing their drinks, they decided to walk to Rosehill Park nearby.

***

The park was glowing under the evening sun. The trees moved gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering. Kids screamed on the swings. Couples walked hand-in-hand. A man played soft music under a cherry blossom tree. The air smelled like grass and pretzels from a food cart.

Aria took a deep breath. “God, I love this place. It’s like the world forgets how to be cruel.”

“No contracts. No crazy billionaires. Just peace and fresh air,” Olivia said, spinning in a circle.

They walked in silence until Aria’s phone buzzed. She picked it up.

“Sissy!” she said.

“Little rat! Mom said if you don’t get home now, you’re skipping dinner!” her sister Alina shouted.

Aria laughed. “Big cat! I’ll be home soon!”

In the background, their mom yelled, “Pumpkin, come home for dinner!”

“I’m coming, Momma!” Aria called.

Alina snorted. “I know you’re with Olivia. Don’t be late or you’ll starve.”

Click.

Olivia burst out laughing. “Your sister is something else.”

“That’s why she’s mine,” Aria smiled.

They hugged at the subway stop. Aria got on the train feeling warm. Her world had shifted today, but Olivia and family still kept her sane.

***

«| MONROE RESIDENCE»

The smell of Jollof rice, fried chicken, and garlic bread filled the house the second Aria walked in.

She saw her family already eating. Her dad sat at the head of the table. Her mom was serving veggies. Alina sipped juice like a queen.

“Seriously?” Aria asked, hands on her hips. “Y’all started without me?”

Alina didn’t look up. “You’re late. Late people starve.”

Aria stuck out her tongue.

“Pops! Momma!” she said, walking to the table.

“Little pumpkin,” her parents said together, laughing.

“Come sit, sweetheart,” her mom said, patting the seat beside her.

Aria sat down. Her stomach growled.

“God bless this food,” her dad said. “And may this house never run out of rice or laughter.”

“Amen!” everyone replied.

Plates clattered, laughter echoed, and for a moment, Aria forgot about Damon Wolfe and contracts. Almost.

***

«LATER THAT NIGHT | ARIA’S STUDY»

The moonlight shined through the window. Her desk was full of books, a coffee mug, and notebooks. Alina sat on a beanbag, scrolling her phone.

“You won’t believe how many of my coworkers are obsessed with your book,” Alina said. “Especially the cover. They were like, ‘Who’s that man?! Is he real?!’ And I said, ‘Read it, honey!’”

Aria didn’t answer.

Alina frowned. “Hello? Earth to Aria? You should be happy. This is big.”

Still, Aria said nothing. Her head was low. Her eyes looked glossy.

Alina sat up. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

Aria whispered, “I messed up.”

“Talk to me.”

And she did.

She told her everything. About the fake deal, Damon Wolfe, the contract, and how she felt trapped.

When she finished, she had tears in her eyes.

Alina hugged her tight. “Oh, baby sis. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I didn’t know how. It was all too much. I feel like I’m drowning.”

Alina rubbed her back. “Okay. Yeah, you messed up. But who hasn’t? You were chasing your dream.”

“Now my dream is chained to a cold demon in a suit,” Aria muttered.

Alina chuckled. “He sounds like trash. But sis, this isn’t the end of your story. You’re still that girl who filled notebooks with fire and magic.”

“Five years, Alina,” Aria whispered.

“Then we take it one day at a time. And you keep writing, even if it’s just in your notebook.”

“You think I can survive working for Damon Wolfe?”

Alina smirked. “Oh, I know you can. And if he tries to ruin you, ruin him right back.”

They both laughed. For the first time that day, Aria felt a little hope.

***

“s**t!”

Aria jumped out of bed and stared at the clock. 7:00 AM. Panic hit her hard.

“I’m going to be late!” she yelled, running to the bathroom.

Alina groaned from the pullout couch. “What now, little rat?”

“I start at Wolfelux today!” Aria shouted.

Alina opened one eye. “Relax. You still have time to faint in front of your billionaire boss.”

“Alina! If I’m late, he will fire me and wear my face as his next secretary!”

Alina threw a pillow at her. “Drama queen. You’ll be fine.”

Aria showered fast and panicked in front of her closet. She finally chose a silk baby-blue blouse and a beige pencil skirt. Nude lipstick. Wavy hair. Cream heels.

“You look like a polite girl who might stab her boss,” Alina joked.

“I’m going for classy, not crazy,” Aria replied.

She rushed downstairs. Their mom saw her.

“Where to, pumpkin?” she asked, flipping pancakes.

Before Aria could answer, Alina said, “Aria got a job. At Wolfelux.”

Their dad dropped his newspaper. “Wait, Damon Wolfe’s company?”

“Oh my God!” their mom cheered. “That’s amazing!”

Aria smiled, but inside she felt guilty. They didn’t know the truth.

“Thanks, Momma… Poppa,” she said.

Her dad raised his mug. “To our pumpkin! Don’t forget us when you become a star!”

“We’re celebrating tonight!” he added.

Aria nodded, forcing a smile. The pride in their eyes cut deeper than Damon’s threats.

Outside, Alina looked at her. “You’re going to hell for not telling them the truth.”

Aria sighed. “Yeah. But I’ll look hot on the way there.”

***

«| WOLFELUX CORPORATION»

Alina’s car stopped in the parking lot of Wolfelux, a tall glass building that looked like a sword.

“You’re walking into the lair of a controlling billionaire,” Alina said.

“No turning back now,” Aria said, staring at the building.

Alina turned serious. “You good?”

“No,” Aria replied. “But I’ll fake it.”

“Good girl,” Alina smiled. “Go kill it. But not literally. HR hates that.”

“I’ll scream if he tries anything,” Aria joked.

Inside, the air smelled expensive. Leather, wood polish, citrus cleaner. The walls had gold art. A giant chandelier sparkled from the ceiling.

“May I help you, miss?” a woman at the desk asked.

“I’m Aria Monroe. Mr. Damon Wolfe’s new secretary.”

The woman blinked. “Please wait.” She called someone. “Yes, Mr. Victor? Miss Monroe is here. Okay, sending her up.”

She stood. “Follow me.”

Aria’s heels clicked on the marble as they walked to the elevator. The woman pressed 20.

The top floor.

The elevator went up. Aria’s nerves rose with it.

15… 16… 18… 20.

The doors opened. Light poured in. The whole floor looked expensive, black and gold, modern and cold.

Victor stood by the door. “Miss Monroe,” he said. “He’s waiting.”

Aria swallowed. She knocked.

The door opened.

Damon Wolfe stood at the window, back turned. No tie. Just a sharp suit and a cold vibe.

“You’re late,” he said.

“It’s… 8:42, sir.”

“You were expected at 8:30. Tardiness is weakness, Miss Monroe.”

“Understood,” she said.

He turned. Cold blue eyes. No smile. No warmth.

Just ice.

He walked toward her, slow and calm.

“You’ll be briefed by Victor. You’ll work twelve-hour days. Six days a week. No personal calls. No mistakes.”

Aria nodded, trying not to tremble.

He leaned in. “Five years of obedience. In return, I won’t sue you for using my face in your filthy book.”

She flinched. Stayed silent.

He turned back to the window. “Get used to glass boxes. They’re clear. Ruthless. And always watching.”

“Why me?” Aria asked softly. “You could’ve sued.”

He faced her again. “Because I like seeing people pay their debts. And because I hate being used.”

“You look surprised.”

“I’m just… processing.”

“Process faster,” he said. “I’m not a patient man.”

Victor came back in. “Shall I start the orientation?”

Damon didn’t look away. “Take her. Break her in.”

As Aria walked out, she looked back once.

Damon stood alone in his glass palace. A king without a heart. Watching his pawn take her first step into hell.