Made my skin crawl!
1153 Words
ARIA
I'm at work, trying to put the creepy messages out of my mind.
I wipe the sweat from my forehead as I expertly craft a latte art design on the coffee. It's been a busy morning at the cafe, but I'm grateful for the distraction from my thoughts.
As I hand the drink to the waiting customer, my coworker, Rachel, nudges me. "Hey, Ria, you okay? You seem a little spaced out".
"I'll tell you later, okay? Just know that my past is coming back to haunt me."
I wasn't going to tell her more than that.
Rachel's expression turns serious. “You'll get through it , Aria. Now, let's get back to work before Sir Donaldson notices we're slacking off."
Maxwell walks in, looking dashing as always, and my heart skips a beat.
Rachel gave me a nudge,” your prince charming is here to see you” she whispered with a toothy grin, and hurried off the counter to give him privacy.
Lord remind me to peel her skin later.
"Hey, beautiful," he says, striding towards me. "I have a proposition for you."
I raise an eyebrow.
“ I'm sorry.. I'm kinda nervous I just had to let that out fast” he said.
Do these people ever feel nervous? He's probably lying.
I smiled, intrigued. "What kind of proposition?"
He smiles back. "I'm hosting a charity gala next weekend, and I'd love for you to be my plus one."
My eyes widened in surprise. "A charity gala? That sounds fancy."
Not really, I cringed inwardly.
Maxwell chuckles. "It is. But I think you'd fit right in. And it would mean a lot to me if you could attend."
I'm a little surprised though.
Me, attend a high-society event with a wealthy CEO? It's a far cry from my usual life right now.
But there's something in his eyes that makes me want to say yes. Maybe it's sincerity, or maybe it's the way he looks at me like I'm the only person in the room.
Am I okay??
This is another plot Ria, another facade, another devil in a suit!!
"Okay," I say finally, trying to sound casual. "I'll do it."
Maxwell's face lights up with a smile. "Great! I'll send a car to pick you up at 7 pm next Saturday."
I nod, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. What have I just gotten myself into?
The day flew by in a blur and as I arrived home that evening, I saw a large set of gift boxes with a tag addressed to me.
That's strange, I wasn't expecting anything but only one person came to mind.
Maxwell.
I needed to share this news with Cassie.
I hurriedly packed the boxes in and placed a call across to Cass.
—---------------------------------
The day of the charity gala arrives, and I'm a bundle of nerves. Cassie helps me get ready, styling my hair and makeup to perfection.
Yurrr.. she'd flown in to help me get dressed. This is going to be my first outing after a long while and she thought I needed help to get dressed.
Sweet soul.
"Wow, you look stunning!" she exclaims, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
I posed in front of the mirror admiring the Black Bardot midi dress shimmering in the light. The sleek, high-neckline design accentuating my porcelain skin, while the fitted bodice highlighted my toned physique. The midi length fell gracefully above my knees, revealing my statement black heels. A delicate silver necklace with a tiny crystal pendant adorned my neck, complementing the dress's subtle sophistication. My dark brown hair cascaded down my back, styled in loose waves that framed my face.
I smile, feeling a bit more confident.
"Thanks, Cass. I couldn't have done it without you."
As we head downstairs, a sleek black limousine pulls up outside. Maxwell gets out, looking dashing in a tuxedo, and offers me his arm.
His eyes twinkled as he saw me, “ you look more beautiful…. Like I.. I can't believe this is you!” He stuttered.
“ You clean up nicely too,” I said nonchalantly.
Girl power Ria!!!
"Shall we?" he asks, smiling.
I take his arm, feeling like a princess, and we glide into the limo. The ride to the gala is a blur of champagne and small talk, but I'm aware of Maxwell's eyes on me the whole time.
When we arrive at the venue, I'm blown away by the opulence. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and a sea of designer gowns and tuxedos.
Maxwell leads me through the crowds, introducing me to people I've only read about in the news. I try to keep up, but it's a bit overwhelming.
Just as I'm starting to feel like a fish out of water, Maxwell takes my hand and pulls me close.
"You're doing great," he whispers. "Just be yourself, and you'll shine."
His words of encouragement give me a boost, and I start to relax and enjoy the evening.
As we mingle and laugh, I start to feel more at ease. Maxwell is charming and attentive, making sure I have everything I need. We dance and chat, and for a moment, I forget about my troubles.
But then, I see him. My Ex. Across the room, his eyes fixed on me with a sinister grin.
My heart races as I tug on Maxwell's arm. "I need to get out of here," I whisper urgently.
Maxwell's expression turns concerned. "What's wrong?"
I nod towards my stepfather. "That man. He's...he's trouble."
Maxwell's eyes narrow. "Let's get you out of here. Now."
He quickly leads me through the crowds, his arm protectively around me. We burst through the doors, into the cool night air, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
But as we hurry towards the limo, I hear his voice behind us.
"You can't hide forever, pumpkin," he sneers.
Maxwell spins around, his eyes blazing with anger. "You're not welcome here," he growls.
My Ex sneers, but backs off, disappearing into the shadows.
Maxwell turns to me, his expression softening. "Are you okay?"
I nod, still shaken. "Yeah. Thanks to you."
He takes my hand, his eyes locked on mine. "You're safe with me. Always."
And at that moment, I believed him.
As we drive away from the gala, I feel a mix of emotions. Relief, gratitude, and a hint of fear. My Ex's presence was a harsh reminder that I'm not free from my past yet.
Maxwell's hand on mine brings me back to the present. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asks softly.
I nod, trying to smile. "Yeah, thanks."
He squeezes my hand. "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you."
His words are comforting, and I feel a sense of security with him. But I know I can't rely on him forever. I need to face my fears and deal with my past someday.
Alone!
- Writer
