Hostile Vows

The big conference table made of mahogany looked really shiny under the lights of Manhattan. "Three contracts were terminated last night, "Marcus said, sliding the papers across the table. He looked really upset. "They are saying they have concerns, but that is just an excuse. Someone is trying to hurt us from the inside." Aria did not react. She was standing at the head of the table wearing a pantsuit with her arms crossed, and her head held high. At twenty-eight years old, she was in charge of Sinclair Tech. She was really tough. Nobody in the room remembered the girl who used to stutter and hide in the bathroom. That girl died the day her parents' car crashed on the road. "Find out who is doing this, "she said, her voice sharp. "I do not care what you have to do. We only have forty-eight hours before the banks ask for their money back." Elena Reyes, her lawyer and best friend, leaned forward. "The only people who want to help us are Voss Global. They want to merge with us." When Aria heard the name Voss, it was like a slap in the face. Aria's fingers tightened on the edge of the table. Voss. After twelve years, the name still made her feel bad. "I would rather die than do that, "she said. The glass doors to the conference room opened. Two security guards stepped aside. He walked in. Arnold Voss. He was wearing an expensive suit, and he looked taller and stronger than she remembered. He had the sharp jaw and gray eyes that used to make her feel uncomfortable in school. He walked like he owned the place. "Miss Sinclair, "Arnold said, his voice. Smooth. ". Should I call you, CEO Sinclair? The room was completely silent. Aria’s heart was beating fast. For a moment she was eighteen again. She was being bullied by Arnold and his friends. The memory still hurts. She tried to push it away. "Get out of my building, "she said. He kept walking until he was really close to her. She could smell his cologne, which was really expensive. He looked at her. His eyes stopped for a moment on the scar on her neck, which was barely visible above her blouse. It was a scar that he had indirectly caused when he played a trick on her. "I am here to help you, "he said. "Your company is in trouble, and it will be gone in a month if you do not do something. My lawyers have the papers ready for us to merge." Marcus stood up suddenly. "This is not how we do things… "he said. "Sit down, "Arnold said, without looking at him. He kept his eyes on Aria. "This is not charity, it is survival. For both of us." Aria. It sounded cold. "Survival? You ruined my life once. Now you want to take over my father's company?" Arnold's face changed for a moment. Aria could not tell what he was feeling. "I want us to work together, "he said. "I want us to merge our companies and be in charge together.. I have one more condition." The room was silent waiting to hear what he would say. Aria took a step closer to him so he would not tower over her. "There is nothing you could offer that would make me..." "Marriage, "he said, his voice firm. The word dropped like a bomb. Elena choked. Marcus cursed under his breath. “We would stay married for at least a year. After that we can see how things are going. Your company would be safe. I get what I want.. And the people who are trying to hurt you will be taken care of." Aria's vision got narrow. She could hear her heart beating. She was furious. It was a feeling she knew well. This was the boy who had made her life miserable. Now he was offering to marry her like some kind of twisted hero. "You are a bastard. " She whispered. He leaned in close. Only she could hear him. "You still flinch when I say your name, Aria. Even after all these years." Her hand wanted to slap him. Instead, she smiled a mean smile that she had learned over the years. "Touch me, Voss. I will destroy both our companies before I let you take over my father's legacy. This is not a proposal, it is a declaration of war." Arnold's eyes got darker. He looked hungry. "Good, "he said softly. "I was hoping you would say that." He put a folder on the table between them. The Voss Global logo was shiny and gold. "You have forty-eight hours, "he said. "Sign the papers. I will make all your problems go away. Refuse and your company disappears." He turned to leave but looked back at her one last time. "Welcome to the rest of your life, Mrs Voss, "he said. The doors closed behind him. Aria was left staring at the folder. The ghosts of her past had just walked back into her life wearing an expensive suit and a face that she hated. The worst part was, she was not sure if she had so much choice.