012
1374 Words
AURELIA
“Well,” she nodded slightly, “you are right. Don’t worry, Aure, prove your worth. I’m right beside you.”
“Uhmm…” I waved my hand boringly, “You can go back to your office now, Mireya. I'd like to settle down for now.”
Mireya stared at me for a moment without a single word before she walked away, closing the door behind her. I sighed, closing my eyes. Hales Foods was a family company, yet that didn’t mean all of them trusted me; no, it was worse. No one trusted each other in this place. It was either that they watched you or plotted your downfall.
The door pushed open, and my eyes pulled open. A lady walked towards me, “Good morning, miss. I’m Esther, your new assistant.”
“Esther?”
“Yes, Esther Jones. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Hale,” she smiled, stretching her hand towards me for a handshake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Esther. So tell me…how long have you been working here?”
“About two years now? I’m still new.”
A smile crossed my face. Good. “New? Hey, that’s impossible. Actually, I need your help.”
She raised her brow. “What is that?”
“Tell me,” I muttered, “everything you know about everyone and everything in this company. If you want, you can get extra bucks from this.”
Esther’s lips curved slightly. “So…”
~~~
“Arghhh…” I groaned, flopping on the bed. My white ceiling stared right back at me, slightly calming the tension I felt throughout the day. I couldn’t mess up for any reason. Messing up was simply not part of the plan.
A knock resounded on my door, and I stood up immediately, walking towards it. Madam Camilla stared at me with a small smile,
“Miss, breakfast is ready,” she said.
“I don’t think I'm hungry, Madam Camila. I feel so stressed out, and it’s just my first day at work. I don’t know if I can last long in this.”
“Of course you would, everyone is there to help you. Especially Mireya.”
The smile on my face instantly morphed into something else at the mention of her name. I sighed boringly.
“I hope,” I muttered.
“Your parents are asking for you downstairs. I hope you can freshen up and come on time.”
I sighed as she closed the door. I clearly said I wasn't hungry, and what exactly did mom and dad want to say by this time of the night?
After changing my dress, I walked down the stairs, moving to the dining table.
“I believe Aurelia would be able to do a good job.”
What? I recognized that voice.
“You both should get married as soon as possible. What do you think? A few weeks after her graduation would be nice,” my mother said.
I stood still on the stairs, waiting for Theron to recite his words like he did in the past.
‘We still have time. I believe there is no need to rush things.’ Typical of him. Then, I would smile sheepishly, not knowing he was entangled with Mireya behind my back. How on earth did he manage to hide that from me for so long?
“We should listen to Aurelia. I’m ready whenever she’s ready,” Theron’s voice came.
I froze in that spot. What did he mean by that?
Was he out of his mind? I clearly broke up with him a few days ago. Why was he trying to cling to me?
“What makes you think I'm interested in getting married?” I said, hitting my flops on the ground as I walked to the dining table. Everyone turned to stare at me, shock evident on their faces.
My mom’s eyes narrowed, “What do you mean by that?”
“Well…” I trailed off. I barely managed to get the attention of my parents. If I told them I didn’t want to marry Theron, I would be stabbing myself in the foot. Teron and I would settle this separately.
“I’m just starting my career, and I also haven't graduated yet…what’s with the rush?” I cleared my throat, slipping into my seat opposite Mireya. Our eyes met, and she smirked.
I scoffed lightly, really?
“Did you scoff?” My father asked,d and I blinked.
What?
“Theron said he would like to support you in whatever you want, and you scoffed? Really, Aurelia?” my mom asked, anger evident on her face.
When did I ask him to support me? I grabbed my fork tightly, throwing a deadly stare at him. Don’t mess with me tonight, Theron Draix. Else… I’ll injure you. Instead of looking away, a smile tilted his lips.
That psychopath. He was truly out of his senses.
“I don’t need Theron’s help. I can secure my future myself,” I glanced at him. “What are you saying?”
“Theron is simply trying to be nice—”
“I didn’t ask,” I cut Mireya off before she could complete her words. This was totally sickening. How dare they both sit here and act like they were so innocent, throwing words around.
I scoffed, throwing my fork on the table, as I stood up. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”
I looked at Theron. “Don’t ever step foot in this house unannounced. You are making everyone uncomfortable.”
“The only uncomfortable person here is you, Aurelia. We are used to seeing Theron around, but you, his girlfriend, are mad that he is in your family's house.”
“Why? Do you want to date him instead? As you said, he is my boyfriend, so I can tell him whether I want to see him or not. Even if you are comfortable, you don’t have the right to tell him to come here,” I skirked at Mireya, “or are you going to try to steal him?”
Her hands fisted on the table.
“Aurelia…” Theron started.
“Stand up. It’s late. Don’t you have work to do tomorrow?” I raised my brow.
“Aurelia!” My father banged his hand on the desk, startling all of us. I turned to stare at him, watching the anger display on his face.
I’d disappointed him once again. Exactly what I was trying not to do, just to get on his good side.
“Stop this nonsense. In just a little time, you and Theron would be engaged, preparing for marriage. How could you say such displeasing words about your sister taking him?”
I rolled my eyes.
“We have a gala to attend,” he suddenly said. I looked up. In the past, I barely attended any events as a Hale. I wouldn’t even know there was an event until I noticed that they weren’t at home. Then, Madam Camila would tell me where they went, but now—
“We need one of you to represent us—”
“I will go,” I cut my father off.
Mireya stared at me. “You have never attended a gala before.”
“Well, I'm going to attend this one,” I said. Our eyes met in a fire of fury.
“Mireya is best suited because she can get us more connections,” my mother said, “but if you agree to go with Theron, then you would be allowed.”
My head snapped. Why must Theron always be in the middle of everything? What on earth did I do to deserve this?
Mireya smirked.
Make your choice, Aurelia, let Mireya go, or go with Theron? The voice echoed in my head. My hand fisted beside me. This was a hard choice to make, but I needed a chance to prove myself. And if that meant using Theron, he could do as much for me.
I walked towards him, locking my fingers in his. “Of course,” I smiled sweetly.
“Who else would I go with? Theron is my betrothed.”
- Writer
