Chapter 3
1666 Words
Aria's POV
The elevator was still, the silence was loud.
I breathed heavily as I looked at him. His eyes fixed ahead like I didn’t even exist. My lips trembled as I whispered again, “Adrian… do you still remember me?”
I was trying to see if he would react, at least maybe show any sign of knowing me but his face remained still, like he didn't hear me.
No answer. Nothing at all.
His silence was so heavy it made my heart ache. I swallowed hard, my voice cracking as I called his name again, “Adrian… please…”
I reached out with shaking fingers and touched his arm, desperate to pull some reaction from him.
In one sharp movement, he spun around quickly and pushes me against the elevator wall. His body was very close to mine and I could feel his warmth. His face was near mine and our eyes met in a firece stare that made my heart race so fast.
My lips parted but no words came out.
Finally, he broke the silence, his voice low and cold. “Yes, Aria. I remember you. But whatever you still have in your head about us—it was years ago. You mean nothing to me now.”
The words stabbed deep into my chest.
Tears filled my eyes. “Adrian…”
He leaned closer, his eyes sharp with venom. “I don’t give a damn about you. Get that into your head. Nothing can ever happen between us again.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks, burning as they fell.
His jaw clenched, and his words cut deeper than any knife. “You broke us.”
I gasped softly. “What? Adrian… what do you mean?” My voice shook.
“Forget it,” he snapped, looking away briefly before his cold eyes returned to mine. “It’s the past. And let me be clear—I would never settle for a pathetic loser like you. You’re nothing but a mere assistant to me. So better know your place”
I felt like I was going to collapse. His harsh words hurt me so much that my body shook.
Just then, the elevator started moving again, making a humming noise.
Adrian immediately stepped back, fixing his suit like nothing had happened.
The elevator door opens. He walked out without saying a word, leaving me there standing with tears in my eyes and a broken heart.
I stood frozen, i couldn't move at first. I just stood there staring at the elevator doors as they started to close.
Everything he said to me was still ringing in my ears. Finally, I forced myself to move, to pick up the pieces of myself and leave.
---
On my way home, I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even see the car speeding toward me.
“Out of the way woman. Are you trying to get yourself killed?” the angry driver screamed as he swerved past.
I jumped back, my heart racing. My tears had blurred everything.
By the time I reached the house, I was emotionally and physically drained.
I heard Selena's voice from the kitchen but I wasn't ready for her tantrum. I rushed straight into my room, locked the door, and slumped on the floor.
The same boy who once loved me had just humiliated me, crushed me, called me a loser.
My sobs filled the room. I curled on the floor, memories flooding back. I remembered the happy times we shared, our laughter, our kisses, the dreams we had for our future. We were so young, so in love. Until the day everything fell apart. The day the rumors started spreading.
Eventually, i got so tired and I fell asleep, my cheeks were stained with tears.
---
The next morning, I woke up late. The sun was already high.
“Oh my God. No, no, no!” I jumped out of bed, rushing into the bathroom. “I’m finished! He’s going to fire me!”
I bathed quickly, dressed even faster, my hands shaking as I buttoned my shirt.
Running downstairs, I found Selena at the dining table, sipping coffee.
“Good morning,” I said quickly. “Did you make breakfast? I need to eat something before rushing to work.”
She turned slowly, a smirk on her lips. “Do I look like your maid? Just because I let you stay in this house doesn’t mean you own it.”
I swallowed my pride. “I’m sorry. I’ll make something myself. I’m just late already.”
“Oh, I see you got a job,” she mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Didn’t think you had it in you. That’s nice.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, though I knew she didn’t mean it.
I quickly made a simple breakfast, eating in a hurry as I kept checking the time. Just when I was about to leave, her voice stopped me.
“You said you got a job, right?”
I sighed. “Yes.”
“Good. Then you’ll start paying rent in this house.”
I blinked at her, shocked. “Rent? Selena, this is my father’s house. Why should I pay rent?”
Her eyes turned sharp. “News flash, darling. Your daddy doesn’t care about you. If you want to stay here, you’ll pay. If not, get out.”
Her words were harsh but I clenched my fists. I didn't even say a word.
I grabbed my bag and left before she could speak again. I wasn't ready at all to be humiliated by her and her daughters.
…..
By the time I got to the office, I was already twenty minutes late. I ran straight to the top floor, where I found a group of people gathered.
Mrs. Amelia, the HR manager, caught sight of me and immediately dragged me to a corner.
“Aria! Why are you late? Did you forget whose assistant you are?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. There was traffic,” I lied, though I knew it was my fault for waking up late.
She shook her head. “You’d better get ready to explain yourself to him. Today is his game day. He needs his assistant more than ever.”
“Oh s**t,” I muttered.
She glared. “Watch your mouth young lady. Listen, your job is to keep track of his schedule, handle any calls while he’s on the ice, make sure he has everything he needs”
I nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am.”
Just then, Adrian’s teammates and coach filled the sace. I stood quietly, watching as they discussed. My eyes betrayed me, drifting toward Adrian.
He glanced at me once, his gaze moving from my head to my feet before looking away with no expression. That one look set my body on fire, though I couldn’t explain why.
Soon, the meeting ended. People started leaving.
“Aria!” His voice cut through the crowd.
I froze.
He started walking to his his office then I followed him “Good morning, sir,” I greeted nervously.
His eyes burned into me. “You were late.”
“I… I’m sorry. There was—”
“Didn’t I warn you?” His voice was sharp. “I don’t tolerate excuses. And you dare show up late today”
“I—”
“Next time you're getting fired. Get out,” he barked.
I turned and left without a word.
…..
It was time for the game.
The stadium roared with energy. It was filled with excited fans.
I just stood at the side, watching as Adrian stepped onto the ice with his teammates.
He looked strong and confident, his body moving with precision. As the game got more intense sweat started forming on his skin.
The crowd erupted every time he scored. And when the final buzzer rang, his team had already won the game. The cheers were incredibly loud.
Adrian lifted his stick, his teammates celebrating around him.
I couldn’t help but watch him—handsome, strong and talented.
The crowd cheered.
After the game, Adrian signed autographs, greeted fans, took pictures. I stayed close, handling calls, organizing small tasks just as Mrs. Amelia had instructed me.
By the time everything was done, night had fallen. We returned to the office.
I packed up my things quickly, ready to leave. But just as I reached the door, Adrian walked past me without a glance.
“Goodnight, sir,” I said softly.
No reply.
But then, he stopped abruptly. Slowly, he turned back, his eyes locking onto me.
The air grew thick with tension.
He stepped closer, circling me like a predator, his presence suffocating. “Why did you really come back, Aria?” His voice was low, dangerous.
I swallowed hard. “I dont understand sir”
“Don't pretend like u don't know what I'm taking about Aria” he said now coming close to me
“After 6 f*****g years u finally walk into my company with the job of being my assistant”
“Sir, I just needed a job”
His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Liar.”
I glared at him
I raised my chin, my voice shaking but brave. "Think what you want. Not everything is about you, Adrian."
The switch up was crazy. I wasn't going to let him talk to me anyhow. Never.
His eyes turned dark, filled with anger. "Not everything is about me?" He moved closer, his breath warm on my cheek. "You hurt me, Aria. And now you're acting like you didn't do anything wrong?"
Tears pricked at my eyes, but I didn't look away. "You hurt me too. You left me without even trying to fix things. You believed rumors about me without listening to my side."
His voice got even lower and angrier. "The rumours were true. You broke us”.
- Writer
