Chapter 5
1494 Words
Aria’s POV
The rain soaked through my dress, making me cold and wet. My bags were all around me, heavy with water. I held myself tight, my teeth shaking.
“Adrian… maybe he’s the only one who can help me.”
But the thought was crushed as quickly as it came. My chest tightened.
I didn’t know where he lived. I don’t even have his number. I don’t even have any friends to call for help. What should I do? I can't sleep under the bridge.
I laughed bitterly through tears. “How pathetic, Aria… you don’t have anyone.”
Lightning flashed in the sky. I had no other choice, so the only thought that could come to my mind was the company building. At least it has walls and a roof where I could hide until morning.
I pulled my bags through the flooded street, but my arms and legs were tired and shaking.
By the time I reached the big glass building, I was wet, cold, and numb.
I went toward the side entrance, praying the night security wouldn’t notice. But luck never lived with me.
“Hey! Stop right there!”
A flashlight blinded my eyes. Two guards rushed forward, blocking the doorway.
“What do you think you’re doing?” one barked.
My heart raced. “I—I work here. Please, I wasn’t trying to steal anything—”
The taller guard grabbed my arm. “That’s what they all say. You think you can sneak into the boss’s building in the middle of the night? Do you want us to call the police?”
“No!” My voice cracked. I scrambled for my bag and pulled out the one thing that could save me. “Look—my office card. Please, just look.”
The guard snatched it from my trembling hand, squinting at it under the flashlight. Silence stretched until finally he muttered, “She’s telling the truth. She’s an employee.”
The other frowned. “Then what the hell are you doing here at this hour?”
Tears blurred my eyes. My throat burned as I whispered, “I don’t have anywhere else to go. Please… I just need a place to stay tonight.”
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. One sighed. “Miss, this isn’t a hotel. But… fine. You can stay inside. Just don’t cause trouble.”
Relief flooded me. I bowed quickly. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
They unlocked the door, and I went inside, dragging my bags to a small corner near my office. The marble floor was cold against my skin, but exhaustion drowned everything else. Curling up against my luggage, I let sleep swallow me whole.
---
It was already morning but still dark outside. A soft sound stirred me awake. My eyes fluttered open but I freezed immediately.
Adrian stood in front of me.
My heart jumped painfully. His tall frame loomed above, his expression sharp, unreadable. I scrambled to get up, panic racing through me, but my foot slipped on the marble. I fell hard, my palms scraping the floor.
“A-Argh—”
His hand twitched as if to help me, but he pulled it back instantly.
My cheeks burned with humiliation. “I—I’m so sorry sir, I didn’t mean to—”
His eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”
I hugged myself tightly, fighting tears. “I… I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
His jaw tensed. “What about your home?”
The word cut deep. I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. “They… they kicked me out. My step mother and the others. My father told me to leave.” My eyes brimmed with tears. “Please, Sir… I don’t have anywhere to go. Just let me stay here until I find a cheap hotel that I can pay for.”
I sank to my knees before I could stop myself, the words pouring out. “Please. I won’t cause trouble. I’ll sleep quietly. Just don’t throw me out.”
For a moment, silence wrapped around us. His face gave nothing away, there was a flash of something in his eyes, something there, gone before I could name it.
Then his voice turned to ice. “This isn’t a charity place.”
My lips trembled. “Adrian…”
But he was already walking away, his footsteps echoing against the marble, leaving me kneeling and broken.
I pressed my hands over my face, muffling my sobs. “Why is it always me?”
My body ached, stiff from sleeping curled against the floor. My back screamed with pain as I dragged myself up.
I forced a smile in the bathroom mirror, though my reflection looked like a ghost.
It was already a bright morning and people have started arriving to work. I didn't even get a chance to stretch myself. Adrian just dumped a heavy load of work on my table.
“Come on, Aria. Work. Just… work.” I would try to encourage myself.
—-
By noon, he slammed a thick file on my desk. “Type this. Review it. Summarize the details before the meeting.”
I blinked at the stack. “All of this… today?”
His cold gaze cut into me. “Is there a problem?”
I swallowed. “No, sir.”
Hours later, my eyes stung from staring at the screen. My fingers cramped from typing nonstop. Exhaustion weighed heavy, dragging me down until my head rested against the desk. Just a moment of resting but I soon feel asleep.
—-------
“Aria.”
My eyes snapped open at the familiar voice. It was Ruth, my colleague.
I jumped to my feet. “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“Girl, it seems like you don’t value your job again. Don’t ever sleep at work again else you gon get fired.” she snapped. “Get ready. There’s a meeting in 30 minutes.”
“Oh Jesus, alright I'll thank you for the reminder”.
“Anytime” she walks away.
—
The conference room buzzed with murmurs. I stood by Adrian’s side, taking notes quickly, trying to focus. But one of the guests, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit kept staring at me.
His gaze slid over my body, lingering, predatory. My stomach churned.
The meeting dragged on, and the man’s gaze never stopped crawling over me. By the time it ended, I packed my files quickly, desperate to escape.
But in the hallway, a hand shot out, pulling me against the wall.
“Pretty thing,” the man murmured, his breath hot and foul. “Don’t be shy. Let me take care of you.”
I shoved at his chest. “Let me go!”
He laughed low. “Playing hard to get? Don’t worry, I like it that way.”
His hand slid toward my waist. I pushed harder, panic rising. “Stop it! Leave me alone!”
He leaned closer, lips inches from my ear—
“Touch her again, and I’ll break you into pieces”
The voice was sharp, Adrian.
The man froze.
Adrian’s fists clenched. His eyes turned dark.
“Stay away from her,” he growled.
The man scoffed. “Relax. I was just having a little fun—”
Adrian’s fist connected with his face. The c***k echoed through the hall. Blood smeared across the man’s lip as he stumbled back, cursing.
Adrian grabbed my hand, pulling me away. His grip was firm, protective, almost desperate.
In my office, I whispered, trembling, “Thank you.”
“Are you okay?” His voice was too soft and for a second I thought this person right in front of me was someone else.
“Yes…”
His jaw stayed tight, his eyes stormy. He stared at me for a while before he walked out without a word.
I sank into my chair, my hands shaking. Well that was strange.
My heart raced with a mix of fear… and something else.
---
The rest of the day blurred past in a haze. Work ended, and employees filed out, their chatter fading. I sat alone in my office, pacing, biting my nails.
“What do I do now?” I whispered. I need a place to sleep tonight. “Do I beg him again? Just one night… just one.”
The door opened.
Adrian walked in.
I spun around, my heart thudding. “S-sir—”
“Get your things and follow me,” he ordered, cutting me off.
I blinked. “Where are we going?”
His eyes hardened. “You’re coming with me to my place, I can't let you sleep in my company”.
Hope flashed inside me, fragile and desperate. But before I could speak, his words sliced through it.
“And… do not mistake my concern for affection.”
- Writer
