Betrayed But Reclaimed by Her Boss.

Chapter 10

Aria Vale

The room grew silent as all eyes turned to Nathaniel. I swallowed and walked forward. “I was not deceived by him. It is not as simple as it appears.”

“Have some dignity, Ms. Vale. How dare you defend his lies?” Mrs. Anfield said. She turned to Nathaniel, “You dared to forge a fake relationship to deceive your father and have him temporarily forget you committed a crime. What did you intend to do, plan a runaway after some time and pay her off?”

Nathaniel folded his fist and turned to his father. “Believe me, Father...”

“Enough!” Mr. Anfield finally spoke up. “Publicly announce the end of your relationship with her. Investigations will resume.” He stood and was about to walk out of the room when Nathaniel called him back. His jaw ticking as the next words escaped out of his lips.

“Dad! Do you actually believe I will stoop that low to steal from the comapny?"

“You lied to me, and I’ve given you countless chances. Don’t expect any more."

We were alone in the room; I felt the weight of the failures today drop on me. I lowered my head. “I am sorry. "It's all my fault.” I muttered. He said nothing and simply stormed out of the room.

It was finally over. Whatever little lie we have going, was it over? I wanted it over, so why does it feel so heartbreaking? I stepped out of the restaurant in a hurry; I wanted to see my mom. That slithering snake.

I saw her with Adrian, a wide smile on his face; I folded my fist and trudged in their direction. My mother already saw me, and the smile on her face died down. I’m sure a swear was let out of her lips.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“What? I’m simply being a good mother; you can’t imagine how I felt when I found out he had you under such a contract.”

"What ! you feel? You feel nothing mom! You have always been heartless ”

She drew me forcefully, her eyes burrowing holes into my soul. “I’ve never seen you this infuriated; other than the monetary benefits you lost, you appear more agitated. Don’t tell me you have feelings for him. You think this is real, your little lie with him?”

My chest boiled with rage, reminding me of all the times she disregarded every little thing I had to take advantage of me.

"Has anyone ever told you you are a despicable pathetic old hag?” I spat in her face. I guess she couldn’t take what she dished out and landed a slap on my face, but I continued, “Your life amounts to nothing, despite all your efforts to change it. You took his card yet stabbed him in the back.”

“You should have warned your lover. Throwing a few thousands to me like I’m some dog.”

I scoffed, "Are you not some dog? I hope the hundreds you got will serve you enough till you die, Mother. I am sure you’ll come begging on my door in a few months. You are shameless.”

Her fists folded on her sides, her eyes bloodshot with rage. The Uber she called arrived; she entered, saying nothing in retort.

“I feel bad.” I heard a voice and recalled Adrian Anfield was still present; he probably had fun watching my pathetic relationship with my mother. “Nathaniel probably wouldn’t give you any compensation now, would he? I can change that; I offer my help…" He stretched out his hand.

I kept mine firm by my side. “I don’t need your help.”

His hand caught my wrist and drew me to his chest, pissed. “You still have some time till he gets removed from his office. I will keep your position if you behave; maybe we can make up our little lie as well. I understand why he is so defensive over you; any man would want that body of yours.” His eyes stared down my legs.

“Mr. Adrian, please have some decency and let go of me!"

“I can offer you more than he did; your stupid, blind loyalty to him won’t pay you.”

I forced my hand off his hold, huffing and attempting to leave when I was slammed into the car’s body. I coughed from the impact and was very frightened about what he intended to do.

His face drew closer to mine; I tried looking away, but he forced my face back to face his. “I truly wish to believe you won’t stoop this low to do something so despicable.”

“I want to have a taste; that’s all. My brother had his, you should at least give me mine.” He leaned in closer; I could smell his alcoholic breath. It repulsed me. I closed my eyes shut, waiting for this horror to pass but suddenly I heard a groan, a gust of air flew past me. I fluttered my eyes open to see Adrian with a bruised lip, crouched over on the floor.

I stared at the person responsible. Nathaniel's fist was folded, his eyes filled with inexplicable rage. He turned to me, saying nothing to his fallen brother. I flinched, afraid he might lash out again in anger. He wasn’t particularly in the best mood following the revelation about our relationship.

"I..."

“Shut up and come with me.” He wrapped his warm hand around mine, dragging me with him. I stared shamelessly at his side profile; he appeared angry and hauntingly handsome at the same time. He was the finer sibling; his brother has the face of a frog, and his attitude wasn’t appealing either. I was cold from fright, it was reassuring, his presence and his warm hand.

We soon approached his car; I was surprised he hadn’t left; he stormed off earlier in anger.

“I’m sorry.”

“You just stood there like a statue, waiting for the worst to happen to you. You literally beat your dumb ex into a bloody mess. You can’t even handle my lousy brother. If I weren't there, he’d have…” He stopped, even more pissed.

“That wasn’t what I was apologizing for.” I said softly, a smile tugging on my lips, that he was concerned for me.

“I don’t care what happened today; I’m already used to it.”

“How can you say that? My mother revealed everything and ruined your relationship with your father.”

“We never had one, ever since my mother died.” He revealed bluntly.

I didn’t know how to console him, so I kept my mouth shut. I noticed our hands are still entangled together.

A sad feeling encroached my heart. “Nathaniel,” I mouthed softly; his blue eyes turned to me. “We don’t need to pretend anymore. Our fake relationship has to end now.” Why was I so hard? It should be easy leaving, right? He was one hell of an annoying boss. I can’t afford to keep risking my heart with him. I could tell my feelings for him were changing.

“Doesn’t mean you’ll leave my side; our contract still stands. I don’t care what my father said; you are still an instrumental piece to me.”

I dropped my eyes on the fake engagement ring on my finger. My heart dropped at his words ‘instrumental piece'; I was just that to him.

“Adrian, he mentioned something about you losing your position.”

“I know. He mentioned it to me as well.”

***

The next day, I called Jessica to find out how my mother got a hand on the contract. She apologized and said her boyfriend happened to be alone and believed my mother's lie that I was in an accident and needed some document to present to the clinic before they proceeded with my treatment.

“That snake.” I cursed under my lips. I trudged towards Nathaniel’s office with his coffee in hand when I noticed the whole floor was in a bit of a bustle, with unknown people storming into his office.

His secretary was present; she appeared horrified by the sight. “What’s going on?” I asked, but no one dared to answer.

Empty boxes carried in came out filled; my heart skipped, and I rushed inside.

“What is happening here?”

“You are late?” I heard a voice behind me. A familiar one.

Adrian walked in through the open door, pleased with how run-down Nathaniel's office was. He walked to the desk and had Nathaniel's name plaque thrown in the office bin.

I gasped, “What do you think you are doing?”

“All defensive. Hand it over!” He instructed his secretary. He placed a new name plaque on the desk. My heart raced hard.

“Adrian Anfield, CEO.”

Oh no! I hurried out of the office, my phone in my hands as I read the news.

“Nathaniel Anfield was dethroned as the CEO of A&F Financial Logistics by Adrian Anfield, his brother, following substantial evidence that found him responsible for the fraud and money laundering that hit the company earlier this month. His possible arrest later in the day is being discussed.”

I found Nathaniel on the opposite side of the hallway; without thinking, I ran to him and threw my arms around him. Tears fell down my face; how could I be so stoic in this situation?

“You knew and asked me to go get you a useless coffee.”

He gave a nonchalant smile as his thumb reached my eyes, wiping my tears. “You don’t need to act anymore.”

I sniffled, “I’m not acting,” I huffed slightly annoyed.

“What’s happening? Why is everything moving so fast? It was just yesterday… The news is, it is possible you’ll be arrested.”

“You keep being entangled with me, and you’ll be roped in as an accomplice.”

“That’s why we need to make sure your name is cleared. Besides the contract, I demand I stay.”

Suddenly a group of cops filled the hallway and progressed towards us. "Mr. Nathaniel Anfield, you are under arrest as the primary suspect for the money laundering and fraud of ten billion dollars. You have the right to a lawyer.”

“What? What is happening? ”I panicked.

He was escorted outside; I followed, anxious as we approached the pavement. We were met with hundreds of reporters.

Before he got into the car, I grabbed onto his hand, raising the brows of the cops with him. “Can I have thirty seconds with him? Please?” I pleaded.

I drew him closer. “Let me guess, you made no preparations.”

He cupped my face, looking into my eyes. “I need you to find Julius; we predicted things wrong. Stop him from traveling."

“Thirty seconds is over!” A cop yelled, I was dragged and was about to fall. Nathaniel caught me sending a glare to the cops.

“Don’t f*****g manhandle her.” He warned, his gaze softening as he passed one last stare at me. “Don’t f*****g die, Aria Vale.”

The warmth of his hand left mine, and I stood at the sideline watching them drive him away.

I untucked the paper he slid into my hands; it was Julius's hidden address. What the f**k have I gotten myself into?