Betrayed But Reclaimed by Her Boss.

Chapter 8

Aria Vale.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my nerves through the roof. I was dressed in a soft, flared A-line satin gown that fell to my heels; my hair was wavy, and my makeup was lightly done.

I stood on the Saint Laurent stilettos Nathaniel had ordered to my room.

“You look so beautiful," Jessica said over the FaceTime call.

“There’s no way to get rid of feeling like a fraud.”

“I would feel like a fraud too,” Jessica consoled.

My door was knocked on, and it was his bodyguard. “Mr. Anfield ordered me to drive you to the company?”

I had my heart in my throat, but I nodded. “Let’s go then.”

Once in front of the company premises, I had my heart beat triple at the sight of paparazzi in their swarm.

“I thought it was just a small interview in the company suite room.” I muttered, "Overwhelmed."

“The paparazzi were also invited.”

That’s why he wanted me to arrive separately; I wondered what story he wanted to portray. I got down from the car and stayed with his bodyguard to prevent the press from ripping me apart.

“Here she comes.” The shutter of the camera blinded my eyes. “Aria Vale, is it true an interview will be held this afternoon to discuss your formal engagement with Nathan Anfield and clear some misunderstandings?"

“Will you address the speculations about your background and your reasons for getting close to Mr. Anfield?"

I walked straight ahead and tried not to mind anything else; it wasn’t in my place to answer any of these questions. I was about to climb the stairs leading to the doors of the first floor when I slipped.

Gasps filled the air, and I braced for a hard fall, but I felt an arm around me. I gently peeled my eyes open and met a familiar pair of blue eyes, with a slight smirk on his lips that told me all I needed to know. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me softly to him.

“It’s Nathan Anfield.” The press yelled, running toward us. The flickers by the cameras were never-ending.

“Aren’t you satisfied with how many shots they’ve gotten? I’ve been in this position for over a minute." I whispered.

“Pissed? You told me to use you however I wish.” He pulled me up and gently cleared the hair across my face, tucking it gently behind my ears.

"Smile and appear pleasant.”

I will show him what a good show is. I threw my arms around his waist and gently raised my toes to land a little peck on his cheek. He appeared startled; we did a little couple pose and wave before I had my hands tangled with his and we made it into the company building.

I dropped the act once we got into the elevator and untangled my hand from him. “You keep scheming behind my back. You called the paparazzi."

He appeared least bothered, wiping the lipstick stain on his cheeks. “You are my little distraction, Aria Vale; you are not here to play the quiet pretty fiancée."

Once the elevator door opened, his hand found mine again; I found them warm against my cold, anxious, sweaty ones.

***

The interview was progressing well; we had almost answered the necessary questions as practiced when the interviewer smiled weirdly.

“We have a guest who will join us soon. Someone we believe will make you happy to see Ms vale."

My eyes met Nathaniel’s in confusion. “What guest?” I blurted out, confused.

Suddenly the door was pushed open and I bulged my eyes in shock. “Your ex-convict of a mother.” With an evil smirk, my mom said, “Were you too ashamed to tell the world you come from a dysfunctional home, raised by a criminal single mother? Didn't tell me you latched yourself onto a rich man? You finally got something right.”

I stood abruptly on my feet, my heart racing. “End the interview!”

“But we received the guest list from your team.”

“End it!” Nathaniel said with a tone of finality.

Filled with fury I’ve not experienced it before I reached for my mom and dragged her out of the suite with me. She kept trying to struggle, but I was stronger. All the years of abuse and manipulation she put me through finally made me a b***h like her.

I pushed the door to the conference room and finally let go of her. “What do you f*****g want from me?!” I yelled, deeply exhausted.

She plopped on a chair, massaging her wrist I manhandled. “That’s no way to greet your mother.”

“You have the audacity to come to me after gambling my last savings, leaving me f*****g homeless.”

“Was that not a blessing? You've got a rich man in the palm of your hand now and I had to find out through the news. Have we no mother and daughter bond? Thankfully, a good fellow helped me in locating this place.” She glanced around with her hungry eyes.

“How rich is he? Millions, Billions.” She was never interested in what I did or where I slaved away to make money; all she cared about was that I had enough for her to take any time.

“Leave this instant before the security kicks you out.”

She pouts at me and relaxes even further. “I’m broke, Aria; your poor mother is wallowing in poverty on the street with no food or shelter. I need money.”

I scoffed at her audacity. “I have no money.”

“Your fiancé? Should I ask him for some?"

“Mom!” I yelled, "You have no shame."

“What! Why should I wear rags and eat like a dog when my daughter is engaged to one of the richest men in the States?"

“Do you think my good fortune is yours? You stopped being my mother a long time ago.”

“Is it not?”

I rubbed my temples to ease the headache pounding at the sides. “You should leave.”

“With somemoney in my hands. It is just a bit above ten thousand.”

“You are delirious.” I scoffed

“Are you just dating for the fun of it? Ten thousand should be some pocket change.” She mocks.

The door creaks open and Nathaniel enters; a smile immediately sits on her lips.

He stretched out his hand; in his hand was a black card. “You are right. Here you can use this card to solve whatever financial problems you are facing.”

She immediately snatched it from him. “Finally. Will keep in touch, Aria. Don’t forget to invite me to your wedding.” She winks and leaves.

I turned to him. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Giving my future mother-in-law what she deserves.”

I scoffed. “I hate to be the one to remind you, but this…" I gestured, "This is not real. You crossed a line.”

“What line?”

“You don’t know my mother; she thinks she has hit a jackpot. She will do nothing useful with that money and will shamelessly come back for more.

“And I’ll give it to her.”

I sighed, deciding to give up. “This is pointless. I’m leaving; don’t expect me at the condo. I don’t care about the contract anymore; do whatever pleases you.”

I was about to turn my heels and leave when his hand caught my wrist and pulled me back to him. “Don’t you think you are overreacting a little too much?"

I pulled my hand from his hand. "Overreacting? She is my family, not yours.”

“We are making a distinction now?”

“I think the lines are a bit blurred. I need some space.”

Nathaniel

I heaved a sigh and let Aria go; this was the first time I had seen her so vocal and visibly pissed. I understand her mother wasn’t the best out of the bunch, but there’s a reason she came here. Instigated particularly by someone.

I watched through the windows of my car as she called an Uber, refusing to get a lift from me; she changed into something much simpler and wore a hat to hide her face since she gained some popularity.

Maybe I have gotten used to seeing her scuttle from her room, in shorts and some old t-shirt, her hair tied into some messy buns as we discussed work. Sometimes we grabbed dinner together, but the idea of my condo being without her left me feeling somewhat empty. I was reminded I was a very lonely man.

I heard a knock on my window. It was Adrian; without warning, he pulled the door open and settled beside me. A mischievous smile on his face.

“Did you receive my gift well? Ms. Vale doesn't appear too pleased about it."

Like I guessed. “You always end up doing some half-baked job, Adrian. Even your best appears lacking.”