Betrayed But Reclaimed by Her Boss.

Chapter 12

Aria

My teeth chewed on my lips as the doctor stitched the cut on my arm. It was subtly painful despite being given an anesthetic.

“You are quite lucky; it only grazed your flesh. I was afraid there was going to be nerve damage.” A nurse said.

"Well, thank goodness.”

Suddenly another nurse arrived. “I think your family is here.”

The curtain to the bed I was staying in was drawn open hastily; I met Julius's wide-eyed stare and Nathaniel, who appeared to be in a daze as he watched them bandage me. A visible expression of him appeared pissed off.

I smiled at them awkwardly. “Hey!”

Julius hurried to me. “Are you okay?”

“I told you I’ll be. And you succeeded; I was scared for a second.” I gestured at Nathan.

Nathan stood stoic; I could tell he was pissed off. “He is mad at me," I whispered.

“He is also mad at me.” Julius heaved a sigh and observed my arm.

“It’s just a graze, Nathaniel, nothing serious.”

"Sure, I never thought it was anything serious. You are an invincible Ms. Vale; how could a bullet possibly harm you?" He muttered sarcastically. “I’ve had a long tiresome day being locked up in a cramped smelly cell; I need to freshen up.” He turned his back on us, and we both heaved a sigh.

“I’ll handle your discharge.” Julius offered, and I nodded.

Through the night, I had no encounter with Nathaniel despite walking around all his usual spots at the apartment. He was hell bent on avoiding me.

I was glad he was out; at least my sacrifice meant something. The next morning I showered and sat on the bed, needing to change my arm bandage. I was in an old t-shirt, my wavy hair frizzy and damp. I wanted to get my arm in a dry bandage as fast as possible; exposing it to moisture might get it infected.

I winced as my finger peeled out the first layer; it was excruciating to do it myself. In my moments of hesitation, a shadow appeared between my door.

I turned to the person standing between the doorways, like I guessed. His blue eyes were still cold, but they held some form of concern.

He settled on my bed and turned me to face him. His alluring spicy scent filled my nose. I lowered my eyes to drop to the fake engagement ring on my finger.

He took my injured arm and stared at it for a second. “I didn’t purposely put myself in danger. We never expected a shootout.”

He said nothing and gently unraveled the damp bandage.

“You are making me feel guilty about the whole situation.” I admitted shamelessly.

“I’m not mad at you getting shot.” He finally responded. “There’s a difference; you were willing to put yourself out there. There was nothing stopping you from leaving with Julius. You put yourself as bait, Aria; you were willing to place a bet with your life. That’s the difference.”

I blinked in slow realization as I understood.

He tied the last wrap around my arm. “I should have listened the last time, but I think it’s time to reconsider.”

“Reconsider what?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

He laughs satirically for a second. “You are starting to think this is real.”

I chewed on my lips for a second. “It’s not real, true, but regardless of whatever false relationship we have. I’ve grown to consider you as someone close to me; I’ve always learned to put you first; it was my job.”

“It’s not the same.”

“I don’t… have feelings for you. It’s simply an expression of my loyalty. You are paying me for it anyway.” Every word I uttered sounded like a lie to me. I don’t have feelings for him; why does it sound like a lie?

My heart sank the second his hands dropped my arms gently by my side. “True, I’m paying you to be loyal to me, whether as a boss or a fake fiancée. I’m no longer the CEO of the company; your position was also terminated alongside mine. There’s also no need to decieve my father anymore. I can withdraw from the contract. I will pay you for the period of your service.”

I raised my eyes to meet his blue ones. They were cold in his resolution to end things officially. I felt used and discarded.

I smiled tightly and nodded. “I accept whatever decision you make, Mr. Anfield, if it’s your wish to withdraw from the contract. I will no longer stay at the apartment; I will recover at Jessica’s place and come back for my things tomorrow."

He appeared unaffected and stood to his feet and left without a single word or glance back at me.

***

Thankfully, Jessica’s boyfriend traveled for a business trip. She waited for me at the entrance of the apartment complex. A worried look on her face as I gave her a tight smile, exiting from the Uber.

She hurried to me. “What the f**k happened? Your arm?”

“Ah, a little unfortunate accident, but it’s just a scratch.”

“It’s not. Come here.” She led me to her apartment; once we got in, I headed over to her bar and poured myself a glass of wine. About to gulp it down, she snatched it from me. I was clearly injured; I knew it was wrong to drink alcohol, except it was something else.

An appalled look on her face. “You are not okay.” She guessed right.

“I’m stupid, Jessica. I’m lying to myself.”

“Is it about Nathaniel?”

“Are you a seer?”

“I know you that much, Aria, don’t tell me…” She lost track of her words, her head changing gears in a fearful realization.

I nodded. “I think I might like him. He called it off because he guessed so too. It was just supposed to be business, Jess, but I blurred the lines.”

She drew closer. “Did anything happen between you two?"

“No.”

“If nothing happened, then why did he?... You know what, it is for the best. You are better off detangled from that man. He is so unpredictable. Don't beat yourself over it; there was nothing serious between you two; it was simply a little crush because you were temporarily closer to him. You will be able to get over it in due time.” She hugged me.

“You are right, it is just a flimsy crush.” It can’t be love, I’m certain.

***

Nathan.

Julius stared at me like I grew two horns. “How can you end things so abruptly? You didn’t even utter a word of appreciation to her. She saved your life.”

I downed my glass of whiskey. “It’s for that exact reason; she needs to leave. I don’t need her anymore.”

He scoffed. “Can you hear yourself? You must have truly sounded like an asshole. I would have regretted taking a bullet for your ass.”

I heaved; he was right. I was an asshole, but the thought of her dying for me made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t worried about Aria; I was worried about myself. Even now the sight of the empty condo elicited a weird feeling. I wasn’t used to her absence.

“I might have misunderstood your relationship; I thought you started to care for her.”

I stood to my feet. “I’m a selfish arrogant bastard, Julius; I don’t care deeply for anyone. It was a mere contract; she should have understood that before deciding to risk her life for me.”

“I have never seen anyone so pissed someone risked their lives for them. Except you are mad she risked her life for you because you care about her and don’t want her to get hurt.” Julius probed a smile on his face; he appeared so confident his theory was right. “Maybe you are the one getting your feelings muddled up.”

A part of me feared he was right, but I said nothing and picked up my jacket, leaving.

I entered the condo; the darkness of the house welcomed me. I didn’t bother to put on the lights, tiny beams of light illuminated the corners. I could still find a way up the stairs. I passed by her room and noticed light escaping from underneath her door. There was also some rustling inside, and the air had a soft fragrance. She was here to pack her things.

I wanted to stay unnoticed but suddenly a soft groan of pain echoed, a curse word followed. he might have hurt herself trying to pack her things. Without thinking, I pushed the door open.

Aria

“Shit.” I cursed. My injured arm ached as I bruised it against the closet door; the pain seared and throbbed for some seconds before it diffused. I was about to resume when the door to the room was suddenly thrown open. I was scared out of my pants thinking there was an intruder sent by Adrian, but it was Nathaniel.

I released a gasp. “You scared me, I thought…” I lost my words when he wordlessly pulled me to him.

“Are you hurt?” He asked.

I tried to pull from him, but he held on to me, observing my arm.

“Nathaniel, I’m fine.” I said softly, hoping he'd let me go, but he cups my face, and for the first time, there was gentleness in his eyes. He pulled me into his arms, I gasped from what followed after. His arms tightly wrapped me in a hug.

My heart racing and my head in disarray. What the f**k was he doing? He shouldn’t make this worse for me.

I could smell the soft whiff of whiskey mixed with his spicy scent emanating off him.

“You are drunk,” I muffled into his shirt. He freed me for a while, his eyes soft while he held an adorable gaze.

I chewed on my lips sterning myself internally, 'Control that heart of yours, Aria; we can’t afford to fall completely for him.'

I gasped when his thumb suddenly grazed my face, clearing out the stray hair strewed across my nose, tiny sparks of electricity going off at the contact of our skin.

Why was he sent by the devil? I can’t fall to this temptation.

“Don’t leave.” He finally mutters.

I swallowed in a dilemma, “Nathan...” I started only to be cut off by his lips finding mine hungrily. I bulged my eyes open from shock.