CHAPTER EIGHT: UNANNOUNCED VISITOR
1798 Words
⸻
Damian had barely taken ten steps away from the school gate when a sleek black car glided to a stop right in front of him.
Too smooth.
Too expensive.
He froze.
The tinted back window rolled down slowly.
Aria.
Her presence alone felt loud.
Damian swallowed. What does the Queen of Elites want with me?
Aria leaned back in her seat, eyes dragging over him from head to toe with casual cruelty.
“Let me guess,” she said lazily. “No driver. No car. No transport money.”
A small smile curved her lips. “Walking home again?”
Damian stiffened. “What do you want, Aria?”
Her smile widened. “Ah. Now you’re talking.”
She nodded toward the open door. “Get in.”
Damian shook his head immediately. “I’m fine.”
Aria laughed softly, the kind of laugh that made it clear refusal wasn’t an option.
“Oh please,” she said. “I know you’ve never stepped into a Bentley Bentayga before. Don’t pretend you’re above it.”
He hesitated.
Then the door opened wider.
“Relax,” she added. “We’re being mature now.”
Against every instinct screaming at him, Damian got in.
The leather seats felt unreal beneath him. The interior smelled like money.
Aria watched his discomfort with satisfaction.
“So,” she said casually, crossing her legs. “Let’s get straight to it.”
Damian turned to her. “What do you want from me?”
She tilted her head, studying him. “Thiago.”
Damian frowned. “What about him?”
“Don’t act dumb,” Aria snapped lightly. “I know you’re not bright, but don’t push it.”
His confusion was genuine. “I honestly don’t know what you mean.”
Aria scoffed. “You’re close to him. Project partners. New little friendship.”
She leaned closer. “I want his number.”
Damian’s heart skipped. “Why?”
Aria smiled slowly. “Because I want it.”
He hesitated. “I don’t think I should—”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “You like Sienna, don’t you?”
Damian stiffened.
“I said no,” he muttered.
Aria laughed. “Everyone knows. You hover around her like a lost puppy. You act stupid every time she’s near.”
Damian looked away. “She saved me once. That’s all.”
“And?” Aria said coldly. “She’s not your class. Not your level.”
She paused, then smiled again — dangerous this time.
“Let’s make a deal.”
Damian turned back to her slowly.
“You give me Thiago’s number,” Aria continued, “and I’ll make sure Sienna partners with you for the project.”
His breath caught. “I don’t understand.”
She sighed dramatically. “You really are painfully dishonest and dumb. No wonder people bully the s**t out of you.”
She leaned back. “I get Thiago. You get Sienna. Everyone wins.”
Damian shook his head. “I’m already working with Thiago.”
That was a mistake.
Aria’s expression hardened instantly.
“Enough,” she snapped. “Are you giving me his number, or do I make this difficult?”
Damian’s voice dropped. “I don’t want him thinking I betrayed him. I’m just trying to make a friend.”
Aria laughed — sharp and cruel.
“Do you really think someone like Thiago wouldn’t be thrilled to hear from me?”
She leaned in. “I’m doing him a favor.”
Damian stayed quiet.
She sighed impatiently. “Give me the number.”
After a long pause, he pulled out his phone with shaking fingers and handed it over.
Aria typed quickly.
“Good,” she said, handing it back. “You can get out now.”
The car stopped.
She waved dismissively. “Congratulations. You just rode in the Queen of Elites’ car. Sleep well tonight.”
Damian stepped out, stunned.
As the door closed, Aria rolled down the window one last time and blew him a mocking kiss.
“Bye, Damian.”
The car drove off.
Damian stood alone in the middle of the street, phone in hand, heart pounding — unsure whether he’d just made the worst mistake of his life.
⸻
Night fell quietly over the city, but the mansion at the edge of the district never truly slept.
Thiago lay sprawled across his bed, headphones on, music low but heavy—his usual escape. The room was dim, walls bare, discipline carved into every corner. His phone buzzed once.
Unknown Number:
Pick me up. I’m outside your gate.
He glanced at the screen, unimpressed.
Another buzz.
I’m waiting.
Thiago scoffed softly. He didn’t entertain strangers. He didn’t entertain anyone. With a flick of his thumb, he blocked the number, tossed the phone aside, and turned the volume up.
Outside, Aria De La Vega stood at the iron gates, heels sinking slightly into the gravel, irritation flashing across her flawless face.
She stared at her phone. No reply.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”
Without hesitation, she stepped forward.
The moment she crossed the gate, two armed guards moved in swiftly, blocking her path.
“And who might you be?” one of them asked, voice flat.
Aria lifted her chin. “I’m looking for someone.Thiago .”
The guards exchanged looks.
“Thiago doesn’t bring girls here,” another said. “You sure you’re not lost?”
“T-H-I-A-G-O who?” another guard asked skeptically.
“I don’t know his parents’ names, just Thiago. He’s attending my school, Elite Academy.”
Annoyed but composed, Aria pulled out her phone, swiped once, and held it up. The screen showed Thiago’s photo.
The guards paused, surprised.
“Wait… that’s really him,” one muttered.
They walked into the mansion and told Thiago.
“A girl is here looking for you,” they said.
“A girl? Which girl?” Thiago asked.
“She didn’t tell us her name, but she showed us a picture. She knows you and said you go to her school.”
Reality hit Thiago. He rushed outside—and there was Aria, standing there, coy and confident.
“Hi,” she said softly, trying to be girly.
“What the—” Thiago snapped, rushing forward and grabbing her firmly. He dragged her outside.
“Stay away from me! Are you desperate?”
“Ow—Thiago ! You’re so rude!”
Before he could drag her any farther, a calm, commanding voice cut through the tension.
“Is that how you treat your girlfriend?”
They turned.
Don Marco stood at the doorway, arms folded, eyes sharp.
Aria’s expression brightened instantly. “Hi, father-in-law.”
Thiago stiffened. “What?”
Marco raised a brow. “Interesting.”
Aria introduced herself boldly.
“I’m Aria. I know you know my dad, Alejandro De La Vega—owner of multiple companies, one of the biggest ambassadors in the world.”
Don Marco’s eyes widened.
“Come in, come in.”
Thiago stood stiffly, embarrassed and annoyed.
Inside, his brothers Diego,Luciano and Rico greeted her warmly.
“You’re Aria, right?” Deigo asked.
“How do you know my name? Did Thiago tell you about me?” she replied.
Luciano shrugged.
“Not really. I just know your dad is rich. So why wouldn’t I know you?”
They asked if she was Thiago’s girlfriend. She smiled confidently.
Finally, Thiago entered the sitting room, visibly pissed. He rolled his eyes and sat coldly.
Aria, undeterred, whispered to herself, “I think I’m going to be his future girlfriend.”
Rico nudged Thiago.
“Come on, you don’t need to be cold to your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Thiago snapped.
“But I’m going to be your future girlfriend right?,” Aria replied with a smirk.
“So Aria De la Vega tell me more about yourself” don Marco asked.
“My father owns half the companies in Los Angeles,” Aria continued casually. “Private jets, estates—nothing major.”
Marco chuckled. “We don’t have much. Just family.”
“Oh, that’s adorable,” Aria said. “So… why is he always so cold?” She glanced at Thiago. “He’s nothing like you guys.”
“That’s just how he is,” Marco replied. “Born that way.”
Thiago finally spoke. “Enough. Why are you here?”
Aria leaned forward. “Damian told me he won’t be doing the project with you anymore. He chose Sienna.”
Tiego’s eyes darkened.
“So,” Aria continued smoothly, “as a very good friend—and maybe future girlfriend—I decided to help you.”
Silence.
“What?” Tiego said flatly.
“I’ll be your partner.”
Luciano laughed. “Man, your gurl is bold.”
Thiago gave him a death stare.
Aria smiled. “Not yet.”
Their eyes locked—fire meeting ice.
Thiago turned to Aria, his expression sharp, eyes narrowing. “Come with me.”
Aria, ever fearless, ran up and grabbed his hand, smiling brightly. “Okay!” she chirped.
Thiago just shrugged, removing her hand and looking at her in disbelief. “Seriously?” he muttered, shaking his head as he walked toward his room.
Aria didn’t let go. She followed, keeping up with his long strides, still holding his hand lightly.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Diego leaned back and muttered, “She’s really into him… huh.”
Rico smirked, nudging his brother. “Man, someone like Thiago doesn’t even have time for girls. And yet, look at her.”
Don Marco, arms crossed, watched with a small smile. “The little girl… she’s brave. Very brave.”
Rico’s eyes lit up with mischief. “I think I can use her as my jackpot.”
Luciano raised an eyebrow. “How?”
“It’s simple,” Rico said, leaning forward. “I know she likes Thiago, and I know Thiago doesn’t care about girls. So, I talk to her, convince her to give me something, money, whatever… and I make sure Thiago listens to her. Easy.”
Don Marco’s eyes narrowed at Rico. He reached over and squeezed him hard. “You… ouch!” Rico yelped, wincing as Luciano and Diego laughed.
“Just look at your brother, Thiago,” Don Marco said, his voice stern but amused. “So smart, so good… and look at you. Thinking about how to grab a girl’s money when she’s not even interested in you. Pathetic.”
With that, he gave Rico a light kick and walked out, leaving the brothers chuckling, and Thiago silently fuming upstairs, with Aria still tailing him, smiling, determined as ever.
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