Chapter4
1216 Words
Aria woke to silence.
The room was bright, light shining directly at her pupils, and the room still carried a faint smell of leather and his cologne. Her hand stretched to the other side of the bed. He was gone.
For a second, she wondered if she had dreamed it. Everything faded, except her name on his tongue still lingering in her skull: “Be careful who you trust, Aria.” She shivered, clutching the sheets tighter.
She is embarrassed, confused, and almost regrets what happened.
She picked up her phone, and what she saw made her get up immediately.
27 missed calls
18 messages
All from Mia
Her chest tightened
“Where the hell are you?”
“Answer me, Aria!”
“I swear if you don’t pick up, I’m calling the cops!”
“Ariaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
Guilt hit her harder than any headache she had ever had. She had disappeared without a word— selfish, reckless, leaving Mia to worry sick.
The phone buzzed again. This time, she didn’t hesitate. She picked it up, whispering with a dry throat. “Mia.”
The door banged open.
“Aria!”
Mia’s shout broke through the silence. Aria flinched as her best friend stormed into the room, still in her sneakers and crop top from last night.
Mia’s face was pale with panic, her eyes blazing with anger. “Do you have any idea how many times I called you? I thought you were dead!”
Mia threw her arms in the air. “I was two seconds away from filing a missing person’s report! And then I find you here? In some random hotel room? What the hell, Aria?”
Aria’s throat kind of closed up; her voice was all shaky. “I didn't mean to disappear. I just… he—”
And immediately, Mia cut her off. She just froze, eyes narrowing, “He? Oh no! Don't you dare tell me it’s what I’m thinking.”
Aria dropped her gaze, her face burning.
Mia threw her hand to her forehead. “Oh my God, you actually did!”
Silence filled the room, neither of them saying anything. Mia finally sighed, came over, and sat down on the edge of the bed. She pushed some of Aria’s messy hair out of her face and said, “You scared me half to death. Don’t ever do that again.”
Aria just nodded fast, trying not to cry.
Mia stood up, her tone firm again. “Come on. We’re leaving. Now.”
Back at Mia’s apartment, she eased Aria onto the couch like she might break. “You’re not staying alone tonight. My place, my rules. You’ll crash here until you’ve got your head straight.”
Aria started to protest, but a sharp look from Mia silenced her. It almost made her smile. Almost.
Hours later, Mia was already rushing around the apartment, heels in one hand, bag slung over her shoulder. “I hate leaving you like this, but my boss will kill me if I’m late. Promise me you’ll eat something, okay?”
Aria, wrapped up in a blanket, nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“You better be. Lock the door.” Mia shot her a pointed look, then dashed out.
The apartment fell quiet. Too quiet. Aria reached for her phone, scrolling aimlessly, until a bright notification popped up.
Job alert: Immediate Hiring – Apply now.
Her chest tightened. She almost swiped the alert away, but then another thought stabbed her: rent. The form was too short and too easy. She filled it out, her pulse racing.
She didn’t expect anything, but less than ten minutes later, her inbox chimed.
Interview Scheduled: 3:30 PM Today..
Aria’s jaw dropped. “What?!” Her gaze snapped to the clock—2:11.
She shot off the couch, searching for something professional with shaking hands. There was no time to think. No time to breathe. Just move.
She dragged out a blouse and slipped into a pencil skirt. “No time for perfect,” she muttered, pulling her hair into a bun that wasn’t neat, wasn’t messy, just… desperate.
She splashed cold water on her face, patting it dry with trembling hands before dabbing foundation under her tired eyes, then slipped into flats. Heels were out of the question — she could barely even walk.
Aria checks her ride app and realizes she has a small leftover discount coupon. Just enough for one ride.
By 2:40, she was already in a cab, biting her lip till she tasted blood. Outside, the city just rushed by—tall glass towers, neon lights, people walking like they all knew exactly where they were going.
When the driver pulled up, her stomach dropped. The building stood there like it was waiting for her — tall with mirrored glass climbing into the sky. She whispered the name under her breath, just to hear it out loud: “DS Global Entertainment.”
The lobby didn’t make it easier. Marble floors so clean she could see her reflection, glass elevators sliding up and down, and a receptionist who looked extraordinarily stunning. Everyone in suits, walking as if they belonged here.
“Miss Carter?” The receptionist barely looked up before saying it. “Second floor. Mr. Reed will see you now.”
She knew that name, but wasn’t quite convinced.
By the time the elevator doors closed, her knees were weak. Reed? Could it be her old classmate from uni? It couldn’t be real. And yet, here she was—going straight to him.
When she stepped into the office, the air was cooler and quieter. Everything around her was sleek, polished, and expensive.
Her eyes landed on him. She froze, trying so hard to control herself.
Neil Reed. Older now, sharper than she remembered, but unmistakable. The suit fit him perfectly, his smile just as smooth as she remembered.
“Aria Carter,” he said, rising from behind the desk. “Unbelievable. What are the chances?”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“Sit, please,” Neil gestured. “Let’s catch up properly.”
She lowered into the chair, still staring. “It’s really you.”
“Of course it’s me,” he chuckled. Neil leaned back in his chair like he had all the time in the world, fingers joined together. He glanced at her resume again, then looked up at her.
“So,” he said, slowly, “Your last job ended … kind of suddenly.” His tone wasn’t mean, but it wasn’t gentle either. Just sharp enough to make her stomach twist.
Her throat felt stuck. “Yes. I… it wasn’t—”
Neil tilted his head, watching her like he was trying to see straight through her. His lips curved slightly into a smile. “I always remembered you as the smart one. Top of the class, leaving no stone unturned. And now…” He gestured vaguely at her. “Life’s funny, isn’t it?”
She tried to smile back, but it didn’t land. “Funny isn’t the word I like to use”.
For a moment, silence just sat there. His gaze didn’t waver.
Then he leaned forward slightly, his voice lower. “Tell me the truth, Aria. What really happened?”
- Writer
