Chapter 3: Consequences
935 Words
The first thing Aria Bennett felt when she stepped out of the taxi was regret.
Cold.
Sharp.
Immediate regret.
Morning sunlight stretched across the city skyline as people hurried past on the sidewalk, completely unaware that somewhere inside one moving cab sat a woman currently questioning every life decision she had made in the last twelve hours.
She tightened her grip on her handbag.
Her legs still felt weak.
Not from alcohol.
From memory.
Fragments of last night kept replaying in brutal flashes.
The penthouse.
His voice.
His hands.
The way he had looked at her like he already knew exactly how to unravel every defense she had.
Aria shut her eyes briefly.
God… what was I thinking?
This was exactly why impulsive decisions were dangerous.
One heartbreak.
One stupid emotional breakdown.
And suddenly she had spent the night with a stranger whose last name she didn’t even know.
A stranger who looked like he could buy entire buildings without checking the price tag.
She exhaled hard.
No.
It was done.
Finished.
It meant nothing.
One reckless night.
Nothing more.
She would forget it.
She had to forget it.
Because right now—
She had bigger problems.
Much bigger.
Her phone vibrated inside her purse.
She pulled it out.
MOM ❤️
Immediately her chest tightened.
She answered.
“Mom?”
Vivian Bennett’s soft but exhausted voice came through the line.
“Aria, sweetheart… I’m sorry for calling early.”
Aria stopped walking.
Her expression softened instantly.
“It’s okay. Did something happen?”
A pause.
Then—
“The hospital called again.”
The warmth disappeared.
Aria already knew what came next.
“The chemotherapy payment is overdue.”
There it was.
Reality.
Cold.
Unforgiving reality.
Her mother had been fighting an aggressive illness for nearly eight months now.
Bills had piled endlessly.
Every freelance design commission Aria completed disappeared straight into hospital payments.
Every paycheck vanished before she could even breathe.
And somehow—
It was never enough.
“I know,” Aria said quietly.
“I’m trying.”
Vivian sighed softly.
“You’ve been saying that for months, sweetheart.”
Guilt twisted sharply inside Aria’s chest.
Then her mother’s voice softened.
“I don’t want you destroying your future because of me.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I’m serious, Aria.”
“No.”
Her voice hardened immediately.
“I said don’t say that.”
Silence.
Then Vivian laughed weakly.
“You’ve always been stubborn.”
Aria forced herself to smile.
“I learned from you.”
They spoke for another minute before ending the call.
The second the line disconnected—
Aria leaned against the nearest building wall.
Her head dropped back.
Exhaustion hit instantly.
Not physical exhaustion.
Life exhaustion.
Jason.
The betrayal.
The stranger.
Hospital bills.
No stable income.
Everything felt like it was collapsing at once.
Then suddenly—
Her phone buzzed again.
This time—
Email notification.
Her eyes narrowed.
She opened it.
BLACKWOOD ATELIER
Her heartbeat stopped.
She clicked immediately.
Dear Miss Aria Bennett.
We are pleased to inform you that your application has successfully passed the first stage screening process.
You have been shortlisted for a direct interview tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM.
For several seconds—
She simply stared.
Not breathing.
Blackwood Atelier.
The biggest luxury fashion company in the country.
The company every serious designer dreamed about.
The kind of company that could change careers overnight.
The kind of company that could solve hospital bills.
The kind of company she had spent three years desperately trying to enter.
Suddenly—
Last night didn’t matter anymore.
Jason didn’t matter.
Regret didn’t matter.
Nothing mattered.
This was bigger.
Much bigger.
She straightened immediately.
Eyes sharper now.
Determination slowly replacing weakness.
“No distractions.”
She whispered it to herself.
“No more stupid mistakes.”
This interview changes everything.
Everything.
—
Across the city.
Top floor.
Blackwood International Tower.
A massive wall of glass overlooked the entire financial district.
Inside a private executive office larger than most apartments—
Damien Blackwood stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows.
One hand in his pocket.
The other holding a glass of sparkling water.
His expression is unreadable.
Behind him—
Mark Vance stood silently holding a digital tablet.
Damien didn’t turn around.
“Did you find her?”
Mark nodded immediately.
“Yes, sir.”
A pause.
Then—
“Aria Bennett. Twenty-four years old.”
Damien remained silent.
Mark continued.
“Fashion design graduate. Freelance illustrator. Lives alone. Mother is currently undergoing cancer treatment at St Jude Medical Center.”
Something dark flickered briefly in Damien’s eyes.
Interesting.
Mark scrolled further.
Then hesitated.
“There’s one more thing.”
Damien finally turned.
“Speak.”
Mark swallowed.
“She is one of today’s final interview candidates.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
For several seconds Damien simply stared.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
A dangerous smile appeared on his face.
Almost amused.
Almost predatory.
Like fate had just handed him entertainment.
He walked toward his desk.
Sat down.
Crossed one leg over the other.
Then looked directly at Mark.
His voice is quiet.
Controlled.
But carrying absolute authority.
“Prepare the interview list for today.”
Mark frowned slightly.
“Sir?”
Damien leaned back.
Dark eyes distant.
Already thinking ahead.
“Miss Bennett.”
A small smirk touched his lips.
“Let’s see if she runs twice.
Miles away
Aria stood outside a small convenience store holding her interview confirmation email.
Completely unaware.
That the stranger she had run away from this morning
Was already waiting for her tomorrow.
And this time
There would be no escape.
- Writer
