HER DANGEROUS CEO HUSBAND

“Where do you think you are coming from?” Ravenna Flynn barked. Aria knelt before her stepmother. Her hair disheveled her dress did little to cover her from the icy snow. Her legs going numb from kneeling in the snow. “Please, I…I am so..rry” Aria replied shaking like a leaf on a windy day. The night before, Aria Flynn stared at the mirror wearing the bright red dress. She couldn’t believe her reflection. Her hair tied up to a bun with loose strands falling on her face. Her eyes wore a nude color shadow which pronounced her already long lashes. Nature had blessed her with dangerous good looks. She didn’t need any of this but her best friend had insisted she wore makeup. Her grace and calm demeanor were already naturally captivating “Aria!” Mia Patel called out behind her leaving Aria startled. “When did you come upstairs?”. Aria asked turning around to see her. “You look so beautiful” Mia replied totally ignoring her as she hugged her “Welcome to adulthood. I feel like a proud mother” Mia continued as she stepped back to admire her. “Mia stop” “You’re just a year older you know” Aria continued “Whatever” Mia smiled “Happy 21st birthday to the best of the best, cheers to more fun!” “Thank you your highness” Aria bowed “ I told you the dress would look nice on you” Aria looked at the bright red dress which hugged her body, perfectly revealing her hourglass figure. It stopped just above the knees to reveal her long legs which bore the latest designer heels. “Don’t you think it’s too red” Aria asked shy as she turned to look at the dress in the mirror. “There is no such thing as too red Aria. Gosh where do I know you from?” “Uh preschool” “ fair enough” Mia laughed “And where did you learn how to apply make up” Mia asked observing her face as she carefully adjusted the loose strands of hair. “YouTube?” Aria laughed as she took one last look at her reflection again. “Let’s go downstairs” Aria continued. She grabbed her phone from the sofa and turned to go downstairs. “hold your horses young lady I come bearing gifts” Mia replied with a naughty smile. She held Aria and started pulling her to the walk in closet. The closet itself was so spacious. It had high Celings and a huge fancy light that hung in the middle. “I know that look, what are you up to?” Aria asked as she struggled to keep up with Mia. Mia abruptly turned to face her. Aria nearly bumped into her. “Do you trust me? Mia asked “ I know you’re up to no good when you ask that question” “Close your eyes Aria” Aria hesitated, then closed her eyes “No peeking” Mia said as she took a few steps backwards. Aria felt a box on her hands and she opened her eyes swiftly to see a red box with a red bow on it. She asked curious and exited “ what’s this Mia?” Mia giggled and smiled “ it’s my gift to you” Aria quickly opened the box to see a red lingerie “What?!” Aria laughed “No way you got me this” “Yes way Ari, I know and it’s time you get a boyfriend” Aria looked at her friend in disbelief. Wondering how they’re friends. She laughed and took the lingerie out to take a good look at it. “Mia this is beautiful but…” “No buts” You’re 21 now “You don’t have either or are you planning to marry one of your inventions” Aria asked as she placed the lingerie back in the box “I don’t see why not” “Mia!” Mia started laughing uncontrollably “That was was a joke” Aria said “Whatever, we can’t be two single peas. You need to get a boyfriend” “Thank you but no thank you” Aria laughed as she hugged her friend. “ thank you Mia, for always being there for all my birthdays” Aria whispered “Uh let’s not get emotional here, it’s your birthday and I would not miss it for the world” “ Aria! Mia! What’s keeping you girls!” Mia’s mum called out. “ we’re coming mum!” Mia replied Delicious aroma filled the air as they went downstairs Aria was surprised to see the huge dinning table filled with different kind of food and desserts. “Mrs Patel you shouldn’t have” Aria left Mia’s side to hug Mia’s mum. “ it’s okay dear” Mia’s mum hugged her back and led her to sit at the table. There was a knock at the door. “Are we expecting someone?” Mia’s mum asked eyes moving from Aria to Mia “That should be Thane, I’ll go get it” Mia hurriedly moved across the spacious living room decorated with expensive furnitures. “Hey Thane” Mia said as soon as she opened the door to reveal Thane. Thane was nineteen. Dressed in a white T- shirt and black pants. His already broad shoulders would make one think he was in his early twenties. He causally held a gift box with both hands. His chestnut hair was slicked backwards with only two strands of hair curled at either side of his face. “ I am not late, am I? Thane asked with a smirk “ you’re just in time. Come in she stepped back to make way for him. Thane look lost as he saw Aria. But he quickly composed himself as he moved towards her in the Dinning room. “ happy birthday Sister” he smiled as he gave her his gift” “You look beautiful” Aria already stood up “ thank you Thane” Mia quickly grabbed the gift and shook it “I’m sure it must be one of your latest invention” “Are you a spy or something” Thane asked looking at her up and down “ well something like that” Mia replied and smacking his shoulder “Ow that hurt” “Alright that enough kids, let’s sing and quickly cut the cake, I’m famished” Mrs Patel said leading Aria to her beautifully decorated cake which spelt ‘Twenty-One’ at the top. And that was life for Aria. Mia was the only friend she knew from day one. Her mum had died when she was five. Her father quickly married his mistress and Thane was a result of their union. Forgotten birthdays was the norm. Her dad didn’t care and was hardly ever present. She was thankful enough she was able to work tirelessly to see herself through college and now she was a graduate turning 21 and would start her new job on Monday. She had found a safe haven with the Patels. Aria made a wish and blew her candle Cheers from everyone filled the air. Aria hoped this age will be good to her. This was a new year, a new dawn and her life had only just started. Little did she know what life had in store for her. Aria returned to the Flynn mansion very early the next day. She opened the car door and the cold air hit her face. She moved quickly to the door of the mansion and all of a sudden, a bodyguard appeared behind her and quickly held her hands. “What are you doing?” She asked puzzled “I’m just following orders ma’am” “Orders from who?” “ I was asked to take your jacket” the body guard continued, completely ignoring her question. “ Why?” She asked and the bodyguard completely stripped off her Jacket as Aria struggled to keep it on. “Where do you think you’re coming from?” A chilling voice echoed in her ears. She turned to see her step-mother standing at the doorway.