CHAPTER002
1324 Words
The opinion of NORA WHITFIELD.
I rushed into the restaurant waving at all.
"Hi Ari!"
It was Nolan, my colleague and my sole actual friend here.
"Hey Nolan, cómo estás?" I enquired, and gave him a quick fist bump. It was natural, as we both spoke the Spanish language.
"Estoy bien. Are you okay?" He examined the black rings beneath my eyes.
I am alright, I just did not sleep well last night, I said, attempting to sound nonchalant.
Now that is serious, he said frowning.
I rolled my eyes, smiling. Nolan was a loving man, and, to tell the truth, he was a pleasant sight as well. He was six feet two, with curly brown hair and hickory brown eyes, and usually attracted attention wherever he went.
"Bebita, you never lose sleep. What’s wrong?" he pressed, clearly worried.
Ugh, he knew me too well.
Nothing, really, I said in a quick manner attempting to brush it off. I did not feel like thinking about it or discussing it yet.
Ok, just relax, alright?
I will, Nolan, gracias, I said, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and I went to the changing room to change into my uniform.
"Hey Ariana!"
Another colleague by the name Lucy called out. She was not exactly a friend of mine, but we got along very well.
"Hey Lucy," I replied. I changed and talked a little with her as I went into the restaurant floor.
She stood still when she saw Nolan on the other end, conversing with the manager.
"You should go say hi…" I prodded her, but she shook her head.
I will go and see what is going on in the kitchen, I said to myself, and ran away. I suppressed a laugh at her evident crush.
The morning passed with little to do and the lunch rush came and passed. Then, one day, during my afternoon shift, there was a delivery.
"Miss Ariana Delaney?" the messenger of the restaurant called, with a big bouquet in his hand.
"Yes?" I asked cautiously.
"This came for you," he said.
I picked the flowers up, in perplexity. It was not my birthday or any special day.
I looked at them, and asked myself who was so considerate. Lucy came squealing over at this moment.
Oh Ari, somebody brought you flowers! That’s so cute!"
Nolan came up to her back, with an eyebrow. "Someone sent you flowers?"
I nodded, still puzzled.
"Who’s it from?" Nolan asked.
"I don’t know," I admitted. I had no one in my life recently, so it was not logical.
Lucy indicated the card in the bouquet. "Look, there’s a card."
I took it and read, "To a princess... The first thing that struck my eye was the initials inscribed in gold on the corner: D.K.
I didn’t recognize them. Fear and curiosity jumped in my heart. I pushed the flowers out of the way and attempted to concentrate on my work, so Lucy and Nolan could not read my face.
At home later I put the roses in the vase Nolan had given me last Christmas. The smell was in the room, and I could not get rid of the feeling of discomfort in my chest.
My phone rang that night and I was awakened. The caller ID was unknown. I yawned, still groggy.
"Hello?" I answered, sitting up slowly.
Hello, Ariana," a deep commanding voice said. I had a shiver along my spine.
"Uh, who’s this?" I questioned, and strained my eyes at the number.
In the morning you will be picked up at work at ten tomorrow. It will bring you to the airport and then you will be taken straight to my office. Prepare yourself."
My stomach flipped. "Excuse me? Who are you? And why not tell me what to do, you can tell me?
Do you want your father to be in jail because of not paying his debt? the voice asked evenly.
No, no, no, I said to myself, trembling with the voice.
"Good. Do as I say and everything will be all right, he said. The calm tone was backed by an implied threat.
"Yes…" Gulp, I said to myself as he hung up. My brain was whirling, and I stared at my phone several minutes. What had I gotten myself into?
That night sleep did not come easy and when it came it was very shallow and erratic.
On the following day, I was jumpy and restless. Nolan noticed immediately.
"Bebita, what’s wrong? You have been jumpy all the morning," he said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I’m fine, Nolan. I just have somewhere to be. Can you cover for me? I will take it back to you, I said, and bit my lips.
He held up a hand. "It’s fine, Ari. I’ll cover for you. When will you be back?"
I hesitated. "Tomorrow… hopefully."
Ok, he replied and we smiled at each other.
I checked the window and saw a black Cadillac Escalade parked in front of the window with tinted windows. It was smooth and threatening, just like my father had described to me his creditor.
I walked out of the restaurant without attracting the attention of the manager. Sabrina might be tough on us, but she was good with customers, so I remained vigilant.
I went on the streets of New York, which were crowded, and got to the car. I knocked on the window of the driver.
"Hello, are you…?" I began, when the man interrupted me.
"Miss Nora Whitfield, ma’am?" he asked crisply.
"Yes…" I replied, taken aback by the official manner.
"Please get in, ma’am. You are going to fly in an hour, said he, and opened the back door.
I got in quietly, and was tense. I immediately called my father, but he went to voicemail. I sent him a hasty message, which I hoped was satisfactory.
"Hey Dad, just checking in. I’m on my way to Los Angeles. I do not know when I shall be back, but I wanted you to know I am going. Take care, I love you."
I dropped the phone and peered out the window, as the city faded away.
The ride to the airport was silent and before long, I was registered and was sitting in the first class. This was my first experience of flying in such a way and the comfort was too much.
Six hours later I got out of the plane, not knowing exactly what to expect. I had a beautiful rose gold placard with my name at the airport entrance.
A black-suited man, like my driver in New York, came up to me.
"Please get in, ma’am. It is the boss waiting," he said, before I could answer.
I got into the car, and we drove over the crowded streets in Los Angeles in thirty minutes. I was anxious in my stomach.
The tower that we reached was gigantic, and I could not help looking at the lobby. The space was well lit by glass walls that reflected the California sun.
The chauffeur brought me to a personal elevator. I thought it was to carry high-ranking guests, and it moved without noise to a very high level.
As the elevator bonged and the doors swung open I entered an office that made me feel like I was in heaven.
The space was dominated by black and gold. All the furniture was smooth, polished and appeared costly.
My gaze went round the room until it rested on him. Damian Kingston. His grey eyes were keen and compelling and could not be taken off.
Hello, Ariana, he said, in the same smooth, controlled voice that he had used on the phone.
My heart skipped a beat. I understood that this was just the start right then.
What had I just agreed to? And would I live whatever Damian Kingston had planned to me?
- Writer
