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Chapter 9 - BELLA

How on earth could this be happening to me? I know I made an oath to work diligently in order to repay Aaron for putting his trust into a mere waitress he had chosen to favour. He turned me into this whole new person and I'm grateful but It shouldn't be this hard.

I had to wake up earlier than expected today and drove to work like a zombie all for Aaron.

"If you don't know how to drive, kindly sell your car bitch."

A lousy stranger shouted, blaring his horns at me on my way to work. Trust me, the noise woke me up. I was practically asleep while driving.

"Just bought it! And Can't do, son of a bitch."

I yelled at the top of my voice. That should be loud enough to reach his ears.

He called me a bitch and I called him my son. Not much of an insult but it served its purpose.

The mere thought of what happened next made me chuckle slowly to myself while I prepared the boardroom along with a few others, getting ready for the impromptu meeting that we were about to have.

"You look terrible darling and it's all my fault."

Aaron had said to me when I arrived in his office that morning.

The anger I felt towards him before my arrival flew out the window and concern sets in. He looked every bit as terrible as me. If not more.

"You look worn out. Are you sick? Or are you worried about something sir?"

I asked him but he brushed off the question and handed me a list of people that haven't heard about the meeting. He ordered me to convince as many as I could, adding how he urgently needed to disseminate information.

I couldn't help but worry. Aaron had always been unusually lively and full of energy. There must be something he wasn't telling me.

Aaron never hides anything from me. Usually, before a meeting, he informs me about all necessary information but he appears to be hiding the details of today's meeting from me. I mean, he had practically avoided my eye when I inquired for the details.

I forgot my own agony for the time being and devoted myself to getting the assigned work done. I have been at it for some hours….but I made little to no progress. The board members reacted differently…. Some were angry, some were sounding tired. Some promised to check their schedule and get back to me while I couldn't get through to some. The process was wholly stressful but I kept trying.

I stretched and stifled a yawn. I couldn't allow my lack of sleep to affect Aaron in the slightest way. At that moment I could only hope my efforts would pay off.

It did!

I smiled satisfactorily when I saw the majority of board members arriving earlier than expected. It was beyond my expectations.

By the time the meeting kicks off, everyone has arrived and surprisingly, Carter made it early too. That was a huge change. I stood at the entrance to welcome them and waited for Aaron to join us.

"Close your mouth Crystal. I'm fully aware that I'm too hot for you to handle but we can't have flies entering your mouth, can we?"

Carter said as he strolled confidently into the boardroom, commenting about my stunned reaction to his arrival.

Is it possible for one's hatred for another to grow bigger each time they cross paths? I scowled at him but I must say he looked nice….He always does but it was obvious that he put in some extra effort today. I can't argue with the truth that he was a handsome young man.

"Shall we?"

Aaron asked when he finally appeared. He looked like he had to brace himself before leaving his office.

I nodded eagerly… eager to know what he wouldn't tell me.

"You did fantastically well with gathering everyone Bella."

Aaron slapped my shoulder tenderly. His brown orbs were still avoiding my hazel ones.

I squeezed his hand and we both went to our seats. The meeting began without delay.

"Most of us might not agree with me if I say it is a beautiful morning as we all are probably jaded. My immense appreciation to everyone of you, ladies and gentlemen, for honoring us with your presence in spite of the short notice and inconvenience. With this I say a very good morning to y'all."

I delivered the unplanned opening speech and flashed the brightest fake smile in history. Few of the members were kind enough to return my greetings while others forgot their manners.

"Permit me to call on the man who brought us all together today. Over to you Mr Aaron Dixon, the chairman of the board."

I initiated a round of applause as Aaron stood from his seat to address his moody audience. I went back to my seat which was directly opposite Carter's as usual.

I couldn't pinpoint it but Carter gave the impression that he was happy…too happy to bother me and I couldn't be more happy myself.

"I've to start off with sincere apologies to you, my dear colleagues and partners for dragging you here and disturbing your schedule."

Aaron said apologetically and continued after a short pause.