||Chapter Three||
"She's my Assistant"||
N A R R A T I V E||
Aria's hands began to tremble as she looked around to look for any place to hide only to hear their footsteps.
'F*ck!' She mentally cursed.
She turned left, nothing, She looks to her right, nothing. Not a window, not a pillar, nothing.
'F*ck... f*ck... F*CK!'
Aria ran her hands through her dark hair in exasperation.
"Yes... The jewel is over here you needn't worry Ammon..." A dark voice had spoken.
Sparks crackled from within her mind. Her hands trembled. The fear she had felt at that moment had disintegrated and was replaced with enchantment, pleasure... and excitement.
The feeling she had felt that night in the bar had come back, only this time, it amplified.
West's screaming had faded away from her ears as she instinctively almost naturally turned her head to face the sound of the footsteps to look at the man who could own such a voice.
For it was deep as it was dark, it had this sense of humble pride in it.
Once they finally came to her blue gaze of steel the world had stopped for a moment. Time seemed to be meaningless, a distant foreign myth as she hears his deafening footsteps come closer and closer.
Her eyes locked to the area of the sound.
Aria saw expensive polished leather shoes touch the marble floors, tall legs walking in strides of pride before they stopped walking completely. A broad chest that hides underneath a tight black suit showed off his masculinity with no shame. Her eyes trail upwards to face broad shoulders that could put atlas to shame.
She then stares at the eyes which are locked with her own.
The dark luscious locks of his hair brought out the gold in his eyes. His hair was messily yet perfectly styled, as his stubble just added onto the sharpness of his jaw.
How could someone be this beautiful?
Samuel had stood, frozen as he stared at the woman who looks at him in pleasurable lust and with eyes pooling with desire.
The woman was undoubtedly beautiful. Her hair cascades down to her shoulders in the most perfect of curls, she wore a beautiful red dress which hugged her hourglass frame exquisitely like a second layer of skin, her pale skin glistened underneath chandeliers which had lit above them all.
Truly this woman could have anyone into her bed chambers.
Sol growled in distaste in the back of Samuel's mind the thought of having him in a frenzy of jealousy.
He would bathe in the blood of whoever dared to touch her.
The Prince of Pride shoved him to the back of his mind.
The mouth-watering scent of winter reached to his nose. The scent of wild cherries and french vanilla. The scent not too gut-wrenchingly sweet nor was it too citrus.
It was an earthy and musky mix of femininity, perfectly balanced and perfectly bittersweet.
A scent that could bring any man to his knees.
A scent so familiar...
He masked all emotions from his face and replaced it with a grin once he had finally recognized who this girl was. The girl from his bar... Noticing that she was in the vaults of jewels it did not take a detective to know just what this woman was about to do.
She was going to steal.
"Who is she?" Ammon, his brother snaps earning Samuel's attention.
It was the third cycle of the moon, which meant the mother ring was now in the turn of Samuel's responsibility.
For the silver eyed man with dark locks was cursed with the wolf of Wrath.
Samuel knew that if he knew the true intentions of this young girl, he did not doubt that she would be dead within seconds.
A wave of dread washed over Samuel though he did well to hide it.
The Prince of pride wondered why he was protecting this woman. Sol who watched the scene before him in silence however had an idea of why, but he wanted to make sure before he jumped into the most far-fetched of conclusions.
A conclusion which could bring so much chaos.
Samuel watched in the corner of his eyes as sharp claws escaped Ammons's nails. For he knew that he needed to lie.
Fast.
A R I A||
*Thump*
*Thump*
*Thump*
That's all that could be heard, the sound of my heartbeat. A pin-drop silence emerged from the room as all we do is stare at each other frozen in time.
The room was filled with his crackling energy of which was heavy with power, a cape of authority hung around this man.
For the had the most golden eyes I had ever seen, his dark silky hair messily styled into perfection as he had a slight stubble giving him this perfect look. A mix between rugged and clean-shaven.
He was a delicious sight indeed.
I've had my fair share of men in the past but no one was even close to this man's beauty.
He stares at me seemingly shocked at my presence before he recognized me instantly. Surprise engulfs him as it then morphed into desire as his eyes trail down to see the red dress I was wearing which I was so sure he had much preferred on the floor.
The sinful thought had me shiver.
However he hides all the emotions from his face as he grins, and I was snapped into reality.
Sh*t!
"Who is she?"
Finally breaking out of my thoughts I noticed that he was not alone. My eyes size up the man who was next to him. A tall man with two piercing silver eyes and the darkest shade of hair, as was the man who I presume was Ammon, his dark hair was styled into utter perfection.
Gosh, why was I surrounded by panty-dropping beasts?
Realizing my eyes were not him I hear a low growl.
Yes.
Growl, and an animalistic one at that.
I stare in confusion at the source of the sound only to see his emerald gaze piercing through me, his eyes ablaze, as though demanding my attention.
"Samuel, I will not ask you again. Who the f*ck is she?!"
Samuel turns his head in his direction giving him a lethal glare at his disrespect, a move which might had seemed normal but it was not.
It was so gut-wrenchingly eerie.
And bloody hell if I tell you that was not arousing-
Then that would have been a big fat lie.
The silver-eyed man immediately fell into silence. Jaw clenched in submission.
Samuel then turns back in my direction with a small smile on his face and it was by no means genuine.
It was sadistic.
The same smile the joker would make before he was about to burn Gotham city down.
The smile Thanos had made before he snapped his fingers.
A smile the devil had made before he had started his rebellion.
A villainous smile had coaxed his lips as if one was ready to watch the chaos unfold of his mighty plan of villainy.
"This little girl is my new assistant" His authoritative voice speaks.
My eyebrows tinged in confusion.
Huh??
"F*ck... Aria this is bad..." I hear West tell me from the earpiece.
As if he heard West his eyes slightly narrowed.
This was impossible really since he was at least twenty steps away from me and the earpiece was at its lowest volume.
Taking away space that separated us he walked over to me, each stride he took basked in pride and confidence.
It was attractive.
But then again everything about this man was.
The closer he came the more golden his eyes became, and once he stood before me I couldn't help but let out a small breath as I fell under the captivity of their beauty.
They were liquid.
It looked as though his iris had been infused with the purest of gold, but melted. A sea of it waltzing within his eyes.
It was so... pure.
However at the very same time there was undeniable confidence within them which matched the strength of a lion.
He was so tall... I needed to crane my neck up just to face him. His hand tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears and my breath hitched.
Sparks... Fire...
Was this normal? Was I in danger?
His hand then grazed my ear then touched my ear-pierce where West and I communicate and I swear to you my heart just dropped.
It lifted up its slutty mini skirt and practically ran out of my chest in its six-inch heels.
"Don't worry we will think of something." West reassures me, hearing this Samuel raised one brow.
BLOODY CACK!
WEST STOP TALKING!!!
"Aria, look here's what we're going to do, we're-"
My jaw clenched.
Great.
Now he knows my name.
Perfect.
Parfaite.
Helwa Awi.
Mukemmel.
The man, Samuel of whom I may presume took the earpiece from my ear and placed it next to his ear, his liquid golden eyes never leaving mine.
"No... here's what you are going to do..." His dark voice spoke.
"You will take the day off, I congratulate you for your hard work" He speaks before he crushed the earpiece in between his powerful fingers with ease.
My mouth hung open.
I could practically see West fall off his chair and hear him yell out a creative amount of curses in panic.
I stare at the man before me in unconcealed confusion.
'You will take the day off, I congratulate you for your hard work'
What game is he playing at?...
The man behind him who I recall was Ammon walked towards us in silence.
Samuel then grabbed me by my forearm and I let out a tiny yelp as he turned me to face the vault of which I was trying to steal.
"Go on Aria... Open the vaults for me"
Through trembling hands, I lift my fingers to open the code that I was already going to use before both he and his silver-eyed friend had rudely interrupted me.
But before my fingers could touch the button I froze.
Was this a test?
Was I being tested?
Should I play dumb and pretend like I have no idea what the code is?
However, I knew exactly what the code was.
6 6 6
I had blown a patch of dust over the vault code to see the fingerprints on the keys the same way they did in the movies.
I thank Kim impossible for all the lessons she had taught me over the years. A mental salute to her.
But wait a bloody minute-
This man just called me his assistant, he was trying to help me.
Why?
Was it so that he could deal with me himself?
Would he kill me?
The thought had me shiver.
I had to play along with whatever charade he was making. The longer I live the sooner I can make a plan and leave...
I clicked on the code in slight shame as he watched, testing me, testing my skill, and once the code had been successfully put in, the vault turns green as it slowly opened revealing the beauty that was inside, a gust of cold smoke came out of the vault as I stare at the beautiful ring that rests inside it.
I then look back at Samuel who stared at me, seemingly impressed at my skill.
I lift a brow. Challenging him in silence.
Go on... challenge me... I dare you...
His eyes darkened, diluting darker and darker right before my eyes. A flicker of black burns from within his irises before he closed his eyes and opened them again showing me the same liquid shades of gold.
What?...
Samuel walked past me grabbing the ring with utmost delicacy. It was beautiful.
His finger trailed over the beautiful pattern of silver and blue. He they eyed the giant sapphire stone at the top. An emotion passed through his eyes at the sight of it. It looked like pain, maybe even grief, but I could not be sure. He masked it with ease before I could have known.
He takes out the ring and grabs my hand and I bite my tongue hard enough to have me wince to fight the sound that was about to escape my lips.
Yes.
His touch was that despairingly pleasurable.
He then casually placed the ring on my finger like it was no big deal. My fourth finger. Left hand.
To be more precise the finger where a man would place a ring on his fiancé.
I'm married now.
Hah.
I wish.
Speaking of which this man was the exact kind of man the family I was raised in the Diablos home would pamper their little girls to get with. Handsome, intelligent, and rich.
So never mind.
Screw marriage.
He looked at my aghast expression with a smirk on his face showing off the dimple that I now noticed he had. He knew exactly what finger he placed the ring in.
Bloody hell this man was a heart failure risk!
A panty-dropping heart failure risk at that...
He wrapped an arm around my waist with a raised brow looking at Ammon with a broad and proud smile on his face.
"So... are we done here?" He asked.
His silver eyes flickered in my direction in suspicion for a minute before he nods his head once.
"We must leave" Ammon speaks, "The guests are waiting" His voice apathetic before he turned and walked away.
I glance up to see the man who will most probably throw me to my inevitable death tonight through curious eyes. He stares back at me his golden eyes studying my features as I shamelessly did the same with his.
He leans down and whispers to my ear.
"I told you the first time we met... staring is rude little one," He says.
My heart hammered against my chest like a bat slamming against my rib cage as if it owes it money as my lips unconsciously part. I could feel his breath fan against my neck, and once I inhale his sinful scent all sense of reality seemed to have vanished from my thieving little mind.
It was mouthwatering... the scent of Sandalwood with hints of Rosewood. All that could be heard in this room right now was the deafening beats of my heart and our heavy breathing...
Bloody hell just take me already!
I hear a low growl escape his lips which confused me really since I knew well that I did not say that out loud.
His touch burned the skin on my waist as he held me close inhaling my scent which had me all sorts of insecure.
Once he pulls away I watched as his golden eyes locked with my own with satisfaction at how I looked as of now.
Messy hair, a red and flushed face, and my precious jewelry box begging for his attention.
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear as he spoke.
"Don't you remember me?"He asks me and I opened my mouth only to shut it once again, gaping at him like a disabled and malfunctioning human being.
Well no, I'm quite sure if I had met him I would never forget such a face.
However, then the events of yesterday leaped back into my mind like a jack-in-the-box startling the sh*t out of me.
The waiter, the mysterious man who sat in the Darkness...
I have zero doubts that this man was the same one of whom I had seen... well... seenish the night before.
"Mr. Medici..." I whisper.
I stare at him in realization and he grinned placing a hand under my chin and gently pushed it upwards making me close my parted lips that most probably had me looking like a pufferfish.
"Staring is rude little one..." He said before leaning towards my ear. "Or should I say, little thief?" He asks me.
Yes. It is safe to say that I am quite f*cked...
Consider me a dead woman walking.
...||
He made sure I did not leave his golden sight.
For the entire duration of the night, I stood by his side and once people had asked who I was he would constantly introduce me the same way he had told Ammon from inside that vaulted room.
"She's my assistant"
My perky arse-
I am no one's assistant, I am a thief.
However, I was already walking over thin ice. I was under his mercy so I might as well be a good girl.
I also realized that he did not know who I was.
For all, he knew I was just a random thief that had managed to stumble upon his gala.
He thought I was just a thief. He did not know that I was the thief. He did not know that I was the Ladra.
And quite frankly I preferred it that way.
The less he knew the better.
I then noticed how the guests in the ballroom swarmed for his attention. The men going out their way to make small talk, the women constantly eying him with seduction.
It shouldn't have bothered me.
But here I was balling my hands against my sides, my nails digging against my palms as a fake tight-lipped smile coaxes my blood-red lips.
Speaking of hands he still did not remove the ring from my finger which was quite strange if you ask me.
Seeing as he was talking to another one of his guests I took that as my chance. I take a tiny step backward eying his reaction.
Nothing. He was still talking.
I took another tiny and discreet step away from him.
Still talking.
Hah, this would be an easy escape.
I took another tiny step away but before I could take another he grabs me by my forearms and pulls me flush against his side wrapping his arm around my waist.
Well, damn.
"I take it you have not met my assistant?" He tells his guest.
FOR BLOODYS SAKES JUST LET ME GO DAMN IT-
The guest's brown eyes locked with my own as his eyes raked up and down my body as if I was the dessert to a full course meal.
Anger...
Jealousy...
Sensual rage...
Confused, I felt... I felt all of these things. My eyebrows furrowed.
Was I getting my period?
I lift my head up to see that Samuel's eyes were no longer friendly but hardened, the charming smile however never faltered from his face. They felt like they were his emotions.
Ah yes.
Aria dearie this night has officially gotten you insane.
"No... no, I must say I haven't" He says drawing my attention back to him. He smiled holding my hand and kissed the back of it, his lips lingering longer than they should have there.
Anger, Anger, Anger!
I looked up to see Samuel, his jaw ticked making it look sharper than it already was.
Having enough he placed a hand on his so-called 'friend's shoulder and gently shoved him backward giving me back my space.
Well. Giving us back our space.
He still didn't let go of me.
If anything his grip had only tightened.
And it would be a lie if I said that I did not find his touch very comforting and gave me this strange sense of safety.
Which kind of makes me a nut-case since he was my biggest threat right now.
I needed to pull myself together.
The air around us was now awkward however the man who had kissed my hand still had not moved away from me and Samuel's hand did not leave my waist.
Talk about tension-
"So..." The guy finally decided to speak had spoken as he sheepishly looked my way in decreased confidence. "What is your name if I may ask? After all, you must be an intelligent woman to have a man who is adamant on perfection to have you as his assistant." The man spoke.
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Alright, let's see our options here. Lying on my name would make me extremely stupid since the man who holds me on a steel grip already knew my name, and it would be pretty damn stupid to give them my last name.
He didn't know my last name, I could use that to my advantage.
So that would mean I would need to give them my real name and a fake last name.
"Aria Smith" I smiled.
There.
Smith. An easy, simple, and common name. Nothing interesting enough to search about. It was perfect.
Samuel's golden eyes however narrowed seeing right through my lie. My sweet smile however did not falter from my face even though my feet were threatening to turn into liquid Jell-O.
"How is it like working with him?" He asks me again.
This question had Samuel's grip give me a small squeeze, a warning. He then lets me go to see me better, he is too interested in what I would say.
I had two choices, be a big bad b*tch and have my death become more painful.
Or apply chapstick and kiss his ass enough to have me leave this place in one piece.
My smile brightened enough to put the sun to shame.
"Oh he is wonderful-" I lie.
"Once he had read my resume he called into his office almost immediately and praised me for my determination and hard work, saying that I deserved this job. He was quick to hire me," I gushed.
I say bull, you say shit-
Bull
shit!
Bull
shit!
The man smiled. "Mr. Samuel you are too kind" He praised.
"Yes, yes he is" I gushed.
I looked at Samuel to see amusement flickering amidst those liquid golden eyes. "Hm... I guess I am" He says though his eyes never left mine.
I gulped.
They conversed some more before he left, him and I alone in a room full of people, I once again tried to move away only to have him hook his arm with mine.
I glare up at him.
"Listen here you insufferable piece of horse sh*t, let me go or-"
"Or what?" He asks me eyebrows raised.
Look. I don't know what I just need to leave-
"Or else." I snapped.
This made him chuckle, a sound that had my face burn in the deepest shade of crimson. I looked away to hide the attack of redness on my cheeks that he had caused.
The entire duration of the night was me trying to escape, him catching me every single time with ease.
Like a yoyo-effect. I attempt to move away and he'd pull me back as though I was a dog on a leash. The comparison made my jaw clench.
I was forced to stay here until everyone had left the ballroom and finally it was only him and I inside the large empty gala room.
I didn't know what to feel about it.
However what I did know was that no one was here, so I could kick, scream, shout and fight back.
I pushed him away and he stumble a few steps back as I dart towards the door, though it was all in vain since he caught up to me at a horrifying speed.
"If you try to run away one more time I will not hesitate to hand-cuff you"
Kinky aren't we-
I glared at him.
Stay focused you, idiot-
"What do you want from me? I had attempted to steal from you boo-f*cking-hoo-" I lift my hand up taking off the ring from my finger and hold it up for him to take.
I would steal that beautiful ring again with a better and more sophisticated and more prepared plan.
Note to self: Less cockiness next time.
"Here's your ring, now can you please let me go?!" I plead.
Samuel stares at me amusement dancing within those irises like a beautiful waltz.
It was gold mixing with gold. A battle within his eyes sparing right before mine.
His lips twitch into a smug smile. He had me right where he wanted me.
Trapped.
Caught.
He walks over to me in slow penetrating steps. His black shoes coming in contact with the black marble floors, the echo only making the intimidation intensify...
I stand in the middle of the hall like a deer caught in the headlights. I wanted to turn around and run, but I couldn't seem to move. I really was trapped. He stands inches away from me, his golden eyes holding me captive. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, nor could I breathe. His tall frame loomed over me forcing me to crane my neck up just to meet his gaze.
"You will work as my assistant and that is final, don't bother leaving the country, I have my security fill the airports and plant cameras everywhere, I will hunt you down, so comply nicely as I am being nice" He warns.
I stared at him in disbelief.
Nice???
This was nice?-
If this was nice then what on earth was cruel?
"And if I refuse?" I ask him with one raised brow.
He grins sadistically grabbing my hand and placed the gorgeous ring back on my finger, he then lifts it up making me see the ring, watching it as it sparkled and glimmered from underneath the chandeliers above us.
Fragmental shades of cold colors gleams across both my hand and his.
"Then I tell the whole world that you have stolen from me, I have cameras everywhere little thief," He tells me in a mocking tone.
Never have I felt such hopelessness in all my twenty years of life.
He places his free hand on the pocket of his suit on the left side of his chest picking up what seemed to be a business card.
I read it in utter distaste and annoyance. It had the number of the company, the address of the building and everything.
I glared at it with so much hatred and loathe.
"You are expected to come to work tomorrow morning, if you are late then I will deal with you myself." He speaks.
He eyes the ring on my finger and his eyes glisten with an expression of which I cannot decipher before he pulls it off my finger.
"Oblique while I am being kind. Go against me and I'll have you scream mercy"
And then I find myself alone in the ballroom watching his retreating figure.
I was left alone wondering one thing.
Was the fact that I was still alive a good thing?
Or was it intercourse my inevitable death?...