She couldn't believe herself as she stood on the sidewalk, gazing up at the towering building painted in dark greys and blues, mirroring the sky above. If only there was another option. But in order to save her home she had to swallow her pride.
Before she could talk herself out of it Ari went inside and took the elevator all the way up to the floor where his office was. The second she stepped through the door the receptionist rolled her eyes. "You again? You didn't even last a week, huh?"
"I need to see Mr. Draconis. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see me."
Alaric had been shuffling through paperwork for the past hour, occasionally skimming through AutoCAD on his computer to create various architecture designs for housing and business especially similar to his own when he'd decided to glimpse towards the surveillance security camera screen secured from the wall on its stand.
His secretary upturned his nose, typing away at the keyboard, probably searching her name on the visitation lists. He wouldn't find it though, Alaric didn't have her set for an appointment, and he knew his secretary wasn't quite fond of what she'd pulled hours before.
The current time had been 8:30 P. M. The hours were between 9: 00 am through 9 P.M. Anything before or after those hours meant the customer or visitor had to call. Especially if they weren't expected.
Alaric pressed the control button, zooming in on her face and features, then readjusted it back into its original position.
Mr. Jennings cleared his throat. "You aren't in the system for visitation. I suggest you call and make an appointment at a later date. We close in a half an hour. Mr. Draconis isn't currently taking private meetings. You also aren't in immediate family contact either. What can I help you with?"
Alaric leaned back, pushing the papers into a neat stack as he watched the scene unfold. He'd see exactly what she wanted from here.
"I need to see him. It's urgent." Ari figured it wouldn't be so easy. That was practically the same speech she'd gotten earlier when she had to force her way in. This time she planned on taking a more civil approach.
Although there weren't many people milling about that didn't mean she wanted to spill her business out in the open for anyone to hear and exploit. How could she be as vague as possible while still getting across her point? Mr. Jennings had witnessed what happened between her and his boss so he had to know that if she returned this late it surely wasn't for fun.
Her fingers knotted together in front of her while she tried to keep her voice down. Swallow your pride, Ari. It's better than living on the street. She released a breath through her nose. "I'm not here to cause trouble. Earlier he said to come back if..if I was ready to reconsider. I went home and thought about it and I'm ready to have a talk."
She glanced around the lobby for the video cameras she knew would probably be focused on her. Honestly she was surprised the guards hadn't come to drag her out already. "I would also like to apologize for my brash behavior." Ari reached up to tuck a stray curl back into place. When the man didn't respond, she tried again. "It's really time sensitive. I would make an appointment but if it's between me and you I'm in a liiiiiittle bit of a pickle here and I'm REALLY trying to humble myself. So if you could at least ask him if he'd see me?"
Mr Jennings tilted his glasses down on top the bridge of his nose further, staring at her from over the rim while his fingers continued tapping away on his keyboard. Despite how many things he were doing at once, he was able to multi-task, it was expected of his since Mr. Draconis didn't want anything less. He had a thousand files, a thousand people mailing him, and a busy schedule that needed to be managed from day to night. Even after closing hours.
He waited until she was finished before shaking his head. "We're closing soon. That won't be possible. After what you pulled yesterday, I doubt a sorry will get you back in good graces."
He opened his mouth to say something else but Alaric clicked the button. "Let her in. I want her to repeat everything she said to you, to me."
"Follow me." Jennings said annoyed, folding his arms behind his back while leading her down the hall and onto the elevator. Slow music played, the classical waiting one that somehow got beneath one's skin instead of soothing them. Finally there was a ding. He gestured down the hall. "He's waiting in the room."
Alaric followed them on the camera, leaned back, hands folded, waiting for her to enter.
Before either man could change their mind and try to shoot her off again, Ari walked down the hallway to where she knew behind those grand double doors that smug bastard would be sitting. She had to force herself to take every step while wanting nothing more than to go home and suffer quietly.
But she wasn't just doing this for herself. She owed it to the Sandler's for their kindness and patience. They put up with more than most people would have all for the sake of her dream, treated her like their own and more. Surely Mr. Deep Pockets could afford to help. Even if she had to suck up just a little bit.
There was no hesitation as she barged into his office. The flickering lightning and thunder that painted the skyline behind him were now gone in favor of the soft twilight of evening. Ari kept her hands behind her, clenching onto each other tightly. It was a reminder to herself not to say anything stupid. *I need this. Don't fuck it up. My one job is to not fuck this up.*
So she painted on a too wide smile showing all of her straight teeth—she'd only suffered through years of braces for—and tried to sound as pleasant as possible though she was sure some of the words came out like a hiss. "Listen. I'm sorry about earlier. I was being a bit unreasonable," Her lips pursed in mock sympathy. "But! I've thought over it and I've come to you calm and collected and ready to hear whatever deal you'd like to make."
Alaric had been watching her the entire time from the surveillance camera before she came barging into his office like she had the first time they'd met. This time though, it wasn't because of a dildo she wasn't pleased with. He had to say, this was more entertaining than the last considering he expected she would have never returned to this place after saying she hated his guts.
He leaned back in his cushioned chair, his legs slightly opening and closing in thought, grey eyes following her movement, watching her body language before she spilled an apology.
"Miss Ari," He chuckled beneath his breath. The corner of his mouth upturned, the hand which was pressed against his cheek shifted so that his thumb traced the seam of his lips in thought. Beneath the lighting, always dim from the way the windows held a certain darkening tint, his gaze was smoldering—suffocating even. Like he didn't have to say a word for her to feel an anticipation rise up in her very well being.
"You don't have to apologize. You aren't sorry, and let's face it, you still believe I'm an asshole." Now he was completely smiling, perfectly white teeth flashing in the dark that somehow surrounded him all the time no matter where he was. Biting down on the end of a pen, a smirk still evident on his visage, he then said, "My oh my, what is little miss Ari willing to give." as he leaned forward now, both hands pressed flat on his desk. There was an odd crimson glint upon the surface of stormy gray eyes.
Goosebumps rose along her arms and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. He'd seen right through her pretense of repentance but that wasn't what set her on edge; it was the look in his eyes. There was an insatiable hunger within the depths that stirred every time their gazes met. Something almost feral and dangerous. Was she freaked out and maybe a little excited? Hell yeah but she wasn't about to let him see that despite her heartbeat kicking up.
Ari had to clear her throat to keep herself from choking on her words. It was already difficult enough to swallow her pride just to come back.
He knew she had no money, no assets, not anything of real worth. Her tongue swiped across her lips, leaving them wet in its wake. "You *are* an asshole. But I can't deny that I need your help."
She had to force herself to keep still instead of the natural urge to throw him the bird. "All I can offer is my time. I don't have anything else. I'm sure you figured as much. What do you want?" Stuck between being drawn closer at such an odd aura and wanting to run fast Ari was helpless, taking a small step closer to the door. Last time he'd trapped her until she'd given in then grew bored when she complied. A trickle of sweat rolled down her back.