Aryanna took a cursory look around the room full of Devonte staff members. She looked stunning in her pencil skirt, her beautiful lips painted with red lipstick from the light makeup Henifer did for her to make her presentation after her breakdown.
She walked side by side with Sebastian. He had his hand on her waist, giving her support as they steadily walked down the catwalk in the middle of the room leading to the raised platform.
The people in the room stared at the two of them. Their looks filled with envy and jealousy at the couple striding into the room in perfect sync. Each step matched the other, and the confidence they eluded stunned the staff.
"Are you confident I can do this?" Aryanna tugged at Sebastian's shirt and whispered. "You have time to change your mind. "
"I make every choice in confidence and im not of the habit of regretting my choices. Trust me, Ari, and I'll teach you to trust yourself, " he responded in a notch below a whisper and winked at her. So only she could hear his words.
Sebastian guided her down the path. Aryanna blushed, Sebastian had a way of sounding flirty even when he spoke of serious matters. Aryanna glanced ahead, to conceal the blush creeping on her face. Her smile stretched across her face.
Her face to the side, her eyes locked with Carlos's eyes. Carlos sat next to Leah, the look on their faces was nothing short of astounding. They were surprised to see her walk in with their boss.
Aryanna recalled their encounter at the party. The disrespect they showed her and their evil plans to ruin her. She felt her heart squeeze in pain. She hooked her arm around the crook of Sebastian's arm and held him tightly. Feeling her tears brimming to the surface.
"Focus on me," Sebastian whispered.
Aryanna nodded, she met his gaze. His hopeful eyes reassured her that he had her back. Aryanna pushed the negative thoughts to the back of her head and marched forward with him.
Sebastian took her hand and helped her up the stairs that led to the raised platform in front of the staff. Aryanna's eyes froze on him, the gentle treatment was new to her.
Every time she saw him get the princess treatment, her heart would pause and process it. Trying to find the catch that pushes him to do that for her.
He ushered her to the stage, his eyes cast over his employees as he held her tenderly next to him. Faber approached him with the documents Aryanna dropped after her encounter with Carlos.
"I found this on the floor outside, " he informed Sebastian. Sebastian flashed him a grateful smile and took the documents from him. He looked up to his staff to address them and inform them of the changes in the company.
"Good morning everyone, " he greeted in a cold commanding tone.
"Good morning, Sir, " they chimed.
"I'm glad to see all of you honor my invitation. I'll cut right to it and let you all return to your posts, " he let out. Sebastian turned to Aryanna, he motioned for her to step forward.
Aryanna fought her nerves and took a steady step forward. Sebastian wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and the two shared a look, holding each other's gaze, they smiled.
"She is Mrs. Aryanna Leerstrom, my wife, " he announced openly. "And as of today, the new CEO of this branch, " he summed up his announcement.
Gasps echoed from all corners of the room. Aryanna raised her head and met their curious gazes. Time stopped in that single moment as she stood tall with people looking up to her. It was a new occurrence, one that made her nervous.
The employees were stunned to learn that Sebastian was handing over the company to his wife. They had only learned that morning that he was married and now his wife gets to call the shorts for their future.
Carlos and Leah turned pale. They were drained of color and life as they heard Sebastian's announcement. The girl they undermined and abused rose in power to become their boss.
They were stunned to see Aryanna standing on the stage with Sebastian. Carlos glanced at Aryanna from head to toe, he failed to see it before when they met in the hall simply because he didn't think much of her. Now that he was looking at her next to Sebastian Leerstrom, he saw the value of the clothes on her.
The millions he counted on her caused his jaw to drop. His eyes were stuck on her, she looked beautiful and rebranded, from a waitress to a CEO. Carlos hated to admit that the look fitted her.
"Good morning everyone, " Aryanna mimicked Sebastian's greeting. Her voice was steady and calm. She held herself with grace and fought back the urge to make a run for it while she still had a chance.
"Good morning, Ma'am, " it took a moment but the staff regained their composure and responded to her.
Aryanna plastered a smile on her face. She carried her mother-in-law's words in her heart as she faced the assemblage of her staff.
"I look forward to working with each one of you. I hope to get along with you all, " she uttered.
Sebastian inched closer to her, his razor-sharp eyes glaring daggers at his employees. Daring to incinerate them, "Treat her as you would treat me because crossing her will be the same as crossing me, and trust me, I won't take that lightly, " he let out. His eyes landed on Carlos and Leah.
The two shivered, it was clear as day that Sebastian was threatening them. Cold sweat trickled down their spine. No doubt Sebastian knew of their past with Aryanna. Carlos and Leah panicked. Their hearts filled with worry over how the tables turned.
They picked on Aryanna and played her. Little did they expect her luck to put her in a position far above them. Fate favored Aryanna and gave her everything a girl could ever dream of.
It made Leah furious. Her desire to ruin Aryanna went out the window as she watched Aryanna rise in the world. She was envious and coveted Aryanna's position.
"How is she so lucky?" she muttered under her breath.