The scene escalated and intensified within a split second. Leah was caught in a hot soup, her mistake provoked the rage of her bosses.
"It was a mistake," she softly let out. Her eyes wandered around the room afraid to meet Henifer's.
"As was the decision to hire you as an employee of this company," Henifer fired back. Her razor-sharp eyes glared daggers at Leah. Her voice was frosty and chilling.
Leah shivered, her small frame was like a blade of grass on a windy day. She shot her gaze to Carlos, begging him to step in and help her. Carlos held a higher position than her in the company, he was her supervisor, and a word from him could calm the situation.
Carlos saw her cry for help. After thoroughly scrutinizing the scene and his bosses, he didn't dare speak up for her. Aryanna, his ex-girlfriend whom he abused and used somehow got married to his boss and became his boss.
The turn-out of events wasn't in his favor. He stood on the losing end of Sebastian and Aryanna's anger. Carlos was at a loss for how to help his girlfriend.
He sought to pull at the strings of Aryanna's heart which he assumed still beat for him. "Arya, please forgive Leah. She meant no harm, it was a mistake, " he pleaded on Leah's behalf.
Aryanna flinched at the sweet tone he took with her. His words failed to register in her mind, she focused on the way manner in which he addressed her.
Before she could react and give him a response, Sebastian stepped in front of her, coming face to face with Carlos. His fist clenched tightly, a vein about to pop in his head. His eyes were ready to incinerate Carlos at his audacity to address his wife as he did.
Carlos gulped. He instinctively took a step back and lowered his gaze to the ground. "She is Mrs. Lerstrom to you, " Sebastian spoke through gritted teeth.
"The employees here are starting to act out of term. Perhaps we should do some introspection and see to some changes, " Henifer let out, her words falling on Leah and Carlos like cold water. She indicated a possibility of the two of them losing their jobs.
Leah gripped the hems of her dress. It was a trivial mistake that could happen to anyone. She saw no need for Henifer to overreact as though it was a life-and-death situation. Especially since it was Aryanna that got hurt.
Her hatred for Aryanna grew stronger. The more life favored Aryanna, the stronger her hostility became. Leah wished the roles were reversed, had she been in Aryanna's position, she would use the power that comes with it to ensure Aryanna rues her existence.
"I agree, mother. We need some changes around here," Sebastian confirmed his mother's thoughts. Leah and Carlos shivered. "My wife will make the final say, it is her job, " Sebastian's voice softened as he turned to address Aryanna.
Aryanna looked up and locked eyes with him. Her mind racing with a million thoughts. Trying to keep up with the intense scene. Her emotions take her out of her mind, scared to disappoint Sebastian, afraid to break down by confronting Carlos and Leah.
Sebastian noticed the internal turmoil going on in her mind through her eyes. He inched closer to her and held her hand, "Prepare the station, we've wasted enough time on irrelevant matters, " he ordered.
"Yes, Sir, " Faber responded. He motioned for Leah to get up from the floor and set up the manicure station to start the service.
Sebastian ushered Aryanna to his seat. He held onto her to keep her from showing the fear running down her spine. Sebastian understood that it would take time for Aryanna to adjust to the change in her role. To become strong enough to face her enemies and give them a taste of their medicine.
Aryanna accepted his hand and took a seat, she watched him sink into the seat next to her. Her heart calmed down by his side. Aryanna leaned her head on his shoulder and inhaled his scent deeply. To compose the chill in her veins.
The chaotic thoughts in her mind faded away. Her body relaxed and she felt peaceful once more. Aryanna thanked her stars for Sebastian, her young husband was more mature than any man she'd ever met. He read her like an open book and knew what to do to ease her worries and frights. The choice to marry him never felt so right.
Carlos watched the sight bitterly. His jealousy shot up through the roof, he was envious of Sebastian. Aryanna looked gorgeous with the change of her dressing style, she dressed simply yet it brought out her beauty. He only now started to see how beautiful his ex-girlfriend is.
In the past, he focused mainly on ruining Aryanna to please Leah. Carlos never focused on Aryanna's looks or character, he cared not to get to know her. However, seeing another man treat her like a queen, he was covetous and desired to trade places with Sebastian.
Sebastian noticed his stare, and in spite, he wrapped his hand around Aryanna's shoulder and pulled her close to him. Sebastian glanced down at his wedding ring, it was the best jewel he owned. It assured his stance with Aryanna and gave him a sense of security with her.
Carlos caught a glimpse of the wedding ring, his eyes traced down to Aryanna's finger to see a marching ring on her. His heart squeezed in regret.
Leah watched silently at the scene playing out before her. She felt a pang in her heart, it didn't help to see Carlos jealous as he silently watched Sebastian hold on to Aryanna.
She tightened her hold on her dress, screaming her lungs out internally. Her eyes glared daggers at Aryanna's back. Unable to believe her unfortunate luck.
"Are you waiting for a whistle?" Henifer asked. Her question broke Leah's dazed state. Leah swallowed the lump in her throat. She walked up to the shelves and took out her products. "You can attend to Aryanna's manicure and pedicure," Henifer added.
Aryanna opened her eyes, she blinked in panic at her mother-in-law. It was clear as day that Leah hated her, Aryanna didn't trust Leah with a cuticle cutter next to her fingers or toes. The manicure set had plenty of tools the vixen could use to cause her harm.
"Consider this your second chance, " Sebastian sounded. "My wife so much as flinches and you'll lose your job, " he added fiercely.
Leah gulped. She looked up at Aryanna, her boss gave Aryanna a chance to get her fired. With their sour past encounter, Leah failed to believe Aryanna wouldn't take the shot at her.
Aryanna pressed her lips in a tight line. She gazed at Leah and back to Sebastian. Her energy drained, and somehow she found herself in the center of the drama unfolding in the room. All the attention and importance given to her overwhelmed her.
"It's alright, I want her to attend to me, " Aryanna tapped out of the fight by picking the other female employee in the room to serve her. "What's your name?" she inquired.
"I'm Dyana Cobb, ma'am. "
"Nice to meet you, Dyana. Can you show me some designs you've done in the past, i'm not sure what to do with my nails, " Aryanna spoke out softly.
"Sure, I'll get to it right away, " Dyana's eyes lit up. She rushed to get her products and her phone. Faber got Aryanna a new cup of tea and apologized on Leah's behalf. Aryanna brushed the matter under the rug and focused on the positive moment with Sebastian and his mother.
Her nonchalant behavior ticked Leah to the core. Leah's blood boiled, she felt a sudden urge to give Aryanna a tight slap and wipe the smile on her face. However, the tables had turned and she wasn't in a position to hit Aryanna, she stood silently on the losing end of Aryanna's luck.