Aria's pov
The next morning arrived with a heaviness that mirrored my situation. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts about my predicament. The sound of a new voice jolted me from my thoughts.
"Wake up, princess. Time to have fun," the unfamiliar voice said, breaking the silence of the room.
I turned to look at the man, realizing I had never seen him around before. His presence sent a shiver down my spine, an instinctual warning that this encounter would not be pleasant.
"The boss has given me instructions to deal with your ass," he stated bluntly, his tone devoid of any sympathy or compassion. "I'll be outside. Hurry up."
Cassian didn't come for me this morning. Instead, he sent his sidekick, a decision that filled me with unease and trepidation. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaited me, and reluctantly got out of bed.
As I met the man outside the door, his eyes roamed over me appraisingly, sending another wave of discomfort through me. "Where are we going?" I asked, trying to steady my voice despite the rising fear.
As I was led through unfamiliar corridors, a sense of unease settled deep within me. It was the first time someone other than Cassian had entered my room, and the sudden change in routine heightened my apprehension. Before I could gather my thoughts, the man behind me pushed me roughly into a small, dingy room.
"What the hell is going on?" I thought, my heart racing with anxiety.
I found myself seated in a solitary chair, the room's dismal atmosphere matching the dread that weighed heavy on my chest. The man entered, his expression unreadable as he spoke, "We need to talk."
"Why am I here?" I demanded, my voice trembling with confusion and fear.
"The boss wants to get rid of you," he replied bluntly, his tone devoid of remorse.
I couldn't comprehend his words. "I don't understand," I stammered, my mind racing to make sense of the dire situation unfolding before me.
"I'm just following orders," he shrugged, a hint of indifference coloring his words.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I was nothing more than a pawn in their twisted game, a disposable asset to be discarded at their convenience.
The clicking sounds of heels echoed through the room, announcing the arrival of an unexpected presence. A woman draped in red, exuding a seductive aura, sashayed into the room. Her short skirt and crop top accentuated her allure, and her confident demeanor left no room for doubt.
"I'll take it from here, Mika," she said to the man who had brought me in, her voice carrying a hint of authority.
"I have to clear it with him, Chloe," Mika replied, his tone cautious.
"I've sorted it out, trust me," Chloe insisted, her gaze unwavering as she met Mika's eyes.
Turning to me with a sly smile, Chloe said, "I can help you, you know."
Her words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"
Chloe laughed wickedly, her tone dripping with disdain. "They were right about you. You're stupid," she taunted. "Cassian doesn't want you here, and he's going to get rid of you. Did you honestly think you were special to him?"
Confusion and disbelief mingled in my mind as I struggled to comprehend her words. "But what about my father?" I managed to ask, clinging to a glimmer of hope.
With a cold expression, Chloe dismissed my hopes with a single sentence. "Your father doesn't want you. You belong to Cassian now."
Realization washed over me like a tidal wave, drowning any remnants of hope or defiance. "This time tomorrow, you'll be shipped off to your new life," Chloe added, her tone final. "So, I suggest you get some rest."