ARICA
Three years later
Arica felt a hand gently squeeze her ass and she flipped her eyes open.
For a moment her vision blurred, then cleared and she couldn't make out her surroundings because the room was dark. Her ass was gently squeezed again, followed by a deep breath on her neck and when she turned her head to see the gorgeous sleeping form of a man beside her, all the memories from last night came rushing back.
His smart watch made a light beep. 7.00 am. It was a reminder that he shouldn't wake up and find her still there, and that thought kicked her alcohol-drugged limbs in motion.
She quickly swiped everything of his that looked expensive — watch, bracelet, chain, clothes, phone, heck even his diamond engagement ring— and put them in her black bag.
Taking one last apologetic look at his sleeping form, she silently slipped out of the hotel room, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. She knew that he was one of the top moguls of Italy's competitive business world and stealing from him would come with dire consequences. She hoped to never see him again.
In fact, when she reached the first set of stairs of the exclusive hotel, she started running.
***
She kicked off her shoes with the speed of light, knowing she had just a few minutes to shower and leave for her 9.00 am job. Three times she has gone late and was given serious queries. They wouldn't forgive her tardiness the fourth time.
She knew immediately that something was wrong when she pulled at the door knob and the door gave way instantly. She remembered locking it before going for her night hunt.
Moreso, she didn't hear the excited barks of her dog, that was the usual whenever she came back. And then, her lights where off. She never put her lights off when she went out.
'Arica.' A sinister voice purred from within.
Shit.
Her stomach sank. How did he know where she lived?
He was a loan shark she's been owing over 5000 dollars to. She shuddered in fear when she saw the gun that was aimed at her skull from a distance.
'That's right. You should be scared'. His laugh was sickly and eerie, echoing off the walls of her apartment in a distorted way. 'It comes with a silencer. Shoot your sorry ass, lock your dead body inside and throw the key into the canal'.
'I have your money here.' She said, her lips quivering and her entire body shivering in fear. She held up the bag of stolen items. His eyes wickedly glinted in the dark, gun aimed squarely on her forehead. 'It even contains a diamond ring' she managed to stutter. 'Toss it over.' He beckoned with the gun. She threw it over and he snapped it up with his left hand. He smiled at her on seeing the contents of her bag, but it wasn't reassuring. More like a wolf sneering on finding it's prey.
'Good. Very good.' He gave a slow purr, making the hair on her skin rise. He tapped her head with the gun as he slicked out of her apartment. 'Thank your stars. Your luck saved you today'.
***
Arica's heart thudded in her chest as she knocked on her boss's office door. She was 30 minutes late and a query was sent to her desk. Her head dropped as she walked into the office. 'Good morning ma. You sent for me'. Her boss gave her a condescending once-over, then rudely tossed her an envelope. Tears formed in her eyes as she read the contents of the envelope. 'Ma, please you can't fire me'.
'I just did.' Her boss chuckled. 'You've come late four times in a row, despite our queries. It's against our policy to retain you any longer'.
'Ma please.' Tears were pouring out of her eyes now. 'I'll do anything. Anything at all, but please don't fire me'.
Her boss looked up at her pitifully. She didn't expect to see a 28 year old crying over such a low-income job. She sighed. 'Get an executive director of Elysian bank to sign this document and you'd keep your job. It's Lily's assignment but I've decided to give it to you'.
Arica took the documents gratefully. 'When is my deadline?
'Today by midnight'.
Her mouth fell. Her boss continued regardless. 'You have an appointment with one of them at Elysian Towers by 10 am'. Arica briefly glanced at her watch. It was 9.38 am. 'Okay ma. Bye'.
***
Arica stared up at Elysian Towers, a tug of sadness and anger pulling at her heart. The last time she was here, she had signed over her business to the Elysian brothers. It was the day she lost her business, her mom, her 6 figure funds and her dignity.
Her watch beeped 9.55 am and she started running so she could meet up with the appointment. Her job, and consequently her life depended on it.
Wham – one moment her feet was planted on the floor and the next she was splat on the ground, her documents flying all around her. Worse still, the person that bumped into her was rude. 'You fucking bitch.! Are the eyes on your head faulty?
Arica looked up dazed, her breath knocked out of her.
'Oh my fucking God! The bitch laughed as Arica struggled to stand. 'The almighty bitchy Arica dressed in the clothes of a peasant'.
Arica ignored her, scurrying to pack the documents, she had a deadline to meet. The bitch held her back when she wanted to sprint away and that's when Arica lost her cool. 'Get your hands off me, you bitch! When she turned around to see her attacker, shock rippled through her body. 'Amaris.' Her voice fell. Amaris flashed a triumphant smile. 'I almost didn't recognize you there Arica. You look so scrawny.'
Arica caught the flash of diamond in her ring finger. 'You're married'.
'Not yet, engaged to the love of my life'. Amaris wagged the ring finger in her face.
Arica's breath hitched. 'Bryan?
'Oh please. Not that loser that you dumped. I caught a bigger fish' she giggled. Arica's watch beeped. 'Look. I've got to go—
'Alright.' Amaris sniggered, eyeing her shabby attire.
Arica deeply inhaled and prayed a silent prayer before knocking on the door. A gruff voice told her to come in. She entered. 'You are late.' The man at the desk said, not looking up from his laptop.
Arica felt her world spin as she recognized the sharp jawline and muscular body smugly fitted in the three-piece suit. It was the man from her one night-stand. He finally looked up at her, bothered by her silence, and at that moment her world tipped and everywhere went dark.