~~~~Aria~~~
Monday morning dawned, and I felt a sense of dread wash over me. The day I had been dreading had finally arrived. I got out of bed, my movements mechanical, as I prepared to face my fate. I chose a simple outfit - a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers - trying to blend in, to escape the reality of my situation.
As I stood in the shower, the warm water cascading down my face, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Zayden's words echoed in my mind, "You're going to start working for me as your punishment... You've really hit some balls to think you could actually steal from me, didn't you?" His tone, dripping with condescension, made my skin crawl.
I heaved a deep sigh, feeling a sense of regret wash over me. My pickpocketing skills, honed out of desperation, had finally landed me in trouble.
"It would have been totally better if I had gotten into trouble with the police instead of him," I thought, a shiver running down my spine. The police would have been a cakewalk compared to Zayden's ruthless grip. At least with the police, I would have known what to expect - a slap on the wrist, community service, or maybe even a short stint in jail. But with Zayden, the consequences were unpredictable and terrifying.
I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had made a grave mistake, that I had unleashed a storm by trying to steal from him. The thought sent a wave of anxiety crashing over me, making my heart race and my palms sweat.- I was now entangled with a ruthless Mafia boss.
I had done my research on Zayden, and the more I learned, the more I realized I was in over my head. He was a man not to be trifled with, and I had foolishly tried to steal from him. "You should have probably done that research earlier, Aria," a voice in my head chided. I couldn't argue with that.
As I got out of the shower, I felt a sense of resignation wash over me. There was no escape, no safe haven. Zayden had made it clear that if I tried to flee, he would find me and double the punishment. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
I made my way out of my apartment, the bright sunlight a stark contrast to the darkness of my mood. The same black SUV that had dropped me off yesterday was parked outside, the driver standing by the door. "Of course, he sent me a driver," I muttered, rolling my eyes. It was just another reminder that my life was no longer my own. "Congratulations, Aria, your life just took a U-Turn," I thought, the irony not lost on me
I settled into the car, and as usual, the drive to Zayden's house was quiet, lulling me into a restless sleep. The driver's hoarse voice jolted me awake. "Ma'am, we're here."
I squinted, taking in my surroundings. The mansion loomed before me, the bold letters "ZEUS" emblazoned on the rooftop. A shiver ran down my spine as I stepped out of the car, the grandeur of the estate intimidating.
The guard escorted me into the living room, and my eyes widened in awe. Every detail, from the hallway to the living room, screamed luxury. I sat on one of the plush couches, waiting for Zayden, but my curiosity got the better of me. I stood up, exploring the opulent space.
As I wandered into the kitchen, my gaze fell upon a stunning woman, her flawless skin radiant as she cooked. "She must be his wife," I thought, my mind racing with questions.
But as I watched, my curiosity turned to alarm. She added a substance to the food, something that didn't look like an ingredient. Was she deliberately poisoning the food? I wondered, my mind reeling with possibilities.
"I must be mistaken," I thought, but as I watched, she carelessly dropped the bottle, and went into the storage.
I moved stealthily, my heart racing with anticipation and fear. I had to know the truth. I crept closer to the counter, my eyes fixed on the bottle she had carelessly dropped. I picked it up, my hands trembling slightly as I read the label.
My worst fears were confirmed. It was indeed poison. I felt a chill run down my spine as I processed the information. Why would she want to poison him? Was it a twisted game of power and control?
I stood there, frozen in shock, my mind reeling with questions and doubts. The sound of footsteps echoed from the storage room, snapping me back to reality. I quickly returned the bottle to its original position, my heart pounding in my chest.
I tiptoed back to the living room, attempting to maintain my composure and focus on why I was here. But as I entered the room, I felt an unsettling presence. I looked up to see Zayden descending the stairs, his piercing gaze locking onto mine.
A shiver ran down my spine as our eyes met. His gaze seemed to bore into my soul, making me feel vulnerable and exposed. "Is it just me, or does he look even more handsome during the day?" a traitorous voice whispered in my head. "I'm sure he'd be so good in bed," it added, making me blush.
I mentally chastised myself, trying to shake off the unwanted thoughts. But before I could gather my wits, Zayden's menacing voice cut through the air. "Who told you to sit on my couch?" he growled.
I sprang to my feet, my heart racing. "I'm sorry," I muttered, my face bowed in submission. I used my hands to smooth out the cushions, trying to erase any evidence of my presence.
Zayden's voice cut through the air once more. "I'll be taking you to a place where you'll be performing your first task. We leave in five. After I have my breakfast," he added, striding toward the dining area.
I watched as the woman from earlier emerged from the kitchen, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Good morning, baby. Breakfast is ready. I made something really special for you," she cooed, hugging and kissing Zayden.
A pang of jealousy shot through me, catching me off guard. What was wrong with me? I thought, bewildered. Here this woman was, trying to kill her own husband, and she was still able to put on a charming facade.
As Zayden sat down to eat, my mind became a jumble of conflicting thoughts. Should I warn him about the poison, or should I let him eat and potentially free myself from his grasp? A part of me wanted to intervene, to prevent harm from coming to him. But another part of me, a part that was still reeling from his cruel treatment, wanted to let him suffer the consequences of his actions.
I watched in horror as Zayden lifted the spoon to his mouth. My conscience screamed at me to act, and I finally submitted to the good part of me. "Don't eat that!!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the room.
Zayden's spoon halted mid-air, his eyes narrowing at me. The beautiful lady from earlier turned to me, her expression venomous. "And you are?" she spat.
Zayden faced her, his voice cold. "She's with me."
The lady's gaze returned to me, her eyes dripping with disdain. "Please, darling, go ahead and enjoy your meal. Let's ignore this... riffraff."
I rushed forward, my words tumbling out in a frantic bid to stop him. "Sir, I know the circumstances of our meeting are odd, but please don't eat that. It's poisoned."
The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the occupants. Zayden's eyes locked onto his wife, demanding an explanation.
The lady's smile never wavered. "Come on, baby, don't tell me you believe what this stranger is saying? Please, go ahead and eat your meal."
The air was thick with tension as Zayden's gaze darted back and forth between his wife and me. Then, he called out to one of his guards, his voice low and menacing. "Bring one of the dogs."
As the guard returned with a dog, Zayden handed the dog the food. The dog wolfed it down, and within minutes, it lay dead on the floor.
The room seemed to hold its breath as the truth sank in. Zayden's eyes blazed with fury as he turned to his wife. The tension was palpable, and I could feel the weight of the unspoken threat hanging in the air.
"Oh oh, this is definitely not going to end well," I whispered to myself, my heart racing with anticipation.