Chapter 6 Chapter 6.

"So when are you moving in?" Lucien asked, casually picking up the contract folder as if they were discussing the weather.

"Am I to move in right away?" Aria replied, raising an eyebrow, unsure if she was ready for the weight of this new chapter.

"When do you plan to begin your revenge?" he returned her question with a teasing smirk, leaning back in his chair.

Aria exhaled, a mix of frustration and resolve swirling inside her. "Fine, I’ll move in today."

Lucien gave a nonchalant shrug, flipping open the folder and scanning through the document she had just signed. “Mmmm, fancy. But this is not the name I know you with.”

"My name has always been Aria," she asserted, her voice steady, though a hint of defensiveness crept in.

"But it has never had a Kane attached to it,” he pointed out, his tone laced with mischief.

"It does now," she replied, her voice firm as if informing him that she would never truly be his.

Lucien shrugged again, placing the folder back onto the table with a soft thud that echoed in the quiet room. “So, who are you pouring your cup of wrath on?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, genuine curiosity etched on his features. “Any ideas or clues?”

“Marius Velkoz,” Aria spat, the name tasting like venom on her tongue, a dark bitterness that invoked memories of pain.

"That bastard," Lucien chuckled, the amusement playing on his lips like a child at a puppet show, reveling in the dynamics of their dangerous game.

“So let me guess, the police wouldn’t help you, and that’s why you came to me?” he inquired, a glimmer of delight showcasing his anticipation of her struggle.

“Those damn bastards,” Aria cursed through gritted teeth, her fists clenched tight as she recalled her futile confrontations with the police, their apathetic glances and dismissive tones.

“Well, listen up, baby,” Lucien leaned closer, his tone turning grim. “The police won’t help you because you’re trying to bring down their godfather. That bastard bathes in immunity.”

Aria locked her gaze onto Lucien, determination coursing through her veins like fire flooding a parched land. “And I’m gonna bring him down, dry out his immunity, tear off his limbs. I won't stop until I send him to the depths of hell."

Lucien raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Ah, I see. Someone’s feeling brave today. What makes you think that you can handle him? Marius isn't a man you can simply walk up to and take your revenge. He has eyes everywhere. You confirmed that through the police."

Aria's pulse quickened, doubt attempting to seep in, but she pushed it aside. "I don't care how many eyes he has. He might be surrounded by his precious men, but they can't stop the fire burning inside of me. I have nothing left to lose."

“Such passion,” Lucien mused, leaning back in his chair, clearly reveling in her fervor. “Yet, I caution you, my dear. This isn’t a child’s game, and the stakes are much higher than your emotional turmoil."

She was well aware of the stakes involved in this new game she was about to play, and she was well prepared for it.

Her ringing phone blazed through the atmosphere. She took it out of her pocket and froze upon seeing the name that was none other than her boss. Everything that happened had made her forget she once had a job.

"Mrs Kane, may we know your sudden disappearance from work the past few days?" A voice came from the other end.

"I sincerely apologise for the sudden absence, Mr. Brooks," Aria replied, her voice steady despite the swell of anxiety in her chest. “There’s been a family emergency I had to attend to.”

“Family emergency?” he echoed, skepticism lacing his tone. “Is everything alright? You know how crucial your role is in this project. We can’t afford to fall behind.”

Aria's jaw tightened. She glanced at Lucien, who was watching her intently, a half-smirk tugging at his lips as if he could sense the fragility of her situation. “I understand, and I appreciate your concern. But I need some time. Things are... complicated.”

"Complicated? This isn't like you, Aria. You’re usually so reliable. I have to ask, is everything okay at home? If you need time off, maybe we can arrange a temporary leave?" His voice softened, genuine care seeping through.

She hesitated, torn between revealing the truth and maintaining her facade. She took a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness of her circumstances. “No, Mr. Brooks, it’s not necessary. I just need a few more days to sort things out. Thank you for your understanding.”

“Alright, but I expect you to check in daily. If we don’t hear from you, I’ll be forced to send someone out there. I don’t want to sound harsh, but you know how important this project launch is. We can't deal with unforeseen delays.”

“I promise, I’ll keep you posted.”

Mr. Brooks sighed. “Take care of yourself, Aria. We’ll see you soon, alright?”

She clicked off the call, her heart racing as her reality swirled around her. “Gosh, I can’t believe I forgot I have a job," she muttered, running a hand through her hair, frustration mixing with dread.

“You’ve got two worlds colliding, sweetheart," Lucien said, a trace of sympathy in his tone. “But here’s the deal—if you want my help, you’ll need to be all in. That means no distractions, no lingering ties to the old life.”

Aria’s emotions roiled as she weighed her boss's expectations against her burning desire for vengeance. She had worked so hard; was she really willing to sacrifice everything she had fought for in her career?

Lucien’s eyes narrowed, sensing her hesitation. “You either want this or you don’t, Aria. So make your choice."

Aria's gaze drifted out the window, her thoughts racing with the weight of her decision. She knew what she wanted—revenge against Marius Velkoz. But at what cost? Her job, her career, her sense of normalcy... Could she really walk away from it all?

Lucien's voice cut through her thoughts, low and husky. "You have 24 hours to decide, Aria. If you choose to pursue revenge with me, your old life will be gone. No turning back."

Aria's heart sank as she thought about giving up her job, the one thing that had always brought her stability and purpose. But the thought of Marius Velkoz walking free, laughing and living while her family was gone...that was unbearable. Her eyes snapped back to Lucien's, a spark of defiance igniting within her. "Where's my room?"

Lucien's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Welcome to the game, Aria Kane. Let's play."

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter