Chapter 3 Debts and desperation
Aria's POV
By the time I went home I reached the door of my small apartment,my tiny legs weakened. The weight of Damian's words clung to me like smoke I couldn't wash off .
Three days.
“What am I supposed to do ,keep quiet and watch as my brother slowly dies and be the reason why Aurilia Grand hotel will be sealed or will I just give in to his request since it's for some years not forever .
But why me, a billionaire can't just walk in because of some ordinary insult and force me to sign a marriage contract” I thought ,while i opened the door.
I finally opened the door and I remembered.
And the kiss “ooh” I gasped
“Aria” Caleb's voice drifted weakling from the couch. He was curled up under a blanket,pale as the wall around us .
“How's my favorite brother?” I forced a smile ,even though it felt weak.
I hired a nanny months ago to take care of Caleb , but then I ran short on money,so no one takes care of him apart from my best friend Lila,who comes sometimes.
He coughed ,trying to grin back “I'm your only brother”
“Which makes you my favorite” I set my bag down and sunk onto the coffee table in front of him.
“Did you take your meds” I asked
“The bottles empty”
My stomach twisted “Empty? Already”
“ You said we couldn't afford the refill until Friday” he tried to sound casual .
“It's okay ,I'll be fine.”
“Fine” The word stabbed me . He wasn't fine . He hadn't been fine in months. His breathing was shallow ,his lips looked pale.I couldn't even look at him without hearing Damian's voice in my head for Caleb's sake .
I pressed my palms against my face , trying to calm the panic down.
“Aria” Caleb's voice snapped
“What's wrong”
“Nothing….,just a long day at work” I dropped my hands and tried to force another smile.
I shook my head “ Don't worry about me. I'll figure it out”
He studied me for a long moment.
Then whispered “ we are running out of time , aren't we?”
His words hit hard
“ I'll fix it, I promise Caleb,I'll take care of everything” I said quickly reaching out for his hands . His fingers were cold .
He gave me a small smile “ you always do”
But when he left for his room,my promise hung in the air like a lie.
Later that night, I sat at the kitchen table with bills spread around me.
Rent notices, hospital invoice,and much more .
I glared at my bank app from my cracked phone screen $37.16 balance.
I laughed.
“Great Aria, you can either buy groceries or one bus tickets ,maybe both if you steal the bread” my thought
That's when my best friend Lila,barged in without knocking as usual.
“Girl ,why is your door unlocked?, you're asking for trouble” and then she saw the bills
“Oh,no. Not again.”
“Don't start,” I muttered.
“Aria” she sat across from me eyes wide open.
“What happened?”
I hesitated ,chewing my lip. I told her everything that a billionaire psychopath had just proposed like it was a business deal ,sounded insane,only because of a little insult” I said
“Girl, what do you mean ‘proposed like it was a business deal’?” she demanded, planting her elbows on her knees. “Which billionaire? Which one slid into your life like he owns the city?”
I stared at her. She knew every petty rich-boy rumor in town. She shouldn’t know this name, but she did.
“Damian Blackwood,” I said, the name tasting foreign in my mouth.
Lila went completely still for half a beat. Then she threw her arms around me so fast I nearly toppled the lamp.
“Are you kidding me?” she whispered, eyes wide. “Damian Blackwood? As in” she snorted, “Damian Blackwood? The one with the yachts and the stupidly expensive watch and the headlines
every time he sneezes?”
I closed my eyes. “That one.”
“ Oh my God Aria,do you have a death wish?” She snapped
I didn't know what more to say.
“Okay. First things first ,did he say anything about what happens if you refuse? Any threats? Does he know where you live? Has he… touched you in any way? I need facts, Aria. I need receipts.” she asked without allowing me to.
This time my voice came out clear.
“ Refuse me” Damian had said “ And I'll shut this hotel down. I'll make sure every hospital in this city refuses to treat your brother, you know exactly what that means Aria”
“ Lila was overwhelmed, dragging her hands down her face.
“ Girl, you just signed your execution papers. Damian doesn't take no for an answer. And he is a ruthless billionaire”
“ I don't care,” I said, though my voice shook.
“ I'm not marrying some arrogant billionaire because I bruised his ego…”
Lila opened her mouth to argue again.
Ding- Dong
The sound cut through the room, unexpected.
I froze. Who could be at my door this late , slowly I walked through over . My fear rose as I pulled it open.
I never felt safe after Damian's threat's.
The hallway was empty.
I looked down.
Only a single white envelope lay on the floor ,my name written acros
s it in bold, elegant handwriting.
I recognized it instantly.
Damian's.
