The next day, I returned to Damian Blackwoods floor again. Of course for business reasons. Though I shouldn't be here today, but I was directed by my Boss to revise the proposal.
In his words, " only Aria Lawson can handle a man like Damian Blackwood."
Like he is a project.
His house smells like power mixed with danger I can't afford .I felt uneasy in my breathing. One rule I told myself before infiltrating Blackwood Corp, is to seek revenge and never get close to him.
He is the target.
The enemy.
The man who ruined my family.
…Or so I've been told.
I stepped into the conference room expecting to see his executives and elites only to see a man
Damian Blackwood.
He stands at the window , his gaze on the entire city like he owned everything and had control over everything.
He turns slowly, his gaze on me
"You're punctual, I like that ." He said
And you're alone I answered staring right back at him.
"Take a seat Miss Lawson . I specifically asked to have a meeting with you alone because I need privacy to discuss matters on ground." He said
I sit anyway, " Let's discuss the proposal then"
"No" he says
"I want to discuss you."
My pulse skips for a second- then sprints.
"I'm not negotiable ."
"Oh Miss Lawson, everything is Negotiable especially Brilliance."
I don't let him Complete his Complement.
"That's where you're wrong. "We're competitors, that's the only relationship we have."
"For now" he cuts in and taps the table just once and the doors lock behind me.
He planned this .
"This —" I start.
"Relax Miss Lawson, I'm not your Enemy."
If only he knew how wrong he was or right.
" I revised your work," he continued "I must say I'm impressed.
You exposed a flaw in a system that our internal board missed in six months."
You did it in 3 days.
Dangerous Facts
"Don't flatter me please" I said trying to sound like I'm not flattered already.
"No I'm not , I'm trying to recruit you."
Those words came as a bomb in my chest.
How am I supposed to work side by side with the man I hate so much.
"I don't switch Sides "
"Miss Lawson When I see talent I know and you my dear is a good fit for my company. Stop wasting talent with the company that doesn't value your talents. We could go places together and make things happen. If , we join forces ."
This is exactly what my Uncle wants to join Blackwood corp and destroy him from the inside but I can't show how excited I am for this offer even though it's a dangerous one.
"No, I say firmly , I'm Loyal."
I stand to leave but Damian blocks my exit with a quiet and certainty of a man who always get what he wants.
"You're running" he says softly
"No I'm leaving"
"Same thing Miss Lawson"
"When you're ready to stop wasting your talent call me."
I shove past him like all he said didn't matter to me.
"Aria "he called
My curiosity made me turn.
"I don't loose " he says
"And I never give up"
"That sounds like a threat" I said
"No it's a promise"
He looks at me like he's memorizing a secret
"You belong here" he says,
"With Me"
I hit the Elevator button like I don't care about what he said. With confidence, just as the elevator doors were closing —he said.
"When you change your mind ,the offer doubles."
Click.
The Elevator doors shut.
The Elevator drops,
My heart doesn't.
In the streets , I walked thinking about what Damian had said earlier.
My phone rings,
Uncle Hayden calls.
"How was your meeting with him?" he asked
"He offered me a job Uncle but I rejected "
"Why would you reject it?" he continues "thats the golden opportunity to strike, the closer you are the faster our plan."
"You must accept it Aria."
"We lost your father because of him and he has to pay for it . Don't forget that."
My stomach twist,
My father
His Collapse
The betrayal
The Funeral
The lies I'm still choking on,
"I haven't forgotten " I whisper
"Then do your duty, get close; gain his trust and when he's defenseless —"
He leaves the sentence open.
But I know what comes next.
Destroy Him
The call ended .
Soon afterwards I'm home thinking of the offer from Damian. If I accept it, everything changes.
I stare at the new email on my laptop.
subject: regarding your offer.
I hit the send button before I can doubt myself.
Seconds later, my phone buzzes;
DAMIAN BLACKWOOD calling
Already?
I answer.
I knew you would choose the winning side, he says with a voice like velvet around steel.
"We Start tomorrow "
"what makes you think you've won ?"
"Oh" he says "I haven't even started winning yet " with that dangerous smirk audible through the line.
The call ends .
I stare at my reflection asking myself if I have done the right thing but one thing is certain.
I just stepped into the fire
And the most terrifying part
I'm not the one burning yet.