Aria's POV
I don't sleep. Each time I closed my eyes I hear the footsteps and see the scattered apartment, the writing on the mirror. How scared I was before Damian came to save the day. I guess this is the price I have to pay for not being obedient. After the incident, Damian doubled security. All I could do was apologize but I didn't even know how.
Just then, a knock on my door. I opened, only to see Damian.
" Can I come in?" he asked
"Sure you can" I answer
I expect him to scold me but he doesn't.
"How are you feeling? he asked
"I'm okay I think, but I can't sleep. I'm really scared and I'm sorry for not listening to you."
He finally speaks but with a low tone;
"Aria don't ever do that again. Most especially sneaking out like that — I know you need answers and you're not wrong to feel that way but not at the expense of your life. You could have died Aria and what would people say again "
I looked at him with a puppy face— feeling sorry.
He continues "Right everyone would say the same thing they said about your father ."
I didn't say a word, I knew I was wrong and I just wanted him to scold me, yell.
"You walked into a crime scene alone , without a single guard. Two men were inside your apartment. I worry Aria , they're using you to get to me— can't you see? They can't break me so they're targeting my weakest point which is you."
I snapped " I'm not weak"
"No you're not" he says holding my hands gently " but they know I care a lot about you so the only way to break me is to break you so please be safe for me ."
Be safe for you… sometimes I wonder why he cares so much
He continues "I doubled security already "so I know you'll be safe here. Just let me know whenever you wanna step out for some air "
I would have said no but I knew he was right— matter of fact he's always right so I ended up saying just a word " okay"
Just then his phone rings , he answers
"Sir you need to see this." A security guard said on the phone.
"Speak" he says
"Someone just went into Miss Lawson's old apartment again"
I become terrified. What are they looking for? but I don't have an answer to it.
"Thanks for letting me know" he says and the call ends.
He turns to me " Do you see that ?"
I nod, not because I couldn't speak but because I knew he was angry but he didn't wanna show it. Also, because this particularanger of his was too personal— like I'm his wife he's willing to protect at all cost .
" Do you have anything to say "he continues
I could only say those words " I'm sorry , it won't happen again."
"Ari— is there something you're not telling me?" he asked
I thought about what he meant by that question but nothing crossed my mind. Then I asked
"Something like what ?"
"Did your father, leave anything in your possession before he died?" he asks
What could my father possibly leave behind ?
My mind goes blank but Damian doesn't stop asking.
Took a while but I remember "Oh " I begin
"He gave me a necklace" I said
His facial expression is unreadable.
A gold necklace that's love shaped and has an opening at the back of it. I normally open it to see my Dads face.
"A necklace he gifted me five years ago. In his words guide this with your life."
Now that I think of it I wonder what's so special about the necklace.
I touched it on my neck.
Damian asked to see it. I removed it and gave it to him then something strange happened;
He touched a button on the pendant and a tiny hole opened.
A key falls out, I pick it up and wonder what kind of key it is.
Damian looked at me and to be honest I have never seen it before. I become shocked too .
" You said your father asked you to guide this with your life right?"
I nod then he continues — this is it.
Then,
A messaged popped into my screen
BREAKING: Blackwood Boardroom Footage Leak — Insider Claims CEO Violated Protocols
"What is this?" I asked showing him my screen
He smile and says "Don't worry about it Aria, I'll handle it."
But before he lives, he also gets a message
YOU CAN'T PROTECT WHAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU. BLACKWOOD WILL FALL FIRST.
His jaw tightened as he reads the message.
"What's wrong " I asked
He hesitates but shows me his screen anyways and then he leaves without uttering a word.
Not because he doesn't have anything to say but because we don't know who or what we're up against.
I stood still, confused. Is everything happening so fast because of me? Maybe if I hadn't come into his life Blackwood Corporation will still be fine. This is what my Uncle wanted and what I wanted too but Damian isn't anything like I was told all these years.
All I want right now — is my sanity to be intact. I wish I could do something or find out who the real culprit is. I lay down on my bed thinking of possibilities, the necklace then I realize the person behind all this ; is watching me and they just declared their intentions.
To take me perhaps because of the key and destroy Blackwood in the process.