42 - UNCONTROLLED ANGER.

*“Aria got engaged yesterday”

Those words washed over me like a turbulent tide, waves crashing and sending me into a state I could only express as severe shock. Which Aria? I only knew of one Aria that worked in K&H, or maybe there was someone else that I wasn’t so familiar with. I was going to ride with that thought until Janine continued speaking.

“Her boyfriend Shawn is one of those big shot lawyers and he’s really sweet, planned out a whole surprise proposal before she got back from the work trip”

“That’s so romantic” the other lady cooed and I crunched my fingers tightly beside me.

Damn! It was her.

Immediately, the elevator doors swung open and just before I stepped out, there was someone coming in and I looked up to find Aria with her ever distant gaze before she locked eyes with me. I don’t know about her, but my hearts skipped several beats in just a fraction of a second. With a quick reflex, my eyes shifted to her fingers, and it was no rumor. Just there, was a sweet looking diamond worn delicately on her fingers. Firstly, I did an internal scoff, I could do better than that. Big shot lawyer? That was rich.

I wasn’t sure I could say anything with how sudden she appeared before me, but before I even had the chance to summon the words, Janine and Monica were already on her like flies.

“Let me see the ring!” Janine was persistent and Monica just seemed to be a happy participant. I stepped out of the way instantly, but my chest was tight and there the suddenly realization dawning on me. Had I lost her – forever? No, I couldn’t – I’d rather die.

I slammed my suitcase on my oaken table with a breeding frustration, suddenly my tie felt too tight and it was difficult to breathe. I paced my office, loosening my tie at the same time but my father’s words kept ringing in my head

*What made you I was going to choose your nonsensical teenage relationship over my own life and freedom?

Which slowly morphed to the ring on my finger – shining and bright. Jealousy cut through me with a budding resentment and hate for Shawn.

She’s engaged? It was difficult to wrap my head around. I was just about to plop on my chair when my door flung open after a brief knock and Janine’s face popped up

“The meeting starts in ten minutes sir” she said and I groaned internally. Yes, the deal with Venzos automobile fell through and we have to seek an alternative amidst other projects that we had on ground, so we had to have a meeting and Aria would be there with her brand new ring staring smugly at me.

“Fine, I’ll be out in a second” I said back absentmindedly. I fixed my tie back and I stepped out of my office to the conference room where everyone was already seated. I didn’t look for her but subconsciously and like a dirty obsession my eyes found her instead, but she wasn’t looking at me, she had her eyes fixed on her phone and when she looked up, I forced myself to look away. I couldn’t bear the intensity of her stare – it blinded me.

I stepped up to my seat which overlooked the rest of my employees “Good morning everyone” my tone was absent of emotion, and I couldn’t fake a smile even if I tried.

“Can I have a template of companies we currently have on our list – active ones” I said to the crowd and immediately Janine pushed a stack of papers into my hands which I only pretended to go through them before flinging it carefully on the table.

“And the ones that fell through?” I went on with Janine equally pushing more stacks in my hands and I dropped them before me and just then my eyes caught something on the first paper Janine handed to me which bore the list of companies we currently had on our radar and Venzos automobile was still listed among them, I picked it up instantly.

“Is this updated?” I fixed my eyes on Janine since she was the one that handed it to me and suddenly there was a frightful look on her face. It wasn’t my intention to frighten anybody but my body rocked with an emotion similar to anger and it was seeping out of me without control and without my permission.

“Is there any problem sir?” she tried to appear confident but I could see the slight tremble of her fingers.

“You don’t answer my question with a question Janine” my voice boomed off the walls and suddenly everywhere fell silent with their eyes all fixed on me. “Is this updated?” I tried to be calmer as I picked up the documents and waved it at her.

There was a slight hesitation on her end, I wasn’t sure if it was fear or she was unsure about the list being updated “Yes it is” her answer was careful but it was the wrong answer.

“Why do I still see Venzos automobile on our list, it is no longer news that we cut off ties with them. So tell m Miss Janine – why is Venzos automobile still on our active list which you claim is updated” the harshness of my voice could not me missed and it poured out of me without my control.

“I – I –” she started, unable to form word “I thought it was – ”

“You thought?” I fired back “Am I running my company on wishful thinking Janine? Do you want to get fired?”

“No – no sir” she answered

“Then explain to me – ”

“It’s my fault” a familiar voice sounded from the front interrupting me, I turned to find Aria on her feet with her hands raised , the hand with the engagement ring – my anger doubled. Was she showing off? I looked to Aria but she wasn’t looking at me, she had her eyes anywhere but my face, and I needed her to look at me, a little sign that she wasn’t permanently throwing me away.

“I was the one who updated the list this morning, I might have skipped it – ”

“You of all people should know better Aria Thorne” the words were pouring out of me

“I know and I apologize” then she looked at me but it wasn’t the kind of look I wanted, it bordered on the professional line. Her eyes were sharp and unblinking, she was looking at me like her boss and Aria was the last person I wanted to look at me that way. Where was the sweet gaze that humbled me, the fluttering eyelashes that caused a tightening in my pants? Where?

“Fix it” I ordered and she nodded, walking up to my desk to pick up the pile of papers but for some reason her skirt had caught on the edges of my table causing her to ripple forward in my direction with able swiftness, I was able to catch her the same time her ring flew out of her finger onto the table and we both reached for it – her fingers creasing me and causing a shiver down my spine.

“What – what are you doing?” her voice was in a whisper.