Chapter 24

Aria

When my eyes opened I was wrapped in his arms. I knew he was awake because he was smiling, he pulled me into him.

“ What time is your meeting, Baby girl?”, he asked while caressing my arms.

“ Two this afternoon,then I'm heading straight back to Payson “ , I said, caressing his face.

“ Okay. Come on ,my mother probably needs to see you and talk to you “ ,he said, opening his eyes and looking at me.

After our shower which took longer than necessary, because he couldn't help it we headed downstairs. We found everyone sitting in the living room.

“ Shouldn't you be at school or somewhere?”, he asked Cindy

“ Shouldn't you be at work?”, she asked him.

“ No” ,he answered. Through breakfast they wanted to know everything about me and I told them.

“ You remind me of a friend I used to have,she was my Best friend,one day she just disappeared ” , Amanda said looking at me.

“ Oh , I'm sorry “ , I said

“ So you look like your mother. Your mom must have been one hell of a woman for you to look so good” , Cindy said, I couldn't help but laugh. I pulled my phone out and opened the gallery. I opened my pictures and showed her a picture of my mother.

“ Damn your mom was hot” , she said, handing the phone to Amanda. I saw her drop her fork.

“ Cassandra “ ,that was all she said, then looked at her husband and then me.

“ Are you sure this is your mother Aria?”, she asked me.

“ Yes, her name was Angela Garcia,she was born in Payson Arizona ” , I said looking a bit confused.

“ No sweetie,this is My Best friend, I would know her in a heartbeat. Her name was Cassandra Milton,she grew up in North Texas with me. I can't understand why she changed her name. Did you have any family members around you in Payson?”, she asked me.

“ No ,it was just the two of us” , I said , fully confused now. I looked at Caleb.

“ Do you think Arch and the police Chief Matthew knows about this?”, I asked him.

“ Possibly,it can be Why they've been watching out for you. Matthew did say he owed it to your mother to make sure you're okay ” ,he said holding my hand.

I sat back in the chair at a loss.

“ I don't understand, was she afraid of someone or something that made her move and change her name and entire life?”, I asked out loud.

“ The last I saw her was on a Sunday morning. The night before ,we were at work, we worked at the Cafe. She was dating someone but she wouldn't tell me Who. She left early that night because she said she had a date .She showed up Sunday morning at my place crying,she wouldn't tell me what happened, she just cried. I didn't force her , I figured she would tell me when she was ready, I didn't expect her to disappear without a word after that day. I've searched for her but could never find her. Now I know why” , Amanda said looking at me.

“ I'll find out. When I get back to Payson I'll find out quietly ”. I said

Amanda stood up and walked over to me and pulled me up to stand in front of her. She just hugged me.

“ We always said we would let our kids get married to each other. I guess it happened eventually. I'm happy it's You. Come with me I have something for you “. She said, leading me towards the other side of the house. She walked into her room and put me to sit down.

She came over to me with a box. She gave it to me.

“ What is this?”, I asked her

“ Open it “ ,she said smiling.

When I did, I found pictures and trinkets. I took the pictures out. It was pictures of her and my mother, from When they were younger. She was so beautiful and her smile was so bright.

“ I've always been looking for her. I've never stopped. I think she was afraid of whoever she was with at that time and it is probably your father. Be careful sweetheart okay. “ ,she Said holding my hand .

We went back down and found them sitting there. We spent some more time until it was time for me to leave. I said goodbye to them and promised I would visit soon. I stood looking at him.

“ I love you baby girl. I'll see you at the end of the month okay and please be careful “ ,he said holding my hands.

“I love you too. I will, I promise. I'll wait for you “ ,

He kissed me and then let me go. I wore his hoodie covering making sure my face was hidden and headed back out. The chopper was waiting and so was max.


Caleb

I stood by the door and watched her leave. Fuck I Missed her already. I turned around and found my mother standing there.

“ Make sure you have someone watching her to make sure she's safe “ , she said looking at me.

“ I already have someone there” , I said

She just nodded and walked away. I left and headed to the office. Once there Ryan walked in and took a seat.

“ Shit ,so that's what all the whispering is about “ ,he said looking at me.

“ What?” , I asked him

“ Your neck “ ,he said smirking

I just Shook my head. We had a meeting which was going past one. Ryan and I were in the Restaurant with the managers when I saw her walk in. Ryan saw her too, but didn't say anything or look in her direction. One of the men with us saw her and I heard him mumble something under his breath. She was sitting opposite us.


I looked at her without looking at her. She was wearing a two piece suit, her hair in a ponytail, her face clear and smooth without any makeup. The love bites were visible just enough and she didn't seem to care if anyone saw it. When I looked at her hands she was wearing her ring. She didn't see us.

I saw the CEO of the company walk in and take a seat opposite her. We could hear everything They were saying. So I nudged Ryan, he understood. I zoned out the conversation at our table and listened to them. Okay She wasn't messing around,she was in it for her Job.

After half an hour it didn't seem like anything was going to happen until I heard that fucker say it.

“ you're extremely beautiful Ms Garcia “ Taylor Benson said. I could see him eying her.

“ Thank you Mr Benson, my husband knows that also” ,she said calmly, looking over the papers In Front of her.

“ If he knows why does he let you out of his sight “ , he said to her

“ Because unlike other women, I'm not impressed by materialistic things.” She said still not looking at him.

“ And what are you interested in Ms Garcia?”he asked, leaning forward.

“ My husband ” she said

“ He doesn't have to know “ ,he said. I was about to move when I felt Ryan grab me.
She looked at him then grabbed her phone.
“ Holly, the contract from Aius Incorporated is terminated “ ,she said ending the call Then looking at the man sitting before her, she ripped the papers in half.

“ Me Benson let me explain something , you needed me to do a job for you. I'm very efficient in my job and produce quality Software. But when I meet clients like yourself that have a bit too much interest in me and not my work, I make it my goal to not cooperate or work with them. I don't beg for clients,my work speaks for itself . So kindly excuse me, this meeting is over. I wish you luck in finding another software developer “ ,she said standing up.

When she turned around and saw us ,she didn't falter or say anything. She looked at us for two seconds and kept walking. Fuck, I couldn't help but think to myseIf that I made the right choice. I watched her as she walked out ,the idiot was still smirking and I didn't like that. He was more interested than ever because she turned him down.

I pulled my phone out and texted Max,to Make sure he followed her and made sure she got onto that plane back to Arizona. I gave him a heads up on Benson ,he said he would alert Nathan to keep an eye out.
When we got back to the office Ryan was looking at me.

“ He's going to go after her you know “ , he said looking at me.

“ I know. I trust her. It's him I don't trust “.

Aria

I didn't expect that to happen. I figured I would wear my ring as it is , in this part of the world Caleb and I had no relationship. When this fool started spewing nonsense, I had heard enough. I just let Holly know what I was doing. She knows I never do anything without reason. I didn't expect to turn around and see them sitting there.

When I left the restaurant, I headed straight back to the hotel and got my stuff and checked out. On the Way to the airport I caught a glimpse of Max. Hmm guess he was making sure I got back safe. When I checked in, the Flight attendant just smiled.

“ Miss , you've been upgraded to First class “ ,she said.

I pulled my phone out and texted Max. After ten minutes he replied saying No. Just no. I looked at the woman standing in front of me.

“ No thank you, I'll take my assigned seat” I said

“ Ms It's first Class “ , she said

“ If I wanted to travel first Class I would because I can afford it . Give it to someone else” , I said looking at her and making it clear I wasn't budging. She looked like she was going to keel over but smiled instead and handed me back my boarding pass.