Chapter 83_ My Man

An hour later, Arya arrived at the restaurant where she and Chloe were to meet and was already filling her in on what Alex told her earlier. “So, Alex found out that Maranello Enterprises already had a mole,” Chloe asked.

Arya nodded. "Apparently, this Melinda Cocatti pulled quite a stunt down in Naples.”

"So, the first thing we need to do is find this girl and see what she knows. I’ll take care of that,” Chloe offered, and Arya shook her head.

"But you are on vacation. I can't let you—”

Chloe cut her off and said, "Look, sweetie. Yes, I’m on vacation, but you need help. Even more importantly, you need to get your priorities straight. How can you possibly face this whole thing if you don't sort things out with Kane first?”

Arya sighed and poured herself some more wine. “I don't know. I just can't stand the fact that he was meeting Evelyn behind my back and pretending it was work.”

"I know it sounds weird, but I'm sure there was a good—” Chloe trailed off as she looked behind Arya.

"Chloe, are you alright?" Arya asked and was about to give her some water when Chloe pointed behind her.

“Turn around," Chloe said.

Arya turned around and saw Evelyn walking into the restaurant, holding a brown binder with her. Arya cursed inwardly, ‘That fucking bitch! That's my binder.’ She stood up and was about to run over to Evelyn when Chloe grabbed her wrist.

“What are you doing? You can't just—”

"Chloe, trust me. I just want to have a talk with her,” Arya said, and Chloe let out a sigh as she nodded and released her.

Arya marched straight to Evelyn, cutting her in half with her eyes, and Evelyn went stiff like a frozen fish as she saw Arya approach her. “Good evening, Evelyn. May I take a look at that beautiful binder of yours?”

“Mmmh, I don't know…. I'm quite reserved, you know? But I could consider it if you sing me a song and dance along,” Evelyn said with a haughty tone.

Arya nodded with a smile. “That's a wonderful idea.” With a quick and sudden move, she snatched the binder from Evelyn's hands. “What about this move? Did you like it? And I also know a song that is a perfect match.”

"I’ll kick your ass so bad you won't sit for a week," Arya sang.

"Give it back,” Evelyn said with a frown as she tried to retrieve the binder, but Arya grabbed her wrist and gave her a taste of her strength.

“Quit this crap right now, or I’ll pull your fucking arm off,” Arya warned, and Evelyn took a step back, clearly unwilling to test the threat. Arya checked the binder and saw all the stolen files inside.

“Give me that binder back,” Evelyn said, and Arya grinned at her.

"Of course, Evelyn. But first, why don't you sing me your song and show me your dance?” Arya replied.

"Enough with this bullshit," Evelyn said and went straight on the attack as she tried to trip Arya with a shoulder bash.

“Ah," Arya took the hit but managed to steady herself as a violent rage began boiling in her chest. ‘I would just love to smash her face against the wall,’ Arya mused silently.

“Oh my God, are you alright?" Evelyn asked, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

Arya was well aware that she couldn't lose her temper, as she was in the spotlight of so many witnesses, so she pretended to lose her balance forward, holding onto Evelyn and stomping down with all her weight on her foot.

“Aaaah," Evelyn screamed.

"Gosh, I’m so sorry, miss! I don't know what's wrong with me. Are you hurt?" Arya said.

"Of course I'm hurt, you clumsy—" Evelyn trailed off when Arya squeezed her arm tightly and pierced her with a thug gaze.

Arya whispered in her ear, “And this is just the beginning. You won't get out of this so easily after stealing my documents and my man.”

Evelyn widened her eyes at Arya's words, genuine surprise crossing her face when she mentioned her man. “Who? Kane? Are you crazy?” Evelyn said, freeing herself from Arya's grasp as she rushed out of the restaurant, leaving Arya too stunned to chase after her.

‘She was cool about stealing the documents… but am I crazy to think that something is going on between her and Kane? Am I missing something here?’ Arya mused silently as she stumbled back to their table and joined Chloe.

“I might just have imagined the whole thing between Kane and Evelyn,” Arya revealed.

“His Playboy tendencies must have gotten to you. You should call him right now,” Chloe said, and Arya nodded as she took her phone to call Kane, but there was no response. She sighed and changed the subject as she and Chloe chatted the night away.

======

The next day, Arya kept calling Kane all the way to the office, but his phone was off, and she thought with a sigh, ‘I’ll call him later. Right now, I need to make sure everything is ready for Al-Hakim, or this will all have been for nothing.’

Arya approached Lewis’s desk with a smile and a sparkling attitude. “So, did you remember to pack your A-game along with your laptop this morning?”

"I did. I polished and packed it properly. But since I got here, I'm not feeling very well,” Lewis answered, and a crease of concern formed on Arya's face.

"Can I bring you something? Maybe a glass of water or a coffee or—” Arya said, and Lewis shook his head.

“Don’t worry, it's just… I’m fine… I’m…”

Thump!

Lewis collapsed face forward on the desk, completely unconscious.