On her way home, she couldn't get the place out of her mind — the towering glass building, the polished floors, the air of authority that surrounded everything — it all felt unreal. And yet… now working in a place like that and also as a PA, acting PA precisely. Even thinking about it made her heart race.
She slowly walked by the side of the road — since it was still morning, she decided to buy a small cake to celebrate with Adrian.
Arriving at a pastry shop that was close by, Ariana entered. The scent of freshly baked goods immediately wrapped around her, warm and comforting. Though she felt a few heads turn, she was not really bothered. She was more focused on the display of cakes as she approached the counter. Her eyes landed on a simple, small round chocolate cake.
Perfect.
"Good morning, I'd like this cake — how much for it?" Ariana asked while pointing at the cake.
"it's $30 ma'am," the server replied politely, then continued taking people's orders.
Ariana reached into her bag, when she finally gathered the money in her hand, her heart sank. She could only get $18.
"Gosh, what's left with me is barely enough and I can't use the one in my account, it's for Adrian's drugs." she murmured.
"Ma'am, are you still taking the cake because someone else is requesting for it?" The server asked, glancing between her and the other customer.
Before Ariana could respond, a woman holding a baby let out a soft scoff.
"Can you just pack the cake for me because with the look of things, I doubt she can even afford anything here." she said with disdain while eyeing Ariana.
"Calm down, ma'am" the server said then turned to Ariana.
"Should I pack it for you?" the server asked again.
Ariana, who had been quiet since.
"Who told you I can't afford it," she said, her voice calm but laced with cold authority. "I don't like people who don't actually know how to mind their business. At least have some shame if you're spitting those words in front of your baby, I then wonder type of example you are setting." Without another word, she brought out her card and gave it to the server.
The woman's face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly left the store with her baby without buying anything.
"Nice job," a lady whispered in Ariana's ear — standing beside her as she witnessed everything that happened. Ariana was a bit startled as she turned and stared at the pretty lady behind her.
Her black eyes were warm and gentle, carrying a softness that felt… genuine. Her smile was bright, almost comforting, and her neatly styled corporate outfit gave her an air of elegance.
"I'm so sorry I startled you dear, it wasn't intentional. I'm Lisa." she said with a loving smile as she stretched her hand towards Ariana.
"Oh, it's alright... I'm Ariana." Ariana replied with a smile as she shook her hand.
"Hot chocolate and 2 sausage rolls." she added to the server and turned back to Ariana.
"You shouldn't let people like that get under your skin, you know" Lisa said gently as both received their orders and were on their way out of the shop.
"I didn't let —" Ariana began, but stopped as Lisa gave her a knowing look.
"You did, Ariana." Lisa said with a small smile as they left the shop. "You weren't planning on taking the cake anymore but you just wanted to prove something to her"
Ariana fell silent. Lisa wasn't wrong.
"You should always know — people will always talk." Lisa continued softly. "You can't please everyone at once, dear, so don't lose yourself trying to." Her words were simple but they all meant a lot to Ariana.
"I'll be going now dear." Lisa said with a smile as she tucked her long wavy black hair behind her ears.
"Oh alright, hope we see each other again" Ariana said with her eyes really hoping they meet again as she waves her goodbye as she went the opposite direction. For the first time, someone actually talked with her without any judgement.
Ariana had a smile on her face throughout her journey home from the store.
Arriving home — she opened the door and immediately called her brother.
"Adrian, Adrian!!!" she shouted as she approached the kitchen to drop the cake with a smile on her face.
"Where'd he go?" she murmured.
As she reached for her phone to dial his number, the door opened.
"Gosh, bro! you know you could actually wait — we would have gone together" she said as she quickly approached him to take out the groceries in his hands.
"It wasn't a big deal, Ari," he replied calmly.
"Guess what?!" Ariana said with happiness beaming in her eyes.
"What's that Ari? You know I don't fancy that" He said with a slight smile.
"What a party pooper" she said as she faked a sad face, pouting briefly before grinning again.
"Just spit it out," Adrian replied impatiently.
Immediately, she told him everything that happened both in the company and at the pastry shop.
"Like bro!!! she's so beautiful, especially when she smiles." Ariana said as she smile so widely.
"Wait, so you're telling me you went to Whitmore Company to request for a job as a substitute for the payment for the damages you caused, and you were given the role of an acting PA? For six months? Oh Ari, do you know what you're getting yourself into? This place is full of people who don't value people like us. Imagine going there every single day!" Adrian said with slight annoyance.
"I know bro — but this is our opportunity, I don't care about the others, it's just the pay and …,"
"And what, Ari? Adrian insisted.
"Never mind, just trust me bro, please." Ariana said as she quickly went inside the kitchen and brought the cake, knife and fork. "I bought your favourite cake" she said as she opened it.
Adrian was still staring at Ariana as she did everything but avoid meeting his eyes.
"I hope you know what you're doing Ari," Adrian said with a worried expression.
"Come on bro, let's just celebrate." Ariana said as she cut a small slice and fed it to Adrian.
"I'll be going to my room," he said after taking some bites.
"But bro there's still more" Ariana protested.
"I'm okay" he said as he wheeled himself to his room.
"Hmm, stubborn head, you'll come around soon." She murmured as ate the cake, smiling.
Back at the office.
"Sir, you called for me?" Ezra said immediately as he entered.
"Find out everything about her."
That was the only reply he gave as he continued working.
"Okay sir." Ezra immediately got the message and left.
Immediately he left, Sebastian stopped what he was doing. Slowly, he leaned back, his gaze darkening as something flickered in his eyes. No one could tell what was going on in his head. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours.
"Those eyes. Indeed a brave fool." he murmured as he scoffed, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
There was a knock on the door and with the invitation to come in, Ezra entered.
"Sir." He called as he stretched out his hand, giving him a file.
Sebastian took the file from him. As he was about to go through it, he noticed Ezra still stood there.
"Anything else?" Sebastian asked as he dropped the file.
"Sir, a call came in this morning… from Canada," Ezra said carefully.
The atmosphere suddenly dropped. Sebastian's expression stiffened for a brief moment — just a second–something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"Clear my schedule for today." He commanded. Without waiting, he picked up his suit and left in a blink of an eye.