The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 9: Dreams to Nightmares

Morning light crept through the blinds in the bedroom. Quinn rubbed her eyes open, and stretched as she rolled in bed. Grabbing her phone, she shot up and paced the room as she opened an email. It was from Akira Corp. Once she opened the email, a squeal left her mouth, and she jumped around the room in excitement.

“I got it! I got it!” She screamed, still jumping around, proud of herself for once.

Jake came rushing into the room, he stayed in for the day after yesterday’s events. He saw Quinn jumping around in excitement and giggled to himself. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. Quinn hadn’t even noticed that he had walked in until she looked towards the door and saw him. She instantly blushed and put her hands behind her back, her gaze towards the ground. Jake noticed that she was still in her pajamas. A large flannel shirt, that covered almost to her knees. He found it very sexy on her.

“What are you so excited about?” Jake laughed. He had never seen this side of Quinn before. When Quinn saw that he was smiling, she raised her head and showed him her phone with the email.

“I got my dream job that I’ve wanted since I took graphic design!” she said excitedly yet hushed. Afraid he might be mad at her for making too much noise, she smiled at him. His eyes widened as he quickly lifted her up over his shoulder and swung her around! Quinn saw that he was being playful and loosened herself into full laughter.

Soon, the two of them began to calm down, Jake then held Quinn by the waist, her feet dangling behind her. He lowered her face until it was mere inches from his. Looking into her eyes, he was about to lean in to kiss her. Jake had grown some affection towards her.

Before he could plant his lips to hers, the doorbell rang. Jake quickly set Quinn down and went to the front door. Lila walked past Jake and into the house.

“Okay, it’s one thing to be calling in to work, but it’s another when- “Lila began to say to him as she walked in the door, but Jake covered her mouth in time before Quinn came out of the room and heard anything. Lila’s eyes widened and she straightened herself out, clearing her throat. “Quinn! I didn’t expect you to be here!” Lila grunted and gave Jake a scolding look.

Quinn gave a confused look to Lila. Even though it’s been a few days since she last saw Lila, she still doesn’t know how to handle or understand her perkiness.

“Good morning, Lila,” Quinn said politely. She had been warned before by Lila that she would be visiting often, so she didn’t bother to ask why she was there. After all, she is Jake’s sister. Quinn began to walk towards the bathroom to get ready to head to Akira Corp. for her first day. When the bathroom door closed, Lila turned around and smacked Jake.

“Why didn’t you tell me she was here? I almost blew your cover, dumbass!” She scolded him in a whisper. She didn’t want Quinn listening in.

“I didn’t know you were coming, damn it!” He fought with her. Finally, he waved his hand to end it. “Alright, why are you here?” Jake didn’t want to beat around the bush anymore.

“You approved the application before it was processed through! Do you have any idea what suspicion that brings to some of the staff, HR included?” Lila scolded him, and Jake brushed it off.

“It’s fine, what are they going to do, go against the CEO of the company?” He scoffed at her, like it wasn’t a big deal. Jake already had it all planned out.

“What if she sees me there, or worse, you?!” Lila could barely whisper anymore; she was slowly raising her voice.

“I already have Simon in control of that, and Joey already knows as well. I can’t not tell my assistant or my best friend about my home life.” Jake noticed that Lila was upset.

“Do you not realize how in trouble the company would be if our parents found out? Or worse, your wife and her family?” Lila was nearly fuming at this point.

Jake finally gave her a stern look, making sure that Lila knew that he wasn’t joking about this. “I have it under control,” he reassured her before continuing. “Hire Quinn into the company, please.” He then gave her a smile. Lila couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

“Fine, but if you can’t control it and she find out, biting you in the ass later, don’t blame me!” She says as she takes out her phone, calling her driver around. Before she stepped back out the door, Jake grabbed her hand.

“Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad of an idea that she knew you worked there! You can keep an eye out for her and help me as well.” Jake said to her, practically pleading. Lila scoffed, before she grunted, “I’ll think about it.” And walked out of the house.

*** *** ***

Quinn sat in the interview room, waiting for someone to come give her a tour of the area and her workstations. Before long, a tall, slender man with glasses and short hair walked in. He gave Quinn a welcoming smile before shaking her hand.

“Hello, Quinn, my name is Joey Lester. I’m one of the senior executives of the company. I’ll be helping show you around and get you familiar with the company.” Joey said in a professional manner as he ushered her around the work area.

Finally, at the end of the tour, Joey led them towards the 8th floor towards her workstations. He introduced Quinn to her supervisor.

“This is Ms. Hardy; she is your supervisor as a graphic designer. You report to her with your designs, clients, etc. and go to her if you have any issues, questions, or problems.” Joey said, as Ms. Hardy laughed.

“Please, Mr. Lester, no need to be formal. You can call me Willow.” She smiled and shook Quinn’s hand. She was very excited to meet and see Quinn. Willow studied Quinn’s resume and loved the amount of hard work that she had put in over the years.

After Quinn’s orientation day was done, it was the end of the day, and everyone was going home. Quinn walked towards the bus stop, watching around her as people walked by. That was when she saw the men again, only this time there was more and in every direction she turned.

Quinn looked around in a panic, trying to look for an exit away from them. Trying not to make a scene or alert people around her, she quickly got up and began walking in the opposite direction of them. Quinn picked up her pace with every step, trying to find a way to lose them. The men followed her, trying to find a way to corner her. They were nearly caught up to her.

As Quinn turned a corner, she saw that she led herself into a dead end. Three men came hurdling around the corner. Once they saw her, they all began to laugh.

“Awe, did the little girl get cornered?”

“No where else to run, huh?” They all bickered and snapped towards her, laughing as they thought she was going to be a piece of cake.

Quinn dropped her bag on the ground before standing towards the men, waiting for them to attack her first. The first man came running towards her, but before he could touch her, she spun around and kicked him in the stomach. He flew back, holding his abdomen.

As he looked up, he yelled at the men, “Get her!”