Once You Were Mine

Chapter-4 Sara&Matio

Sara Ikari

Sara's POV:

I reached the airport and boarded the flight; it is 9 now, and I hope I can reach the gallery at least by 10:30.

I took deep breaths to get control over my breathing. I was running like crazy all over the airport with this dress, probably looking like a runaway princess.

I closed my eyes, and a tear fell free without my permission.

Why is my dad always harsh towards me when he loves my sister? I tried to reach out for dinner but could not, and I did not expect my dad to react that way.

I will call him first thing tomorrow. I will apologize to him. I, who am a strong independent, can not be the same as my father.

In front of him, I am just a hopeless little girl who always craved her dad's love but, ironically, could not get any.

Another tear rolled down my cheek. I dabbed my face with a tissue, as I did not want to mess up my makeup. I opened my eyes. I cannot think about all that now and get depressed.

I have a duty to attend.

I got off the plane and hailed a cab to the art gallery. I reached there in no time, and I informed my team that I had come.

I chose to enter from the back entrance rather than the main one, and I am sure I am looking like a mess right now. I entered the restroom with the thought of giving it a bit of a touch-up.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and I saw a girl who was stressed out, dull, and like a princess at the same time, except for my hair. I gave it a gentle comb with my fingers and did a touch-up on my face.

I removed the cape and held it in my arms. I really love this dress; it defines my waistline, and the way it flows towards my thighs does not make me appear thick.

I took a deep breath and let out a sigh. I can do this, I told myself.

Today feels so long, yet the day just began for me. This being a night party, I might have to stay here till 12. Why is this day so stressful?

From being in Boston, baking at Akika, enjoying myself there, getting a call from Dad, getting ready for dinner, boarding a flight to New York, and watching myself in the restroom mirror

I want the day to end already. I am already irritated and a bit disturbed, and I do not want any more drama to happen.

As Taylor Swift said in End Game, 'I do not like the drama, but it likes me.'

I got this, I tell myself before I step out.

I was in a rush, and on my way out, I bumped into someone.

"Ouch," I say, rubbing my temples. It got hit hard.

"Watch where you go," I whispered as the place was surrounded by influential people.

"Sorry..." he said.

"You better be sorry," I said in an irritated voice.

He is clearly not a VIP, as he does not have the tag. He might be a servant or a member of the cleaning staff. But I have not seen any muscle-built servants before.

"It is even better if you watch your steps than say sorry," I said.

"Do you even know?"

"And yeah, take this and put it over there in the room." I handed him my cape; I could not walk around with it in my hands.

"Excuse me..."

"You are excused," I said, and I moved away from there. I have already arrived late; at least I should not waste time talking to people.

I started to approach guests and chatted with each of them for some minutes. I needed to play a good host as I was getting paid for that.

I explored different paintings with different guests, and it is understood that everyone has a different view of art.

It feels good to work in an art gallery, as you can understand people, their views on art, and how an individual thinks. This is more than just a job; this place will teach you many things if only one understands.

I developed my personality in this very gallery by meeting many people and talking to them. This place holds a special place in my heart.

The party ended and all the guests left, but I and my team had to stay behind and look at every piece of art, ensuring no damage

happened and no piece was missing.

It was past 12 as I reached my apartment. I did not even have enough energy to change or remove my makeup. I dozed off on the couch itself.

Maybe this is how it feels to come home late and exhausted.

Matio Rodriguez

Matio's POV:

Though I reached it by 9:30, it felt like the event had just started. The events started when I came; that is how people treat the Rodriguez family.

The Rodriguez family has a long line of business hierarchies; thus, the influence came.

"Is he not handsome?" I overheard a woman talking about me.

"I heard that their family has connections with the mafia and also includes illegal dealings; that is why everyone fears them, and that is why they are influential." I hear men talking as well.

There are only two types of people in this world:

1. Who loves you for your wealth and success?

2. Who gets jealous of your success and spreads rumors about you for their inability to do business?

And what the guy said was a half-lie.

The owner of the art gallery, Albert, came to greet me.

"Hi, Matio," he said, hugging me.

"Hi, uncle. Good to see you." I hugged him back.

"Call me Albert; I am not as old as your dad," he laughed, and I smiled at him.

"I was expecting your dad but was a bit surprised to see you here; I always thought that you hated such events," he said.

"Trust me, Albert; even I wish Dad was here. Dad informed me about this, and I could not say no to him. He said he was busy and conveyed his greetings to you." I spoke.

"That old man is trying to be formal? No issues; I will meet him on the golf course this Sunday," he said.

"Enjoy your time here and let me know if any art catches your interest," he said.

"Are you going to gift me?" I smirked.

"Oh, you wish. We are business people; we only buy and sell; we do not gift," he laughed.

and went to greet another guest.

I am not a social person; I do not like many social gatherings, especially the attention I get.

I decided to use the restroom; at least I could be away from people for a couple of minutes, and on my way there, someone bumped into my chest.

"Watch where you go," she yelled.

I should be the one saying that, as she bumped into me and not me.

"Sorry?" I say, and that dumb nut thought I was saying sorry to her.

She eyed me from head to toe and took her special time watching my arms. I cleared my throat, and then she handed me a f*****g cape and asked me to put it somewhere. Is she completely lost?

Who the hell is she in the first place ordering me to do things? Who does she even think of me?

When I was about to talk, she rushed away, and anger flared through my body. How dare she? If only this were my office, I would have dealt with her differently.

I felt like dragging her by holding her wrist and pushing her against the wall. I held her captive in my arms while locking her wrists with my hands, not letting her move.

"You little woman, you had better think twice before speaking with someone like me.

It would be beneficial for both of us if you said sorry and learned how to behave, or else things would end differently, which you may not like."

I came out of my thoughts with the ring of my phone.

It is Samir. I looked around. Was I making a fake scenario in my head regarding that woman? f**k this s**t.

"Hey," he greeted.

"What is it?" I asked.

"We have to work on a few things; I will be waiting for you at the office. Try to get here as soon as possible," he said.

"I will be right there," I said, ending the call.

Samir is my friend, my right-wing man, and, of course, my COO as well.

If it were about Rodriguez's group, he would have waited till tomorrow morning, but I am sure this might be about 'Black Code'.

Before leaving the event, I bid byes to my uncle and was about to step out when I spotted the familiar green-dressed woman.

The dress looks classy, but I am sure she is not one of the VIPs or the daughter of a businessman; I have not seen her anywhere before. But she does look elegant and sexy in that dress.

If we ever meet again, I better teach her a lesson.

I reached my company soon, as it was late at night and there was no one around. I entered my cabin, and Samir was working on something on his laptop.

"What is this about?" I ask him.

"What is that cape about?" he questioned me back, and I looked down at my arms.

"I did not expect you to be someone sleeping around with random women and bringing their belongings as souvenirs," he laughed.

"Shut your f*****g mouth, and even if I am about to die tomorrow, I will not be interested in sleeping with her." I hissed out and threw the cape on the couch.

I might have brought this with me in a hurry.

"Coming to business, we have found the move Helin is about to make on the Rodriguez group," he said.

"Good. Did you do anything about it then?" I ask him.

"Yeah, he blew his favorite Maserati, which he was about to hop on. He escaped with minor injuries, as this is just a warning," Samir grinned.

"Great," I said.

No one would breathe in peace if they decided to mess with Rodriguez.

I and Samir started Black Code, where we deal with hacking and learning illegal information about companies that might help us later or who are about to turn on us. Backstabbing us and living happily in their dreams.

We both make sure that no one crosses Rodriguez. This is a company my dad established, and he is too good for this dirty world, so I decided to be ruthless.

We worked for some time, and Samir left. It is already 2 a.m., and I do not have any strength left to drive home and rest there; instead, I decided to sleep in the office.

The day was long and tiring. And I can already understand how arrogant the spoiled little brat of the Ikari family is.

I do not have any intentions of meeting her; rather, I will see her directly at the altar.

I let out a sigh and closed my eyes.