Aria's Second Chance

9_O'lmas

Aria

“O’lmas,” I read the name out loud as I stare at the magnificent structure in front of me. Never in my entire life have I seen such exquisite architecture. The contours are sleek and elegant. After Harvey gave me the address, I did some research on the hotel. There are no less than twenty-seven restaurants and bars. Three pools and dozens of shops.

“And I thought the outside was breathtaking,” I murmur in awe when I step inside. Lights from assorted colours are reflected on the pristine marble floors. I look at the guest and personnel and suddenly I feel completely out of place. Sure, my wounds have healed and I do not look like a human punching bag anymore. I am wearing my best pair of jeans and my blouse is feminine and elegant. But still, I feel underdressed and out of my league. I do not belong here. What was I thinking?

“You were thinking about your future and employment,” Maya snaps at me. “Now, suck it up and move your ass to the counter. Nancy can only watch Evan until five and we need to be back by then.”

My nerves are about to devour me alive, but I do as Maya instructed me. The sophisticated woman behind the counter looks at me like I was stewing in a dumpster for a month.

“I have an appointment with Mister Bourdeaux,” I lift my chin and put in my absolute best effort to sound secure.

“I’m sorry,” she apologizes with a stiff smile. “Mister Bourdeaux is not available.”

“Cut the crap, Sandra,” a female chimes in and when I turn around, it is Harvey’s daughter. “I was with Father when he told you to send her to his office.”

“Miss Bourdeaux,” Sandra scoffs uncomfortably. “My apologies for my mistake. I was not aware that he was referring to her.”

“You’re such a b*tch,” Harvey’s daughter rolls her eyes and hooks her arm around my elbow. “Come on, Aria, Daddy is expecting you.”

Before I could say a word, I am being dragged away. I turn around to a fuming Sandra and for reasons unbeknown to me, I stick my tongue out to her like a toddler. Sandra’s eyes widen in shock, and she turns beet red in the face.

“Now, that was mature,” Maya huffs at me.

“I’m sorry,” I squeal. “I don’t know why I did it, but I did enjoy it.”

“Just try and act like your age,” Maya pleas. “You’re here to work.”

“I never got your name,” I say to Harvey’s daughter as I ignore Maya’s scolding.

“Dahlia,” she smiles. “And I’m sorry about Sandra. She is a super cow and a complete love fool for Dad. She irritates the sh*t out of me.”

“Well, it is very nice to meet you, Dahlia,” I laugh as I can feel myself relax. “And thank you for saving me from the cow.”

“Hey,” she shrugs. “You saved me and now I saved you.”

“Speaking of that, how are you feeling?” I ask cautiously.

“Coffee first,” she rolls her eyes dramatically and sends me into one of the restaurants.

“But isn’t your dad waiting for us?” I ask as we follow the waiter.

“He’s on one of his never-ending business calls,” she smiles as we get seated.

“I don’t want to be late and leave a bad impression,” I explain awkwardly. I will never admit it to her or her father, but I am desperate for work.

“He knows you’re here, Aria,” she winks at me. “He’s the one that sends me down to keep you company while he’s on the phone.”

I just nod and place my order with the waiter after Dahlia.

“Thanks again for last night,” Dahlia says softly when the waiter leaves. “That was a narrow escape. I cannot even imagine what would happen if you didn’t get there when you did.”

“It’s nothing,” I wave it away awkwardly. “How’s your jaw?”

“Tender,” she groans.

“How did your dad get there?” I ask the question that has been bugging me.

“I missed my curfew and he and his bloodhounds came looking for me,” she explains.

“You have a curfew?” I ask flabbergasted. “How old are you?”

“It’s not like that,” she laughs at me. “It’s all about security. I can go as I please, but I must inform him of my whereabouts. I was supposed to go home straight after class. And I did, but I forgot a book and went back for it. I ran into a classmate, and we started debating about the day’s lecture and I lost track of time. When I got back to the parking lot … well, you know.”

“And he immediately started searching for you?” I frown. “He didn’t call first to hear what’s going on?”

“He did phone,” she sighs. “But by then I was already pinned to the ground and couldn’t answer. I know what you’re thinking. My dad is not an overprotective control freak. I was kidnapped when I was five and held for ransom. Things worked out in our favour but since then, he’s not taking any chances.”

“Wow,” I sit back in awe as the waiter puts our cups in front of us. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Now I am,” she shrugs. “But it took years of therapy, and it left a mark on Dad. After last night, he insists that I go to class with a bodyguard, but I refuse.”

“You must understand why he’s insisting, though,” I say diplomatically. I would react the same if it were Evan.

“I do, believe me,” she snorts unladylike. “But he doesn’t understand that I just want a normal life. I grew up in this place and was home-schooled. All in the name of my protection. I had no friends. My birthday parties consisted of employees and old people. I want to have a life and not just be alive.”

“Sometimes parents do things for the sake of our children and don’t always comprehend the consequences,” I say sadly as I think of Evan. When we ran, I thought of our safety. I did not spare time thinking of how it would impact him. Not only did I take his father away from him. I also took him away from his home and everything he is familiar with. Including his friends and cousins.

“Are you okay?” Dahlia looks at me with big eyes. “You’re crying.”

“Sorry,” I apologize and wipe the tears that slipped out without me realizing. “I’m fine. I was … Uhm … thinking of my son.”

“You have a son?” She gapes at me. “You look so young.”

“I married my high school sweetheart. Our son is three,” I smile and finish my coffee.

“Shall we go?” I ask before she can ask more questions.

“He should be done by now,” she says as she glances at her watch and stands up. “Besides, I need to get ready for class.”

“So, did you win the fight about the bodyguard?” I smile as we walk to the elevators.

“Yes and no,” she sighs. “I’ve settled for a chauffeur for the time being. We are still negotiating.”

Her choice of words makes me laugh. Their arguments must be entertaining to witness. It is obvious to me that she and Harvey are extremely close.

“I don’t mean to pry, but where’s your mother?” I ask softly as we step inside the elevator and Dahlia pushes the penthouse button. Somehow in the back of my mind, I have the impression that Harvey is single. He did say he wants to get to know me, and married men do not usually use that as an opening line.

“Don’t know, don’t care,” she shrugs nonchalantly. “Harvey found me in a dumpster and raised me as his own.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say sympathetically.

“Please,” she waves it off. “If I ever meet the woman that gave birth to me, I will thank her for throwing me away. Harvey might not be my biological father, but he is a super parent and I doubt that my biologicals would love and provide for me the way he does.”

The elevator doors slide open and spare me from replying as I look into a wall of man. His angry face softens the second he recognises Dahlia, and he steps aside so that we can get out.

“This is Frank, Dad’s number one human,” Dahlia smiles at him. “Frank, meet Aria. She’s the one Dad told you about.”

“She’s the wolf?” Frank asks astonished and looks at me in disbelief.

“Why?” I throw my hands up in the air. “Am I dressed that poorly? Why are all of you looking at me like I escaped the junkyard?”

“No, no,” Frank waves his hands defensively. “Nothing like that. I was expecting someone … Uhm … bigger, more masculine.”

I squint my eyes at him as I walk closer. I can see him swallow, but he does not move. I stand on my toes, sniff his neck, and listen to his heartbeat.

“Puny human,” I snort as I stand back. “You might be as big as a house, but I will break your kneecaps in seconds.”

“In my defence,” there is a smile tucking on his lips. “Harvey did not tell me your cockiness makes up for your size.”

“You and I will get along just fine,” I laugh heartedly as I slap him on the shoulder.

“You two, stop flirting, Father is waiting,” Dahlia snaps and I study her face. She is frowning slightly, and her heartbeat is faster than normal. She is in love with Frank, the realization strikes me.

“Nice to meet you, Frank,” I say and this time I am the one that hooks my arm around Dahlia’s.

“He’s a nice guy,” I whisper in her ear when I am certain Frank cannot hear us anymore. “You two would make the perfect couple.”

“Shush,” she hushes me urgently. “Father might hear you and he will kill Frank if he knows about us.”

“But why?” I look at her confused. “Any father would be proud to have such a stand-up future son-in-law.”

“Long story,” she sighs and opens the door.

“Oh, wow,” I sigh as I step inside. “The view is breathtaking.”

“Not if you’re afraid of heights,” Dahlia shudders and turns her back on the tinted ceiling-to-floor windows that allow you to watch over the entire Las Vegas.

“You poor thing,” I sympathize as I walk closer to the windows. “How do you manage to live here?”

“With curtains closed at all times,” she grunts as she falls into a sofa with her back to the view. “Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you,” I go sit opposite her. “I …”

“Thought I heard noises,” Harvey says as he enters the room. He looks relaxed in his jeans and white shirt, and I cannot control the stirring deep down. The last time I felt so attracted to a man, was Bruce before he became a monster.

“Please,” Dahlia rolls her eyes at him. “You knew we were here the second the elevator doors opened.”

“True,” he smirks and takes a seat between me and Dahlia. “Thank you for coming, Aria.”

“I’ll let you two get down to business,” Dahlia jumps up and kisses Harvey quickly on the cheek. “I need to get ready for class anyway.”