Chapter 28
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Aria
I try to refocus on my work. We only have an hour left before our meeting. Meaning. I have two hours before I can head home and find out what Theo has planned for us tonight.
“I still don't get it. I mean, money is nice, but I don't see the draw,” Jonathon continues.
“What I don't understand is how you could go to a private investigator, make some outrageous accusations, and still think I care about anything you have to say,” I snap.
I can't do this with him anymore. He is not getting the hint.
He is not listening to anybody around him, telling him to tread lightly. Maybe he needs it point-blank.
“What PI?” he asks.
“Don’t try and bullshit me. I know a PI was poking around and asking my coworkers for information on my relationship. And I know you told him you thought I was being beat.”
“I did not! Someone asked about you, and I said I don't give out information about my coworkers. I wasn't going to just hand over personal information to a stranger. I may be jealous, but I am not stupid.”
I look at him and, for some reason, I believe him. If he didn't talk to the PI, who did?
“Your friends wouldn't even speak up for you when they were concerned for your safety. You really do know how to pick shitty relationships, don't you?” Elle pipes up from her desk.
What the fuck?
“What are you talking about?” I ask. What does she have to do with any of this?
“The PI was poking around. Your mom was concerned that you were in an abusive relationship. Jonathon had refused to tell him anything, even though he specifically asked you on your first day here.” She looks at Jonathan in disgust. “So when he asked me about the whirlwind relationship, I told him everything I know.” I just stare at her.
I cannot make my brain process what she is telling me.
She spoke to the PI and made the wild accusations of me being abused?
Why? What did she even say? We don't talk, we barely even look at each other, and we haven't even worked on any of the same projects.
Half the time, I forget she even exists.
“So you told him I was being manipulated and abused on what grounds?” I snap. The anger finally floods through my body.
“You think we don't see the bruises you hide under your watch and bracelets?” I look down, I don’t have any now, but when I did, I tried my best to cover them.
I didn't want questions or assumptions. But that is exactly what I got.
“Or the fact that you never wear your hair up because of the marks that show out the top of your shirt?
How have you never worn anything less than tea length?
You have been hiding bruises and scratches since the day you got here.
Do not get me started about how on your first day, he came in here making demands, and when you said no, he got angry.
I am sure the things he whispered in your ear weren't ‘have a great time’ or ‘I hear the chicken is good’.” No, those weren't what he said, but he never threatened me or did anything I didn't consent to or want.
He has been so worried about taking advantage of me, but no one sees that side of him but me.
All they see is the intimidating and domineering man.
I can see why she thinks this, but it still doesn't give her any right to go to strangers and state this as fact.
“Elle, I don't usually bring my personal life to work. I am here to do a job, one I am damn good at. But because you made false accusations to the PI, I was actually put in danger.” I stand, if she wants to say someone is intimidating, let it be me.
“Because you told straight-up lies to a private investigator who was hired by my mother, I had to get a restraining order to stop her harassment.”
“You got a restraining order put in place because your mom actually cared about you?” she scoffs.
I walk over and stand in front of her desk, and place both my hands on either side of her laptop.
“Whatever make-believe abuse you have convinced yourself I am receiving is nothing compared to the trauma I went through growing up.
I finally got away and was finally safe until you opened your mouth.
You were so worried that a man you don't know said a mean word to me, you actually put my life in danger.”
Elle stands, putting us eye to eye. “And I would do it again.” My fist tightens against the table.
“Aria.” Theo’s voice catches my attention. Mr. Castin and Theo are standing by my desk. Great, something else to talk to HR about.
I start walking back to my desk when Mr. Castin speaks, “Let's go talk in my office.”
I walk into his office, expecting to be fired.
The door closes behind me before he asks, “What was all of that?”
I take a deep breath, but shouting at my boss won’t help.
“I am not sure how much you have been made aware of, but by your comment earlier, I assume most of it.” He looks at me, confused.
“You had said I seem like the type that would sacrifice my family to protect those I love.” I look to Theo, who is leaning against the back wall, making sure I am not crossing any boundaries.
He nods, so I look back at Mr. Castin, who just mumbles, “Right, right.”
“Well, a PI has been snooping around trying to make a case that Theo is manipulating and abusing me.” He looks back at Theo for confirmation before looking back at me.
“I had assumed it was Johnathon who had spoken to him, but Elle piped up and said she was the one who told the PI that Theo was hurting me.” Mr. Castin looks at Theo while sitting back against his desk.
“So I told her, I wasn't in any danger until she opened her mouth and fed the PI lies. Now, because of her actions, my mom has dug her heels in further, and is now threatening The Co-” I quickly shut my mouth and look to Theo, my eyes wide. I may have just fucked up.
“The Court,” he finishes for me. Castin doesn't react at all, so this is not new information to him. My body relaxes.
“I understand why you got heated. But I need you to take a step back. I’ll talk to Theo, and we will figure out how to handle Elle.”
“Shit, don't kill her,” I say. She's a bitch who needs to learn to keep her mouth shut, but I don't want her dead. The men laugh, which puts me at ease.
Theo walks up behind me and places his hands on my shoulders before kissing the top of my head. “We're not going to kill her.”
“Ok,” I whisper, slightly embarrassed.
“We just need to keep an eye on her without tipping off her dad,” Castin explains. Of course, I had to have an issue with the one coworker whose dad helped build the company we work for.
“Let us handle it, but go pack up your stuff, head home for the day, and cool off.” I nod.
“I am sorry. I didn't mean to cause a scene.”
“Just don't do it again. I would hate to not be able to hire my best intern because she has an attitude problem,” Mr. Castin jokes.
“ Fuck , does she have an attitude problem,” Theo growls into my ear.
Mr. Castin has a knowing smile on his face when Theo walks me out to my desk.