3. CHAPTER 3
ARIA
I threw my bag on the floor and sank into the sofa. What a day. I rubbed my forehead back and forth, then let out a yawn, brushing my hair back. I bit my lip, debating for a moment whether to simply not go back tomorrow.
Sebastian was here , of all places? And now I was his PA? Four years and I still felt those butterflies in my stomach.
He’s your boss now. You need to move forward .
At least I’d managed my first day without any hiccups. That was a small victory.
I looked around at the unpacked boxes scattered on the floor.
It had been a few weeks since I’d moved from Leeds to Woolwich, yet I couldn’t bring myself to fully let go of the past. It wasn’t the nicest place to live, but it was all I could afford right now.
My intention was to find somewhere better with the money from this new job.
I took my phone out of my pocket, noticing a text from my mum.
Mum: Hi darling, how was your first day? X
Oh, it was great. I only bumped into my former stepbrother who I’ve had feelings for the whole time I’ve known him, and guess what? He’s my boss.
No. I couldn’t tell her that.
Aria: Yeah, today was good. I was just getting settled really x
Mum: That’s good to hear, darling. Hope I can see you soon. I miss you x
Aria: I miss you too x
The TV buzzed in the background, breaking the silence. I buried my face in my hands. Why did I agree to go out tonight?
Since moving back, my social life had been non-existent.
The only time I saw my neighbours was when they were screaming at each other in the hall.
Not that it was any better in Leeds. There was no point trying to make friends.
It was easier that way. It meant I didn’t need to give answers to the questions that would be asked.
There was only one person I trusted amongst it all, and he had paid me off and ordered me to leave. The last place I’d seen him had been in that hospital room.
Maybe I should let him know I was safe. I bit my lip as I scrolled through my phone, bringing his contact up. My thumb hovered over it, hesitating.
No. I should leave the past where it belonged.
A loud knock at the door brought my body back to life. I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I made my way over. I gripped the handle and forced it down, palm sweaty against the cold brass.
Sebastian stood there, leaning casually against the frame with a Cheshire-cat grin.
“Why aren’t you ready? Get dressed, Nyx.”
My breath caught. Nyx. I hadn’t heard that nickname for so long.
“How do you know where I live?” I questioned, folding my arms.
He brushed his raven hair back from his face, his smile widening. “You work for me. I have access to everything.”
“That’s borderline stalkerish, you know.”
He laughed to himself, a sound as intoxicating as he was. Charm always did come naturally to Sebastian.
“I’m not leaving here until you’re ready. Now go.” He winked.
I was in two minds. A night out sounded fun and exciting, something I hadn’t had in a long time.
But the thought of leaving my comfort zone …
I was so used to a routine that I’d forgotten what it was like to be twenty-two.
Maybe I should have been out enjoying myself, after everything I’d been through.
I begrudgingly opened the door wider, letting him into my flat. He stepped in, looking around the living room.
“You should really unpack at some point.”
I rolled my eyes at him as he sat on my sofa, his arm naturally hanging over it as he observed me.
“Off you go,” he said, and off I did.
It had been so long since I’d been anywhere.
I looked through the clothes hanging up in my wardrobe, not sure what to wear.
I pulled out a few options and slung them on the bed, contemplating for a few moments.
I picked up a long red dress and held it against me, turning to look in the mirror before screwing up my face and throwing it back.
I sighed, plonking myself on the bed. Maybe if I sat here long enough, he’d leave me in peace.
No chance . Sebastian was nothing if not persistent, and he always got what he wanted.
Sure enough, the bedroom door soon burst open to Sebastian standing there.
“Nyx, what’s taking so long?”
My eyes widened, heart racing, as I stood from the bed. “Sebastian, you can’t just burst into my room.”
He soon closed the distance between us as he made his way over to me, glancing down at the clothes on my bed, then meeting my gaze. I swallowed hard.
“The black one,” he said, picking it up from the pile and holding it out. My eyes flickered down to it in his hands.
“I don’t think …”
He raised an eyebrow, effectively cutting my protests off.
He reached out slowly, tentatively, his fingers stroking across my jawline, and he tilted my head to meet his eyes.
“Ok,” was all I managed to get out.
He leaned into my ear. “Good girl.” His voice was barely a whisper.
My breath hitched, that raw sound of his voice vibrating through every nerve in my body, hitting me right at my core.
I shouldn’t cross that line. Not again.
I looked down at the dress and took it from his hand. He needed to leave this room before I started something that should never happen between us.
I took a deep breath as he lingered. “Do you need to watch me get dressed as well?” I pushed him. “Get out.”
He smiled, rubbing his fingers over his chin, his eyes flickering over me one last time before he made his way to the door.
I held up the tight black bodycon dress he had picked out.
He’d always had good taste.