Allie's POV
"Allie. Allie! "Mr Austin yelled my name repeatedly.We are at the shooting scene for our new magazine project. I was the one assigned to the task, but I don't understand why he won't let me focus.I sighed tiredly and aggressively flung the document on the nearest table before reversing in his direction. I was already stressed at the rate at which I'd been sent on errands the past few days. My boss, Mr Austin has severally caused serious headaches for me and of course, I couldn't complain because I would be laid off, which is something I don't yearn for.I have been working as a staff at the "Diamond" magazine for the past two years. I loved the job even though the Smiths aren't pleased with my type of company; Mainly because they have their firm "Royals" a brand that is worth billions of dollars on its own. I was offered to be one of their advertisement shooting directors, but I slumped the proposal.Immediately after I was done with College, I was fortunate enough to find a job that I think suits my taste. I have a passion for taking pictures and videos of scenes, as a shooter.I was offered a job at a larger firm through the influence of my guardians, but my naive and callow self declined the offer mainly because I wanted to be on my own, find a job, and be successful without easy access.The Smiths tried their best to convince me that no one would bother me or look down on me since that was also my fear. I had dread for the media to acknowledge or misunderstand that I was their daughter. I had thought otherwise thinking they might trace my connection to them as I also bear the surname, Smith even though I wasn't legally adopted. They are only my guardians since they have taken care of me for many years. They suggested that I should be at least a non-regular worker, but I still defied them and decided to work at a less-popular company in a secluded area which is "Diamond" The pay is ok at least to pay up my bills.I was grateful for the Smith's love and care for the past years and I promised to be that determined independent woman I had always wanted to be, but at the moment, I regret not accepting their request. My legs hurt due to the heels I was putting on which is a result of roaming about without proper rest, and this had been occurring for weeks."Yes, Boss. you summoned me" I answered, panting heavily."Don't you think you guys need to reschedule when the shooting for Carlos(a celebrity) should take place? I don't think the set goes with the trend you know... latest styles" he indicated with an irritated glare."You told me it was perfect earlier" I muttered, baffled by his sudden change of suggestion."I just found out it isn't good enough," Austin claimed, shrugging his shoulders."What do you want us to do now? " I asked, screaming inwardly."We need to change it" he announced, daring me to complain."Oh, my boss! You know how cocky the young star is. He won't oblige, and we might miss this opportunity" I reasoned, feeling disheartened already."What if we publish the magazine and his fans refuse to purchase it? " he argued, folding his arms now facing me like he was interested in whatever I had to say next."But..but the scenario isn't even bad. I don't understand why you insist we change it" I grumbled."I insist you change it. What's wrong with that?!" he argued loudly I shifted backward a bit."It's not necessary though" I pouted with puppy eyes hoping he would be convinced, but he shunned me instead."So…what you are trying to imply is that I don't know my job, Allie. I noticed that these days you've been all over full of yourself!" he clamoured while pointing his finger at me, gritting his teeth together so that the other staff present wouldn't detect anything."No... No that's not what I meant" I clarified, already aware of where the discussion would lead as it had recently become our routine. I had enough of this man whom I silently had feelings for even though he hadn't been his usual self these days."Then what do you mean? Make me understand then," he sneered, his eyebrows overlapping in confusion."I told you before that isn't what I meant boss," I lamented."So it's true that you've been yourself behaving like you are in charge. I guess I caused this. After all, I was the one who initiated our closeness. It is not your fault!" He insulted me and I lowered my head in embarrassment for a few seconds before lifting my head.I could not hold it anymore as I flared at my boss's harsh outburst and rash judgement. "You're the one who has been acting differently these days. You find fault in everything I do boss, even though I tried to ask you if I had unintentionally offended you " I voiced out in a shaky tone."Shut up, Allie! always endeavour to listen to those who are more experienced in this field. I know what is ok and what's not okay" he spurned audibly enough to other staff.I furrowed her eyebrows and slightly bowed down, obviously and greatly embarrassed as I bit my lips in dread."I am so sorry" I apologized feeling remorseful."You know what? I am out of here," he stomped out slamming the giant door of the building.I skimmed my eyes around the room and most of them were giving me a farce expression. I ignored them, raised my chin, and moved towards them to announce the sudden change.Not only that, but I walked into Carlo's dressing room to tell him also. His manager quibbles non-stop, but he has no choice since he had already signed the contract with us which makes it easier for me to convince him.7:25 pmI was moving toward the space I parked my car ready to go home, but I still reminisced about what happened earlier.I was surprised and embarrassed by his action, but still, I tried to cover up for him with the thought that I was at fault. I shouldn't have talked back.Maybe I was too rude, and perhaps I was cocky and arrogant. I thought sadly, entered the car, and settled in."But we do talk informally most of the time," I proceeded with my self-argument raising my eyebrows even though I was the only one in the car.I recalled that we had both gone to a housewarming, and I was the one he picked as his date. Why did he show interest in me in the first place? Now that I figured out I am in love with him, boom! he starts behaving weirdly.Oh crap!My body system was in turmoil as I kept thinking of answers that could solve the whole situation."Guess it was not more than boss and worker relationship" I huffed, flinging my heels to the back seat."Oh good Lord just because he snapped at you doesn't mean he dislikes you. Get your shit together!" I encouraged myself with a loud frustrating groan as I grabbed a full portion of my hair hoping it would make me focus."I will apologize to him tomorrow," I concluded before igniting the car to zoom off to my condo.~~~~~~~~The next morning, I woke up to the rays of sunlight reflecting through my room windows. I glanced at the wall clock, and it was 7:59 am. I sprang up panicking at the realisation that I was late."Oh God, I'm late!" I exclaimed, rushing to the bathroom and careful enough not to slip over the floor. In the next few minutes, I was already dressed, my hair tied in a rough bun, and ready for work.I zoomed off, hoping my cranky boss would look over my lateness. I was silently wishing there wouldn't be traffic today. Luck wasn't on my side as the road was already clogged up in heavy traffic. I intentionally hit my forehead on the steering wheel as I was already fed up. I also refused to pick up my ringing phone.45 minutes passed before I was able to get through the traffic. Surprisingly, Mr Austin wasn't in the office when I arrived at my workplace. The junior retinues and interns were throwing weird stares at me because of how I was sneaking into the staff room, but I was rather not bothered.Relieved that I was able to scale through, a satisfied smile appeared on my face. I was ready to sit when I shivered at the loud voice of someone."Look who finally decided to show up!" Becky sneered."I am not ready for your unnecessary tantrums Becky. As you can see, I am busy" I replied, sincerely and pretended to arrange my desk."Busy doing what? wait, don't tell me you don't know we were supposed to have a meeting today" Becky scoffed with eyeball glowing from being trapped with surprise."Just so you know, every one of us was in the meeting room including the boss. We are done after all, but you were supposed to be his business confidante right?" she mocked.I felt ashamed because truly, if we had a meeting Austin usually informed me first."You were in.. the...meeting room?" I panicked inwardly but refused to let it be observable.I guess I did not notice their absence when I came in. How can I be so stupid!? " I whispered to myself while trying so hard not to suffocate."Miss Allie!" the other staff exclaimed coming inside one after the other surprised that I was in the staff office all this while."I called you close to five times this morning, is everything ok?" Layla, the only friend I was close with at work inquired with concern laced in her voice.I nodded and scurried out to the meeting room as I realized that truly, they had a meeting since a majority of them were back discussing in the staff room.I dust up my frock anxiously, then pressed the knob to the meeting room door to meet Mr Austin. It didn't take long before I was welcomed with the words I dreaded the most.Allie's POV"You are fired Allie!! " he thundered outrageously."Wha..t?!" I stuttered as my knees weakened in distress. "You heard me!" he yelled again. "What!" I screamed again. I was beyond speechless to say a word. I know this man wouldn't take it easy but isn't this going too far? "Please I can explain, boss" I implored, walking towards him with wobbling legs and heart thudding with each step I took. I desperately wished to jerk out of such a hazardous nightmare. "I woke up late," I revealed truthfully and bit the tip of my lips painfully. "I didn't even fritter time when I discovered that I was late. Please, I won't be late from today henceforth" I blabbed, but he seemed to be more focused on his wristwatch."I understand that you have other options, but still, you can't just be slack in your work. I won't tolerate that!" he snickered. He had a satisfied expression on his face like he loved that I was in a vulnerable condition."Has he always been like this? Is this his real
Allie's POV I squinted my eyes severally as I jerked out of unconsciousness by the attempt of someone nearly peeling off my shorts to remove my cell phone which I had kept in my back pocket."Uhn you are awake? You passed out for 20 minutes only" Their leader chuckled mockingly. It was easier to indicate because of the voice earlier. Everything flashed through my head as I recalled instantly that I was apprehended. The piece of clothing used to wrap my face has been withdrawn. I breathed helplessly trying to get my phone back, but the bulky man was stronger, and since I was also struggling with my tied legs and hands, I could not easily get it. "This would make our work easier," He acknowledged with a slight nod and yanked my hand to the phone which was now in his grasp. He was trying to get my fingerprint to unlock it.Immediately the phone unlocked, and he moved away from me. "20 missed calls by lovely brother! Is that billionaire Aaron?" He asked, still unsure that I was mysteri
Allie's POV"Allie," Aaron called again. I spun around triumphantly and used the sharp tip of my finger to pinch my other arm hoping I was hallucinating, but unfortunately, he was here standing at the gate. I should have known that someone might be sent to come pick me up, but I never predicted that it would be Aaron himself.I guess his millions of dollars are worth it."Aaron," I whispered nervously while scratching my neck."Lon... g time no see" I greeted dumbly, unable to recognize my voice because of how frightened and anxious I was. I kept fiddling with my hands while Aaron made dominating footsteps towards me. I froze at the spot. He stopped when it was merely a hairsbreadth between us."Was he trying to hug me? " I wondered, yet I was surprised that he moved that close to me. He used to scrunch his face in disgust at my appearance. I took a step backward to give space between us."Do you know how worried I.. we were?" he questioned and hastily grabbed me to himself when he de
Allie's POVMum decided to disentangle from the hug for me to settle into my old space which has already been cleaned by Layla(the house help).Mum insists that I should visit Dad in his chamber tomorrow forenoon. I grabbed the towel and walked into the bathroom for a refreshing shower. It took me a while to leave the bathtub.I walked back into my room contemplating on what colour of nightdress to put on. I decided to go with my favourite lacquer which is blue.I suddenly remember my little kitty, roaming my eyes around the room and he was wrapped up behind the dressing table. Guess one of the maids might have brought him into the room.I signed in solace, then used a finger to lose my towel from the tip. I walked towards the huge mirror that hung like a chandelier but just beneath my dressing table to check myself out."What if those people touched me like they thought they would have?" I shivered at the thought."I don't think I would survive it and my boss, Oh good lord I hope he w
I shifted closer to him with my eyebrows furrowed together. Perplexed and curious about what this sneaky man could be up to.He cleared his throat one more time before he spoke up."I want you to convince Aaron to get married, to have even a girlfriend. Just a lady that could be by his side""I don't get what you are trying to say, " I said, shaking my head sideways, incompetent at accumulating everything at once."I want you to talk to him, or perhaps get him someone for him to date. ""You want me to persuade him to get a woman? a lady to be called his? " I said, staring at him like he has gone, psycho.I raised my possibly wrinkled eyebrows at him for him to acknowledge my questions hoping I misheard him"Yeah..h""Yeah!? " I scoffed, obviously feeling unsettled by his sudden request. There must be a vital reason he needed me to do this kind of thing."How is that even doable Dad? you know how much we dislike each other. How did you even come up with this in the first place? And Aar
Allie's POVI did not hold off for him to finish his sentence before sauntering out of the room with a thudding heart. Aaron did not skip to give me that suspicious glare which made him cut off whatever he was about to let out. But I made sure I eavesdropped to hear his first utterance.I huddled my left ear to the wicket, my butt pointed north side after I had make sure no one is moving towards the passageway just then, I heard him holler at his father"Why did you refuse to use your medications?! Are you planning to kill yourself? "I huffed at his rudeness. Till today, I still don't have any idea why these two don't seem to get along. It's a quizzical and logical something which I got no answers to. I puffed out, relieved that he did not hear a dim of our conversation. Although, my heart was still whipping non-stop my clarification made my breathing subside a little. I thought I had passed through moments of being a scary cat for this man, guessed I was wrong but considering my di
"Live with me" he suggested, not daring to meet her gaze, not because he was scared but nervous about her reaction to what he said. "What! you are not trying to say that I should live in the same building as you? Are you? " she asked, with eyes almost popping out of its socket hoping that was not the message he was trying to convey. "What's wrong with that? and by the way, that wasn't my intent, but mum thinks it's safer if you live with me" he mumbled, rolling his eyes but he knew deep down he just lied against his mother. Her face hunkered up. She scoffed in incredulity that Mrs.Smith had intended to make her stay with Aaron. Aaron of all people! This had better be some kind of quip. She pressed her hands on her lap and folded her lips in themselves like someone who was trying to quell herself from lashing out their frustration. She was discerned not to give in to this certain whiff of theirs even if it was practically suggested by Mrs.Smith as Aaron supposed. She recalled tho
I woke up at dusk and my body was all weak. My vision is blurry for a moment trying to adjust to my surroundings till everything clicks. I sluggishly stretch my whole length on the comfy bed even though my eyes are not yet brightly open. It took me some minutes to remember that I had taken my siesta in a room different from mine.I groaned and reluctantly stood up. I was as famished as someone who hadn't eaten for days. I dragged my feet out of the room staring at the building having no idea where to find the kitchen. Nevertheless, I decided to wander around if I could get any clue. I successfully found the magnificent cooking space after some time. I used a few minutes to contemplate whether to make Aaron's food with mine then I decided to go with my compassionate mind and cook for him too I settled for mashed potato since that was the only ingredient I found. I left his potion in the stakes. Not even bothering to engage in food etiquette, I sauntered towards the living room and