The Move in

Damien stared at the beautiful woman in front of him lovingly. His phone beeped in his pocket, a reminder of the meeting he had to attend.

“I'm sorry to cut our meeting short, Miss Aria.”

“Aria.”

“Huh?”

“Call me Aria.”

“Oh… yes, Aria. I have an important meeting. Don't worry, Marcus is my most trusted man. He will take care of you, A-Aria.”

Damien stood up and left with the contract.

“Miss Aria, I will get you home,” Marcus said as he entered after Damien left.

She entered the car and decided to call Sophia but stopped when she saw Marcus eyeing her through the front mirror.

“We have arrived, Miss Bennett. Do you need help?”

“No, I don't. Thank you.”

“Okay, ma'am.”

Aria walked inside her apartment and started packing. She sat down and looked around her small apartment, breathing in and out. She called her friend.

“Hey, Sophia!”

“Hi, Aria. Sorry I didn't reply to your message earlier. I have been busy today with a big catering order.”

“It's fine.”

“So, how was it?”

“Well, I'm moving in with him.”

“Oh my gosh, this is so cute! Y'all are in your married-couple era.”

“What…? No… of course not.”

“What do you mean? You are literally moving in with him.”

“I just feel like this is a little too fast. I haven't processed everything that has happened these past few days.”

“You know life sometimes doesn't work the way we want. The best thing to do is to adapt to the situation. And what do you mean by process it? Go and process it at your husband's house. Okay? Is your way of processing it by moping over a worthless loser? Don't you dare.”

“You are right.”

“I know.”

Aria laughed.

“Hey, just know I'm proud of you. I know it is a lot to handle, getting married to a man twice your age, but you are doing great.”

“Thank you.”

“I will surely visit you once you are settled, and if you feel uncomfortable or unhappy, then call.”

“Hmm… Goodbye.”

“Take care.”

The call ended.

She dragged her suitcases outside and locked the apartment. She turned back and took a long while looking at the apartment, remembering the memories she had there. Tears fell from her eyes.

A hand handed her a tissue. She took it, looked up, and saw it was Marcus.

“Thank you,” she said as she wiped her tears away.

“You're welcome, ma'am.”

She sniffed.

“Change is hard, but sometimes it is good, and I can assure you that this is good.”

Marcus said as he collected her stuff and helped her take it to the car. He settled down in the car and waited for her.

After she walked inside the car, Marcus waited for a few seconds before ordering the driver to leave.

Aria arrived with Marcus at the luxurious Ashford Manor. There were maids walking around the house, and they looked surprised to see her.

“Get back to work.”

Marcus ordered them, and they all walked away quickly. He led her to her room. The room was bigger than hers back at her apartment, and expensive artwork decorated the walls.

Everything was perfect.

Everything except the storm raging inside her mind.

She sat on the edge of the bed carefully, as if the bed would break if she sat too carelessly.

“This is madness.”

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Miss Bennett.”

Marcus's calm voice came from outside.

“It's Marcus.”

She opened the door.

He came in holding a shopping bag and an envelope.

“Yes?”

“I brought you some food.”

“You didn't have to.”

“It wasn't my decision.”

She already knew whose idea it was. Marcus placed the lunch on the table.

“Mr. Ashford is still in the meeting. He ordered me to take care of you until he comes.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“This is a newly drafted contract. He asked me to get your signature.”

Aria collected it and looked it over. It had everything she told him. She collected the pen and signed it.

“Here, Mr. Marcus.”

“Oh, ma'am, call me Marcus.”

“Then call me Aria.”

“Why?”

“You are the mistress of the house.”

“Soon to be…”

Aria corrected.

“Yes, ma'am. Either way, I can't call you by your name.”

“And if I ordered it?”

Marcus looked down.

“I, Aria Bennett, soon-to-be mistress, order you to call me by my name.”

Aria said, smiling.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Marcus.”

She warned.

“Aria.”

He said, testing the water.

“Good. See? It is easy.”

“Then I will be on my way.”

With that, Marcus left with a smile on his face. Aria looked at the bag. She opened it and found a mason jar that contained gourmet pasta salad. It was one of her favorites. She settled down to eat.

Meanwhile…

Across the city, Ashford Group headquarters towered over the financial district like a landmark of wealth and power.

Luxury cars were lined up while the media and journalists crowded behind the security barriers.

Television cameras broadcast live updates. They were there to inquire, not about the cheating scandal, but about how Aria and Damien had been spotted together leaving the bar and then going to a restaurant twice.

Inside the boardroom, tension filled the air.

Twelve directors sat around a long mahogany table.

No one spoke.

Damien arrived.

Every director immediately stood. Damien walked to his chair and sat down.

“Let's begin.”

His deep voice cut through the silence.

One of the directors spoke up.

“Mr. Ashford…”

“Our stock has already dropped five percent since the market opened.”

Another director slid a report across the table.

“Investors are questioning whether Ethan is fit to become your successor. They also wonder…”

“Wonder what?”

Damien questioned.

“Continue…”

“If the rumors are true.”

“What rumors, Mr. Carter?”

Damien's voice went cold.

“Answer me.”

His voice rose slightly, his face void of emotions.

“Nothing, sir.”

The director sat down quietly as the rest refused to make eye contact with Damien.

“I have seen the reports, and by tomorrow, the public conversation and rumors will be shut down.”

With that, Damien stood up and left, leaving the directors exchanging confused glances. None of them understood what he meant.

Meanwhile…