“Honestly, don’t worry about it. Thank you for inviting us.”
“It will be my honour to have you there.”
The door swung open as Caspian strolled in. Great. This was not what I needed right now. Aria took a small step forward, my hand falling from her back, and I knew it was because Caspian was here. She didn’t want him to know we were together because of company policy. Fuck it. I didn’t give a shit, but if that was what she wanted, then I wasn’t going to argue with her over something so minor.
“Is this the ‘project’ you cancelled our meeting for?” Caspian questioned.
Soran rested his hand on his chest and faced Caspian. “My apologies for taking up his time. I know how precious it is.” He then turned to face me. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I gave him a small nod, and he said his goodbyes and left the office.
Caspian took a step closer. “Do you realise the lengths I went to with Mr Kingsley to get you back on this proposal? And you cancelled for what, a friend?”
“Aria, go back to your desk.” I didn’t even look at her when I said it, but she soon hurried out.
“I’m not in the mood for your shit, Caspian.”
He scoffed. “You either care about Luxe Corp, or you don’t. Which one is it?”
Of course I cared about this company. It had been my life for the last year. I was fucking struggling, and I could see the lines starting to blur between everything I had going on in my life,and I didn’t know how to stop it. I felt like one of those pressure cookers wanting to explode at any minute. I was caught in the crossfire of conflicting desires, and I was struggling to control them all.
“I’m not doing this with you right now.”
I grabbed my suit jacket, pulled it on, and straightened out the cuffs. Taking a deep breath, I brushed the loose bits of my hair back, holding it for a split second, then made my way to the door.
“You can’t keep walking away, Sebastian.” I paused, hearing Caspian’s words. “Eventually, something will have to give. I hope for your sake it’s not the company.”
26
Aria
Sebastian had left the office early again today, but he was at home when I got there, ready for us to go to Soran’s restaurant on Edgeware Road. Little butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I was nervous in case they didn’t like me. Sebastian had known them for over ten years, so they clearly meant a lot to him. It was nice that Sebastian wanted me to get to know some of his friends. That he wanted to include me. I’d only ever seen him with Hayden.
“Where did you meet Soran?”
His eyes flicked to me, then back to the road. “From underground fighting.”
Oh. Maybe that’s why I’d never met him before. He’d always tried to keep that separate from me when we were younger.
“So he owns a restaurant now?”
“Yes, he has for many years.”
I mean, he’d met Hayden there as well, and he was a good man, so I’m sure if Sebastian had been friends with Soran for so long, he had to be as well.
Sebastian pulled his car up along a side road. He leaned over and kissed me before he got out and opened the door for me. He took my hand, helping me out, and linked his fingers between mine, and we started walking.
As we hit the main strip, there were people everywhere. The road was full of families, friends together, and people who looked like they were enjoying themselves. The different Middle Eastern restaurants and shisha bars sat next to each other, showing off their unique styles.
We reached the restaurant door, and Sebastian paused momentarily before pushing it open. The sound of laughter and chatter filled my ears. The place was packed. Then that smell. The aroma of mixed spices and freshly cooked bread made my mouth water.
I saw Serfina jump up, waving excitedly from a table at the back of the restaurant, and Sebastian placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me over.
“Aria, girl!” She pulled me into a hug.
Sebastian greeted Hayden in their usual bro hug, and then he gave me an embrace.
“Feels like I haven’t seen you in forever,” Hayden said to me.
