Arden
I checked my phone and smiled as I saw Isla's text confirming our plans for the evening. I got ready, opting for a sleek black polo shirt and blue jeans, paired with a stylish black wristwatch. After styling my hair, I took one last glance in the mirror and felt confident about my look.
"Mom, I'm heading out to meet a friend," I called out as I headed for the door.
"Don't stay out too late!" she reminded me.
"Alright, I won't!" I replied, before stepping out into the evening.
I hailed a cab and headed to the pub, wishing I had a car to drive myself and pick up Isla. But I had my sights set on using my next paycheck, now that I'd been promoted at work, to buy a new set of wheels.
As I rode to the pub, my mind began to wander to the upcoming workweek. Tomorrow was my first day back after a tumultuous few days, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. My superiors hadn't reached out since my arrest at the office, and I was certain they knew about my release. My lawyer had informed them officially, after all.
Pushing the thoughts aside, I focused on the evening ahead. The cab pulled up to the pub, and I smiled as I took in the charming exterior. The thatched roof, whitewashed walls, and vibrant flower boxes made "The Cozy Crown" look like a picturesque cottage.
Stepping inside, I felt enveloped in warmth and coziness. The rustic stone walls, plush armchairs, and soft lighting created a welcoming atmosphere. The air was filled with the savory aromas of roasting meats and freshly baked bread, and the sound of a musician's guitar added to the pub's charm.
I smiled to myself, thinking, "She really does have great taste." I spotted a vacant table for two and took a seat, checking my wristwatch to confirm I was right on time. I anticipated Isla would take a bit longer, considering how long it usually takes ladies to get ready.
To pass the time, I picked up the menu and began browsing through the options. Before I knew it, I heard a familiar voice.
"It took me a while to find you amongst the crowd", Isla said with a smile appearing by my side.
She was radiating confidence and warmth. Her curvy figure was accentuated by a fitted dress that hugged her in all the right places. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft, luscious waves, framing her heart-shaped face.
I quickly composed myself and stood up, drawing out the chair for Isla. "Have a seat," I said with a smile.
"Thank you," she replied, sitting down. "What do you think of this place?"
"It's really cozy, just like the name implies," I said.
She giggled. "You're welcome."
I asked, "Do you visit here frequently?"
Isla shook her head. "Nope, it's actually my first time here. I've always wanted to visit, though."
"I'm privileged to be the one to fulfill that wish with you," I said with a mock bow.
Isla laughed, and I asked, "Pardon my manners, what can I get for you?"
"Pasta and steak," she replied.
I immediately placed the order for two plates. As we waited for our food to arrive, I couldn't help but compliment her. "You look beautiful tonight."
Isla smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks. You look great yourself."
She added with a grin, "Actually, my sister dressed me up. I think she went a bit overboard with my hair, but she's a handful."
"You have a sister?" I asked, surprised. I had never considered that she might have siblings.
"Yeah, and a brother," she replied.
"Wow, your parents are really blessed," I said.
Isla's expression turned wistful. "Yeah, they are. They're probably watching us from above."
I caught a glimpse of pain in her eyes, and my heart skipped a beat. I hadn't known.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I apologized, feeling a pang of regret for broaching the subject.
Isla forced a smile. "No, it's fine. It's been years... So, yeah."
I sensed a deep sadness behind her words. It suddenly made sense why she was always busy with one job or another. My empathy for her grew.
As the waiter arrived with our order, the tension lifted, and we spent the next few hours enjoying our meal, laughing, and reveling in each other's company.
I glanced at the wall clock, and my eyes widened in surprise. 11:24 pm. "It's already late!" I thought to myself.
Isla noticed my concern and checked the time. "OMG, I didn't realize it was so late!" she exclaimed.
"I think we should call it a night," I suggested.
We got up to leave, and I caught Isla gazing longingly at the roasted meats on display. "Wait a sec," I said, dashing back inside.
I returned with a packaged portion of the roasted meat. "Here you go," I said, handing it to her.
Isla's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What's this?" she asked.
"Roasted meat," I replied with a smile.
Isla's expression turned grateful. "You didn't have to," she said.
I smiled. "It's not for you, actually. I got it for your siblings."
Isla chuckled, clearly touched by the gesture.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
I took the bag from her. "Let me help you carry that."
We hailed a cab and rode to Isla's house. As we arrived, she smiled and said, "I had a great time tonight, thank you," while opening the door.
I stepped out with her, and she began to speak, but I cut her off. "It's too late; I need to make sure you get home safely."
Isla's eyes sparkled with amusement. "But what about you?" she asked.
I grinned mischievously. "Let me tell you my biggest secret."
Isla's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?" she asked.
I paused for dramatic effect. "I am... Superman."
Isla burst into laughter and playfully punched me. "Wow, I'm really lucky to have Superman walk me home!"
I chuckled, feeling a sense of joy. "Exactly! So, enjoy the moment."
Isla laughed, and we strolled down the alley together. The cool evening breeze caressed my skin, and our hands touched slightly, sending a spark of electricity through me. My heart skipped a beat as I felt a sudden rush of attraction.
As we reached her house, Isla smiled and said, "This is my place."
I handed her the package of roasted meats. "Alright, have a great night. Enjoy the food."
Isla's eyes sparkled. "You too. Please text me when you get home, so I know you're safe."
I nodded. "Of course."
As she opened the gate, I lingered, watching her. She turned around, waved goodbye, and disappeared into the house. The porch light flickered off, plunging the entrance into darkness.
I couldn't quite put my finger on what I was feeling. The walk home seemed longer than usual, my feet carrying me on autopilot. As I tiptoed into the house, I made sure not to wake my mom. Surprisingly, she didn't call out to ask about my night.
After a refreshing shower, I texted Isla, but she didn't respond. I assumed she must have fallen asleep and decided to do the same, hoping for the best tomorrow.
As dawn broke, I got ready for work, slipping into my crisp suit. I smiled, feeling grateful for the warm breakfast I'd shared with my mom, who was heading back to the Bahamas.
"Safe travels, Mom," I said, wishing I could escort her to the airport. "I'm sorry I couldn't take you, but I have to get to work."
My mom smiled and hugged me tight. "No worries, sweetie. I love you."
"I love you too, Mom," I replied, feeling a pang of sadness as we parted ways. I knew I'd miss her dearly.
As I arrived at Classic Comforts, luxury furniture design and sales firm, I was greeted with a chorus of "welcome backs" from my colleagues. Their smiles seemed genuine, but I knew better. None had visited or shown concern when I was incarcerated, but now they were all smiles.
I played along, thanking them for their warm welcome as I made my way to my office. Settling into my chair, I surveyed the work on my desk – surprisingly, there wasn't much. It seemed the company had found someone to cover my responsibilities during my absence.
Despite this, I felt a sense of relief and gratitude to be back. My life was slowly falling back into place, and I was determined to make the most of it.
I heard a knock on my door, and the company manager entered, handing me a letter. My excitement about being back at work was short-lived, as I opened the letter to find a termination notice. I felt blindsided.
I immediately made my way to the CEO's office, seeking answers. "What's going on?" I demanded. "I'm one of the most innovative and intellectual employees here. How can you lay me off?"
The CEO's expression was apologetic. "I'm sorry, Arden Davis. You're an exceptional employee, and I would have loved to retain you. However, this decision was made by the shareholders."
I pressed for an explanation. "What have I done wrong?"
The CEO hesitated before speaking. "It's about Proxima Group. We're trying to secure a deal with them, but... well, you had an issue with the empire's heir."
I felt a surge of frustration. "That's all been resolved. This doesn't add up."
The CEO's expression turned grim. "We have to tread carefully. The Proxima Group holds grudges. I'm sorry, Arden, but you have to go."
My head spun as I tried to process the situation. What was this Norman curse, and why was it haunting me still? I thought it was all behind me.
The CEO continued, his voice laced with regret. "It pains me to let you go. You'll need to exit the premises immediately. I'll arrange for your belongings to be delivered to you."
He offered some parting words of encouragement. "Don't be disheartened, Arden. You're a talented young man, and there are companies out there looking for someone with your skills. If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to me."
I stormed out of the CEO's office, slamming the door behind me. My anger boiled over as I thought about being laid off. They'll regret this, I seethed.
As I approached my former office, David stepped into my path. He was my former superior, now my subordinate, and also Stephanie's boyfriend. A smug grin spread across his face. "Looks like you thought you were above everyone else, but now look at you."
I glared at him, my anger simmering. "That position was mine to begin with," he sneered. "But it mistakenly fell into your hands. Now, it's back where it rightfully belongs."
It dawned on me that they had all known about my impending termination. The realization stung. David's laughter echoed through the hallway. "You made things easy for me. You don't belong here. Get out!"
My emotions swirled, and I struggled to react. I recalled the day I received my double promotion – David's face had twisted with resentment. Now, his malice was on full display.
He revealed a shocking truth: "I told Stephanie to drug you and make you look irresponsible after your promotion party. Now, the world is in my favor. You're finally out of the picture, and I'll get the promotions I deserve."
His words cut deep, and I felt betrayed by Stephanie's actions. We had been friends, or so I thought. Her deception hurt more than David's malice.
I bit back my anger and walked past David, saying, "Have a nice day." I restrained myself from lashing out, but my anger simmered just below the surface. I vowed to confront Stephanie about her betrayal.
I walked into the office where Stephanie and our former colleagues were gathered. "Stephanie, can we talk?" I asked, my voice firm.
She looked taken aback but followed me out of the office. "I thought you were my friend..." I began, trying to process my emotions.
Stephanie feigned confusion. "What do you mean? I'm so sorry I couldn't visit you; I've been really busy..."
I cut her off, disgust etched on my face. "Cut the act, Stephanie. You tried to drug me that night, didn't you?"
Her expression changed, and she stood up, worry etched on her face. "What are you talking about? Of course not!"
I scoffed. "Don't deny it. David already told me everything. You're a great actress, Stephanie. You should consider a career change."
Stephanie's demeanor shifted, and she flipped her hair back. "David couldn't keep his mouth shut, could he?" Her tone was now laced with malice.
I felt a deep sense of betrayal. "What did I do to deserve this from someone I considered a friend?"
Stephanie's expression turned venomous. "You're just too perfect, Arden. Everything was always about you. We'd work together as a team, but you'd always take the credit. 'Arden is this,' 'Arden is that.' We all hated it. And then you got that double promotion? Unacceptable. We couldn't take orders from you. Never."
My heart ached as I realized the truth. The people I thought were genuinely happy for me had been plotting my downfall.
Stephanie continued, her voice dripping with venom. "When David came up with the plan, I gladly agreed. You shouldn't be above us, Arden. But the plan didn't work, so it's not anyone's fault that you're in this predicament. You're just unlucky. You're jinxed, Arden. You are."
I clenched my fist, anger boiling over.
I stood frozen, reeling from the revelation they had been plotting against me. My heart ached, and I clenched my fist in anger. Stephanie's parting words cut deep: "You better leave before I call security to walk you out." She turned and walked back into the office, leaving me reeling.
I gathered my composure, walked into my office, and grabbed my bag. I left the company, feeling suffocated by the hatred and jealousy that surrounded me. As I stood outside, filled with pain, I cast one last glance at the company. I had loved working at Classic Comforts, and it hurt to leave under such circumstances.
I thought back to my journey, from leaving the Bahamas to attend Columbia University in New York, despite my mom's reservations. I had worked hard to earn my good grades and secure a job at Classic Comforts. Every promotion and accolade I achieved had been earned through dedication and perseverance. It was ironic that these achievements had bred resentment among my colleagues.
I decided not to tell my mom about the incident, at least not yet. I hailed a cab, lost in thought, when a man approached me. "Excuse me," he said. I turned to face him, taking in his sharp suit and professional demeanor. He appeared to be in his mid-40s.
"You're Mr. Arden Davis, aren't you?" he asked confidently. I nodded, curious about his intentions.
"Nice to meet you," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. "I'm Jonathan Robinson." His eyes locked onto mine, and I wondered what he wanted.