Chapter 77 The CFO
Chapter 77 The CFO
Aria POV
“Maybe you should go back to the house.” I turn to Nicholas slightly as I walk out of the elevator of the company with Nicholas right behind me, his footsteps close like he’s trying to make sure I don’t leave his sight anymore after seeing Hades at the hospital.
He frowns, “Aria,” he says, irritated by how quickly I’m walking, “Why are you rushing like this?”
“I have a meeting.” I reply without turning around, “You heard me say so at the hospital.” I continue.
At this point I don’t want him around me, especially when they make the CEO announcement, I don’t know what will be my excuse to not let him leech off me as usual.
We step into the quiet executive floor, all polished as usual. Assistants glance up from their desks when they see me, some straighten and some look curious. With my father’s sickness, and me always being the push over, I’m sure they are all wondering who was appointed CEO, that is if they don’t already know.
Their eyes all follow Nicholas, no matter how much he tried to attach himself to me, nobody ever acknowledged him. That always bothered him.
I head straight for my office, fishing out my keycard out of my bag. Hopefully I can get inside, give him an excuse and get rid of him so that I can finally breathe.
I unlock the door and step in and of course Nicholas follows me inside without asking.
I turn to him, faking a kind smile on my face, “Nicholas, I need to prepare for the meeting, you can’t stay.” I say, blinking softly at him
He scoffs and kicks the door closed behind him like it’s his decision to make, “You’ve been saying that for a while now, you don’t want to pay attention to me.”
I drop my bag on my desk, gritting my teeth as my patience wears thin, “That’s not true Nico, I’m just very busy.” I say. Busy married to the king of the underworld. I almost laugh out loud at that.
He doesn’t answer me, instead he walks past me around the desk and drops into my chair.
My chair.
He leans back, spins slightly, his feet planted like he’s already decided he belongs there. My stomach twists at the thought of it. I’m sure he did this after him and Selene had successfully killed me off the first time.
He grins at me, lazy and entitled, “so,” he says spinning once more, “Has your father and the bird made the decision of putting you as CEO yet?”
I keep my face neutral. “That hasn’t been finalized Nico, I told you.”
His brows lifts, “But it will be,” he says confidently, “Your father is so sick, it’s the right moment, everyone knows it,”
I cross my arms over my chest, all of this makes him even more suspicious. I need to investigate what they did to my father and fast before they cause more harm, “I don’t know Nico, I’m not in any rush to be CEO.” I mutter
He props his elbow on the armrest, his chin resting in his hand, “You have to be, or how else will I become the new chief finance officer, I can already see it, me on the top floor, ordering all these little bastards around.” He blinks, his lips spreading into a smile
There it is. I almost want to wring my own neck. How did I not see how greedy he was before? How blinded by love was I?
“No Nico, that can’t happen.” I say immediately, slamming the idea down again.
He laughs like I just told a joke, “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s the obvious choice.”
“You don’t work here first of all ,” I remind him, “You don’t even have the qualification, and you’re talking about being CFO?”
“I don’t need them,” he says waving his hand, “People like us don’t.” He shrugs
People like us. As if we are the same.
“This isn’t up for discussion Nicholas.” I say calmly, “I can’t just give you the position.”
His smile tightens like he’s trying to figure out when I started saying No to him, “You always say that. And you always change your mind at the end.” He smirks
I take a slow breath. He’s watching me closely now, waiting for the moment I soften towards him, the moment I start clawing after his approval like I used to.
But I say nothing, I only lift a brow at him causing him to ruffle in the chair nervously.
“Aiden Black,” he says, his voice hardening. “That man isn’t stepping back from you anytime soon.”
“He’s simply a business associate to me.” I reply evenly.
“Bullshit,” Nicholas snaps, “I see the way he looks at you. He thinks he has a chance and you are giving him that chance.”
I shrug lightly, “He doesn’t really.”
“You need to make that clear to him. I can’t be competing for you.” he says, spinning in the chair again, “And you can just tell your father I’m being the perfect gentleman.” He pauses his eyes on me and the. He continues to spin again
“And if I don’t?” I lift a brow at him, attempting to sound playful
He stops spinning and looks at me, “Or he’s going to cause problems for our relationship.”
I almost want to laugh, as if there’s any relationship to begin with.
“I’ll handle it darling.” I say, “I promise.”
“You have been saying that.” He repeats
“And you always overreact.” I start to pick on the folders in my table
His jaw clenches, “I’m not overreacting. I’m only protecting what is mine.”
The words make my skin crawl. I shake my head, when Hades says it, I feel hot and bothered all over.
I step closer to the desk, resting my hands on the edge, “You don’t need to worry, Aiden Black will leave us alone soon. We just need him right now.”
“For what?” He lifts a brow, “He’s nearly some rich boy.”
“Well some of us are working hard on expanding the company.” I add, watching him carefully, “We need funding and Aiden Black provides that.” I say lightly
That finally gets his attention
“We’ll need his investments and his contacts as well if we are going to scale properly.” I keep my tone casual. If he sees reason for Hades around me, maybe he won’t see a reason to suspect me. I want to irritate him with Aiden yes but not at the detriment of my plans.
He tilts his head studying me, “You’re saying it like it affects me.”
“It does.” I reply smoothly, hoping this will make him believe he is still at my highest pedestal, “If this works, then it will benefit us.”
He scoffs, like it’s unreal, “What do you mean?”
“Once the launch succeeds, everything settles. Including you being CFO.” I shrug
He nods, a smirk covering his lips, “Oh you naughty girl!” He laughs standing in front of me, his hair is pushed back from his eyes and he lowers them, trying to look charming and seductive
Before I would blush and look away. But now? He looks silly. It does absolutely nothing for me.
Not after my experiences with Hades. Not after what it felt like to be touched by someone who made my body react before my mind could even catch up. Compared to Hades hot kisses and cold sensual touch, Nicholas feels empty.
Especially since I know the truth. That at this moment, he’s probably planning my death.
But of course I don’t let any of it show. He steps closer to me, invading my space and trapping me towards the edge of the desk.
He smiles, his fingers moving up my shoulder, “You are going to look absolutely beautiful on our wedding day Aria.” He says softly
My jaw tightens, my knees don’t buckle like when Hades is next to me.
“And our kids,” he continues, smiling, “I’m sure they will be even prettier, I do have great genes.” He winks tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear
“Nicholas.” I mutter softly trying to get away but my back is pressed against the desk now.
He places his hands on either side of me, trapping me in, “I can’t wait till I can finally get in between your legs, take your virginity.” He murmurs. “But I suppose a kiss will have to do, for now… it’s been such a long time my love.” He whispers
My pulse spikes. Every instinct in me screams to push him away and tell him never to touch me again.
He leans in and I start to turn my head.
A knock hits the door, loud and absolutely perfect.
“Come in,” I say quickly.
Nicholas curses under his breath and steps back.
My assistant enters, stopping short when he takes in the scene. Nicholas' expression is filled with irritation and humiliation.
“What do you want?” Nicholas snaps, “Don’t you know how to use a damn phone?!”
“I did try to call,” my assistant says quietly, but it was disconnected.
“You’re a lowly worker.” Nicholas sneers, “You don’t interrupt when I’m speaking.”
“That’s enough,” I say and the room plunges into silence.
Nicholas turns to me slowly, “What did you just say?”
“I said to shut up.” I repeat, probably confusing him, one moment I’m nice and another I show him I’m not a push over. “You don’t speak to the company staff like that.”
Shock crosses his face and even my assistant looks shocked again.
“Go on.” I tell my assistant.
He swallows, “You have a meeting scheduled with the investors. They’re waiting for you… as the current acting CEO.”
Shit.
Nicholas' mouth falls open. “Did you just say acting CEO?” he asks, staring at me.