Chapter 5 Episode Five

On her way back home, Aria decided to make a phone call.

"Hey Sophie"

"Aria?"

The person at the other end of the phone sounded shocked.

" Yes, it's me."

"Oh my God, it's been so long, where have you been?"

"I've... been around, are you busy?"

" Not really, what's up?"

"I was wondering if you might be able to help me with some cash, I promise I'll pay back as soon as possible, I just need to..."

" Aria, I can't"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, the last time I helped you with some money, we both know what happened."

Rubbing the back of her neck, Aria said,

"Sophie, that was two years ago, and I've apologized already."

"And I remember that, I also remember you swearing never to call me for help again."

Aria sighed

"I know, but this is urgent, and I have no one else to call."

"Well, find someone else because I don't have any money to give out."

"I will pay you back, I promise. I just need..."

"Sorry, Aria."

"Hello?"

"Sophie?"

Aria exhaled sharply, as shame washed over her face while she stared at the blank phone screen where Sophie, her supposed best friend, had just hung up on her. She has no one else to run to.

Aria went back home sad, angry and disappointed. On getting to her apartment, she found Elijah sleeping on the couch with a blanket over his legs. She looked at him with pity and went into her bedroom without even thinking about having dinner.

Two days later, while locking up the gallery after staying back late. Two heavily built guys with strong-looking hands that have seen years of violence approached her from a black van parked just in front of the gallery. One of them had a large scar on his face, just below his left eye. As they got closer, she became conscious of how dark and lonely it was. She quickly locked up and started walking quickly, clutching her bag to her side.

She wasn't fast enough as the men quickly cut up with her, and one yanked at her arm forcefully.

"What do you want"? She asked sharply, wincing in pain. Her voice was sharper than she felt.

"To send Elijah a message," The one with the scar replied in a husky voice.

"When we are done with you, your brother will come out from wherever he is hiding," The scarless one said.

Before she could speak, Scarman punched her in the stomach, and her eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Before she could recover from it, the two men were already dragging her towards the van, all Aria could do was struggle, scratch and try to scream while biting hard on the hands of Scarface as he tried to drown her screams with his strong hands over her mouth. As she was about to be thrown into the van, they heard a deep, calm voice from behind.

"Let her go now."

It was Damian, walking towards them with a scowl on his face. Scarface replied, grinning.

"Wrong place, rich boy."

Scarless guy shoves Aria into the van and pulls a knife.

Damian walks forward, rolling his sleeves. Scar face swings first, Damian ducks, lands a hard body punch, then a sharp backfist to the jaw-CRACK!-Scar face hits the ground.

Aria stares in disbelief.

The scarless guy lunges with the knife. Damian sidesteps, grabs his wrist, and slams it against a lamppost, making him drop the knife. One swift knee to the gut, elbow to the back of the head, the Scarless guy drops down.

Aria jumps out of the van, Impressed but didn't show it.

Picks up her bags and dusts herself up.

"What are you doing here?" she asks Damian, "Are you stalking me now?"

Adjusting his shirt, he gives her a side glance and starts walking towards his car without saying a word to her.

Aria follows him closely behind for a few seconds before pausing and yelling, a little too loudly.

"You know what? You're right".

Damian turns around, lowering her voice, she whispers

"I need help."

He looks at her like he is just noticing her for the first time.

"I know."

She swallows hard, Damian resumes walking, gets to the car and opens the door for her.

"Get in."

Aria summons enough courage, inhales deeply and turns to the other side of the car, opens it and gets in. Damian stares at her, shakes his head, gets in the car and sits beside her. The driver sped off into the night. They drove in silence till they got to her apartment, and Damian finally spoke.

"The people your brother owes are dangerous, more dangerous than he even knows."

She looks at him sharply as he turns to face her

"Are you ready to let me help?"

"What do you want in return?"

" Who says I want something in return?"

"Fifteen thousand dollars is a lot of money to just give out for free."

He smiles lightly while nodding

"You're smart, I like it."

She rolls her eyes and leans back

"So what do you want?"

"You"

She snorts in disbelief

"What?"

He stares at her, eyes darkening

"I want you."

"Well, I'm not for sale."

"I never said I wanted to buy you."

"So what are you saying?"

"I say we make a deal." His eyes held hers. "When I have an event, a dinner, a fundraiser, a meeting where I need someone on my arm, you show up. No excuses. You smile, you play the part, and you leave when I say."

She laughs a short, humourless laugh, "Oh Wow, So is this your way of asking for a date?"

"Call it whatever you like," he said smoothly. "All I care about is that you look the part and you do exactly as I say."

"And if I say no?"

He leaned just close enough that she had to tilt her head back to keep his gaze. "Then the next time someone comes for you to get to your brother... I might not be close enough to stop it."

The air between them was tight, pulsing with something she couldn't name.

Aria exhaled slowly. "You're an asshole."

"Most people in my position are."

She shook her head, the corner of her mouth twitching despite herself. "And what do you call someone in my position?"

He didn't blink. "Smart enough to know they're out of options."

Flushed, she opens the door and steps out into her apartment.