Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride: Till Life Do Us Part!-Chapter 12: Daredevil

Heavy silence blanketed the room like dense clouds or fog.

It pressed against Gianna’s skin, wrapped around her lungs, and for a moment, she wondered if she had asked too much, if she would have taken the easy way out, asked for less, then work her way to the top.

Her throat tightened, her palms dampening where they rested on her thighs. With her skills, it wouldn’t take her more than two years to do that.

But then, was she called for suffering? She questioned herself, her hands bunching tight on her trousers, knuckles whitening with the small burst of frustration.

So what if she wanted more? Could a girl not hope or dream? Was she not worth it?

So, why would she settle for less?

As a matter of fact, now that she did think of it, maybe she should ask for a car too, seeing as hers had been in the mechanic’s for a while. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Her eyes, out of want to look at something other than Arthur’s blank face, caught the gaze of one of the associates on the table, who looked at her like she had three heads, obviously not believing the impetus of someone desperate, someone without a job, someone that should be grateful for scraps.

She didn’t cower under his snake-like gaze; if anything, she let a barely-there smile graze her lips, her chin lifting in quiet challenge.

The man eyed her badly, but she still stared him down, unblinking, until he looked away, his jaw ticking and his mouth probably moving in a curse.

Gianna didn’t care. They should be glad that it wasn’t Athena sitting down here—her friend would have probably asked for the manager’s position or even the company itself.

Or, if she wanted to spite them, build her own company from scratch and then beat them at their own game!

Gianna chuckled before she could help it, the sound soft and warm with memory. Oh, how she missed her best friend!

Athena should return from the honeymoon already, so they could gossip about everything and nothing—well, about Ewan’s prowess in bed.

This time when Gianna chuckled absentmindedly, Arthur called her attention.

"What’s funny, lady?"

Gianna raised a brow, tilting her head elegantly. "Oh, forgive me, dear sir. Just remembered an old memory."

Arthur wasn’t sure if it was sarcasm or mere amusement that he heard in that voice.

Gianna Aldo. She would be profitable to his company, never mind her confidence that was too loud, too bold.

Yes, he decided, she would be of a lot of use to them; maybe was the necessary evil that would give them the edge over the Whitmans. Oh yes, he could see it clearly.

A smile slithered across his lips as his mind entered the future of his choosing before his legs.

"Gianna Aldo, you never seem to be out of surprises..."

A pause, where their gazes clashed over the table, sharp against sharp.

"But I will let you have what you want, even more, should you prove your worth. I will add a car too. Or do you not have a need for it? I heard you are living at the Thorne’s mansion."

Another pause. "What’s it like?"

Gianna could understand the note of curiosity that had wormed its way into Arthur’s words too.

The Thornes were like the gods of business—no small surprise where Athena had gotten the gene from, even though the reunion between her friend and the Thornes had only taken place barely a year ago.

A case of lost—or was it mistaken—identities that spanned years?

She pushed aside the memories and focused on answering Arthur’s question.

"I would like a car, Arthur, thank you. And yes, I live at the Thorne’s mansion, it has been most memorable." Her voice stayed smooth, her posture still a picture of composed boldness.

Arthur nodded. "I would expect nothing less. But should you need an apartment, the company will take care of it."

Gianna nodded slowly, still maintaining the relaxed position, her eyes shifting to the male associate who looked to be in his late thirties, who had tried staring her down earlier.

He was looking at Arthur with an open mouth. It gave her no small joy.

"Thank you very much for the chance, Arthur. I promise not to let you down, you and the company."

A pause; she wet her lips, knowing the daring premise in her head, itching to be out, was better kept in. But her mouth opened anyway and vomited it out.

"The convention coming up... I will clutch the win for the company."

Silence again, broken this time by Junior Beckett’s laugh.

"Gianna, you shouldn’t make loud promises, drunk on my father’s approval. You can take your time."

Gianna managed a snort, crossing one leg over the other slowly, regally. "Thanks for your concern, Mason. But I can handle myself."

To Arthur, with a steady gaze, "You can be rest assured that I won’t go back on my words."

She got no response other than more stares, but she understood too.

For the past six years, the Whitmans had been collecting the prizes, the wins—well, apart from last year, when she had clutched it for Dane, part of what had skyrocketed the company’s stocks more than they had bargained.

And he had just sold out...

She held back a scoff. He had just sold out at the apex of the fame. Because of Zane Whitman.

She gritted her teeth. Zane would surely pay for that, for putting a dent in her plans.

"Well, I will hold you to your bold claim, but don’t be pressured." Arthur’s tone softened, but Gianna already felt the pressure settling on her shoulders like a physical weight.

To shake it off, she stood slowly to her feet, needing to be out of the room which had turned suffocating, needing fresh air. "Will I see my new office today?"

To that, Arthur smiled. "Of course. We have an empty one... as if it had just been waiting for you."

He turned to his son, Mason. "Show her the newly refurbished office. I’m sure Esme would understand the changes."

"You are one lucky woman," Mason started as soon as they were out of the room—which Gianna believed was a boardroom of some sort—yet still grappling with the fact that she had braved the odds and walked away with more than she had hoped for at first.

"I’m just bold, Mason." She flicked him a side glance.

He nodded his agreement as they entered the floor. "You sure you are ready for this?"

Gianna ignored him. She hated being undermined, underestimated.

He must have realized as he apologized. "Just making sure."

That too was an insult, Gianna concluded, keeping the silence until they got to the office—her office.

The first space was airy and cool, the secretary’s area, but large enough to match the size of her previous office. Cream walls, sleek desk, soft lighting. Very efficient.

Then he led her to the next room, opened the door—

And she was wowed.

More space. Twice her old office. A wide, polished table. A dignified chair. Sofas—long and short, with colorful throw pillows—arranged thoughtfully.

A board she could already see herself pinning sketches to. Large windows overlooking the city, curtains framing the breathtaking skyline. Soft colors on the walls that already calmed her usually overactive mind.

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

"I hope it’s to your taste? Your car will be delivered tomorrow, with the contractual documents. You are starting tomorrow, right?"

Gianna chuckled, slow and sure. She could even start now. Didn’t she have a convention to shine in?