Chapter 4 Coffee Harm

• Chapter-4: Coffee Harm
• Aria Anastasia
• A gasp escaped my lips, seeing a real gun in front of my eyes. It reminded me of the dead body I saw last night. "No!" I dropped the files from my hands and covered my face with my hands in fear.
• I could feel a hand being placed on my shoulder just when the elevator made a 'ding' sound.
• "Aria, are yo—" before Zaiden could complete his sentence, I pushed his hand away from my shoulder. Picking up the documents from the ground, I dashed out of the elevator, leaving him behind.
• Instead of going inside the conference room, I went to the washroom first. I kept the files at one side and turned towards the sink. I splashed some water on my face, trying to forget the dead body which was bleeding in front of my eyes, and how the two men were dragging the dead body as if it was an old toy they were getting rid of since Zaiden was bored of it.
• It was not going to be okay now. I thought I could pretend to know nothing, but knowingly, I couldn't work under a murderer. I couldn't hide the secret of a murderer and help him; it was against my morals. I would always be reminded of the murder every time I would see Zaiden.
• I had to make a decision—a tough decision.
• I wiped my face with some tissues and took a deep breath. Taking the files in my hand, I proceeded to enter the conference room.
• I entered with a small smile playing on my lips as I would be meeting the owner of the Arizon Fashion, Aurora Arizon. She was sitting on a chair, along with Zaiden, whose eyes met mine for a brief moment.
• I glanced at Aurora, and said, "Hello, Mrs. Arizon. I hope you didn't have to wait for long." I took a seat next to Zaiden.
• Aurora smiled at me. "Don't be foolish, Aria. We still have five minutes till the meeting starts." She added, "Also, how many times do I have to tell you to call me by my name?"
• "Don't mind her, Mrs. Arizon. Recently Aria is in a mood to be fully professional," Zaiden uttered, the taunt was visible in his tone.
• I narrowed my eyes in his direction. Exhaling a sigh, I said to Aurora, "Let's begin the meeting and at the end of it, you can sign these papers." I handed the file to her.
• We started discussing everything for the last time to keep our goals clear on the contract.
• All this time, I stole a few glances from Zaiden and found him to do the same. Yet, I pretended to keep my full attention on whatever Aurora was saying, not wanting to think anything about Zaiden anymore.
• ###
• I was returning from the cafeteria with a cup of coffee in my hand.
• I was given so much coffee that if I didn't walk carefully, the hot coffee would fall on my hand. The cup was literally filled fully and I couldn't even take a sip to lessen the amount because of the steam coming out of it.
• If I wanted, I could stay in the cafeteria and drink coffee there, but people there would complain about Zaiden. If I listened to their complaints or even talked to them, I might end up revealing what I saw last night. So it was better for me to stay away from gossip if I didn't want to reveal one.
• Also, Yana took a half-day leave because she had to visit her sick mother in the asylum today.
• "Don't spill," I mumbled to the cup on my hand, my eyes glued to it as I continued walking.
• "Aria, c—"
• I jumped at the sudden voice, making the coffee spill on my right hand. I hissed at the painful burning sensation.
• "Holy shit," Zaiden let out and rushed to me. He grabbed my hand after taking the cup and placing it on the nearby desk. "You are such a fool."
• I closed my eyes, my hand stinging in pain. I tried to free my hand from his grip but he held it tighter.
• "Let me have a look," he said sternly and I opened an eye, only to find him examining my wound, which was red now. "I have an ointment in my cabin. Come with me."
• "Boss, I have one t—" I was interrupted midway by Zaiden.
• "You are coming with me." He was glaring at me, his eyes challenging me to disobey him.