Arranged marriage : Married to an unknown man

Ariana

After returning from France, the first thing Xavier did was he assigned me to my new post. He announced to his employees that I’d be working as an IT security head of the company.

The second thing he did was he fired Diana and Bianca. Bianca forgot that the floors on which three of the bosses worked were equipped with hidden cameras and those cameras caught Bianca swapping the folder. I was present in the office with Xavier when he fired both of them.

Xavier also asked them if they behaved inappropriately with me. They both got surprised after listening to the question and tried to argue and also blamed me for many things that I never did. They started shouting at me in front of Xavier. Xavier couldn’t handle their behavior and fired both of them on the spot. I tried to interfere but Xavier silenced me with just one look.

Now it had been a week since I had been working in the IT security department. I became the favorite topic of every employee’s gossip. All the employees were having many questions like how I was appointed as Xavier’s P. A. when he never had a female P. A? And then, how did I get the privilege of going with him to meeting abroad and most importantly what I did that I was appointed as IT security head without any training or promotions.

I told everyone that I have a degree in software engineering, but still, they all looked at me with doubt. Xavier told me not to give any explanation to anyone, he also told me to inform him if other employees behave rudely with me.

So, ignoring everyone I just concentrated on my work. With the help of other staff working with me, I ran a security check over the company’s network and fixed the bugs. I gave every colleague a specified task.

I was more than happy working in the field I chose. My talent, my degree was being used now. It was not like before anymore where I was not regarded as anything. Now I was working to make my own identity. And it was happening just because of Xavier and my beloved brothers.

The most amazing thing that happened this week was that our proposal for France’s manufacturing unit got accepted by the France government. We all were so happy that our hard work paid off.

Xavier still hadn’t appointed a new P. A, in the meantime, Mrs. Miller was handling the work. I wanted to help him but my tied-up schedule didn’t allow me.

For the past few days, Xavier had started behaving like a child who lost his candy. He would call me to his office at least ten times a day saying that he missed me. Like seriously? We live together but still, he misses me all day at work?

Whenever he felt restless or angry at someone he would call me up to see me because according to him, my presence calms him down. He would never leave a chance to kiss me whenever he calls me to his office. I doubted that he only called me just to kiss me and not because he’s restless or angry at someone.

Daniel…well Daniel is Daniel, teasing me to death, asking me if something happened in France. Was something supposed to happen? I didn’t know what he wanted to know but he always wiggled his eyebrows whenever he would see me, asking a question with a gesture.

Sean…Sean is also the same, less talkative but supportive. Sometimes he would join Daniel to tease me but he never said much.

My friends were happy when they got the news about my new post, they didn’t react the way all other people reacted. They indeed are my best friends.

“Miss Ariana we’re leaving. You’re not?” One of my colleagues asked me. It was five in the evening, it was time to go home.

“No Nikki I have some work. I’ll leave in fifteen minutes.” I smiled. She nodded her head and left.

I was waiting for Xavier, he told me not to leave in any case until he arrives back. Finn was with him so Finn also couldn’t drive me home. Sean and Daniel were also not here. Xavier had one meeting to attend and then he went to meet his parents who were back after a long vacation. He asked me to come with him to meet them but I refused, not because I didn’t want to but because they arrived this morning, they must be tired from the long journey. And if I had gone to meet them, considering their sweet nature they would have engaged me in a talk, ignoring all their exhaustion.

Mr. And Mrs. Knight are a very sweet couple. I didn’t know them much but the small talk I had with them on my wedding day created a soft spot for them in my heart.

I completed my work and when I looked at the wall clock, it indicated 5:15. Xavier said he’d come to pick me up at 6:00 pm. What will I do till 6? He even strictly ordered me not to act stubborn by going against his order by taking a bus to go home. Guess I have to wait for him.

I picked up all my belongings and walked out of the building to take a stroll. It was chilly outside, I buttoned up my coat and stuffed my hands in my coat pocket.

I looked to my right and saw many shops there. I was tempted to go there. It had been a long since I walked alone on the streets. I lazily strolled on the pavement, going towards the shops. Walking alone on the street reminded me of the days when I had no one to walk with, to talk with, to share my feelings with but see how my life has turned 180 degrees. Now, I had many people to spend my time with. But still, there were some things I couldn’t share with anyone. I wanted to share it with Xavier but I was still waiting for the right moment.

Gazing at every shop which was brightly lit up with lights as the sun had already gone down, I squeezed myself away from people and walked forward. I was so engrossed in looking at the dressed mannequins visible from the glass outside the clothing shops and other eye-catching stuff that I didn’t notice when I reached near a supermarket. I decided to buy some groceries from there but before I could walk towards the supermarket someone tapped my shoulder making me spun around with lightning speed.

The moment I turned around I came face to face with the person who tried to degrade our company’s reputation, the one who stole the proposal which was to be presented in France. Chris Silva.

“Hi, we met again.” He waved his hand. I looked left and right, clutching my laptop bag tightly. I was standing near the dark alley at the side of the supermarket.

“Umm…h.. hi.” I stuttered. I was getting negative vibes in his presence.

“So, you’re now the new IT security head of XDS AUTOTECH huh?” He smirked and took a step forward, making me step back.

“H…how do y.. you know?” I asked. My heart was racing furiously. I think it was a bad idea to walk alone.

“Oh, come on, give some credit to yourself. You’re the talk of the business world since you became Xavier’s P. A. and now you’re his company’s new IT security head. News travels fast.” He chuckled.

“I.. I have to go.” I tried to walk past him but he stopped me by blocking my way.

“I’m not done talking yet. We were not able to talk at the party because of Xavier. Now he’s not here so we can talk.” He grinned but it was evil.

“Tell me one thing Ariana…”

“How.. d.. do you know my name?” I asked, stepping back again.

“Don’t act dumb. You are famous among businessmen, everyone linked to Xavier knows your name. Now answer my question which is bugging me since last week. What did you do that you got promoted as an IT security head? You were just a P. A” He asked in a serious tone.

“I don’t think it’s any of your business,” I replied.

“Actually, it is. Why you were given that post after the France conference? Why not before? Do you even have the qualifications of being an IT personnel? How can an eye-catching and hot woman like you handle IT security? Do you even know anything about it? Or is it your slender body that gave you everything?” He mocked me.

“Women can do anything they want. They’re more than just eye-catching and hot.” I shot back.

“I completely agree with you, that’s why I want to know what you did to get into XDS AUTOTECH?” He smirked evilly, eyeing me from head to toe. Pervert.

Without replying to him, I walked past him but he tugged my wrist roughly with one hand and covered my mouth with another hand, and dragged me into a dark alley where no one was there.

“Leave me!” I tried to pull away but his grip was too tight. He pushed me against the wall but didn’t leave my hands and mouth.

“Oh come on, baby girl. I too want to see what Xavier saw in you.” He chuckled evilly. I was scared to death. My heartbeat was gaining more speed.

“I know you have satisfied him with this gorgeous body of yours otherwise how can you get two big positions in such a big company? I also want to taste you. I have heard somewhere that Xavier has good taste when it comes to women.”

His words disgusted me. I felt so cheap that tears started running down my face. I struggled under his hold and tried to hit him with my free hand but he held both of my hands above my head in a tight grip. He still had his one hand on my mouth stopping me from screaming.

“Stop struggling. I know women like you. You do anything to get money out of rich people. You spread your legs for every rich man. You did the same for Xavier. Right? Now when it’s my turn, you’re behaving like an innocent?” He said gritting his teeth. His eyes were blazing with anger.

In no second he dipped his head and buried his face in my neck. I cried, wiggled, and tried to hit him with my legs but he slapped me and trapped my legs between his. I was helpless again. I was feeling nauseated. His touch was sickening.

His touch, his force, his tight grip, his cheap words brought back all my memories. They also forced me to do many things. They also made me feel cheap, they also used to hit me. Those touches….

I panicked when those painful memories flashed in front of my eyes. I was getting short of breath. I forcefully tried to turn my head but he didn’t let me. He ran his filthy mouth down to my breast.

“Please don’t..” A weak muffled sound came out of my mouth. I cried harder, all the strength left my body as I was not able to breathe. I was on the verge of getting a panic attack. I tried to save myself, my dignity but I was impotent. All the pain and agony I had experienced before came back to life.

My eyes started to droop, I lost all my hopes. Hopes…hope… Xavier.. Thought of Xavier hit me like a thunderbolt. His thought awakened my lost senses. He’s my hope, my ray of sunshine, my strength. I had to go to him. It was hard to regain my hope, I couldn’t lose my hope this easily.

With all the power that was left in me, I freed my legs and hit him in his weak point. He groaned in pain and fell to his knees. Taking this as the opportunity I picked up my laptop bag and ran out of the alley.

And the last thing I saw was the headlights of a car before I lost my consciousness.