23. •Δ Rock Bottom Δ•

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Hailee Stienfeld -Rock Bottom

We're on the right side of rock bottom

And I hope that we keep falling

We're on the good side of bad karma'Cause we keep on coming back for more

We're on the right side of rock bottom

When I woke up, the first thing I notice was his missing warmth beside me. His phone is on the bedside table, he must have gone for a run. So I took a shower and got ready for the day. I am wearing a sweater dress that stops mid thighs and my new knee high suede boots . When I reach down, shutters of the Cafe are already open so I entered from the front door.
Jennifer is sitting on the chair alone.

" Morning Jen, what's going on." I ask ,hoping she would say something good about my new look .

"They're inside." She says ,with crazy wide eyes .

" Who is inside. "I ask as dread settled in my bones ,that Liam did something. Footsteps sounded from the kitchen.

"Let me go wake Arianna... " Axel was saying but he stopped abruptly . His eyes fleeting over me , I could feel him trying to undress me with his eyes . I bit my lip to torture him . But then I notice his state.

" Oh my God...!!! What happened." I gasp ,shaking myself out of my haze . Axel and Ranveer are covered in flour. Wearing just their track pants and powder pink apron with Jenny and my name on it. Looking like any girl's dream .

" We decided to cook, for the last few days we are behaving like schmucks, You two are cooking and we're doing work stuff. So it's our way to apologies". they said sheepishly and Jenny and I sighed in content .That was really thoughtful of them. They placed the breakfast on the table and pulled a chair to sit.

" Ahh ahhh ahhh, not so fast. First you clean the havoc you have created in the pantry. Then you can eat." I say and Jennifer nodded in agreement . They started whining and blaming each other for the mess. Jenny and I focused on the food . Happy , because we managed to cool things down .

2 Days Later

Mr Finley came to see me. It's been a week since I have seen him. His dark circles are more prominent now , He has lost a lot of weight and he is looking more than his age.
" She is not doing well Arianna. I am scared. ". He rasped ,taking his glasses off ,he rubbed his eyes . Mr. Finley is a tough man , to admit he is scared speaks volume.

" I wish I could do something to make you feel better." My voice quivered ,with shaky hands . I give him his favorite cappuccino . Mrs. Finley's condition is worsening .

" I know you would . You are a special one, just like your mama." he said smiling , his face lit up mentioning my mom .

" About that , I still haven't told Axel about it and I don't want him to think that I was purposely hiding the truth truth ." I say .

"Trust me, darling . If he is the one for you ,then he will understand .Tell Axel if he needs something, I am one call away ." he said ,taking small sips of the coffee . My throat feel clogged up ,watching him struggle to have his coffee .

" I appreciate it, Mr Finley ." I smile, giving him a red velvet cupcake. I sigh in content , watching him eat the sugary treat with a smile plastered on his face .

Mr Finley helped us a lot ,his connection in the police department eased the pressure Axel got. The Ahujas could have also ask in a favor , but asking these kind of favors always come with a catch . So Axel refused it . But with Mr Finley's help, at least he is not being treated like a cold blooded criminal and the department is being more reasonable with him, As they should be . The officers that took him to questioning ,didn't follow the protocol and have been removed from the case .

☆★☆★☆

At night Axel came with take outs, he was looking very tired. He sank down on the couch like all the energy has been squeezed out of him .I approach him and straddle on his legs .

"Tell me...." he whispered . I look down,and he held my chin up.

I lick my lips nervously , this time it didn't move his focus ,he knows I am nervous "I wanted to tell you something about me , about my .... " His phone rang.

"Give a a minute." he said apologetically . I begin to move but he put his hand on my hip ,to make me to stay . I leaned my head on his chest ,hearing his soft heartbeat that quickly began to plummet rapidity. During his short phone call I only heard him say, 'Okay', 'I understand' and 'fine' . Just as his heart rate increased ,his grip on my hip tightened. I bit my lip to stop myself from wincing. I knew it was bad news.

" What happened, who was it ." I ask . He didn't respond , I cup his cheeks and peck his lips . I ask again .

" My father called . He already knows everything .He will handle the situation with the Chinese.That business deal was bogus the company had already lawsuits against it , So they cannot operate so that part was annulled ." He said , snaking his hand under my top .

" So you are free now ." She asked hopefully .

"Yes. but I will still be questioned for the changes in the books. There will be no jail time. They will probably charge penalty and the company will make me pay for it on my expenses . And I will loose my position." I say, trailing my hand higher up her body ,feeling the tiny goosebumps . Her skin is smooth ,like a silk ,compared to my rough palm.

" But they have to vote . I'm sure they won't fire you . The changes could have hindsight anyone . " She says. I don't want to tell her but I need to be honest. My hands halted.

" I don't know what will they do . I am going to resign . Liam can have it all. If my father thinks that I'm not entitled for this position,then I don't wan it ." I say clenching my eyes shut .

" He didn't exactly say that, Right . " She says, holding my head in her tiny palms .

" He doesn't have to , Arianna . I can't blame Liam . I made mistakes too ." She remained quite , she knows I'm right .

" Liam Won , Just like he always did , Just like he always got away with everything ." I squeeze my eyes shut. My eyes stung painfully. I pulled back my hand from her body,I don't have the right to touch her .I am not worthy of her . She hugged me and I hug her back . She won't have to go through this anymore. I have to take this step . Even if it hurts like hell.

☆★☆★☆

Next morning, Arianna left for her cafe and I went back to my penthouse to retrieve the essentials . I have already emailed my resignation to the company . Mom and Dad are coming back next week .He didn't change any plans and handled everything on phone with the partners of our company. Mathew Knight is a big name after all . The silver lining is that , mom won't ever know about Liam's betrayal . And she won't judge me for the bad decisions or the financial loss.

My credit cards are working now . But I don't want to use it . If I take this step then I must forget the luxuries I have .

1 PM.

I stand outside Arianna's cafe . Looking at her . As if sensing my presence, she turned around and directly looked into my eyes. She said something to Jennifer and came out.

"Everything alright." She asked , watching me stand near the small car , I had abandoned long ago ,for my flashy camaro .

" Can we go to your place and talk ." I say , but it came out like I was pleading with her. She nodded wordlessly and held my hand .

When we reach her place . I made her sit on the couch . And crouched down on my knees to face her without saying anything I placed the papers on her lap .

" What is it ." She says, there's a dread in her voice. A bile rose in my throat ,I somehow croak .

"Divorce papers , Arianna . I'm leaving the company . I have prestigious schools in my alma mater but regarding the recent shenanigans . Good companies will avoid me like a plague ,at least for a year . Ranveer is offering me a job . But I want to do something on my own , I have been living a privileged life . I need this, Arianna. I need to find out if I can do this ." I say in defeat.

" And I'm with you in this decision . But why are you giving me divorce ." She shrugged . Is she serious .?

" Did you not hear anything I said. I will be jobless for a while. I won't receive a good pay either . I have hit rock bottom and I don't want you tied up to me , Arianna . You deserve better than that ."I yelp at her nativity ,do I have to write it on paper too. Can't she understand what it means to be jobless .

"Are you serious , Axel. I'm not tied up. I want to be with you , I told you I want to give this relationship a chance and We're doing good so far. " She smiled and leaned down to touch me but pulled back , she looked at her hands paused mid air .

" That was before ..." I stand up and start pacing in frustration.

" Before what...??? Before your brother set you up ." She whimpered.

" It was..." I start to say but she is not having it .

" It was your fault too ,I have heard it a thousand times before . I may not be an expert but I can read, I know the changes weren't day and night . You may loose the position you're in ,but you will be demoted . When you said you wanted to resign ,I was with you . You don't need to leave me to do it . " She bawled , tears rolled down her cheeks .

" Are you fucking insane...???" I screamed , why can't she just understand . Arianna flinched back as if I have lashed her on her face .

" No I'm not . the only insane person here, is you . Do you think I'm some materialistic bitch . And I will leave you because you don't have a job anymore ." She said , tears keep streaming down her cheek . Oh No, She's wrong .

" That's not what ..." I say , But my girl is on roll today.

" That's exactly what you said, don't deny it . And don't forget we had a deal , You can't leave me. you're Tied up , Axel." She cried . Her voice is thick and raw from the crying and screaming .

" We don't . I never signed the papers, Arianna." I quietly said and went down on my knees before her.

" Why..." She whispered, hope filled in her beautiful green eyes .

"I ... I couldn't . I couldn't marry you for a contract." I say wiping her tears . her cheeks are burning , I wipe the tears away ,only for fresh hot tears to take it's place .

She held my wrist ."Come with me, Axel. I want to tell you something ."

On our way to the undisclosed location, Arianna only talked to me give the directions. We stopped in front of a cemetery . After taking a short walk we reach a twin grave . It is covered in small flower bushes . I glance at Arianna , she is looking at graves with a deep longing in her eyes.

" Mom , Dad.... I want you to meet Axel ,my husband ."

🎀🎀🎀

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