The rejected kidnapped mate compl

Aria's perspective

“You are fired.” My boss walked off in a huff after pronouncing my "sentence".

"Oh no!" I groaned as my eyes settled on the big box that sat on the edge of the desk.

Standing up resignedly, I grabbed the box and tossed it on my chair. With a hand, I swept off everything from my desk into the box and heaved a sigh.

"Do you need any help clearing all out, Aria?" Sarah's annoyingly chirpy voice buzzed in my ears.

"Thanks, but no." I answered listlessly.

"You know, I've always been wondering how you got employed in the first place, Aria.”

Sensing the mock in her tone, I looked up, only to find Sarah flashing me a pretentious smile while arranging the files on her desk.

Before I could even come up with something to snap back at her, the office door was shoved open forcefully.

It was my boss again.

“I told you to get out of here in ten seconds! Wasn't my orders were clear weren’t they?” He was thunderous

“Crystal clear, Sir.” I lifted my box, forcing a smile. “...I’m leaving right away.”

It was getting late outside. Walking on the street aimlessly, I couldn't feel worse.

Finding another job wouldn’t be easy since I was considered a mole in the company.

Yes, I revealed trade secrets to a rival company. More specifically, they offered to pay me for that when I happened to need money to settle my debts.

That explained why I ended up here now. Just as I was deeply troubled by all this mess, my phone beeped.

Dropping my box down on the ground, I got the phone out of my back pocket. It was a message from the landlady.

My rent was overdue, and she was gonna lock me out tonight.

“Argh!” I screamed and ruffled my hair with both hands. With tons of bills piling up, I gotta land a new job as soon as possible. Or I'd become officially homeless.

Fuck!

As I finally made my way to the bus station, the last bus had just left before my eyes...

Just perfect!

Nothing seemed to work in my way today.

Worst day ever! Beaten savagely by the harsh reality, I started to walk home awfully, my shoulders sagging.

Maybe it was time to leave New York for my hometown in Maine, where I lived with my parents before they had passed away.

That’s if I couldn’t get a job the following week. I would be kicked out of my apartment by then.

My stomach growled loudly as I was lost in deep thought.