YOU'RE MY RELIGION (⚠️18+)

CHAPTER 9: CONFIDENCE IS KEY

Song for this Chapter: "CONFIDENT" by Demi Lovato.

ARSIA'S POV

I was finally done settling in and had viewed my itinerary for the next 7 months, when Mr. Mariano buzzed the intercom again, letting me know that he will be out in 5 minutes, in order for us to go for the business meeting he had let me know about like 15 minutes ago.

 I can't lie, I was feeling a little bit nervous as I can sense all of my yesterday's preparations slipping out of my head. I tooth a deep breath and recited a poem my mum always says to me when I am nervous, "Self-confidence is a superpower! Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening. " I recited the quote one more time and felt my nerves easing up.

A few moments later, Mr. Mariano's door opened and he stepped out holding some documents and he approached me.

" Are you ready to go for the business meeting, Miss Smith? " he said firmly as he approached the front desk, where I was seated behind the high-end marble cubicle-like desk.

" Yes I am ready Mr. Mariano, can I help you with those documents sir? " I politely asked as I replied him.

He paused for a second staring at me and I realized that was the first time I was calling him Mr. Mariano, I felt like it sounds weird rolling off my tongue, I am probably just being paranoid.

" Thank you, Miss Smith, that wouldn't be necessary, just grab the iPad in the first compartment, for taking down notes and let's get going, " he politely said as he gestured towards the compartment.

I did ask he asked, I opened the compartment and found a brand new iPad sitting there, I was almost shocked till I realized which company I was in. I quickly unwrapped the iPad as he watched me silently, I turned it on then gestured to the elevator politely. 

I was about to head towards the same elevator I came in with, then I stopped in my tracks when I heard him speak.

" This way. This is my private elevator, from now on use it when you're going up or down. I'll get you a chip for the elevator. Understood? " he said gesturing to a more luxurious elevator on the right.

" Yes sir, thank you," I slowly said in a polite way but I was confused as to why but did not show it.

I followed him to his private elevator while I was clutching on the iPad tight, Then he gestured for me to go in first and I did, he came in after me. He pushed the 40th button and tapped his chip on some high-end security scanner before the doors finally closed.  The ride up was quick and very quiet as I could almost hear my own breathing.

The doors finally opened again on the 40th floor, I stepped out and he followed right behind me, I let him lead the way to the conference room as I followed him, I looked around my surrounding, this floor was also very elegant and beautiful, just like the building itself.

 Everything was modern and styled to perfection, I am in awe right now, because my interior design skills were itching me to look around some more.

We arrived at the conference room and he ushered me inside, the room was so massive and could seat about 20 people or more even. Everything was in shades of brown and white even the lights, it was very luxurious and had a masculine feel to it.