Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 49: Bonds of Friendship

Aari awoke with a pounding headache, her senses slowly returning to her as she groggily sat up in bed. The room spun slightly, and she reached for her phone on the bedside table, squinting at the bright screen. There it was, a message from Master, the source of both frustration and an odd sense of security lately.

"How can you be so reckless with your life, kittycat? Do I have to start monitoring your food habits now?"

The words stung with a mixture of concern and control, reminding her of the events at the mall and the dressing room. Aari's frustration boiled over as she realized she had been incommunicado while Rose had been searching for her. She fired back a reply, her fingers tapping out her irritation.

"Thank you, monster—oh, I mean Master—but this is my first and last thank you. Stop getting so clingy."

Sending the message with a sigh of exasperation, she tossed her phone aside and Aari eyed the beautifully wrapped box on her bedside table with a mixture of reluctance and resignation. Master's apologies often came in the form of lavish gifts, and this one was no exception—a complete set from Bvlgari's Serpenti Viper collection. The 18 kt white gold necklace, watch, bracelet, and ring sparkled under the ambient light, each piece intricately adorned with diamonds and sapphires. It was a gesture meant to appease, yet it also underscored his possessive affection.

She hesitated to touch it, knowing the implications it carried. The gift spoke volumes of Master's desire to exert control, even in his acts of contrition. Aari sighed, her fingers tracing the edge of the box as she wrestled with conflicting emotions—gratitude for the extravagant gesture, yet a deep-seated discomfort at the strings attached.

Later, as she prepared to let Rose into her home, Aari glanced at herself in the mirror, her heart sinking as she noticed the love bites on her neck, forming a trail down like a reminder of Master's possessiveness. In the trial room, he had given them to her, urging her to hide them. Determined to conceal the marks, Aari made a conscious choice to wear high-neck tops, covering them up as best she could.

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts and she knew it will be Rose.

As she prepared to greet Rose, Aari pulled on a high-neck top, feeling a sense of protection in its coverage. She hoped it would shield her not just physically, but also emotionally, from the complexities of her relationship with Master—a relationship she couldn't bring herself to fully explain to Rose, out of both shame and a desire to protect her friend from worry.

 Aari managed a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey," she greeted, her voice tinged with fatigue.

 Rose barged in, her expression a mix of relief and annoyance. "Bitch, you don't even know what happened! I almost banged my car in the parking lot just talking to you. Spent an hour scouring the damn mall while your phone was switched off, and you text that you're suddenly at home!"

Aari winced at Rose's outburst, guilt and embarrassment washing over her. "I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't mean to worry you. I... things got complicated."

Rose softened slightly, concern flickering in her eyes. "Complicated? What's going on, Aari? You've been acting strange lately, and now this stalker guy—I don't like it."

Aari sighed heavily, feeling the weight of her secret pressing on her. "He's controlling, always monitoring me, sending texts, and... it's suffocating."

Rose's eyes widened in alarm, her voice lowering as she leaned in closer. "A stalker? Aari, has he done something to you?"

Aari's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. "He... he gave me these," she admitted  pointing to the gifts. "... they're not just gifts. They come with strings attached."

Rose's expression hardened, her protective instincts kicking in. "That's not okay, Aari. You can't let him do this to you."

Aari nodded, grateful for Rose's support. "I know, Rose. I've been trying to handle it on my own, but it's getting overwhelming."

Rose smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, someone's gotta keep an eye on you. Plus, I figured you owe me big time for that car incident!"

They both chuckled softly, the tension easing between them as they shared a moment of levity. Aari felt a rush of relief knowing she wasn't alone in facing Master's intrusive presence.

"As for this stalker guy," Rose continued playfully, "is he at least a hotty? If he's going to stalk you, he should at least be good-looking."

Aari rolled her eyes, grateful for Rose's attempt to lighten the mood. "Trust me, he's not worth your time," she replied, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Rose grinned mischievously. "Well, if he's a stalker, then he clearly wants what he can't have. Maybe we should find him a stalker of his own."

They both laughed, the tension of the evening melting away in the comfort of their friendship. 

Rose leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've lined up an interview for you at The Russo Group through my dad's connection. It's set for next Thursday, and the location is in Toronto."

Aari's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Toronto? That's great news! What kind of project are they working on there?"

"It's a major expansion in their security and tech sectors," Rose explained. "They're looking for someone with your architectural skills to contribute to this big initiative."

Aari nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the details. "Sounds like a challenging opportunity."

"Yeah, but you're perfect for it," Rose encouraged with a smile. "And get this—the owner, well, no one really knows much about him. He's young, charming, and there are zero pictures of the owner in the media. It's like he's a ghost."

Aari chuckled. "Sounds like he values his privacy."

"Definitely," Rose agreed. "Rumor has it he's a bit of a mystery, but also quite the charmer. Though, with his level of secrecy, who knows what he's really like?"

"But," Rose continued with a smirk, "I also heard he's a stickler for deadlines and professionalism."

Aari laughed at the contrast. "Maybe he's just shy, or maybe he's into boys."

Rose joined in her laughter, the tension of earlier moments dissipating further. "Who knows? But I thought you might find it interesting, especially considering your knack for landing these architectural gigs."

"Thanks, Rose," Aari replied sincerely, touched by her friend's thoughtfulness. "I appreciate it. And hey, even if he's as charming as they say, I doubt he'll be as intriguing as my stalker."

Rose noticed Aari's lack of interest in the owner of The Russo Group despite his rumored charm and elusiveness. "Anyway, you probably won't even see him," Rose added with a grin. "In his company, only a handful of top management folks have actually seen him. And knowing how secretive they are, they've probably signed NDAs."

Aari chuckled, shaking her head playfully. "Well, mystery man or not, I'm sure he's not as mysterious as my stalker."

Rose laughed in agreement. "Definitely not! I don't think anyone could match the enigma that is Master."

They continued to banter and joke about the elusive owner of The Russo Group, their conversation lightening the mood and reaffirming their bond. As they delved into speculation and playful teasing, Aari found herself grateful once again for Rose's ability to bring levity to even the most complicated of situations.