The Perfect Intern

Chapter 32.

Ariella

"Hello to you too, Maddie," I breathed in annoyance,  placing the box of my things into the closet. Tired of people making me gasp like a little girl. If I was, this week would be the worst fucking surprise party ever. Merry shitmas. "I'm doing great. Please come in."

How did she even get inside?

"Don't try to to make this about me," her arms remained folded as she glared at me. "You've had to be back for at least a day without telling me. Not my fault you keep a key under your mat, which you really shouldn't be doing with these sexual predator-"

I sighed deeply, before collapsing on my bed to stare at the ceiling, not bothering to take anything off. This week had already been long enough and the last thing I needed was my best friend making it longer. "I'm sorry, Maddie, but I really haven't been back for that long and since I didn't get any sleep last night, I wanted to today."

"..Is he that rough?"

"Maddie!"

She had no filter and although inspirational, I was tired.

"What?" Her head lowered as her hands went up. "You said you didn't get any sleep."

"Well, if you're dying to know," I started, giving a short, sad laugh. "He is rough," I continued, shrugging. "Except not physically, verbally. A real Italian asshole to be exact."

"What do you mean?" Her eyebrows creased in worry as she turned towards me and placed her leg on the bed.

"I got trashed." I'd say dumped, but I think that would feel better than what Dante did. "Dante's company isn't too friendly with Sinagon and apparently, I was."

I didn't have to explain what this meant. Maddie knew Nicholas was the CEO for Sinagon Headquarters. Once she found out I got involved with them, she rushed to do her research of how much of a 'sugar daddy' they would be and by their net worth, found them both to be very exceptional bachelors.

"He thought you were a traitor?" Maddie frowned and I nodded in response. She shouldn't feel bad for me. It wasn't her fault, it was all mine. I decided to get acquainted with Mr. Fausti. Not her.

We both set there in silence. Maybe it just wasn't meant for Dante and I to coexist.

Besides, If we had, I probably wouldn't have got the chance to get to know Nicholas. You know, the one I used to be a spy at SEO for?

I just didn't understand how one moment someone can trust you enough to share themself with you, and then the next moment simply degrade you like nothing.

I guess that's what being bipolar is. Perhaps, I just wasn't ready to deal with someone like Dante.

I knew I was only collateral damage to him from the beginning, but I couldn't figure out why it had hurt so much when the actual reality hit..

"Where did you just come from dressed like that then?" She cocked her head to the side and I remembered who I had just finished talking to.

"Nicholas," I told her, smiling at the thought as I continued to stare up at the ceiling.

"I'm not usually one to down ideas," she started in a cautious tone. "But are you sure this is a good one?"

"It wasn't my idea," I shrugged nonchalantly. It really wasn't. He was the one who picked me up. Asked to paint me, and then offered to take me to dinner. "He saved me from the rain."

"Did he really?" She gave me a blank expression that signified her disbelief.  If only I was actually lying.

"He did, " I replied. "And soon I'll have a state dinner to go to so I'm just going to go-" I started to stand up when she interrupted.