Chapter 4: Wallets and Rivals

Alexander sat at his desk impatiently. He canceled several meetings so that he could confront one of his rivals' employees at two in afternoon. His dark eyes wandered from the clock on his wall and then onto the watch on his wrist.

They were late, he thought angrily.

A man as powerful as Alexander Marquee, waited for no one. Yet here he sat waiting and it was quickly causing him to lose all of his patience. It was a Saturday afternoon and the AMI establishment rarely operated on the weekends. Alexander's work was beginning to swamp him and his team, so Saturdays had become their day to catch up and now this person was waiting his valuable time.

His very expensive time.

Ring! Ring!

His landline rang loudly. His thoughts had wondered, so the noise brought a shock to his system. He looked down at the caller ID and saw the secretary's code. It was Susan.

"Hello?" Alexander answered.

"Lorenzo is here." Susan spoke quietly into the phone. His eyes narrowed at the sound of his name.

Lorenzo was not the client that I agreed to meet up with, Alexander thought.

If another person were in the room with him, they would witness Alexander's dark eyes grow seemingly darker as the mere thought of Lorenzo Denaliz stepping foot in his establishment made his veins burn with rage.

"Send him in," Alexander's deep voice echoed through the phone. Susan didn't know what to make of the situation before her, but she plastered a smile on her face and look towards their unexpected guest.

"He's instructed you to enter his office." She said in an overly sweet tone.

"It would be my pleasure," the tall man spoke. His platinum silver hair shined brightly under their fluorescent lights. His grin filled Susan with discomfort and she felt better as he disappeared behind the large double doors. Susan exhaled the breath she had been holding in. She hadn't even realized that she had hardly been breathing while he stood there.

Rich men can be frightening, she thought. She felt grateful for the hardworking husband that she had. He wasn't blinded by money and he didn't make his hair silver to look cool either. It was naturally that way, she thought jokingly. Susan sighed as her mind drifted to the kind and handsome man she had at home.

Ding!

Her thoughts were abruptly ended by the sound of the elevator dinging again. She looked up and to her disappointment, it was a familiar blond.

"He's busy." Susan said before Meghan could say anything to her. Meghan eyes drew into slits as she glared at the older woman.

"Did I ask?" She responded angrily.

"You didn't have to. He's unavailable and you don't work on this floor. Now leave before I call security." If possible, Meghan eyes filled with even more rage. She had gotten dressed up, although it was her off day, to surprise Alexander. She wore a designer dress that had went slightly below the knees since he seemed to be into modesty as of late and she wore her six inch heels to enhance her stride, all for his secretary to deny her access.

Ding!

The elevator rang out again. Both women turned their heads towards two other women. Meghan glared while Susan smiled at Arielle.

"Are you not going to tell her what you just told me?" Meghan snarled.

Susan shrugged. "Arielle works here. You don't. Now leave." Susan reminded her again. Meghan huffed and turned around. She carefully studied the woman besides Arielle. She was rather beautiful too. They had a resemblance, like that of sisters. Her hair was long and wavy and she was just as short. There's more of them? Meghan thought with disgust.

Arielle could feel the glares of the tall blond and her mother, Angelina, could see the woman studying her. They both offered a small smile to her and walked passed her without a word which only angered Meghan more. Temporarily, she felt a feeling of guilt emerge inside of her. Arielle had always been kind or at least tried to be. Yet, as soon as the guilt had arrived, it was then squashed. Meghan's heart hardened as she shoved away the feeling entirely and searched for reasons to justify her unjust judgments of Arielle.

She's faking it. All of it. And I'll prove it, Meghan thought to herself and she kept her eyes on them until the elevator door closed.

"Does that always happen?" Angelina whispered to her daughter. She watched Arielle with a concerned look in her eyes. She didn't want her daughter working in such an aggressive work environment.

"Yes, but don't worry about it. I'm here to work and the work has been well so far." Arielle kindly reassured her mother. Meghan wanted to make Arielle uncomfortable, this was for certain, but her focus remained on God and her helping her mother.

"Speaking of work," Susan interjected. "What brings you in today? You're off."

"You're definitely right about that. I convinced my mother here to follow me to some of the shops and we're hunting for a good restaurant to eat at!" Arielle said with a smile. "But by the time we reached the shops, I realized that I left my wallet here."

Susan's eyes widened. "You're whole wallet? How'd you get home?" She asked in shock.

Arielle cringed at her tone. It was very motherly, so motherly that her mother had used the same exact tone with her when she found out just thirty minutes before.

"Well, I have two wallets. One for my important things and a small one for everyday use. But on the bright side, I have two ID's so one for each one." Arielle spoke in a sing song tone in attempts to convince them that she wasn't horribly reckless, but their disapproving gazes didn't let up. Her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"That's still unwise Arielle." Susan chided.

"I know," Arielle mumbled like a teenager being corrected.

"Well, Alexander is in a meeting right now." The secretary said carefully. Her voice had become hushed as she leaned forward. Some of her graying hairs had escaped from her bun and were hanging towards the front of her face.

"Meeting?" Arielle asked. "On a Saturday? I was surprised to see that this building was even open today. I didn't realize Alexander had so many meetings too."

"That man works hard. Too hard really. He never seems to give himself a break." She sighed again. Her motherly instinct was coming out strong today, but she couldn't help but realize that the younger generation seemed to be filled with folks who either overworked or never worked. Both sides were much too extreme and she wished that she could teach them balance.

Arielle's mind searched for different possible solutions to her current problem. She didn't want to keep her mom waiting when it was their girls day out. After a little while of pondering, she decided to go out on a limb.

"Do you think he'd mind it if I quickly went in and grabbed it? I promise it'll be quick, besides how many people are in there with him?"

"Just one," Susan responded candidly.

"Oh, well that's not bad." Arielle spoke with confidence.

The secretary tsked while shaking her head. "One Lorenzo is worst than ten men." She said softly.

"Lorenzo?" Arielle tested the name out on her lips. Not truly asking his identity. If she were meant to know, she would know soon enough.

"Yes, but let me ring to Alexander and let him know you're here. I'll see what he says." Susan offered.

Arielle nodded and looked towards her mother who had been staring at random plants and paintings within the waiting room. Angelina stood aside on purpose because although she was Arielle's mother, she could see how much she had truly grown and so she didn't want her to feel as though she had her mother looking over her every word and every action. She trusted that she could make her own wise decisions. Well mostly.

Angelina already corrected Arielle on her irresponsibility of forgetting her wallet and even then, it didn't seem entirely necessary. She knew and could see why being so forgetful could have it's cons. Arielle was old enough to recognize and learn from her mistakes.

"Hm." Susan hummed with a tone of confusion. "He's not answering."

Arielle's face had quickly become overwhelmed by a frown. "Is there any way that I can knock? I just really want to enjoy this day with my mom. I understand if not." She spoke quietly. She was beginning to lose some hope and mentally lectured herself for being so reckless with her belongings.

Susan thought about it and finally sighed before nodding. She didn't want to intrude on a mother daughter bonding day. Oh what she would do to have one more day with her daughter.

"Thank you," Arielle smiled towards her. She looked over at her mother who appeared to be lost in thought. "Mom, I'll be right back."

Angelina hummed in response before Arielle walked towards those double doors. Something about them seemed a little more daunting today and then Susan's words rang through her head.

"One Lorenzo is worst than ten men." Arielle shook off the shudder that tried to grow on her and proceeded to knock gently.

She waited there for awhile and when no one responded, she knocked again. She noticed the voices within the room had become harder to hear as though they purposely lowered them. She sighed and knocked one more time. She was sure her knuckles would become bruised if she had to knock anymore than she already had.

"Come in," a voice sung. It was a deep masculine voice, but she knew that it wasn't Alexander's voice. It had an undertone that was much more sinister. Hesitantly, Arielle pushed open the heavy office door to find two men intensely staring at one another. Alexander's dark eyes were glaring into the other man's eyes. This other man had been turned away from Arielle, but she could clearly see the large smile displayed on his face.

It was mocking, she thought.

"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt... this." She spoke awkwardly. For once, her usual calm confidence was not there in her voice. Alexander's eyes snapped to her in surprise. For a second, something seemed to flash in them. Fear?

Lorenzo seemed to notice this distraction and how it had effected Alexander, so his eyes swiftly moved to her. The silver strands of the tall man's hair had fallen in front of his gaze. His steely gray eyes pierced hers. His grinned widened as he took in the small beauty before him. His grin quickly transformed into a nefarious smirk. He looked Arielle up and down. Something that Alexander said he would not do because of his respect for her, but Lorenzo respected no one. He slowly walked up to Arielle, grabbing one of her lose curls while examining her face.

"My, my, my. What do we have here?" He drawled out. His eyes shined with mischief as he looked back towards Alexander. "You never told me that you got yourself a new toy, Alex. How unfair. Do you not consider me a friend?" His disturbing gaze fell back onto Arielle. "Do you not wish to share with me?" His wicked words fell past his lips with such ease.

Arielle's body seemed to regain all of it's cognitive function. She back up hastily and her back hit the door.

"I am not a toy. Keep your hands to yourself." Her voice was strong and her confidence had fully returned as well. Lorenzo's eyes only twinkled more in amusement.

"I like her." He smiled over towards Alexander.

"If you don't leave my office right now, you may not have the ability to stand when I'm done with you, Lorenzo. Next time I request to speak with one of your employees and you agree, I expect to see one of them and not you. You are not welcome in my building." Alexander's voice was filled with authority. He stood from his dark desk chair and stalked towards Lorenzo. He stood just slightly taller than the other man and glowered down at him.

"Do I make myself clear?" His voice turned dark and void of mercy. Arielle was surprised that Lorenzo didn't back down or at least gulp in fear. Instead, the silver haired man smiled.

"Oh, you're so hurtful, Alexander. Maybe, just maybe, I won't re-enter this building, but" he paused and looked back at Arielle. Her cheeks had a hue of pink to them and her lips remained in their natural pout. Although this was a part of Arielle's natural overall appearance, this tempted Lorenzo. "I can't promise anything about your little toy." He finished in his dubious tone.

"Don't you call her a toy!" Alexander yelled. Arielle jumped at his tone and she was sure that her mother and the secretary, must have heard them too. How could they not, she thought.

Lorenzo only yawned in response. "You bore me. I will see you again Alexander."

He walked away from Alexander without any hint of fear in his eyes and as he neared Arielle again, he dipped down to her ear. "And I will see you again, princess." Arielle felt extremely uncomfortable by his proximity and his promise. Before she could respond to defend herself, he had already exited the office room.

She let out a shaky sigh. She hadn't felt that uncomfortable ever before in her life. Sure, she dealt with strange men, but Lorenzo took the cake.

Alexander slapped his hand to his forehead with clear irritation. That man had found a way to hack into one of his less valuable plans for business advancement and he was steadily becoming a spear in his back. Yet now it worsened. He disrespected Arielle and his words seemed to be laced with a threat. Yet Alex, would not let any harm come to her.

Lorenzo always made good on his word, only when his words were bad. From looking at his intern, he could see that she was visibly uncomfortable and shaken up. He didn't know how to console her or how to make her feel safe. Lorenzo would watch her now even if it were just to anger Alexander. Yet he knew that was not the only reason.

He saw the look in that sick man's eyes. Alexander knew that Lorenzo liked what he saw. Although Arielle was fully covered, there were some things she could not control. Like the fact that she was a beautiful woman to behold and Alexander knew that he messed up when he looked at her while Lorenzo was in the room.

His gaze held worry and fear. He may not have loved Arielle, but he wanted to get to know her and Lorenzo saw that. No matter how odd it may have seemed, that made her a target.

"Arielle," Alexander whispered.

"What just happened there?" She asked quickly pointing her finger to the door behind her.

Alexander sighed with his head falling in his hands.

"That was Lorenzo." He responded.

"I know that," she said. "Why did he speak to me like that. Why did he speak to you like that?"

"He's a business rival."

"Okay? So why is he acting like he would happily see you dead?" Arielle interrogated. The thought of Alexander dead immediately made her feel upset deep within her gut. She frowned and internally took back those words.

"Because he probably would be ecstatic if he did." Alexander answered matter-a-factly. Lorenzo hated him from the moment they met and maybe even before. It's been like this between their families for decades. Before the immense riches, their families were in large gang like groups. Alexander was never allowed to know the whole story, but he knew that the hate between them ran through many generations.

"But it's just business." Arielle answered quietly. Her beautiful almond shaped eyes were wide in horror at his response. How could so much hate emerge over some ideas and earnings?

"Money can make people do some crazy things. Even before this business. Don't worry about it too much." He said in an attempt to reassure her.

"How? How when he called me a toy?" She challenged. She crossed her arms and raised a brow at her stressed boss. He couldn't help, but find her stance to be adorable.

"You're right. He might try something because-" Alexander paused. Because you're beautiful. Because he saw the way that I looked at you, he thought to say, but he couldn't be so forward with her. "Because he's crazy." He said instead.

"What were you actually going to say?" She asked quietly while walking over to him. He had sat on the edge of his desk and Arielle got closer, but not close enough to touch him. To her, this was simple and it didn't effect her much, but to him, it drove him mad. He wanted to pull her near, just to hold her. Nothing more, but he remembered what she had said. It wasn't appropriate. He was her boss.

"It doesn't matter right now. You're safety is what matters." Alexander spoke softly. His eyes had met with hers causing her to gasp. They were filled with so much emotion and this caught her off guard. Something had happened in his past. Something that haunted him, so she wouldn't fight him on this. She also felt the threat behind Lorenzo's words. She wished that she didn't bring more stress to his day.

She saw Alexander a little more clearly than she had before. He was a hurt man that lost himself in his work. He worked so hard to make himself into something that he could be happy with, but instead, his peace was constantly being stolen from him. And it made her heart ache.

"It'll be okay Alexander. I'm sorry that this happened and that I made this worse for you." She spoke sadly.

"Don't apologize. This isn't your fault, Arielle. Look at me." He spoke gently and she raised her brown eyes to do just that.

"You'll be okay. I promise." His words were genuine and she felt the intense urge to trust him.

"I believe you. And God has always protected me. He won't stop now." She smiled. Alexander smiled a large and genuine smile. Even with the disturbing threat from Lorenzo, she managed to smile and keep her peace.

"I can see why." Alexander's eyes twinkled. She blushed under his gaze and looked away. She would not allow herself to get distracted by his charm. She couldn't.

Who wouldn't want to protect such a kind soul? He thought. The God that she served always seemed to be at the forefront of her mind, steadying her whenever she felt uneasy. He found it to be quite easy to respect her and her beliefs. Maybe one day he'd experience the same peace that she seemed to emulate.

"I'll set up a security team to watch over you and your mother." He stated.

"A security team? My mom?" She asked. Her mouth was gaped open in shock. Alexander simply nodded in response.

"Yes. She is the only family that you have, correct?"

"The only direct family, yes. But what does she have to do with this?" She asked feeling quite confused.

"Lorenzo will not just go after you," he said. His eyes darkened at the thought and he grit his teeth in anger. "If he can't get to you, he will settle for the next best thing. I have no one else and you have your mother." His eyes were filled with sadness, but as soon as she saw it, it had gone. This was the second time within the last five minutes that her heart ached for him.

Arielle nodded and didn't argue against him. She wanted her mother to be safe. God gave wisdom. Even God's mightiest men had armies. It wouldn't be lacking faith to accept Alexander's security team, especially if it gave him peace of mind.

"Thank you," he said kindly. "So what brought you in today seeing as you're off?" He asked.

As always, her cheeks gave her away by turning a noticeable shade of pink.

"What?" Alexander asked with a raised brow.

"Well, I um, I left my wallet." Arielle said quickly with a forced smile. Alexander shook his head and laughed.

"What's so funny?" She asked.

"You left your wallet in an office building in NYC. You really have no fear." He laughed some more.

She scowled at him. "Well I didn't think my billionaire of a boss would be in need of my scraps of cash."

"Touché touché." He smirked. "Well go on and get it, I won't stop you."

Arielle's face was practically burning as she grabbed her wallet from her small desk and turned around to head back out the door.

"Thank you," she mumbled shyly. This caused Alexander to grin.

"See you on Monday, Ari." He sung.

"My name is Arielle."

"I know." He smiled. "I'll see you Monday." He repeated.

Arielle walked out of the room and towards her mother who seemed to be watching the door for awhile.

"What just happened?" Her mother asked almost immediately as Arielle became close enough to hear her.

"I'll explain later," Arielle responded quickly before turning to Susan. "See you on Monday, Susan!"

Susan nodded and waved in return. "Bye dear! And make sure to text me, Angelina!" She yelled over to Arielle's mother.

Angelina gave a polite smile and wave to Susan. As the elevator doors shut, her attention fell back onto Arielle. She stared at her daughter's reddened cheeks and knew that something happened in that office that made Arielle flustered. She would just have to wait. While she stared at her daughter in curiosity, Arielle stood there berating herself.

If she had just remembered to take her wallet home then none of this would have happened. Now she had a creep that may try to invade and ruin her life, her and her mother would now need a security team, and Alexander called her by her nickname.

She never told him her nickname, but it wasn't difficult to figure out.

She stared down at the old tattered leather wallet in her hand. It was one of her first thrift shop purchases in her teen years. She shook her head as she stared at it.

Stupid wallet, she thought. Look at what you've done.

No Ari, her thoughts continued. This was definitely not the wallet's doing.