Chapter Sixty-Five – Press.
Arya held her phone tightly on her chest. She was glad she didn’t expose her fear in her voice tone when calling Damien.
Now she knew he had feelings for her, she was trying her best not to make him worry about her, and focus on his company.
If he worried about her, it’d make his feelings grow stronger. Also, as part of the Wades, this unknown group was attacking, she shouldn’t burden but help in her small way.
Winx ran back to her with more information. “Okay so I can’t get a hold of Lena, your cousin. You said she was involved last time, right?”
Arya nodded. “Yeah, but it’s okay if you can’t reach her. I’d try again. I’ve called my sister so everything will be okay. I’d be heading home….”
Her hands were held by Winx as they were trembling. “Chill, girl. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I… I know… but why… why is this group after my family? That explosion could have killed people. What do they want from me? Is it because I’m his wife or what?” She mumbled.
The urge to cry came greatly upon her but she sniffed it back in. Now wasn’t the time, she had to act strong to not worry Winx. She and her family will scale through together.
Winx patted her back soothingly. “I’m glad you worry for your family. I’ve no idea what the group want but, even if it’s you, Damien will protect you. You’re his family too.”
A driver from the Wade’s mansion arrived to pick Arya later on. She was driven straight to the hotel without stopping to pick Connor.
“He’s at the hotel already, Miss.” was the driver’s response when Arya had asked. It calmed her nerves. Her only wish was for everyone to be safe.
If she was really what the group was after, then she had to begin thinking of why and who exactly they were.
When she thought deeper into it, she realized that such attacks only started happening to the Wade group after her marriage with Damien. Meaning that this really involved her.
“Who’d not want me to be in Damien’s life…. as his arranged wife, anyway.” She added the last part quickly.
It wasn’t yet public knowledge that she was married to Damien so it wasn’t some fan girls. Only trusted friends and family knew of the marriage. Which of them could this be?
The car stopped at the hotel and just before Arya could open the door. The driver locked it. “Wait, the media is outside.”
Arya looked out to see swarm of men and women outside the hotel crowding a person in the middle. The man wasn’t someone she knew but he looked exhausted.
“Is the media going to come after me if I step out?” she asked the driver. “Can’t I walk in like a regular person?”
The media isn’t supposed to know who she was. And the car didn’t have Sir Damien’s name on it so they shouldn’t know she was related to him.
“Well, Master Ken knows who you are. If he shifts the media’s attention towards you, it’d raise lots of questions.” The driver looked down explaining.
Arya’s eyes widened. Ken? Wasn’t that Damien’s best friend? Why would he shift the media towards her?
“So he’s that type of person. I’d stay inside till the media completely exhaust him with questions.” Arya scoffed.
Ken looked straight ahead at the road where numerous cars were zooming past. For the past seven minutes, he had been in front of the press, trying to calm them down.
He should never have followed Damien to his hotel, now he was left alone to answer the press’ ridiculous questions.
“Answer us, Sir. As the secretary of the Wades groups’ CEO, do you think there’s an internal conflict that have been causing the attacks on Sir Damien?” A reporter asked.
She shoved the microphone to his lips and bruised him. She took it back slowly and all he could do was glare at her. “Maybe, add ‘please’ to your question next time…”
“Was the affected land supposed to be used for a reserve for endangered species?” Another reporter bellowed.
“Hasn’t that been confirmed, already?” Ken sighed.
Yet another reporter asked. “Was any life lost during the explosion? Is Wade group trying to cover that up?”
A frown grew on Ken’s face. “Sir, it looks like you’re looking for a scandal. No life was lost. Didn’t you read the report?”
His legs were almost growing numb from standing too much, and so was his brain, going numb from entertaining others stupidity. “Not one interesting question, eh?”
Another microphone was nearly shoved at his face but he dodged it, the reporter asked. “Isn’t it advisable to pause all Wade groups projects till further notice?”
His frown was turned to a smirk, he moved his face closer to the reporter’s. “That’s sweet, are you worried about us?”
The lady’s face reddened and she went back. “Please, answer the question, Sir. Shouldn’t the Wade groups suspend all…”
“Not happening. Wade groups’ projects will go on. These attacks are childish pranks and when the culprit is caught they will serve time in hell.” Ken replied, with a huff.
He signaled his bodyguards to send the media away. He was tired of their fake show of worry and stupid sentiments.
“Like what do they think we are? A low-level company that’d fold when oppressed? Wade groups lived even after Damien’s father’s death, didn’t it?” Ken scoffed.
Successfully, all the media personnel were gone. Arya gently alighted from the car and ran towards the hotel. “Sir Ken!”
Ken froze, gazing intently at the ground. He tried moving again but Arya repeated her call. “Sir Ken. Please, wait.”
His hands went to his pockets as she turned. “What is it now? And who are you now?”
Arya smiled. Earlier, she assumed he’d be difficult to handle but with his response to the press, she understood that they could get along as they both loved the Wade group.
“Oh, I’m Arya Wade. Nice to meet you, surely you’ve heard of me.” She said, standing behind him.
“Arya Stark, isn’t it? You attended Melissa’s Middle School.”
A heavy weight was thrown on Arya’s heart. How did… how did he know her middle school?
“You can’t speak or won’t speak? Anyway, nice to meet you too.” He exhaled. “I’m exhausted so let’s talk inside.” he walked away.
Arya stood at the entrance, glued to the spot.