"Shut your mouth!" Emma shouted, cutting Area off mid-sentence. She came very close to Area and waved her finger near her face. "Don't take our masters' names with your dirty mouth. Street girls like you are always scheming to trap rich men with your crying faces. This is Blackwood Corporation; only elite class people set foot here. Stay in your limits and stay away from our masters, or we'll have you thrown out of this office!"
The other girls in the cafeteria also began laughing loudly, making fun of Area. Area's self-respect was completely shattered. She felt so small and helpless that her legs began to shake. Without eating lunch, she ran out of the cafeteria crying.
Area exited the cafeteria door and ran straight to the washroom, where she stood before the mirror, wiped her tears, and calmed herself. She decided that she wouldn't lose courage because of these taunts, because her mother's life was at stake. She quietly returned to her cabin and kept working late into the night without talking to anyone.
It was nine o'clock at night. The office lights were slowly being turned off. Area closed the last file on her desk, picked up her bag, and came down to the ground floor by elevator.
The doors opened and she stepped out into the lobby. Just as she took out her phone to go home, a luxurious, jet-black Rolls Royce stopped on the street.
The car door opened and a tall, muscular bodyguard in a black suit stepped out. His name was Alex. He came before Area and bowed his head, "Good evening, Miss Area. My name is Alex. Mr. Adrian sent me to pick you up. Please get in the car."
Area was surprised. She hesitated and said, "Alex? But I need to go to my apartment. I can go by myself. Why did sir send such a big car for me?"
A smile appeared on Alex's face. He opened the car door and said in a very gentle tone, "Excuse me, Miss Area, but you no longer need to go to that old apartment. Your apartment lease was terminated this afternoon by sir forever. Since that landlady threatened to make you homeless, sir had all your belongings moved from there directly to his main penthouse. From now on, you will live there."
What?!" Area's eyes widened in amazement. She couldn't understand how she could repay these great people for such favors. She hesitated and said, "But Alex... that's their own home. I'm just an ordinary employee. My mother's treatment expenses are already a huge favor for me. How can I live with them in their penthouse? This doesn't feel right."
Alex stepped forward and said in a very calm and reassuring voice, "Miss Area, Mr. Adrian and Mr. Liam have ordered that for your safety and your mother's care, it's essential for you to stay with us. Sir has said that you are a loyal member of the company, so your every responsibility is now theirs. Please don't hesitate and get in the car."
Area took a deep breath. Her respect for those brothers grew even more. How kind they were to care so much for an ordinary girl. How could she refuse in front of such big and powerful people's decisions? She remembered her mother's face, who was now safe because of those brothers.
She thanked Alex and nodded, then sat on the comfortable leather seat. As soon as the car door closed, the fragrance inside filled her with peace. Alex started the car. Area looked out the window and thought about how quickly her life had changed. She was no longer alone.
After about half an hour's journey, the car stopped in front of a 60-story skyscraper in the city's most expensive and luxurious VIP area. This was the brothers' own empire. The security guards at the gate bowed their heads in respect upon seeing the car. The car went straight to the underground private elevator area.
Alex got out and opened the door for Area. Area stepped out of the car, and her eyes widened seeing the grandeur of the place. There was only one gold-plated private elevator there, which opened directly into that luxurious triplex penthouse on the building's top floor.
Alex pressed the elevator button and said to Area with great respect, "Sir is waiting for you upstairs, Miss Area. Welcome to your new home."
Area thanked Alex with a smile. The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside.
As soon as the elevator began moving toward the 60th floor, Area's heart started beating with curiosity and a little nervousness. The elevator's speed was so smooth that she didn't even realize when she had reached the heights of the sky. After some time, the elevator doors opened, and the sight before Area took her breath away.
Before her was an extremely vast and luxurious living room. Through the glass walls, the entire New York City's neon lights and beautiful night view were clearly visible. In the center of the room, on a luxurious leather sofa, sat all five brothers. Some files and wine glasses were placed on the table before them. As soon as they saw Area, a deep smile appeared on all five of their faces.
The eldest brother, Adrian, stood up from his place and said warmly, "Welcome, Area. I hope Alex brought you here without any trouble."
Area said a little shyly and respectfully, bowing her head, "Yes sir, thank you. But I still feel like I'm becoming a huge burden on you all."
"Burden? Absolutely not, Area," Liam said, stepping forward in a very gentle voice. There was a different sparkle in his eyes for Area. He continued, "You are now part of this home. And yes, in exchange for living here, you'll have to handle the company's work, along with some important tasks of this penthouse from today."
Adrian continued, "Yes Area, from tomorrow, our personal schedules, important file management, and looking after small things in this house will be your responsibility. You'll work as our personal assistant. Are you ready?"
Area smiled and said, "Yes sir! I will handle all the work with my full honesty. Whatever responsibility you give me, I will fulfill it well."
Cael and Xavier looked at each other and smiled. Xavier said, "It's been a long day for you. You should rest now. Liam, show her to her room."