ARIAThe sound of my alarm nearly gives me a heart attack, I sit up on the bed immediately hitting the alarm clock and rubbing my eyes. 9 AM?I can't believe I overslept! I quickly get out of bed and start getting ready for the day. As I'm brushing my teeth, I can't help but think about the meeting with George Wright yesterday. I'm still trying to process everything that happened. The way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me, it was all so... intense. And that smirk at the end, made my heart race. I try to shake off the feeling, he is a married man for goodness sake Aria, what the hell are you thinking? I have a lot of work to do and I can't let yesterday's encounter distract me. I can't let my thoughts be clouded by images of a married man. I get dressed quickly and send a message to Stephanie that I am on my way and she should attend to whatever issue might arise before I get there. Hopefully, she doesn't get another intern to ruin my day like yesterday.The drive to the off
ARIAHe chuckles, leaning back into his seat, "And when did you realize that I am not George.""Right now, I had been in a hurry yesterday and I forgot to confirm George's identity," I reply, not pleased by the sight of him. Not only did he lie yesterday about his identity, he had got me to write off 20% to him and proceeded to test me with those uncomfortable topics about his own mother. What kind of person is he? And why did he choose to hide his identity and go as far as to come to my office still pretending to be George."You should always do your research in serious situations like that, if it was something -""Why are you here Sir?" I ask interrupting him, the last thing I need from him is a lecture on how to run my business or deal with my clients. I go and take my seat staring at him, waiting for his response. "I think we both know why I am here," he says leaning back into his seat. "No, Mr. Wright, I don't think I do," I say, my voice firm and assertive. "You lied about yo
NOAHAs I step into my car, I know I should be pissed off by my encounter with her but I find myself smirking as I turn on the engine and drive off into the street.I can't help but think about how predictable she was. I knew she'd react that way, all fiery and passionate. It's almost... admirable. But, I have to focus on the bigger picture. Making sure she doesn't reveal this information to anyone, from her reaction I can tell she won't dare to do something like that. She seems intent on upholding her reputation, it's the reason why she had been willing to offer 20% of the refund to George, in hopes that he won't tarnish her image.As I drive home, a thought comes to my mind and I decide to make a call. I pull out my phone and dial a number, waiting for the person on the other end to answer."Yes, sir?" "I need you to keep an eye on Miss Hayes. Make sure she doesn't breathe a word about our little encounter. And if she does... take care of it." "Yes Sir," Brian replies."Also, has
NOAHI take a seat on the couch and Melissa joins me with a worried look plastered on her face. "Are you serious? She said something about surrogacy and I found it odd, I had it in mind to discuss it with you without her being a part of our discussion."I sigh, adjusting my tie, "There is nothing to discuss, I have made it clear to her that I do not want to get married or have a child.""Are you still on this decision of yours?" She questions. I give her a firm nod, it's been a decision I made for myself a long time ago. No kids, no wife, just me and my business. My mother probably hated the idea, but she didn't oppose it until this darn contract appeared.She still doesn't remember when she signed it, which I find odd, but she is hellbent on making sure I comply and not have the company and everything taken from me. Or maybe it's just her desire to make sure she doesn't get pushed to the sidelines after years of enduring her shitty marriage. "I know you have refused to tell me why
ARIAIt's been two days since the incident with Noah Wright, I have been so occupied with work that I barely had time to think about him or the nonsense stunt he tried to pull in my office the other day.I don't know who told me that handling a lot of projects at the same time was a good idea to stay relevant, I mean it is, but why haven't I gotten any sleep in two days...Ahhh!I go through the file in front of me for the second time, making sure I have not made any mistakes with the budget placement and the color theme. The door of my office suddenly opens wide, and from the heavy scent of the vanilla perfume I already know who it is and all I can do is frown even more as I watch Ryan step into the office with his hands in the air and a big smile on his face. "Hello love," he says rushing to my side and kissing me on my cheek. "I have been calling you for two days now, not even a single call back or a message. Like hey, sorry Ryan but I am busy with work."I sigh, dropping my pen
NOAHWhat the hell is she doing here? Or maybe it is I who needs to answer that question, Melissa had dragged me out for a lunch break and I had reluctantly agreed, hoping to get some fresh air and clear my head. But now, I'm faced with the last person I expected to see - Aria Hayes. And to make matters worse, she's sitting with that ugly-looking dude, laughing, chatting, and being all touchy. Who is he? I am familiar with her brother Arthur Hayes, I had been opportune to meet him during my meeting with Hayes Tech, so, I know that's not him. Perhaps her boyfriend? She didn't exactly strike me as the type who would have time for a boyfriend, maybe a fuck buddy, but not a boyfriend. Why am I even bothered by this piece of information and why am I getting pissed off at the sight of that guy touching her?What do I even care who she hangs out with? I'm here with Melissa, anyway. But my eyes keep drifting back to her, and I can't help but notice the way she's smiling, the way her eyes
NOAH"Go to hell," she kisses her teeth making her way for the door, this time I not only grab her by the arm, I shove her back against the wall until she has nowhere else to go. Our gaze locks together and for a moment we just stare at each other, her eyes blazing with anger as she grinds the back of her teeth and mine filled with a sinister plan that involves her. She tries to move to the side in hopes of escaping me, but I place my hands on the wall caging her. "Let me go, what the hell do you think you are doing?" "I'm not letting you go until you agree," I say, my voice low and menacing."Agree to what?" she spits, her eyes flashing with defiance."To the bet, to the fake marriage. To the chance to win 100 million dollars," I say, my eyes locked on hers."You're crazy if you think I'd ever agree to that," she says, her voice firm."But you will," I say, my smile growing wider. I have always gotten whatever I wanted, even her father's company which I failed to acquire still lin
ARIAAs I step out of the restroom, I walk to my table immediately. My eyes fall on Noah's date and her eyes lock with mine for a moment, I can't tell if she saw Noah entering the female restroom with me. I avoid her gaze and join Ryan at my table. "Girl, why did you take so long in the damn bathroom? Were you giving birth or what?""I am sorry, I was em..." I didn't exactly think of an excuse on my way here."Locked up with Noah Wright?" Ryan raises an eyebrow. "What?""I saw him, his eyes were fixed on you like a hawk, and from the way he left his seat. I suspect he wanted to speak to you," Ryan says. "So, did he?" "What? No. I mean we did say Hello because you know his cousin used my services recently at his wedding," I lie. Well, technically it's not a lie, George Wright did use my services but I am not about to tell Ryan I just made a bet in that bathroom.A ridiculous one at that, one that I am starting to regret as I see Noah heading towards his seat and talking to his date
NOAH"Noah, I know what happened. I remember everything. And I know you saved my life. But that doesn't give you the right to leave me without a word. To break our engagement and walk away. You need to understand, I thought we had something real. Something worth fighting for," she says, her voice cracking with emotion.I nod, feeling a pang of regret. Of course, what we had was real, I sent her 500 million without batting an eye, all I wanted at that moment was her and it still is, but I..."Aria, I know I made a mistake. I owe you an explanation. I just... I don't want you to get hurt because of me, I don't want your parents to..." Aria closes the distance between us placing her hand on my cheeks, I feel the warmth of her hand zapping away the frustration and anger building up inside of me from what had happened that day and how things could have turned out worse."So, what? You are going to be a coward by allowing Melissa to get into your head.""She killed two women I was involved
NOAHI thought falling in love was complicated, no, it's loving them from a distance that is quite complicated, seeing them and being unable to hold them, touch them, or even talk to them.I've been away for two weeks, trying to clear my head and make sense of everything. The investigation, Melissa's arrest, Aria's coma... it's all been too much. I know I shouldn't have left without talking to Aria, but I couldn't bear the thought of hurting her more than I already have. I've been watching her from afar, making sure she's safe and recovering well. But now, as I'm back in town, I know I will need to face her soon. As I step towards my car at the airport, I'm bombarded by reporters. "Noah, how does it feel to be back?" "Noah, what's your response to the allegations?" "Noah, are you dating anyone new?" I ignore them and rush to my car, but one of their questions strikes a nerve in me, "Do you think Melissa will have the new person in your life killed?"I turn to stare at the reporter
ARIA"Where is Noah? Is this a joke because I do not find it funny," it's been one month, one fucking month, and the first thing he decides to do instead of being right here with me, holding my hands and comforting me is to run away and give them some stupid rule over what? "What did I do? If anyone should be keeping any distance, it should be me, his psycho friend tried to kill me," I yell."A lot of Noah's flings have all suffered their fair share, Melissa has been secretly fucking up their life. The moment she finds out they are involved with Noah," Arthur explains. "The investigation found out that two of the girls died, they were able to trace it back to Melissa," he adds.I feel a chill run down my spine as I process this information. Noah's flings? How many girls has he been involved with? Two of them are dead? And all this happened while I was in a coma.My mind is racing with questions, but before I can ask any of them, Arthur drops another bombshell."Melissa had the inten
ARIAThey say a near-death experience is different for everyone, I have read that some people wake up not remembering anything leading to their accident. The last thing I remember is seeing Noah's face before blacking out, but the memories are still sharp in my head.I wake up to the beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of a hospital, which I hate. I try to sit up, but a sharp pain in my stomach makes me wince. I look down to see my stomach is bandaged, I look around, disoriented, and see my mother sitting in a chair beside my bed, her eyes red and puffy from lack of sleep.She gasps as she sees me awake and trying to sit up, "Aria, my child, you are awake, you are awake" she yells standing on her feet, relief washing over her face.I try to speak, but my voice is hoarse and barely audible. My mother rushes out of the room and I can hear her screaming at the top of her lungs for the doctors to come, she soon comes back in with not only the doctor but my dad and Arthur. "Ari,
NOAH"Can you make a reservation at the Haute Cuisine?" I ask, making a turn into the road leading to the cabin."Is it a business meeting, Sir?" Brian questions. "I can have it set for -""It's a date Brian, not a business meeting," I interrupt him, parking the car right in front of the cabin. For a second the phone goes silent on the other end, Brian probably wondering why I am having a date in an expensive restaurant downtown and canceling my schedule for the day."A d-date?" Brian finally says stuttering. "I mean yes Sir," he says and I am sure he is already scribbling away on his note. He has always had a thing with jotting every single word I say, well it has always been useful for him especially since I love my things done almost to perfection. "A date at Haute Cuisine tonight, what menu are we looking at?" "Do not place an order?" I am not sure what Aria would like, it will be best if she makes the order instead. Anything she orders is fine by me as long as I get to look at h
ARIAMelissa stands in the doorway, a stern expression on her face. "Well, what do we have here?" she says, her voice firm but polite. What the hell is she doing here and how did she get in? Did Noah not close the door? I am sure he wouldn't have made that mistake, to keep the door open."What the hell are you doing here and how did you get in?" I ask, my voice getting loud with each word.Melissa chuckles and walks into the room, her eyes scanning the space as if searching for something. "I have a spare key, what? Did you think you are the only one Noah has brought to this cabin?"Rolling my eyes, I kiss my teeth not answering her question, it doesn't matter who has been here before. Although, I am jealous of the idea of him sharing this space with another woman, but he has made it clear that I am all he needs in his life and that is enough for me. "Anyways," she continues. "I wanted to see Noah, I have been trying to reach him since last night but he wasn't picking up my calls."O
ARIA"This should fit just fine," Noah says handing me one of his T-shirts from the wardrobe, I don't know how he convinced me to spend the night in the cabin, if anything I should be heading home to be alone, and think about the proposal but I want to be here with him. Whenever I am with him, every other thing seems meaningless. Noah had suggested spending the night at his house first, but I was against it, at least for now. His mother would just have us married at sight, if anyone wants us paired together other than Noah, it's her.I put the towel on the hanger and wear the T-shirt over my head, the T-shirt fits like a dress, big and just above my knee. I check my face in the mirror, packing my hair into a ponytail before leaving the bathroom. I am not surprised when I find Noah in his pajamas standing by the door waiting patiently for me to come out. His eyes light up the moment I step out, his eyes falling from my face to his T-shirt on my body. "Noah, you're staring," I say, t
NOAHDammit!I have placed her in a spot, look at her eyes, I can see the desire to say yes, but also the confusion at how soon this is all happening. I knew I should have waited a bit, but I don't think I can.The thought of someone else and not me being her life is going to completely wreck me. I always have this ring, it has been in the family for ages, all I had to do was ask my mother for it. She was stunned when I asked, "Are you sure Noah? I mean I am happy you are finally asking for the ring, but are you sure you want it?" She asked."Aria, you don't have to say anything right now," I say, not wanting to get rejected. Her rejection will hurt more than her silence. "How about you think about it? I don't want to pressure you into anything okay?" I say holding her hand and placing the ring in her hand. "Y-You want me to think about it, while I hold on to the ring?" She stutters. "That's a lot of pressure Noah, and... And this ring looks like a family heirloom."Of course, she d
ARIA"So, what's it with you and this cabin?" I ask as he offers me a glass of wine before joining me on the couch. "Do you bring all your girlfriends here?" "Girlfriend?" He chuckles taking a sip from his wine glass. "I don't do girlfriends Aria, you are the first."First? I don't know if I should believe that or not. "The cabin is just a safe space for me, away from everyone," he continues."Well, the reason I wanted us to meet was because of my parents," I begin, taking a sip from my drink. He raises an eyebrow, " Your parents? Are they fine?""Yeah, they are but my dad suspects foul play, he thinks someone might be on to him and my mum. He said the accident was caused by the brake failure," I explain. "He wants his recovery with that of my mother hidden for now, he hopes this will hopefully lure out whoever is behind it."Noah takes a sip of his drink, nodding his head, "You want me to hide seeing him and your mother?""Yeah, for now of course," I say."You know, you could have