ARIA"I don't know," he breathes out kissing me again, this time he cups my face pulling me closer. His hand glides through my hair, sending shivers down my spine. I melt into his touch once again, this time wrapping my arms around his neck, my finger digging into his hair. "Ari," he breathes out on my lips. His hand grabs my legs, lifts me off my feet, and lays me down on my back on the couch gently. He buries his hair in my neck, planting soft kisses on my collarbone.I feel a rush of excitement and nervousness as his lips trail down my neck. His hands roam over my body, exploring every curve and contour. I arch into his touch, feeling alive and wanted."Noah," I breathe out, my voice barely above a whisper.He looks up at me, his eyes burning with desire. We both stare at each other for a moment, our lips parted, our breath heightened and our heartbeat in sync. Noah buries his head back into my neck, like he has just read my mind, and figured out that I want this, just as much as
NOAHHere I was thinking nothing could scare this woman beneath me, the way her eyes open makes me chuckle but my laughter soon dies down when he pulls me by my hand towards the storage room. Why am I getting thrown into a storeroom? I clean my lips as she shoves me into the room, "Please, keep quiet, please," she begs closing the door. I lean back on the wall noticing the door has a see-through window, perfect for spying. I watch as Aria rushes to tidy up the living room, her face flushed and her hair disheveled. She's trying to erase any evidence of our encounter, but it's too late for that. I can't help but chuckle to myself as I watch her frantically straighten up the couch cushions and smooth out her dress. She's so adorable when she's flustered.Just then, the door opens and Aria's mother walks in, a look of concern on her face. "Aria, dear, I was worried about you. I called out and you didn't answer," she says, eyeing the room suspiciously.Aria forces a laugh and waves her
NOAHI wear the shirt back, buttoning it in place, and getting comfortable on the couch. It doesn't take long when she comes back in, wearing another pair of clothes, and her makeup is gone. "So, what is it going to be? Water? Juice?" "What do you think?" I ask, staring at her. "I suspect you are up to no good," she says walking over to where her drink is. She picks up two bottles and raises them in the air, "I guess it's alcohol then."I nod, smiling as she drops it on the table in front of us. She pours a glass for me and her, before sitting next to me. Despite her calm demeanor, I can tell she is nervous. I mean, I did just finger her and suck her off, and now I am just here refusing to leave and let her think about it. I also don't know why I am unwilling to leave her side, since that kiss I have rather been more interested in her life, the desire of wanting to know more about her had consumed my mind at work and I had to drive here immediately."I thought you were busy today,
NOAHThe next morning, I wake up with a migraine, I roll on my belly and check the time on the alarm clock on my bedside table.7:20 am.I switch it off knowing that by 7:30 AM it will be blaring horns in my ears.A knock falls on the door as I rub the sleep off my eyes, who could be knocking this early?"Noah?" My mother calls out from outside. "I am sorry to disturb your sleep but there is something you need to see," she says. "Can't it wait?" I groan."It's about Aria," my mother says, her voice laced with concern.Aria? I am out of bed even before my mind registers her words. I open the door and my mother doesn't hesitate to hand me her phone. Boldly written on the covers is "Mr. And Mrs Hayes has been in a fatal car accident."A live video is playing showing their damaged car being towed and blood stains plastered on the floor. My eyes widen as I take it all in, Aria had spoken to her mother yesterday. How did this happen? I hand my mother back to her phone and rush into the ba
ARIA"Are you okay?" Arthur asks closing the door once Noah leaves, he pulls me into his arms and I can't help but burst into tears unable to control myself. "Yes, I'm fine," I sob, trying to compose myself. Arthur hands me a tissue, and I wipe my tears. "What was that all about?" he asks, referring to Noah's sudden arrival. I shake my head, feeling a mix of emotions. "I don't know, Arthur. I don't want to talk about it." Arthur frowns, "You don't want to talk about Noah Wright, the guy who tried to buy out our father's company, right at your doorstep giving you a hug and sounding so -""Arthur please okay?" I plead, going to sit on the couch and folding my arms over my chest. Our family lawyers remain quiet staring at both of us without a word. "Are you with him now? Are you guys like dating or what?" One of our family lawyers, James, clears his throat, "With the current situation, it will be best to map out a plan before things get out of hand.""Plan? What plan?" I ask, feeli
NOAHIt's been a week since I last saw Aria, she has not responded to my text message, nor is she picking up my calls. Lately, I have only been opportune to see her on the news regarding managing her parent's company alongside her brother. I have tried to concentrate on work, to accept that it's normal for her to want space, to not speak to me, but I just can't. I know the reason we connected was because of the bet, but I genuinely enjoyed her company, and I can't help but feel a sense of loss. I miss our conversations, her laughter, and her smile. I've tried to distract myself with work, but nothing seems to fill the void. I've even found myself watching the news, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, just to see how she's doing. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way, but I can't help it.I look over at the papers before me running my fingers through my hair, why can't I get her off my head? A knock falls on the door interrupting my thoughts and I lift my head to find Melissa stepping
ARIAI don't know what I am doing, or maybe I do but I don't care. When Arthur suggested creating a scene for the news to keep the company shares high, and customers reaching out more to us, the first idea that had come to my mind was to create a fake relationship. It is a classic, but it always works all the time. Back in school, most of my friends used it to top their ranking among their friends. Arthur also bought the idea, but it was easier for him since he already had a girlfriend, all he had to do was make it public. In my case, I had to look for someone willing to understand that the relationship was going to be fake, at least till my parents recovered. One would think my first thought would go to Noah, and maybe it did.I can't deny the fact that for the past week, I have thought about him, I have received several calls and messages from him pleading for me to say anything but I have ignored every single one of them. I ended up reaching out to Ben instead, and he was thril
ARIAI flinch at the loud noise, and Noah's eyes narrow, and his jaw clenches, "Aria," Noah calls out my name, like anything I say right now will be his final decision on what he needs to do.I look between the two men, my heart aching. Ben is looking at me with expectation, and Noah with desperation. I feel trapped like there's no right choice. I open my mouth to speak but before I can Noah places his hand on mine, I look at his hand, my body suddenly feeling hot at the touch of his skin. My heart races and for a moment, I forget where I am. I look up into Noah's eyes, seeing the pain and hope there.My mind goes back to that moment in my house, the way he had kissed me so passionately like it was the last, the things he had done to me. Our little conversation but it.... It wasn't real. It was all because of the bet. I was hellbent on seducing him and he was too, and this, this behavior of his must be because of the bet. He must be here because he needs to make sure he knows that h
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