CHAPTER 178

ARIA’S POV

I meet Stella in our usual café, the cozy little place we’ve frequented for years. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries fills the air, offering a comforting backdrop to our conversation. As we settle into our corner booth, I decide to share something that's been on my mind. I inform Stella that I’ve been talking to Tony. Her eyes widen with surprise, a hint of curiosity sparking within them.

“Wow! You’re both dating?”

Stella’s initial reaction is to assume that Tony and I are dating. She raises an eyebrow, her expression a mix of intrigue and mild concern. I can see the wheels turning in her head, trying to piece together this unexpected news.

“Not at all.”

I quickly clarify that we’re just sending texts like friends, nothing more. The tension in her shoulders eases, and she leans back into her seat, visibly relieved.

As I explain, I sense her surprise. Stella confesses that she doesn’t really know Tony that well. She describes him as some new model with