ARIA’S POVStopping at a red light, I steal a glance at Tony seated beside me in the passenger seat, and my heart sinks at the sight of the bruise marring his typically flawless face. The vivid discoloration distinctly contrasts with his smooth complexion, a cruel reminder of the recent confrontation with Adam.Instinctively, I extend my hand, feeling the urge to comfort him. My fingertips brush lightly against the tender skin surrounding the bruise, a gentle gesture infused with concern. Softly, I murmur, my voice tinged with empathy and worry."I'm sorry about this… I had no idea Adam would attack you like that."Tony's eyes meet mine in the dim, ambient light of the car. "It's not your fault."“Have you taken any painkiller yet?”“No.”As these thoughts whirl through my mind, I quickly reach into my bag, rummaging frantically until I find the last painkiller I have. Grabbing the bottle of water from the cup holder, I hand both to Tony. He accepts them without question, his wearine
ARIA’S POVBack at home, the quietness of my apartment feels almost oppressive. I try to distract myself with mundane tasks, but Tony's face keeps intruding into my thoughts. The image of him cradling my cheek stays with me, stirring emotions I hadn't anticipated.I find myself replaying our brief conversation at the red light. His words linger in the air, the unspoken tension between us hanging like a veil. A part of me wonders what might have happened if the traffic light hadn't changed, if we had lingered a moment longer in that charged atmosphere.But reality asserts itself, reminding me of the boundaries between us. Tony is a model, someone whose life is far more glamorous and complicated than mine. I can't help but feel a pang of inadequacy, a sense that I don't belong in his world.However, one thing is bugging me. Knowing Adam, he won’t punch someone without any reason. This is just not his style. As I lie in bed, I think about it long and hard, trying to make sense of what ha
ARIA’S POVThe next morning, I call Tony, determined to address the rumors his friends have been spreading about me. As the phone rings, my heart races, a mixture of anxiety and determination flooding my mind. When Tony picks up, his voice is cold and distant, but I try to keep my voice steady."Tony, we need to talk. I've heard some things that your friends have been saying about me, and I—”“How are you related to Dave Wilson?”Instead of letting me explain, Tony cuts straight to the point, asking about my relationship with my father. The question catches me off guard, and I am stunned into silence. I'm not ready to disclose that I am the daughter of the richest man in the country, and this moment doesn't feel appropriate for such a sensitive revelation.My silence speaks louder than any words could. Tony interprets it as a confession, concluding that I am guilty of whatever his friends have accused me of. His voice carries disappointment and frustration, making it clear that he fee
ARIA’S POV“Aria? How are you doing?”Well, I can’t even respond to that and he senses how upset I already am.“I’m sorry… It’s all because of me again.”Adam calls me, his voice heavy with regret and apology, his words tinged with sorrow and remorse. He acknowledges that his recent actions might have sparked the rumors and media attention, even though he firmly believes he wasn't in the wrong.“I’ve tried to calm things down, but to no avail…”He describes his futile attempts to control the press, lamenting the relentless pursuit of sensational stories by blogs and free press. I sigh softly, trying to convey reassurance that I am prepared to take care of the situation calmly and confidently.“Don’t worry about it, Adam. I can handle it on my own.”“Still… And I want to tell you something, please listen to me.”During our conversation, Adam recounts his version of the events at the bar. He tells me that in fact, when he went to the washroom, he heard someone taking my name, in the nex
ARIA’S POVAfter enduring weeks of relentless media scrutiny and damaging rumors, my father finally proposes a decisive step forward. He suggests revealing my identity as his daughter to the world and taking legal action against those who have slandered us.“Aria, now it’s time to announce to the world that you’re my daughter. They keep tarnishing our reputation.”“But, Dad…”“We have to do this.”At first, I hesitate, feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of stepping into the harsh spotlight in such a public manner. The thought of exposing my private life to the scrutiny of millions fills me with a mix of anxiety and reluctance. My father’s proposal to reveal my identity and confront the rumors head-on is daunting, to say the least.As my father continues to lay out his reasoning, his voice brims with pride and determination. He speaks of my kindness, sweetness, and talent, highlighting the significant contributions I've made to Neal’s company. His words touch me deeply, reminding me o
TONY’S POVI hang up the call with Aria, a heaviness settling in my chest. My manager, Harry, stands beside me, exuding confidence.“I’m telling you. A woman can’t become wealthy like her overnight.”He believes there’s no way Aria could have amassed her wealth on her own, implying that a woman couldn’t achieve such success so quickly. His words, dripping with sexism, irritate me, but I push that aside. There’s a bigger issue at hand.“Yeah, I know… She refused to disclose anything about her relationship with Dave Wilson.”Aria being linked to Dave Wilson, the richest man in the country, brings a wave of anxiety crashing over me. If Aria truly is his mistress, then parading around with me is foolish and reckless. The idea that Dave Wilson might find out and retaliate against me gnaws at my nerves, making it hard to think straight. I feel a knot of fear tightening in my stomach at the thought of what Wilson could do. It seems Aria doesn’t really care and all she wants is to get me into
TONY’S POVA few days pass, and there's no word from Aria. The silence gnaws at me, filling my thoughts with unsettling scenarios. I imagine she must have been punished by Dave Wilson, which would explain why she hasn't contacted me. As these worries swirl in my mind, I absent-mindedly scroll through my phone until a text from an anonymous number catches my eye, the message is crisp."You are doomed."Initially, I shrug it off. Being a former scammer, I’ve received my share of threats from disgruntled victims. This seems no different, just another disgruntled person from my past trying to rattle me.I turn on the TV, hoping to distract myself. The screen lights up with a live broadcast of Dave Wilson’s company, Wilson Paragon’s anniversary celebration. The event is nothing short of grandiose, held at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. The ballroom is opulent, with crystal chandeliers casting a sparkling glow over the elegantly dressed attendees. The tables are adorned with extra
ARIA’S POVThe celebration is going smoothly until the moment of the revelation, which makes everyone in the hall gasp. I feel a surge of pride in the step my dad and brothers took to make our relationship known to the world.The reporters who once slandered us are now tongue-tied, unsure of how to react to such news.Then comes the next most interesting part. Dad isn't finished with his revelations. I am shocked to hear my father announcing that I shall inherit his company. The weight of his words is almost too much to bear, but I quickly compose myself. This public revelation was unexpected, and I know I must maintain a composed exterior, even though my mind is racing.As the applause dies down and the event continues, my phone buzzes with a call from Tony. Seeing his name on the screen makes me sneer. I don’t answer, letting it go to the voicemail. My father's announcement concludes, and soon it’s just our family gathered in a more private setting.Unable to contain my confusion, I