Aria p.o.vI arrived at home, I wasn’t too stunned by the scene before. It wasn’t unusual to see cars in front of our house, as dad sometimes have his business partners over. But I was stunned by the giant men in all black suit standing in front of our house, guiding the front door with an equally intimidating black glasses on. Hand behind their backs and staring straight ahead.As I stepped out of my car, the giant men in black suits turned to face me, their expressions unreadable behind their sunglasses. I felt a shiver run down my spine as they scrutinized me, their gazes lingering on me for a moment before they nodded curtly and returned to their posts.I took a deep breath and made my way towards the front door, my heart pounding in my chest. What was going on? Why were they guarding our house? Is he trying to imprison us in our own home?As I entered the house, I was immediately struck by the tense atmosphere. My parents were seated in the living room, their faces pale and wor
Aria p.o.vI was a living example of nervousness, if anything I was seconds of passing out. The news of my marriage to Vaughn has been the talk of the town within twenty-four hours.How it managed to get to the news channels, I have no clue. All I know is that yesterday when I woke up, the news has spread like wildfire. The only good thing was that my face, nor even a shadow portrait of me was not published.Vaughn Slade is getting married to a woman named, Aria Julian. That was the headline for every news channel possible.I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, but I know I’m not only protecting my mom but also getting my revenge.Liam has been on my back with calls and texts, claiming we needs to talk. Well, there’s nothing left for us to talk about, him and his new girlfriend has said a lot that day. He even went as far as saying we’re still together, why would I be getting married to someone else. And that too to his uncle.Oh now, we are still together? How come I didn’t kno
Aria's p.o.vI felt invisible as I stood beside Vaughn Slade, who was unbelievably my husband. I received several handshakes and irrelevant jokes from business tycoons I had only seen on the news and my wedding felt surreal. I began to feel as though I didn’t belong there and one of the influential women I met, Charlotte Gaspar, made it worse as she approached me with a disgusted look.Charlotte is the founder of a large designer brand worldwide, SPRUCE. I heard she and Vaughn had been dating unofficially for nine years. She had a cold demeanor as she approached. It seemed as though she was walking toward me but she stopped a few steps before she got close enough. She gazed at me and turned to Vaughn.“Vaughn baby, congratulations my love.” She wore a wide smile on her face and gave him a warm embrace with her hands hanging around his neck. “You look as edible as always.” She held a wine in her hand that kept swinging as though it was going to spill from the glass because she wasn’t h
Aria’s p.o.vI turned to see Vaughn as he stood and gazed at me with no expression on his face. I wondered if I was going to have any form of honeymoon with his kind of husband who doesn’t even care to speak to me. I walked towards him and one of the bodyguards opened the car for me to get in. I was amazed and stood to appreciate the interior design of the car for a minute before I got in. I tried not to look back at my mum so I would not tear up again or get to see the worry that she wore all through the wedding on her face again. I expected the guards to get in with us because we had enough space for them and I knew Vaughn never goes anywhere without them but after Vaughn got in, they closed the door behind him and the driver drove us out.It felt absurd having to sit alone with Vaughn. I did not know if I was supposed to ask him questions like if he liked me or how many children he wanted to have or if he knew I was dating his nephew before this happened. Thinking of Liam gave me
Aria’s P.o.v With the loud partying, I knew my wedding night would end nowhere near normal. I wasn’t sure I wanted to have sex with Vaughn anyway, but maybe I wanted to prove myself because of what Charlotte Gaspar had said earlier on at the wedding. Speaking of which, I realized I had not seen Vaughn for a while. I scanned around but I couldn’t find him. I didn’t know where he went or saw him when he left. I raised my neck as I tried to see above my 5’5-inch height which was helped by the 2-inches heels I wore. I didn’t think it made any difference because everyone felt taller than me and I still couldn’t see him anywhere.“He went to his room already. You should go up and join him. You’re done here for tonight.” Mrs Slade snuck up on me from behind and I could feel her cringe and excitement as she spoke. Several things went through my mind and I felt goosebumps all over my body as I heard those words hop out of her mouth. This was not going to be the best experience of my life, I
Aria’s P.o.v“Why are you standing close to me?” Vaughn asked me but refused to give me his attention. His gaze was still fixed on what he was doing.I looked down to see what he was doing and I realized he was drawing a map. It seemed like he must not miss any detail with how keen his attention was on it. I wanted to let him be but this was our wedding night. I felt cheated that he was willing to stress himself over a map but he couldn’t spare me a little of his energy to talk to me.“I need you to help me undress.” Vaughn scoffed. “There are several maids in this house. I have no business touching your dress or you.” He finally raised his head and gazed at me. His gaze was soft and I could not dispute that he looked so vibrant for a thirty-nine-year-old man. “I’m hurt.” I locked my eyes with his and spoke with a straight face. “You get married to me, treat me like I’m invisible, and now, rob it on my face that I’m unworthy to you. Perfect.” I turned away from him and led myself o
Aria’s P.o.vVaughn sauntered into my room and paced around without saying a word. He helped himself to the chair before my dressing mirror and sat on it. Sandra and I turned to ourselves and then to Vaughn as we wondered why he silently walked into the room. “You should have knocked before you entered the room. What if I was discussing with Sandra and I did not want you to hear? Or can’t I also have privacy in my room?” I walked over to my wardrobe and closed it. I used that opportunity to push the trolley into a corner of the room so Vaughn wouldn’t find out that I had not eaten breakfast.“You can leave us alone now.” I turned to Sandra. She bent down and greeted me before she walked out of my room.She had left and I stood in front of Vaughn. I must say that I never enjoyed how long Vaughn sat quietly and acted like many things did not matter to him. “If you won’t say anything, can you leave my room? I would rather be left alone now. I have things that I would rather do private
Aria’s P.o.vVaughn walked into the party leaving me alone with the guards to help me up. The media took more pictures of me as the guards helped me up. That was so indecent of them left to me. I didn’t even hear them say anything nice other than, “Make sure you get that shot! This would make a good front page.”I was held up and accompanied by the guards to the party. I wished I did not follow Vaughn to the party at all. All the elegance I felt died as I was picked up from the floor. I was ashamed. Everyone in the room turned and fixed their gaze on me as the guards flung the door open for me to walk in. I bent my head and walked to the side of the room. A young girl held my hand as I stood in a corner. She was pretty and she wore a very beautiful purple ball gown. I forced a smile at her but the tears that filled my eyes did not give room for a long smile. “Do you know where the restroom is?” I asked her and used my other hand to pat the tears quickly as she turned to point them t
Aria’s P.o.vVaughn's hands were soft as I placed mine on his and walked with him to the center of the dance floor. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to look him in the eyes and do those beautiful looks that a princess and a prince do when they fall in love. I knew that wasn't one of those kinds of moments but I wanted to feel something special. It was my first ball party and I was the center of attraction. I just thought it would only be nice if I got to act like I was living a Disney princess life.Vaughn made eye contact with me and gazed at me like he had never seen me before. I could see his eyes as they gleamed and he moved slowly to the side to get a better gaze at me. He moved two inches closer to me and back, with our hands joined together and serving as the string that attached us together.I could see that he wanted me but I was so uncertain about what was written in his eyes. I mean, this was Vaughn, he switches whenever he likes and might never notice me any longer.Vaughn
Aria’s P.o.v“Oh goodness! Aria! You look exceptional. I love your dress.” Mrs Slade walked up to me with her arms open wide as she shoved me into herself and hugged me tight. “You are perfect for tonight’s ball. I was wondering what was taking you all so long which was why I decided to come check for myself but what I found, I can’t even believe my eyes.” She turned to the team and Sandra, “You guys are the best! You’ve done a great job.”Mrs Slade held my hand and led me out of the room with her. I was a bit anxious as I walked out of the room with her because I didn’t know how Vaughn would react when he saw me. I wished deeply that I could attract his attention with my looks. Vaughn’s admiration was the highlight to me. I just wanted him to say something to me that would let me know that he saw me and acknowledged me.As we got to the beginning of the stairs, Mrs Slade called the attention of the crowd by hitting a spoon on the glass cup filled with wine that she had taken from on
Aria’s P.o.vSandra gazed at me and I could see that she was regretting her decision ahead of the consequences that could arise. “I don’t think this is a good idea but sure, I will see what I can get for you.” She smiled and walked away.I knew she was going to get me what I needed. Instead of going into my room I walked down the stairs and went to get a wine to drink. I felt happy that I was going to uncover their secrets as well. Vaughn was seated at the bar hut outside. I walked over to the table and asked for a Champagne. Vaughn and the bar guy looked at themselves, then, the bar guy went to get me what I requested.“I didn’t know that there was something we were celebrating other than the ball party. Would you like to share the reason for the celebration?”The bar guy brought me the champagne and poured me a glass. “Thank you… You can pour a glass for Vaughn too. He is the reason for the celebration.”Vaughn seemed surprised by the way I acted boldly in his presence. He looked
Aria’s P.o.vRachel’s response made me suspicious of why she was present and what exactly it was that Vaughn was all about that time around.“I know a lot is going on and I don’t think it will be of any importance for me to know anyway.” I tried to pretend to Rachel so she wouldn’t know that I was aware of the odd things that went on in the Slade family. I didn’t think she was any important to know much anyway.“I’m not angry at you. You made it easier for me to give in to this decision. You can see that Liam is always going to be an asshole now too, right?” I smirked because I knew that the both of them were no longer together and I had not seen them talk to each other since they came.I had not seen Rachel as calm as she was. It felt absurd that she wasn’t showing her shenanigans like she does. I knew there was something odd going on but I didn’t want to make it obvious to them. I decided I was going to find out what it must be that brought them all together.Rachel wore a smile tha
Aria’s P.o.v“I know we all have different perceptions about Vaughn. I must say that even I had such a negative perception about him. I think I still find him scary to an extent but I must say that he is a very nice and warm person also. Since I have been in this house as his wife, he has not inflicted directly any physical pain on me. He has cared for me as a man and I’m grateful for that. I know he is always busy and I would wish for more time with him but I think he tries with his tight schedules to be present, especially by keeping his eyes close to the camera.”They all laughed when I said that.“But on a more serious note, I don’t think I have seen someone as tough and loving as Vaughn. He blends well between both and I know that if he had the choice to be just loving, he would without a doubt do so but as it were, life demands both from him and he does it well. Thank you.”They erupted into clapping, including Sandra who stood in the corner as she smiled and nodded. “Gosh, I w
Aria’s P.o.vI could not believe that Liam thought he could bye me off with cheap words. I was so pissed by the manner he was trying to use to persuade me to leave Vaughn for him. By every means, Vaughn was better to be with than to be with him.“I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you are doing. If you do, you will never think to look at me in the face again, talk more of trying to persuade me to run away with you.” I laughed at Liam’s stupidity. I really couldn’t just believe that he thought I had not learned enough lessons from him. The disappointment on his face was priceless. I could see he had not expected me to want to stay back with Vaughn. Liam does not like it when he requests something from someone and he is rejected so he keeps pressing further.“Okay, I know you’re angry at me. I’m the reason why you decided to get married to him but we both know you’re not happy here. I know you more than the facade of joy displayed on your face. I know you don’t like it he
Aria’s P.o.vI raised my eyes up to see who it was who not only walked in late but had an irrelevant way of walking that caught our attention. It was Rachel, my cousin.“Rachel? This cannot be a good day. What on earth is she doing here?” I said to myself internally. I was offended to see her and the moment I laid my eyes on her, everything about her disgusted me.Rachel was the last person I expected to see that day. She was in no way family with The Slade’s and I thought she and Liam had ended their dirty relationship. It wasn’t even as though they made the relationship between them public so I still couldn’t grasp the reason why she was present.“Ah, Rachel…” Vaughn smiled and greeted her warmly as she walked in. I was shocked to know that they knew themselves. “I have been expecting you. I thought you were going to arrive later than this when I did not see you walk in with Liam.”Rachel gazed at me like she expected me to greet her or something. I had gotten up and punched her in
Aria’s P.o.vI gazed at Vaughn for a while before I decided to take the drug from him. I knew what I meant to him at that point and it made me feel so pained. I took the water, threw the drug into my mouth, and gulped the water down with it without making any complaints, then I laid back on the bed.Vaughn ignored my cold behavior and went on to do whatever he needed to do that night but I slept off.The following morning, I woke up to a loud music playing outside. I didn’t know where in particular the sound was coming from but I knew it was inside the house.As I tried to get up, I felt my head spin like I was going to fall. I normally don’t feel that way before so I wondered what must be the cause of why I felt my head spinning then I remembered I had taken a drug that I did not even know the name of.I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and had my bath. Then I wore a lovely gown and went down out to see what celebration or party was going on.The first face I saw as I walked d
Aria’s P.o.vI had goosebumps all over my hand and neck as Vaughn tried to have his way. I was supposed to stop him but I just couldn’t because I wanted it more than I didn’t want it. My body could not resist how hot Vaughn was so I let him have his way.Vaughn took me and turned the shower on to cleanse the soap off my body. As the water flowed down my skin, he massaged my body with his hand and it made me feel so calm. He pulled me close to himself and began to kiss me passionately. His lips were soft and juicy in my mouth. He began to kiss every part of my body, my face, my neck, and back to my lips. I didn’t know how we were going to do it while the water was raining on us but I knew since Vaughn was in charge, he would find a way around that.I kept enjoying the sweet romance that Vaughn decided to let me get to see. Then, he raised me from my thigh, with my back resting on the wall. He turned off the water with his left hand and placed his head on my boobs. More than that I coul