Chapter 6

Aria's POV

After my mother’s surgery, I returned home to take a shower. I slipped into a simple black gown.

After putting on my red lipstick, I stepped outside my house.

My eyes fell on the black sleek car that looked out of place in the scrawny area. Like a diamond amid dirt.

The driver came out and opened the car door. As I entered the car, a familiar musky scent filled my nose, and whipped my head to the figure beside me.

Lo and behold, the devil in the flesh—Julian. My body tightened as I wasn’t expecting him but his P.A.

His eyes lingered on me. The intensity reviving up flutters—one so faint but not unnoticed—in my stomach. “How did the surgery go?” His eyes returned to the newspaper caught in his hands.

Remembering our last encounter this morning, the air suddenly thickened in the confined space of the car.

“It was successful, thanks for your assistance.” I fidgeted with my fingers. “I thought I was meeting with your P.A.”

Without moving his head, his eyes tore to me. “You’re not happy to see me?” A smirk played on his lips.

And there went the nervousness as his cocky behavior grated my nerves. “Yes, I am so happy I could die,” I said with a straight expression.

Julian snorted with a smile. “He had an important business errand to attend to.” The paper fluttered as he turned the pages. “Besides, He won’t be able to pick our wedding rings.”

“Wed..wed…wedding rings?”

Julian snapped the newspaper shut. “Yeah. What are we supposed to get married with? Swords?”

“That’s better, it would be easier to rip your devilish heart out.” I tucked my hair behind my ears and fixed my gaze on the bustling city unfolding outside the car.

Julian smiled and returned his eye to the newspaper. “Our marriage will happen in a week. But, you are moving into my house today.”

My eyes fluttered as I faced him. “Why so fast? Must I move in today?”

“I like my things moving at a fast pace.”

Well, he did pay my mother’s bill faster than expected.

After another ten minutes, the car finally came to a stop. “Sir, we have arrived Si,”

The driver announced.

Julian stepped out of the car and stretched out his hand.

Cynicism did not attempt to hide on my face as my brows furrowed.

“I might be a devil, but I am also a gentleman.” Julian smiled with his eyes.

Trodding into the designer boutique, the sales rep dashed at us. “Good day Sir, Good day Ma. How can I help you?”

Julian turned to her. “My fiancée here needs some beautiful dresses.” He glanced at me, before plopping onto the sofa.

The sales rep led me to the dressing room where she showered me with different designs and colors of clothes, bags, and shoes.

I should have been used to wealth, after all, Ethan was rich. But I wasn’t used to this. When we went shopping, Ethan usually bought a dress or two.

But now, I was getting a full closet. The price of the clothes made my heart thump.

After Julian paid for the clothes, bags, and shoes that filled up the boot, we went to the jewelry stop.

The rings sparkled beneath the showglass. The male sales rep's eyes were fixed on us as Julian and I observed the goods.

My eyes clung to one, but the price made me swallow my desire back.

Following my line of gaze, the male sales rep said, “This is a 2-carat, colorless D-F diamond. It’s perfectly cut. The rare colorless quality makes it an exceptional investment.”

“And how much does it cost?” Julian leaned in.

“$100,000, sir.”

My stomach twisted. I leaned in and muttered to Julian. “We don’t have to buy it.” We had already spent about $500,000 on clothes and now this. Even my soul didn’t cost this much.

Julian leaned in, till his face was mere inches away, his warm breath teasing my skin. “Is this how you are going to pluck every leaf and fruit till I’m barren?” A taunting smile burnt on his lips as he shot his perfectly arched brows up. “You were so bold this morning when you said those words and I had thought you meant it.” Amusement flickered in his eyes, one that mocked me.

With a straight smile, I turned to the Sales rep. “I want this design, but in 5-carat.”

The man’s eyes flickered to Julian. “That would be $500,000.” His voice quivered a bit.

The smile persisted on Julian’s lips. “Give her what she wants.”

“Okay, sir.”

Julian turned to me, confidence still glinting in his eyes and his gaze lingered longer than usual. “Is that all you want?” He questioned with a sweetly teasing tone.

“Do you want me to buy every jewel in the building?” I retorted.

“If you can wear them all.” He smiled once more. But his eyes… They were daring me to try anything stupid and he would come for both my sister, mother, and unborn children’s souls.

I pursed my lips as I shot him a squinted look. “Yes, that’s all.” I folded my hands and turned away. Curse his wealth.

After rounding up at the jewelry store, we continued the shopping spree.

********

Night came and I had begun arranging my clothes in the large closet that seemed like its own little world.

My eyes glanced over the heap of clothes sprawled across the bed, the bag and shoes, the jewelry, and the expensive makeup.

My phone beeped. A message from an unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

“Julian isn’t a good man. If you want to live, cancel the marriage and get out of that house now.”

A photo was attached to it. Opening it, it showed a picture of one of his ex-wives, tied in a chair, her eyes blindfolded and her hands and legs chained to the chair.

I gasped and quickly my hand stifled my mouth.

Another text came in: this is the last picture of his wife.

Zooming in on the picture, I froze the warm air turned chill against my skin. The room in the picture—the dark, haunting space—was the exact room I was in.

My heart thudded against my chest and my breath stilled.