All Chapters of The Billionaire's Replacement Bride: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

163 Chapters

61. The Other Reasons

"What do you mean?" Gerald raised himself slightly, supporting his head and propping it up with his folded hand. He lowered his gaze to Ariana, who still appeared incredulous about what Gerald was asking her. "I'm just giving you options. I'm asking where you want to stay. Who knows, maybe you don't want to go back to my house," he said flatly. "Will you grant my request then?" Ariana asked, still looking incredulous. "As long as your request is reasonable, Mrs. Aarzu." Ariana chuckled. "What if I ask to stay at the Royal Penthouse President Wilson Hotel, would you grant it?" Ariana challenged again. Gerald raised an eyebrow. Then he smiled cunningly. "Are you proposing a honeymoon with me? If so, why not." This time, Ariana was wide-eyed hearing his question. "You're insane!" she exclaimed as she tried to move away. But Gerald was quicker. He restrained Ariana again with his hands and legs. Ariana tried to push his chest, but she always seemed to lack the strength. They lay on
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62. Beginning

"Gerald..." Ariana unconsciously moaned the man's name. Gerald froze for a moment. He straightened up instantly. Looking at Ariana with propped up on both elbows without releasing his grip on Ariana's hands. Ariana's face had turned red, and the girl's breathing seemed labored. And Gerald knew why because he felt the same way. They both want each other. "Ariana..." Gerald repeated the girl's name hesitantly. But that what he saw on Ariana's face now made him step back. "Don't..." Ariana said softly. Her eyes turned red, and Gerald could see an unmistakable glint there. Ariana cried. And Gerald now really got up from his seat. He felt angry and humiliated at the same time. 'Does he look so disgusting in front of Ariana?' she asked herself. Gerald moved backward, although he did not leave the bed. And Ariana also sat on the bed. "I'm tired." Ariana spoke up. Gerald turned and saw Ariana like a child hugging her knees. Gerald tried to understand. He stared at the girl in silence.
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63. Why

After snapping out of her trance, Ariana hit Gerald with the nearest pillow within her reach. "You pervert!" she exclaimed. Ariana then got up from the bed and walked towards the bathroom quickly. "Where are you going?" Gerald asked with teasing tone and smile. "Taking a shower! Suddenly I feel so hot!" Ariana replied from the bathroom door. "Need any help? Maybe I could assist you in scrubbing your back or something else?" Gerald offered, his tone playful. Ariana stopped in her tracks. She turned around and looked at Gerald with a raised eyebrow. Gerald looked back at her with a hopeful expression. "In your dreams!" Ariana muttered before closing the door with a rather loud thud. Gerald burst into laughter. Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Ariana sat back on the toilet seat, holding her chest that was beating so rapidly. How could she not? The conversation she had just had with Gerald was like giving their relationship a chance. Ariana didn't know why she could do that, especially
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64. Impressed

With a quick motion, Gerald turned off the television and stood up from his seat. Now, Ariana could clearly observe the man. Gerald was still dressed in his work attire: a long-sleeved white shirt that he had folded up to his elbows and black trousers. His tie had been loosened, and the top two buttons of his shirt seemed deliberately undone. Normally, such a sight would remind Ariana of salesmen for household products who typically went door to door selling their goods. Or it would bring to mind new interns who could be seen in various stores and even some offices. You know, their typical new employee attire, black and white. However, for some reason, seeing Gerald dressed like that made him look even more charming to her. Ariana couldn't quite understand her own thought process. And the man's jacket hung on the single sofa not far from where Ariana stood. Seeing his personal belonging in her room, he acted as if the room belonged to Gerald alone. Normally, this should have made A
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65. Welcome Home

"What do you want to do after this?" Gerald asked Ariana, who was now leaning back in her chair, rubbing her rounded belly after eating to her heart's content. Ariana turned and then shrugged. "You still haven't answered my question, where do you want us to stay tonight?" She straightened her shoulders. "I'm confused," she said softly, gazing at Gerald attentively. "What's going on with you? You were clearly angry this morning, but now? Why are you so understanding?" Gerald just shrugged. "Didn't I explain everything earlier? We're going to start fresh because I like you. I want to make you like me back. And because of that, I'll do anything you like." Ariana could only shake her head in disbelief. Well, aren't all men sweet when they want something, she thought to herself. "I don't know," she replied afterward. "I don't have anywhere else. Besides my dad's house, the apartment, and the restaurant, I don't have any other place." Ariana answered honestly. "Do you want to come to
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66. Spoiled

Ariana opened the door to the balcony, and instantly, the cool air rushed into the room, tousling her hair. The scent of damp earth wafted into her nose. Ariana stepped outside. The balcony was spacious, very spacious. Some parts of the floor were covered with wood, while others were covered with Japanese grass that tickled anyone who walked on it. A wooden swing was on one side of the high glass balcony railing. On one side of the balcony, there was a long chair that looked comfortable to sit on. In the middle, there was an empty area that seemed deliberately left unfurnished. "We can camp here," Gerald said casually. He was already sitting on the swing, cross-legged, his eyes fixed on Ariana. "You like camping, don't you?" he asked again. Ariana just turned towards him and shrugged. "Back then, you went with that jerk," she muttered. Ariana smiled. Was he jealous of Chris now? She wondered to herself. "Do you even have camping gear?" Ariana challenged. Gerald just shrugged. "If
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67. Open Up

Ariana knew she had misspoken. She was upset with herself for saying it, but the words couldn't be taken back. "Why did you bring up your sister's name?" the man asked, clearly trying to contain his anger. "Didn't we agree to start fresh?" Ariana fell silent. She didn't know what to say. An apology wouldn't fix the situation at all, so she chose to remain quiet. Gerald seemed reluctant to continue the conversation. He pretended to be engrossed in the meat grilling on the barbecue. Soon, he placed the fragrant and delicious-smelling steak onto a plate, adding vegetables as a side. "Does camping like this remind you of Chris? Is that why you said Karenina?" Gerald asked sharply. Ariana looked up, and at that moment, he handed her the plate. Ariana accepted the plate and murmured her thanks. She placed it on the square table between them. "Chris and I don't have any relationship," Ariana replied flatly. Gerald continued to stare at her with sharp, probing eyes. "To me, he's just a
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68. You Don't Have To

Gerald rose from his seat, pushing the table aside that had been separating them and moving it to the farthest corner. He then slid his chair closer to Ariana. "I'm not someone who has to be served all the time, Ariana," Gerald began. "But I can't deny that gradually, I have become accustomed to all of this," he confessed. "Once, I was an independent man, just like you. I lived abroad relying on my own body and mind. Although I don't deny that financially I depended on my father, but when I was a teenager, I found my true identity. "I stood on my own feet. I started everything from scratch. I mingled with people whose situations were far below mine. "So don't think that I can't socialize with carpenters, gardeners, or even rickshaw drivers. I mingled with them much longer than I have with socialites these days. "You need to know, all the socializing with socialites, it's not something I genuinely desire. It's just a demand of the role I'm playing right now. "Socializing is essen
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69. Open

Ariana's smile faded. She turned and looked at Gerald. Truthfully, his ego was bruised because Ariana didn't offer any other response to his recent confession. It's foolish to say that genuine love doesn't need a reply. Because in reality, Gerald wanted an answer. But then, he faintly heard Ariana say, "Forgive me," her voice barely audible. Gerald furrowed his brow upon hearing this. She didn't need to apologize. Apologies were synonymous with the rejection he anticipated. And he didn't like that. "I've been trying to reject everything, honestly because I was afraid," her continued words clearly made Gerald sense something deeper. He gazed at Ariana, who seemed to be staring into the darkness far away. "I've been trying to shut myself off at every opportunity. I refused to like anyone. And I refused to fall in love. Falling in love was never in my vocabulary," she replied honestly. Gerald again gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Why?" he asked, curious to know.
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70. We Can Try

"Are we going to start everything anew?" Gerald returned to his initial question. They had finished the fried rice Ariana had made, and now they were watching a TV show that didn't fully capture their attention. "I don't know," Ariana replied softly. Gerald raised one of his legs onto the sofa. He deliberately turned his body toward Ariana. As he had done before, he played with a strand of Ariana's hair and tucked it behind her ear. "We can give it a try," Gerald made the decision for both of them. Ariana looked up at him, staring at him intensely. "We can give it a try," Gerald repeated with confidence. "Me, you, and Axel. We can be a simple little family. I won't ask much of you. I'll give you my loyalty, and that's all I ask for in return," Gerald requested. "I won't force you to cater to me as a 'husband' in the bedroom," he said jokingly. "I'll wait until you're ready to give yourself. Well, with a sprinkle of spice, as usual, seems fair enough," he continued, teasingly. Re
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