13 Chapter 13
Ariel sat in her office, staring into space. It was almost time to leave, but she still couldn’t get the thought of Aiden’s weird behavior out of her head.
She wondered what would have happened between them if Anthony hadn’t come to deliver a package to him.
She sighed and looked out of her glass door.
She had skipped going for lunch break because she didn’t want to meet people; today wasn’t the day she socialized, and what was the use of getting to know them? They’d end up making her the laughingstock in the end.
She watched as her colleagues busily clocked out for the day, going down the general elevator in pairs. She thought about how each of them must have had a lovely childhood, with loving parents and accepting friends, unlike her, alone and scorned in the world.
She sighed and looked away from them. It was time she left.
Others felt elated about leaving work, but not her; she wished work never ended; she didn’t want to go back to that monster’s house, where he’d continue his bullying.
But, nowhere was safe; work and home were both his territory. She just had to find a way to
survive.
Ariel packed her bag and double–checked in her mind if she responded to all emails and and sent all schedules. She did.
She picked up her bag and phone and walked out of the office, hurriedly passing Aiden’s office. before he came out and saw her.
She wanted to go home alone, she came alone after all. She didn’t want to be in that awkward. ride with him again.
She ignored the weird looks she got from other employees as she entered the elevator. She was the only female in the elevator, and the curious looks she got from the guys made her feel uncomfortable.
She had noticed that she hadn’t seen any other females on their floor, she guessed Aiden was purposely keeping them away from himself. She was glad her skills led her to land the job, if not, she was very sure that he’d have sent her packing the next second.
As the elevator opened, she remained standing at the corner, patiently waiting for everyone to leave so she could leave without a hassle.
But one person remained standing, not looking like he was planning to leave anytime soon.
The young man turned to her and said, “Ladies before Gents.
Ariel thought twice before she understood that the well–dressed young man was talking to her. Why would he talk to her? One of those with an ulterior motive?
She wanted to reply but immediately thought against it. She gave him a curt nod and proceeded
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to walk out of the elevator. It was better not to associate with people; that way, they’d never find out anything about her.
“Hey, wait, I just want to be friends,” The young man says and catches up to Ariel as she walks through the reception area.
Ariel sighed tiredly as she saw the young man walk up to her. She can’t outrun this one, can she?
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pester you, but I just want to be a friend. I’m Jewel,” He introduced. Ariel knew it would be rude to ignore someone who was being nothing but nice to her. She took a deep breath before replying. “Ariel.”
Jewel smiled, “Nice to meet you, Ariel,” He said as they walked out of the company’s tall building. Ariel thought he’d be on his way, but he followed her as she started walking past the garage, making her frown.
“I noticed you’ve been keeping to yourself the whole day, don’t want to make friends?” He asked her, smiling.
Ariel shook her head, “Jewel, I appreciate your kindness, but I’d love to be left alone,” Ariel said, pausing to look at her new ‘friend‘
He looked good, but not as handsome as Aiden wait, what?
Ariel shook her head and focused on the man in front of her.
“Uh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I can give you a ride. My care
“No need, Jewel, I’m good, Ariel said, gently rejecting him.
just parked-
The last time someone had her ride, something bad happened. And not just because she was scared of getting in an accident; she didn’t want him to find out where she lived.
“Okay, Ariel, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jewel smiled at her.
Ariel nodded and quickly walked away from him, walking down the busy streets.
It was evening already, and she wasn’t entirely familiar with the location. She had managed to find her way early in the morning with the aid of the GPS, but as she stared at the damn thing that evening, she couldn’t understand what she was looking at.
She tried following the directions but always ended up in the wrong location. She had no money on her to hail a cab, so she could only hope she found her way home on foot before everywhere got completely dark.
“What the hell is happening?” Ariel asked as she found herself back at the same coffee shop she’d rounded three times..
She stood there, confused and helpless. She thought of asking people for directions but remembered they would use her to open the tabloids the next day, so, she minded her business and turned to find her way.
Beep! Beep!
12:17.
13 Chapter 13
Ariel was startled as she heard a car hunk right beside her. She turned and was surprised to see Aiden’s car parked right behind her.
She thought of ignoring him and walking away, but people were already starting to look in her direction. The next second, she got an email notification on her phone; she didn’t need to open it; the message was short, so it displayed the context at the notification bar.
“GET IN THE CAR
She read Aiden’s message and scoffed. So typical. She didn’t have his contact, Gregory was the only person she had as a contact, and if Aiden wanted to communicate with her, he always used
email.
What type of married couples only communicated via email?
She slowly turned and walked toward the car, opening the front to enter. She preferred to sit beside Gregory instead of the stone–cold statue of a husband.
But her eyes almost jumped out of their sockets as she found Aiden sitting in the driver’s seat.
Where was Gregory?..
It was already too late to leave the car, and she couldn’t possibly go behind the car and expect him to drive her.
She bit her lips and looked ahead. “Good evening, sir, She greeted, not looking at him.
But she suddenly tensed up as she saw him lean in close to her.
“Is that the right way to address your husband?” He asked directly in front of her face. Ariel reeled back, shutting her eyes.
‘Please, don’t kiss me again,‘ Ariel whispered in her head.
Click
The soft sound of the seat belt clasping in place sounded in the quiet car, and she felt Aiden retire to his scat.
So he was just trying to fix her seat belt? She released a long breath and relaxed against the chair.
au
“I asked you a question,” Aiden said as he slowly drove off the car.
Ariel bit her lips, “I don’t know how else to address you, sir,” She said, looking straight.
Aiden shortly looked at her before returning his face to the road again.
“How about sweetheart?” Aiden asked casually.
Ariel choked on the air she was breathing, was he serious right now? Why would he even want her to call him that?
“I’m sorry, sir, but, the contract says that-”
“We’re signing another contract, Aiden revealed.
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this person she had married?
She knew she was just a commodity to him, but she never knew he saw her as even lesser. He saw her as a toy who he’d handle and command however he wanted. But she would let him know that she wasn’t as worthless as he thought.
“Don’t think too much of it, and I hope you know that all those back at the office were just acting. Wouldn’t want you falling in love with me; you’d hurt yourself if you did because I’ll never love you,” Aiden’s cold voice sounded in the car as he drove past the lively city.
Ariel balled her fists on her lap. He was a narcissist too, so full of himself for no reason.
Ariel scoffed loudly, causing him to look at her strangely; he was surprised; he thought she never reacted.
Was she angry because he had told her that he’d never love her?
“Why then?” Ariel suddenly asked.
Her question got Aiden confused, he frowned and slowed down the car till he parked along the road.
“Why what? Little wife?” Aiden asked lowly, unclasping his seat belt and leaning in close to Ariel’s side.
Ariel shifted and plastered her body to the window, but she was serious about what she wanted to ask him.
“Why then do you want me to call you with an endearment if you don’t love me?” She questioned, grasping the hand of the seat as Aiden’s hot minty breath fanned the side of her neck.
Aiden smirked when he heard her question, he raised his hand to her chin and turned her face to his.
“Because you’re my wife, He replied and went ahead to lean his face closer to hers.
Hey guys, I just inined th
