8 Chapter 8
For two months, Ariel got used to the quietness of the large house. The silence was starting to get deafening, but she didn’t mind it, she used that period to finish all her online courses.
For the first time in her life, she was proud of something she did. She was now a certified software engineer and a certified ethical hacker (white hat). She couldn’t wait to start working from home; she had already set up an anonymous work profile on LinkedIn and was confident enough that some huge company would soon contact her for her services.
As usual, she was up early; the cook and cleaners were already used to her morning routine: Wake up, exercise around the large compound, bathe, and eat.
The only time they would see her again was in the evening before they left; when she’d come
down for dinner.
Today, she was dressed in black yoga shorts, a white loose–fit Nike sweater, and white Nike
sneakers.
She felt guilty wearing these branded clothes, but she didn’t have anything of her own either; she couldn’t possibly wear the gown she wore on her marriage day
10 run around the compound.
As she ran, she could feel Gregory’s watchful eyes on her, but she was used to it by then; it was almost like he was everywhere she went apart from her room. She believed his boss must have asked him to watch her closely so she wouldn’t steal anything from his expensive home.
After exercising, Ariel went up to her room for a quick shower, and when she came down, the cook was already bringing out her food to the dining.
“Good morning, Anna, She greeted the lady and took the plate of food off her hands.
Anna was an average and plump woman with brown hair; she was the kind of person who gave you a sense of motherly protection without even trying.
“Morning, Ariel. Done exercising?” Anna asked.
“I can really bring out my own food, Anna. I already feel bad enough about you preparing it,” Ariel
said.
“No can do, Miss. It’s my job, and, I love my Job, Anna replied, smiling.
“Fine, I’ll have to get used to this,” Ariel said and headed toward the glass dining table.
“It’s been two months already, you should be used to everything and everyone here. Here, Anna placed a glass of water beside Ariel on the glass table.
“Thanks… yeah… get used to everything” Aruel murmured to herself as Anna went back to the kitchen.
She couldn’t tell anyone that she wasn’t allowed to get used to anything in that house, she wasn’t here to st
She looked down at the table and saw her reflection on the glass table, sighing, she picked up
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8 Chapter 8
her fork and ate her food.
Everything in that house reminded her of how different she was from Alden Chaz. Even the dining table was mocking her too.
She was about to fork her third spoon into her mouth when she heard the sound of the entrance door opening. She didn’t bother turning, thinking it was Gregory who was coming to continue watching over her.
But, when Ariel felt the looming figure behind her, she knew it wasn’t Gregory.
Her hand tightened around the fork, and her heart started racing; she gently dropped the fork, shifted her chair back, and slowly stood.
“Welcome home, Mr. Chaz,” Ariel said as she faced him, but kept her face down, not looking at
him.
“This is not your home, He corrected Immediately, looking her up and down.
He didn’t say it, but he saw some changes in his wife’s body; her skin looked more radiant, and her curves were getting more visible. No matter how beautiful she was turning, she would always be a gold digger.
He was almost forced to believe that she’d been living a terrible life before he met her.
“I–I’m sorry, sir, I’ll keep that in-
“Oh, Aiden, you didn’t tell me you had a visitor, A female voice suddenly spoke behind Aiden.
Ariel was surprised to find out that he had brought someone back with him.
His lover?
“She’s not here for long, Jess, Aiden spoke coldly.
“Why stand? I thought you were enjoying being the owner of the house?” Aiden walked closer to Areil, causing her to take a step back from him.
“I’m sorry, I was about to clear the table, Ariel said and quickly turned to carry her plate away, but a hand halted her.
“Oh, please, don’t go, I’d love to eat with you,” Jess said excitedly.
Ariel was not comfortable.
She didn’t want to be a third wheel to the couple.
“Okay” She replied in a low voice.
She didn’t want to seem rude by insisting and, in turn, make Alden angry because she made his girlfriend sad.
“Please, sit,” Jess pulled the chair out for Ariel.
“T–thanks,” Ariel stammered as she lowered herself on the chair.
She could feel Aiden’s gaze piercing her soul, but she didn’t dare to look at him, she didn’t want to see the hatred in his eyes.
“Welcome back, Master, Anna said as she came out from the kitchen carrying a tray of food and placing it at the head of the table, beside where Ariel was sitting.
Ariel understood that Anna must have known that Aiden was coming back that morning, if not, she wouldn’t have prepared an extra meal. She felt like an outcast, being the only person who wasn’t aware of what was happening around her.
She went still as she felt Aiden lower himself beside her, this was really going to be difficult for her.
Aiden noticed his wife getting tensed as he sat down beside her and frowned. He thought she was all about getting g close to him, why was she pretending to be uncomfortable now?
The table was quiet as they ate, Ariel was just using her fork to play around with her food: she didn’t have the appetite to eat anymore; she just wanted to leave that place.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so famished from the long flight. What’s your name? Jess asked.
Ariel slowly lifted her face and looked at Jess for the first time. She was cute, with long black hair and a cute button nose, warm brown eyes, and her whole aura screamed high–class; just the right woman for Alden. Not her, a nobody from nowhere.
“I’m sorry if I come across as nosy but I was just-
“Oh, no, no, I’m sorry, my name is Ariel Ariel introduced, hoping she hadn’t offended Aiden’s girlfriend.
“Ariel, my favorite Disney Princess, I’d say you look just like her; just dye your hair and, wait! Are you sure you’re not Ariel in her human era? And you’ve come to meet the love of your life, in this case – Alden?” Jess asked with a gasp.
Ariel vigorously shook her head, “No, nothing like that. He’s not the love of my life, and I am-
“Good thing you know, never delude yourself that I fall in love with you someday: Aiden said and stood from the chair.
“Oh, come on Alden! That’s no way to speak to your wife!” Jess said sternly at Aiden’s retreating figure.
Ariel frowned, how did Jess know she was Aiden’s wife? She was sure Aiden would never mention it to anyone.
“Haha, I know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, it’s nothing like that. Jess occupied Aiden’s chair and placed her hand on Ariel’s shoulder.
Tm Jessica, Jess for short. Nice to meet you, sister–in–law, Jess smiled at Ariel
Ariel froze, sister–in–law? Does it mean she’s got all wrong?
“You’re his sister? Ariel asked slowly.
“Well cousin, but that’s by the way, come on let’s go up to your room. I want to get to know your” less said and dragged Ariel out of the chair and up the stairs.
Ariel didn’t know how to act with Jess. She’s never had a friend before, and Jess being related to
8 Chapter B
Before they entered her room, she saw Aiden coming out from his room, but she didn’t stay to stare; she allowed Jess to drag her into the room and close the door.
Aiden had just showered and was about to ask Gregory to take Jess back to her apartment, but he suddenly saw his cousin excitedly dragging his wife into her room.
What was going on? Did the gold digger manage to manipulate Jess into pitying her?
He had to stop whatever stupid relationship she wanted to force on her cousin before she duped her of all her money with some stupid sob story.
He walked over to the door and held the handle, but before he could push it open, he heard his cousin’s concerned voice talking to Ariel.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be your friend throughout your contract with my brother. After the contract too, Jess giggled, causing Aiden to frown.
“I know how cold he can be, just ignore him most of the time and always call me when you feel bored of his tantrums,” He heard Jess saying quietly.
He frowned harder, how could his sister be saying these cruel things about him? And wasn’t Ariel the one who initiated the friendship?
Whoever it was, the relationships had to stop.
He pushed open the door and walked into the room, the girls falling quiet with his presence.
“What are you doing with my sister, dear wife? Am I not enough for you?” He questioned sarcastically.
Ariel immediately sprang up from the bed, putting some distance between her and Jess.
For the first time since he returned, she stared into his eyes, and as expected, they were cold as ice as he stared hard at her. Her heart broke, why did he hate her so much?
