Arranged to Love You: A SLOW BURN BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Chapter three: A Gentle Interlude

The weekend sun poured through Ariana Jones’s apartment window, warming the small potted plant perched on the sill. The city outside moved with its usual frantic pace horns blaring, footsteps rushing, voices colliding but inside, her little apartment felt like another world.

Ariana stretched on the couch, her hair falling over her shoulder in loose waves. She wasn’t in her work attire today. Instead, she wore a simple cotton dress, soft and comfortable, paired with the familiar weight of a cardigan. She let out a small breath of contentment as she cradled a mug of tea.

It was one of the rare days when she didn’t have to rush to Gregory Vance’s office, and she wanted to savor every moment of it.

Her phone buzzed, and a familiar name lit up the screen. Lena Carter.

“Hey, stranger,” Lena’s bright voice chirped when Ariana answered. “You’re not planning to hide in your apartment all weekend, are you?”

Ariana chuckled softly. “Maybe. Why?”

“Because Miles and I are making lunch. You’re coming over. No excuses.”

“I—” Ariana hesitated, biting her lip. She had been perfectly fine with the idea of spending the day alone, wrapped in silence and her thoughts. But Lena had always been the type who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Fine,” Ariana said with a soft laugh. “I’ll come.”

“Good. See you in an hour!”

The line clicked off before Ariana could change her mind.

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Lena and Miles Carter lived in a cozy apartment not far from Ariana’s. The moment she stepped inside, the smell of roasted vegetables and garlic filled the air, wrapping her in warmth.

“Ariana!” Lena rushed forward, embracing her. Her friend’s energy was infectious, her dark curls bouncing as she smiled. Miles, ever the calmer of the two, waved from the kitchen with a spatula in hand.

“Sit down,” Lena said, guiding Ariana toward the dining table already set for three. “You’ve been working too much.”

“It’s not that bad,” Ariana murmured, her lips curving in a soft smile. “I actually like the job.”

“And Gregory?” Miles asked, glancing over his shoulder. “He’s treating you well?”

“Yes,” Ariana said, truthfully. “He’s kind. Professional. Honestly, I’m lucky to have this job.”

“That’s good to hear.” Lena reached across the table, touching Ariana’s hand. “You deserve stability, Ari. You’ve been through so much.”

Ariana lowered her gaze, her throat tightening slightly. She didn’t like to dwell on the past, not when she had fought so hard to move forward.

The three of them ate together, laughter and conversation filling the room. Lena teased Miles for overcooking the vegetables, Miles countered with dry humor, and Ariana found herself laughing more than she had in weeks. For a brief moment, it almost felt like the old college days again safe, light, unburdened.

After lunch, Lena pulled Ariana to the couch with two mugs of coffee. Miles retreated to his desk, muttering something about work emails, leaving the two women alone.

“You seem… quieter than usual,” Lena said gently, studying Ariana’s face.

Ariana shrugged, staring down into her coffee. “I guess I’m still figuring things out. This city is big. My job is steady, but sometimes I wonder if I’m really living… or just existing.”

Lena frowned softly. “You’re doing more than existing. You’ve built a life for yourself, Ariana. And one day, you’re going to find happiness again. The kind that lasts.”

Ariana smiled faintly, though her heart clenched at the words. She wanted to believe it. She wanted to believe that her past didn’t define her future.

Later, as the afternoon sun began to dip, Ariana walked back to her apartment. The streets buzzed with life, but her steps were slow, thoughtful. When she reached home, she curled up by the window with her journal.

Her pen scratched softly across the page:

Today was warm. Lena and Miles reminded me of who I used to be someone who laughed without hesitation. I don’t know if I’ll ever be that girl again. But maybe… maybe there’s a version of me still waiting to come alive.

She set the pen down, staring at the fading skyline of New York City. The calm of the day lingered, soothing her, but deep inside, something restless stirred. She didn’t know why, but she had the odd sense that life as she knew it was about to change.

And across the ocean, in London, Xavier Williams stubbed out his cigarette and gave a single order to his assistant:

“Book me a flight to New York.”

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