CHAPTER 3
1006 Words
SOCIAL GATHERING.
In public, they continued to act as a loving couple, attending social events and posing for photoshoots.
During one shoot, Alexander’s frustration almost gave them away when he tried to push Aria away. Clark, always watchful, intervened.
Just as they moved to greet another group, Alexander's frustration boiled over. He grabbed Aria's arm a bit too forcefully, pulling her aside. "This is unbearable," he muttered under his breath. "Pretending to be happy with you is exhausting."
Aria yanked her arm free, her eyes blazing. "Do you think this is a picnic for me? I despise every second I have to spend near you."
In a moment of anger, Alexander gave Aria a slight push, just enough to make her stumble back a step. The movement caught the attention of nearby guests, their whispers starting to fill the room.
Clark, always observant, was at their side in an instant. "Is everything alright here?" he asked, his voice calm but his eyes sharp.
Alexander immediately pulled himself together, forcing a smile. "Just a little misunderstanding. Right, Aria?"
Aria straightened her dress, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Yes, just a misunderstanding," she echoed, though her tone was icy.
Clark, constantly hovering around the couple under the guise of concern, had ulterior motives. He believed he could win Aria over, convinced that neither Aria nor Alexander truly loved each other.
Clark nodded, placing a hand on Alexander's shoulder. "Remember, we all have roles to play. Let's not lose sight of that."
Alexander took a deep breath, his jaw clenching. "Of course, Clark. We'll keep it together."
Clark then turned to Aria, his expression softening slightly. "And you, Aria, everything alright?"
She nodded, her eyes avoiding his. "Yes, everything’s fine."
Satisfied but still wary, Clark stepped back, addressing the curious guests. "Nothing to see here, folks. Just a minor disagreement, all sorted now."
The crowd slowly resumed their activities, but the tension between Aria and Alexander lingered. Clark gave them both a pointed look before moving away, his mind already working on how to use this new development to his advantage.
As he mingled with other guests, Clark couldn't shake the feeling that despite their public facade, Aria and Alexander’s relationship was more volatile than ever. He smiled to himself, knowing that if he played his cards right, he could turn this to his benefit.
Clark’s anger towards Fred grew. He blamed Fred for ruining all his plans, by showing up at the party and regretted ever inviting him.
Back at Fred’s home, he fabricated a story for Charles Judith.
"Alexander found out Aria’s pregnant with another man’s child," Fred lied smoothly, watching Charles Judith’s face twist in shock.
"What?" Charles Judith exclaimed, her hands flying to her mouth. "I knew she was trouble. I should have listened to you."
Fred nodded sympathetically. "It's tragic, really. Now Alexander’s divorcing her, and she’ll be left with nothing."
Charles Judith shook her head, eyes filled with regret. "She’ll have to come back here."
"Yes," Fred said, a sinister smile curling his lips. "She won’t have any other choice."
Back at their shared home, the tension between Aria and Alexander was palpable. The silence was thick, only punctuated by the ticking of the clock on the wall. Aria paced the room, anger boiling just beneath the surface, while Alexander poured himself a drink, his back to her.
During the car ride home, they had both remained silent, their driver none the wiser about the storm brewing between them. They couldn't afford to let their true feelings slip in front of anyone. Their public facade of a loving marriage had to be maintained at all costs.
"Why did you do it?" Aria finally broke the silence, her voice sharp and accusing.
Alexander turned slowly, his eyes cold. "Do what?"
"You pushed me in front of everyone," Aria said, her voice shaking with restrained fury. "You humiliated me."
Alexander took a sip of his drink, unbothered. "You call that humiliation? You should be used to it by now."
Aria's hands balled into fists at her sides. "I asked you to let me go when we started this farce. But you insisted. If you despise me so much, why keep me around?"
Alexander set his glass down with a thud. "I don't despise you, Aria. I simply don't care. This marriage is a business arrangement, nothing more."
Aria scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger. "You don't care? Then why act out in public? Why not let me live my life without your constant disdain?"
Alexander stepped closer, his expression hardening. "You think I enjoy this any more than you do? We're trapped in this charade, both of us pretending. But don’t act like a victim. You’re in this for the money, just like I am."
Aria’s voice dropped, filled with bitterness. "At least I’m honest about it. You, on the other hand, hide behind your cold indifference. Why not just end this?"
Alexander leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. "End it? And have everyone see the failure? No. We’ll continue this act until it no longer serves us. You wanted out once; you should have known better. There's no escape from this."
Aria turned away, swallowing the lump in her throat. "You think I don’t know that? I hate this as much as you do. But I won’t be treated like a pawn in your game."
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. "A pawn? That’s all we are, Aria. Pieces on a board. And we play until the game is over."
Aria shook her head, a sad smile playing on her lips. "Then I guess we’ll keep playing. But don’t think for a second I’ll let you push me around again."
Alexander picked up his drink, his eyes never leaving hers. "Fine. Just remember, we’re in this together. Whether we like it or not."
The room fell silent again, the unspoken agreement hanging heavily between them. They were bound by their shared contempt and the roles they played, a twisted partnership that neither could escape.
- Writer
