Pilot
1026 Words
The night Aria’s ex left her, she had promised never to beg for love again. But there she was, on her knees, in front of the man who was supposed to propose to her, begging him not to leave.
……..
Aria’s heart pounded as she adjusted the sleek black dress she adored. Her mouth was dry, and her breathing was heavy.
She was at her engagement party, and the weight of so many eyes on her—though filled with admiration and pride—made her uneasy. As an introvert, she wasn’t used to being the center of attention.
Yet, today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life. She couldn’t stop smiling.
This moment meant everything to her.
Growing up with an alcoholic mother who was never proud of her—who resented her simply because her father had left—had been a punishment from hell.
But Kieran was her escape. A charming and wealthy lawyer, he represented the bright future she had always longed for. This engagement was her way out of a life filled with pain and misery.
Everything was finally coming together. Her true love, her fresh start—everything was falling into place.
Despite her nerves, she was hopeful.
She made her way to the table set for the two of them and sat down. Kieran looked effortlessly perfect in a suit that seemed to cost thousands.
Money had never been an issue for him. He had grown up wealthy but had never let it spoil him. He had always treated her well since they first met, and today marked two years of them being together.
“Why are you staring?” he asked, chuckling, his green eyes filled with warmth and admiration.
Aria blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she rolled her eyes playfully. “You’re nothing special to look at,” she teased.
They both knew she was lying.
Kieran looked like he had been sculpted by the gods. Broad shoulders, strong arms, perfectly defined features—rosy pink lips, a straight nose, and those captivating green eyes that were unlike any she had ever seen.
And he was hers. The thought alone made her heart swell.
“And you,” he said, his voice soft with affection, “are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. I’m glad I found you, Aria.”
He flashed her his signature smile—the same one that had won her over from the very first day.
A waiter approached, holding a silver tray. “Champagne?” he asked in a polite, low tone.
Aria and Kieran exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. “Yes, of course,” she replied, tearing her gaze away from Kieran to take the glass.
He did the same, and in perfect sync, they downed their drinks in one big gulp. Aria nearly choked but laughed anyway.
It was their ritual. Every champagne toast had to be finished in one go—a silly habit they had picked up after seeing a couple do it on t****k.
The waiter seemed both surprised and amused as he took their empty glasses and walked away.
Their laughter was soon interrupted by a voice.
Ken. Kieran’s best friend.
“We need to talk,” Ken said, his tone serious. He barely spared Aria a glance.
She knew he didn’t like her. No one had to tell her—she could just feel it.
“Man, I’m about to propose in five minutes,” Kieran said with a faint chuckle. “There are hundreds of people here.”
“It’s important.” Ken’s frown deepened. “Whatever this is can wait.”
Aria tensed, a flicker of annoyance rising in her chest, but she kept quiet. She didn’t want to cause a scene.
“Don’t talk like that again,” Kieran warned.
“Whatever,” Ken muttered.
“I’m f*cking serious, Ken.”
“Okay, okay!” Ken raised his hands in surrender. “But we need to talk. It’ll take one minute, I swear. Please.”
Kieran hesitated before turning to Aria, almost as if asking for permission.
She gave him a small nod, and he stood, following Ken out of the room.
Something about the interaction made Aria uneasy. Anxious curiosity gnawed at her, and before she could stop herself, she slipped from her seat and followed them—making sure to stay hidden.
Peeking into the hallway, she held her breath as she listened.
“She’s back, man. Sara is back, and she’s hotter than ever! And guess what? We talked—she’s ready to have you back!”
“Don’t play with me, Ken.”
“I swear on my life, bro!”
Sara.
Aria’s stomach twisted at the name.
Sara was Kieran’s ex.
A literal model, working for a top-tier company. When Aria had first started dating Kieran, she couldn’t stop comparing herself to her.
Sara wasn’t just pretty—she was breathtaking. Flawless. Dark-skinned, toned, with a beauty that seemed untouchable.
Aria had always feared that if Sara ever wanted Kieran back, he wouldn’t say no.
And now that fear was unfolding right before her eyes.
“Are you sure about this?” Kieran asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. “Sara… does she really want me back?”
“Yes. F*cking yes!”
“I—but I’m getting engaged.”
“F*ck that… Aria is nothing compared to Sara, dude, and you know it.”
Aria felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath her.
“Ken…” Kieran ran a hand through his hair, his expression unreadable. “But I love her, man.”
“Do you really…?”
Silence stretched between them. Then, Kieran cursed under his breath and glanced at his watch. “Sh*t, my speech!”
Aria took that as her cue to hurry back to her seat.
Her heart burned, her vision blurred with unshed tears, but she forced herself to keep it together.
Kieran was going to choose her.
He wasn’t going to throw two years away just like that.
Right?
- Writer
