Chapter 7
1374 Words
Aria’s POV
For the first time in so many years, I woke up without sadness pressing on my chest. I didn’t wake up with worry. Instead, I actually woke up with a smile.
I lay on the soft bed for a moment, staring at the big ceiling above me. It's Saturday. No office today. No fake smiles. No stress. For once, my heart felt light.
I stood up, brushing my teeth, then reached for my hair. Normally, I always packed it up into a bun or ponytail. I hated letting it down, it was too long. The silky black strands flowed past my waist, down to the curve just above my butt. It was heavy sometimes, but today, I wanted to feel free. I let it down.
I took my shower, wore a simple dress, and looked at myself in the mirror. I didn’t look broken. I actually looked… happy.
I walked out and went downstairs. The huge mansion was quiet, peaceful. The scent of something nice drifted from the kitchen.
I smiled when I saw Morgan and Hannah.
“Good morning,” I greeted softly.
“Good morning, little miss Aria,” Morgan said with his usual wide smile.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Hannah added warmly.
Their sweetness made me feel at home. For once, I didn’t feel unwanted.
I went into the kitchen. Morgan was already chopping vegetables.
“Morgan, can I help you cook?” I asked shyly.
He laughed, his belly shaking. “Help me? You want to take my job?”
I giggled. “No, no. Just… I like cooking sometimes.”
“Alright then. Come, stand here,” he said, handing me a knife.
We started talking and laughing, chopping, stirring, and moving around the kitchen. I almost forgot where I was. It felt like I was back in my mother’s kitchen, safe and loved.
But then—
“What’s going on here?”
The deep, commanding voice froze me. I turned slowly.
Adrian.
He stood at the door of the kitchen, tall and broad. His hair was messy, falling slightly over his forehead, and somehow that made him look even more dangerously handsome. His voice was low and hoarse, sending shivers through me. His eyes, those sharp, cold eyes, locked on me, and my knees almost gave way.
Morgan stammered quickly, “Good morning, sir.”
Adrian nodded at him. Then his eyes returned to me, intense, unreadable.
“M-morning sir—uhhh, I mean… Adrian,” I stuttered.
“Good morning,” he replied.
I froze. My heart skipped. He never replied to my greetings at work. Never. Was he acting different? Or was this how he usually was outside the office?
He looked at me one more time, then turned and left.
My chest rose and fell quickly. My cheeks burned. I turned back to Morgan, who raised his brows at me playfully. I quickly bent my head, pretending to chop onions, but inside my heart wouldn’t calm down.
Even after Adrian left, my mind kept replaying his messy hair, his voice, his eyes.
---
We finished cooking. Food was served in the big dining room, but Adrian didn’t come down to eat. I secretly hoped to see him there, to share even just a few minutes of his time. But the chair at the head of the table stayed empty.
The disappointment stung more than I expected.
---
Later in the day, I offered to help Hannah with some laundry and arranging the dining table. She smiled at me, happy to have my company.
I carried a stack of folded clothes, walking carefully, but suddenly my foot slipped on the polished floor. I gasped, about to fall.
Strong hands caught me.
I looked up. Adrian.
His arms held me firmly, his face close. For a moment, our eyes locked. His grip didn’t loosen. His hand lingered on my waist longer than necessary. His eyes softened—just for a second.
I almost melted.
But then, as if realizing himself, he let go quickly and stepped back. His face turned cold again, like nothing had happened. He walked away without a word.
I stood there, frozen, heart racing.
“Aria? Are you okay?” Hannah asked, concerned.
I didn’t answer. My mind was too lost in what just happened.
“Aria!” she called again.
I jumped slightly. “Oh! Yes, I’m fine.”
She frowned. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I lied quickly.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I forced a smile. But inside, my thoughts were tangled around Adrian. His touch. His eyes. That tiny glimpse of softness.
---
Evening came. I was in the living room with Hannah when suddenly the front door opened. A woman walked in, heels clicking against the floor.
My heart stopped.
Her.
The same woman who embarrassed me at the office on my first day. The same woman who slapped me for bumping into her.
My blood boiled. My stomach twisted with anger and jealousy. What was she doing here? In Adrian’s house?
She spotted me immediately, and her lips curved into a cruel smirk. She walked straight to me.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed. “In my man’s house? Don’t tell me you’re trying to seduce Adrian. That’s what cheap, hungry girls like you do, isn’t it?”
Her words cut me, but before I could reply, another voice filled the room.
Adrian.
He entered, tall and intimidating as ever.
Her whole face changed. She ran to him and clung to his arm.
“Baby,” she said sweetly, then pointed at me. “What is this girl doing here? Do you know she’s a gold digger? I'm sure she’s just here to seduce you.”
I stood there, frozen, waiting. Surely, Adrian would defend me. Surely, he would say something.
But he didn’t.
I swallowed hard, staring at him. He looked back at me, but said nothing.
She sneered. “Adrian, what is she doing in this house? Who is she to you?”
Adrian’s eyes met mine. For a moment, it felt like the world stopped. My heart begged for him to say the truth. To defend me. To call me something—anything—other than worthless.
But his lips moved, and his voice was colder than ice.
“A nobody.”
Ouch. That hurts.
My chest tightened painfully. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall—not here, not in front of Her.
She smirked in victory. “That’s what I thought. She’s nothing.”
I waited for him to correct it. To say something else. To take it back. But he didn’t.
“Ashley” he called her.
So that's her name.
“Let’s go inside,” Adrian told her, his tone flat.
Inside? My stomach twisted. To do what?
Ashley pouted playfully. “But baby—”
“Ashley,” Adrian cut her off, his voice firm, almost warning.
She shut up quickly and followed him, but not before throwing me a deadly look.
The moment they disappeared down the hallway, my legs gave way. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. It felt like my feet were rooted to the ground.
Tears finally spilled, rolling uncontrollably down my cheeks. My heart cracked in two.
“Aria?” Hannah’s voice called softly from behind me.
I quickly wiped my face, forcing a fake smile as I turned to her. “Yes?”
She studied me carefully. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I lied again, even though my voice shook.
She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded slowly and walked away.
The moment I reached my room, I collapsed on the bed. The tears came freely now, soaking the pillow.
“Stupid Adrian,” I sobbed. “Stupid, stupid Ashley. Both of you are so stupid.”
My chest heaved. My body shook.
“I hate you, Adrian. I hate you so much,” I whispered, gripping the sheets tightly. “I hate you both.”
But deep inside, the pain told me another truth.
I didn’t hate him at all. That was the problem.
- Writer
