Chapter 18
1406 Words
ARIA
“Who does he think he is?” I said out loud the moment I shut the door behind me, “trying to rub Karen in my face.”
I dropped my bag on the chair and leaned against the door, letting out a long breath. My chest felt tight, like I had been holding something in for too long. I pressed my hand against my waist, breathing slowly. The words sounded strong when I said them, but they did not carry the weight I wanted. Anger should have filled me. It should have been enough to drown everything else. Instead, it faded too quickly, leaving behind something softer and much more uncomfortable.
“Thank the gods I acted sharp,” I told myself. “I didn’t let him know I was hurt. I smiled and wished him well.”
I pushed myself away from the door and walked into the living room, but my steps were slow.
“So why does it still hurt?” I wondered.
I sat down and stared at the wall. “I rejected him. I was the one who said no. I told him nothing was ever going to work between us. I drew the line myself."
The thought only made the feeling worse.
“Then why does it feel like I lost something?” I asked myself quietly.
I shook my head and rubbed my temples. “What was so important that he had to leave like that?”
He always left. There was always something urgent, something bigger than the moment. It didn’t matter how calm or warm things felt between us. It never lasted. Something just always had to cut short the feeling of warmth.
“I enjoy his company,” I admitted silently. “And I hate it every time he has to leave.”
That truth sat heavy in my chest.
“I know I rejected him,” I whispered. “So why can’t he just reject my rejection?”
I froze.
“Aria, what are you saying?” I scolded myself. “He likes Karen.”
Saying her name made everything feel worse again. Karen existed in his world. She fit into his life in a way I never could.
I reached down and picked up my cat, holding her close. She curled against me, warm and calm, like she didn’t feel any of the confusion tearing me apart.
“So what if he likes Karen?” I said to her softly. “The Moon Goddess bonded me and him. Not he and Karen.”
I laughed weakly at myself. “If he’s with Karen, then he’s defying the Moon Goddess.”
The thought sounded ridiculous the moment I said it, but it also felt strangely comforting.
I leaned back and suddenly shouted, “Moon Goddess, do something.”
The silence that followed was loud.
I burst into laughter and collapsed onto the couch, covering my face with my hands. “I am not okay,” I said between laughs. “I am really not okay.”
—--
The next morning, I forced myself to get up and move. I showered, dressed, and prepared for work like every other normal day.
The studio was busy from the moment I arrived. Clients filled the space, voices overlapped, and all hands were on deck to get things done. For once since I became Stephanie’s shadow, she had no time to focus on me, and I silently thanked the gods for that.
By evening, my feet hurt, and my shoulders ached, but I was grateful for the distraction. It helped take my mind off Luca and Karen.
I was assisting Stephanie when the door opened and the room seemed to freeze.
I looked up.
“You?” I said without thinking.
Savon stood there, calm and confident, like he belonged anywhere he walked into. His presence shifted the energy immediately. The girls in the studio stopped what they were doing. Even some of the guys stared openly.
He smiled and walked toward me. “We meet again.”
He held out his hand. After a brief pause, I shook it.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised to see him.
Before he could answer, I noticed how everyone around us was staring.
I looked around, confused. “Why is everyone looking like that?” I asked. “Who exactly are you?"
Immediately, out of nowhere, Stephanie appeared, stepping between us with a bright professional smile.
“Mr Savon,” she said smoothly. “To what do we owe this pleasure? How can we help you?”
“I would like my makeup done. I have a shoot slated for 4 p.m,” he replied.
“Of course,” Stephanie said quickly. “Please come with me.”
“I want her," he said, pointing at me.
Stephanie’s smile tightened. “Oh, Aria is just an intern,” she said. “And she’s very busy right now.”
She turned sharply toward me, her look sending signals to make me agree with her.
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Very busy.”
"Excuse me," I said and walked away before either of them could say anything else.
The moment I did, Benny, Tom, and a few others surrounded me.
“How do you know Mr Savon?” Benny asked.
“I don’t,” I replied. “We've just met briefly on two occasions.”
“That didn’t look like you've only met briefly,” Tom teased.
“Tell us the truth,” someone laughed.
“There is nothing to tell,” I insisted.
I glanced toward the makeup salon without meaning to. Savon met my eyes through the mirror and winked.
I turned away quickly as everyone made exaggerated sounds.
He finished his session and left not long after.
—--
By the time I closed for the night, my body felt completely drained. I stepped outside without paying attention and hit my leg against the step.
I winced and bent forward, checking my leg to be sure I hadn't injured myself.
When I lifted my head, Savon was standing there, leaning casually against his car.
“What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised to see him again.
“I’m waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me?" I asked. "I thought you had a photoshoot?"
“I did,” he said. “I finished and came back.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Just because.”
He offered me a ride home, but I refused it at first, telling him I would find my way.
He glanced at my leg. “Are you sure you do not want a ride? I just saw you hit your leg.”
I sighed, then smiled. “You caught me.”
He opened the car door and I got in.
We drove in silence for a long time. The quiet was not uncomfortable, just thoughtful.
“I was not expecting to see you at the studio today,” I finally said.
“You fascinate me,” he replied simply. “When you told me where you worked the other evening at the bar, I decided I wanted to see you again.”
I stared at him. “Are you stalking me?”
He laughed. “No. I just like you and would like to be your friend.”
I relaxed and smiled. “Then tell me who you really are and why everyone was so excited to see you.”
He shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I’m probably just very handsome.”
I laughed. “You must be dreaming.”
I knew he wasn't telling me anything about his life. But I didn't push because it was none of my business. If he wanted to tell me, he would.
When we reached my place, he stepped out and opened the door for me like a gentleman, then walked me to the gate.
Just then, the gate opened.
“Aria?” Luca said.
His eyes shifted to Savon. “Savon?”
At the same time, I whispered, “Luca?"
“Luca?” Savon said, like someone who had seen a ghost.
Surprise washed over all of us, but none more than me.
“You both know each other?”
Neither replied. Instead, they both stared at each other fiercely, tension rising, making me feel like I was in the middle of a cross fire.
- Writer
