Chapter 8
1143 Words
ALINA
My throat went dry as my heart hammered against my chest. Tiny beads of sweat gathered on my forehead as Edrick’s gaze pinned me down like a spotlight. My lips parted to speak, but Jason beat me to it.
“Sir,” he began, voice slightly trembling. “I actually came looking for you. I wanted to discuss the next steps for the deal we just sealed.”
His tone was too formal, too shaky. I could almost hear the lie cracking.
Edrick didn’t blink. He just stood there, his jaw clenched, eyes fixed on me the whole time Jason talked. Not once did he look at him. My stomach twisted. He wasn’t buying it.
Jason must have felt it, too, because his words started to stumble over each other. “I—I thought it was urgent, sir, that’s why I came to your suite directly.”
Edrick still said nothing. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, pressing down on the room until it was hard to breathe.
Finally, he turned to Jason. “Leave.”
The word was low and sharp.
Jason froze, his lips twitching like he wanted to explain. “Sir, I—”
“I said leave.”
That did it. Jason nodded quickly and made for the door, almost tripping on the edge of the carpet in his rush. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
“Wait,” Edrick’s voice cut through the air again.
Jason turned back, pale.
“Book a flight,” Edrick said coldly. “You’re fired.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
Jason’s face went blank, like he’d been slapped. But he didn’t argue. He just nodded once and walked out quietly, his shoulders stiff, his steps fast.
As the door closed behind him, I gasped. f**k I hate Jason so much, but losing his job was just wrong.
“Edrick, you didn’t have to fire him!”
He didn’t even look at me. He loosened his tie and picked up his phone. “We’re leaving in one hour.”
“Edrick, please. Jason was just—”
“Enough, Aria.” His voice was cold. “If you want me to reconsider firing him, then tell me the truth. What was he really here for?”
My breath hitched.
He was watching me again, his gaze calm but sharp enough to slice through every excuse in my head.
I froze. Telling him the truth would ruin everything. But lying might make him dig deeper. And Jason… Jason was becoming a problem. Maybe it was better if he was out of the picture.
I forced my shoulders to relax. “Fine,”
I said, but didn't add any explanation.
He didn’t respond. Just nodded slightly and walked into the bathroom.
By the time we boarded the private jet, I’d already made up my mind.
“He’s Alina’s ex,” I told Edrick as we settled into our seats. “He came to ask after her. That’s all.”
“Who's Alina?” He raised a brow.
I let out a choked laugh. Was he kidding me? Or did Aria really not mention a thing about me.
“Alina, my twin sister?” I stated it as if it was supposed to be obvious. But he still looked with questions.
“You have a twin?” He asked with all sincerity .
I was honestly offended. I know they didn’t date for long and I didn't even get to meet Edrick before the wedding, but still, I deserved a mention.
Oh Aria!
“Uhm, I forgot to mention her.” I said.
Edrick gave a short nod, eyes on his tablet. No emotion. No question. Just… a nod.
The flight was long and quiet. I stared out the window, pretending to sleep while sneaking glances at him. Even when he wasn’t looking at me, his presence filled the space. Strong. Cold. Unbothered. In terms of looks, Aria did hit the jackpot. Even I can't get over that thick silky black hair and deep grey eyes.
But in terms of character, he was a 0!
When we finally landed, my breath caught in my throat.
The island looked like something out of a dream. Clear turquoise water stretched endlessly around us, sunlight glittering across the surface like scattered diamonds. The sand was white, soft, almost glowing under the sun. Tall palm trees swayed gently in the ocean breeze, and the scent of salt and luxury filled the air.
Everything looked untouched, private, peaceful, perfect.
A row of staff members greeted us with polite bows as we stepped onto the dock. The path leading to the villa was lined with vibrant flowers and glass lanterns that shimmered like fireflies even in daylight.
For a second, I almost smiled. It was breathtaking. I’d never seen anything like it.
As much as I hated to admit it, part of me was glad I was there… even if I wished it was with anyone but Edrick.
When we reached the villa, I froze again. It was massive. With white walls, glass doors, an infinity pool stretching out toward the ocean. Inside, everything gleamed: marble floors, gold accents, designer furniture. It screamed wealth and exclusivity.
Then she appeared.
A tall blonde with ocean-blue eyes, curves that belonged on magazine covers, and a dress that clung to her like a second skin. She walked straight in, smiled brightly, and threw her arms around Edrick.
“Edrick,” she squealed, hugging him tight.
I blinked, taken aback. She didn’t even glance in my direction. Not a hello, not a nod, nothing.
Edrick stiffened slightly, his hands resting on her shoulders before he gently pulled back. “Nice to see you, Lila.”
Lila. Of course she had a name that sounded expensive.
I crossed my arms and watched her with a forced smile. The way she looked at him made my blood boil, and I hated that it did.
Was I jealous? No. I didn’t like him. Not even a little. I just believed a married man deserved respect, and the woman clinging to him should know her place. That was all.
Still, when Lila laughed at something he said, my jaw clenched. I hated the sound.
I turned away, pretending to admire the decor, but my eyes kept darting back to them. The way his lips curved slightly when he talked to her. The way she leaned closer, too close.
It shouldn’t have bothered me. But it did.
Maybe I was just bothered for Aria’s sake. She has to keep up with this.
Maybe.
By the time she finally left, my stomach was twisted in knots I couldn’t explain.
I sank onto the couch, grabbed a glass of water, and whispered to myself, “You don’t care, Alina. You don’t.”
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- Writer
