Chapter 3
1802 Words
Arianna and Gavin returned to San Francisco in silence. The drive from the airport to their home was quiet, with the only sound being the hum of the car engine. Arianna sat still, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her scarf. Her eyes, tired and empty, stared out of the window, while Gavin stared ahead like she wasn’t even there.
Their honeymoon had been a disaster, nothing close to what she'd imagined as a child. No laughs, no late-night walks, no shared secrets. Just silence, tension, and cold shoulders. The only time they looked like a real couple was when Gavin got into a fight with a vendor in Paris, and Arianna had to flash their marriage certificate to stop things from escalating. That moment was the only time he held her hand, only because he had to.
When the car finally pulled into their home, Arianna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She stepped out slowly, her heels clicking on the driveway. She tried to link arms with Gavin, hoping, just hoping for a moment of peace.
He yanked his arm away before she could even grab it. “Don’t,” he said coldly.
Arianna flinched. She blinked hard and forced a smile as people began to pour out of the house to welcome them.
“Welcome back!” Samantha said, pulling Gavin into a hug, planting a soft kiss on his cheek.
Arianna stood awkwardly, and Samantha turned to her with a quick peck on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Arianna. Paris must’ve been lovely.”
“It was...” Arianna hesitated, “...fine.”
The house buzzed with excitement. Staff carried their luggage into Gavin’s room, while Nora danced around them, snapping pictures with her phone.
“Look this way!” Nora grinned. “Say welcome back, lovebirds!”
Gavin gritted his teeth. “Nora, stop taking pictures.”
“What? Come on, you guys just got back. At least give me a good shot to post!”
“I said stop,” Gavin snapped.
Nora pouted. “Okay, fine. No need to get all tense.”
Samantha clapped her hands. “Dinner’s ready. Come, come. You two must be starving.”
They all moved to the dining room. Gavin and Arianna sat down, side by side but far apart, like strangers forced into proximity. The food was delicious, but Arianna could barely taste anything. She just kept chewing, trying not to cry.
“So... was it fun?” Nora asked, breaking the silence with a bright smile.
Arianna froze.
Gavin sighed and glared at her. “Nora, I already told mom and dad not to ask. That goes for you too.”
“Oh please, is it wrong to be curious? I mean, I want tips for my future honeymoon.”
“Nora, I’m tired. Don’t add to it.”
Arianna placed her fork down gently. “Please, Nora. It was a long journey. We’re both exhausted. Let’s just eat, okay?”
Nora rolled her eyes. “Alright, alright. If you insist. Enjoy your meal.”
After dinner, they climbed the stairs slowly, both too drained to pretend anymore. Gavin reached for the door to his room, but just as he turned the knob, Nora came running.
“Wait! Gavin!” she called.
He groaned. “What now? Were you chasing us?”
“Yes, you forgot your phone at the table,” she said, handing it to him.
“Thanks,” Gavin muttered and turned to go in.
“Uhm... Gavin?” Nora blinked. “Why did you request a second bed in your room? Your bed’s not big enough?”
“I owe you no explanation.”
“Of course, you do! I’m your sister!”
“None of your business. Go to bed.”
He shoved the door open and stepped inside, Arianna behind him. She gave Nora a tight-lipped smile and shut the door.
The room was beautiful, no doubt. The gold-accented curtains swayed gently, and the ceiling lights gave the room a soft glow.
“Wow...” Arianna said, trying to break the ice. “So big... I love the décor.”
“You better like it. It’s not like you have a choice.”
She turned to him. “I was just appreciating the room. Why a second bed? It looks kinda small though.”
“We won’t be sharing the same bed.”
Arianna blinked. “But why?”
“Did you lose your memory at the hotel? I told you already, I don’t like you. So why would I share a bed with someone I don’t even want around me?”
Arianna’s lips trembled slightly. “But your parents...how will you explain this to them?”
“I’ll handle my parents. That’s not your concern.”
Gavin picked up a pen from the drawer and opened the calendar.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m marking something. Don’t throw this calendar away.”
She leaned in. “What did you write?”
“Five years from now, after Christmas, we say goodbye. That’s when we get divorced.”
Arianna stared at the date. “Divorce? Why Christmas?”
“Because your absence will be the best Christmas gift of my life. So don’t forget it.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she nodded. “No need to mark it. I’ll never forget. I’ll be gone before the snow melts.”
“Good. Now I’ll write the rules. You must obey all of them.”
“Fine. But I’ll write mine too.”
“You? Rules? You don’t even have self-control.”
“Yes, I do. And here’s my first rule; your family and you won’t stop me from taking any modeling contracts.”
“Whatever. I couldn’t care less what you do.”
Arianna grabbed her book and started writing. Gavin peered over and smirked.
“‘Give me attention, don’t flirt with other women, protect me, defend me in public, hold my hand…’ Are you serious? Sounds like a love manual. Lame.”
“Don’t break my rules and I won’t break yours.”
“Whatever. Now leave. I want to change my clothes.”
“You have a changing room.”
“This is my bedroom. Not yours.”
“So what do I tell Nora when she asks why I left the room?”
“Fine. I’ll change there.”
Arianna picked up the rules and stared at them again. Her voice cracked. “You really made me miserable, Gavin. I just wanted to be happy with you. If I knew you never loved me, I would’ve said no. I would’ve saved myself from falling for you. I just want to survive this.”
Next Morning
The sun was just creeping in through the windows when Arianna stirred awake. She stretched her arm out, empty. Gavin was already dressed.
She hissed and pulled the duvet over her head.
“Get up,” Gavin said sharply, yanking the blanket away.
She sat up, fuming. “What the hell?! I was sleeping!”
“I hate laziness. Don’t you have anything else to do?”
“You said my life’s none of your business. Hypocrite.”
“Don’t get smart with me. Here...your copy of the rules.”
She flipped through them. “No kissing, no touching, no sexy clothes, act like a couple in public... wow, you’ve got serious control issues.”
She handed him her list.
He laughed. “Don’t make me feel less of a human? Seriously? I already do just by talking to you.”
“Break my rules and you’ll see another side of me.”
“Yeah yeah. Let’s go. Time for breakfast.”
“You go. I’m not hungry.”
“You’re coming with me. No one must know what’s going on between us.”
“Scared much?” she teased. “Fine. I’ll come.”
They walked into the dining room together. Breakfast was served. Everyone chatted, but Arianna stayed quiet. After eating, Gavin grabbed his bag and left for work. Arianna waved at him, playing her part. Nora left for college. The house fell silent.
Arianna sighed and climbed back to the bedroom. She updated her socials, replied to fans, and stared at the screen. Their comments felt fake. Her marriage felt like a lie. She picked up a book and started reading.
Gavin returned home later that evening, tired. Arianna was still in bed, half-asleep. He took off his jacket, his tie, and started undressing.
“Ouch!” he yelped when a pillow hit him.
“You’re not allowed to change in front of me!”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Excuses. Jerk.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. I’ll wash my face.”
“I need the bathroom.”
“Too bad. I was here first.”
Knock knock. Nora stepped in.
“You’re already in, why bother knocking?” Arianna barked.
“Ari, chill! What’s wrong with you?”
Arianna snapped, “Don’t sugarcoat everything. I’m not a robot.”
Nora blinked. “Did Gavin upset you?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be in the bathroom,” Arianna said.
“No you won’t. I will,” Gavin replied.
Nora giggled. “Oh my gosh, your first lover’s fight! So cute!”
“It’s not cute!” they both yelled.
Nora raised her hands. “Okay okay. Dad said... Gavin will be announced CEO tomorrow.”
“What?!” Gavin lit up. “I made it!”
“There’s a board vote,” Nora added.
“I’ll go meet dad after my bath.”
“Mum also said you’ll both be interviewed by a news channel.”
“I’m not interested,” Arianna said.
“We’ll do it,” Gavin cut in. “Thanks Nora.”
When she left, Gavin turned to Arianna. “Don’t let people think we’re unhappy.”
“But we are. And you are making me unhappy.”
“You agreed to this.”
“And I regret it every day.”
"Hold on...I will definitely do better than dad. Just watch out and see"
"Your dad made it this far with a good woman beside him. Unfortunately...you have no woman on your side. Am I wrong?
"Woman or not, I can achieve anything"
"What? Arianna sniggered " you're so foolish. You're a bigger fool than I thought. Goodness. Achieving your goal became possible because of me. If you had refused to marry me, you won't become the CEO. So, I'm the reason you became the CEO"
"Oh really? You're not the reason but a condition, no...an obstacle I must overcome to become the CEO. Guess what? I overcame and I'm now the CEO. I think you should run along"
- Writer
