DESTINED SOULMATES

CHAPTER 010

Ariana’s POV

One question had been gnawing at me all day: Why did Zayn marry me?

It wasn’t a question I could brush off easily, seeing as the marriage crushed the remaining fragments of my dreams. The more I thought about it, the less sense it made.

What did I have to offer?

I glanced at my reflection in the glass door. Short blonde hair that barely brushed my shoulders. Freckles dusted lightly across my nose and cheeks. And at 5’4, I wasn’t exactly towering over anyone. I had nothing special or significant, no business empire or wealth to my name. We had lost everything after…after dad.

A sharp pang struck my chest, and I bit down hard on my already quivering lip, trying to push back the painful memories.

The sound of footsteps interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see Kaiser, all dressed up and looking like he was ready to hit a club exclusively for the elites. His chestnut-brown hair was pulled back in his signature ponytail and the suit he wore perfectly accentuated his broad build.

‘Perfect timing,’ I thought. If anyone knew anything about Zayn’s motives, it would be him.

He gave me his usual grin as he walked towards where I stood at the entrance of the house, the kind that always seemed like he was up to something. “Hey, where’s Zayn? I came to see if he would like to join me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t seen him since this morning. I thought he was with you.”

Kaiser clicked his tongue and let out a small groan. “Oh, come on. I was looking forward to going with him,” he whined.

“You two heading somewhere?” I asked as he adjusted his collar.

“Sadly, it’ll be just me now. But it’s a party on the island, care to join?”

I shook my head. “No, thanks,” I paused for a moment, wondering if I should ask him what was on my mind or not before I finally decided to. “I wanted to ask you something.”

Kaiser shot his left eyebrow up, tilting his head to the side. “What’s on your mind, Mrs. Blackwood?”

I rolled my eyes at the title but didn’t correct him. “Do you…do you know why Zayn married me?” I asked hesitantly.

His expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes before he shrugged. “How would I know? I wasn’t even invited to the wedding.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Come on, Kaiser. You’ve been with him forever. You must have an idea of some sort.”

He smirked and leaned closer, his black eyes fixed on me in an unnerving way. “Maybe he couldn’t resist your beauty after seeing you somewhere. Love at first sight, perhaps?”

I gave him a flat look and muttered, “Right.”

Kaiser laughed and stepped back. “You’re just overthinking it. I’m sure Zayn married you for a perfectly good reason or something. Trying to figure him out will drive you insane,” he tapped my forehead lightly. “Relax, Ari. Enjoy the new ride you’re in.”

With that, he sauntered off, leaving me with more questions than answers. I leaned against the doorframe as I watched him go.

Love at first sight? That was highly unlikely. I’d never met Zayn before the wedding. His name, his family—they were all strangers to me. So, what could possibly be his reason?

And why did it feel like I was missing something crucial?

I paced around the living room, my hands clenched into fists. Kaiser’s vague response had only increased my frustration. Enjoy the new ride I was in? How could I when I didn’t even know where the ride was headed?

There had to be something—a hint, a clue, anything that could help me in my quest. Determination swirled in my chest. I needed answers. And if Zayn or Kaiser wouldn’t give them to me, I’d find them myself.

Without dwelling on it too much, I marched to his room. The door creaked open with a light push, revealing the sleek and minimal décor that screamed Zayn. Everything was neatly kept and in its place. My gaze roamed the room, searching for something out of place.

But there was nothing.

I sighed and moved towards the small table by his bed. I slid open the drawer quietly and saw nothing but a really expensive-looking watch with a pair of cufflinks beside it. I left it untouched and turned my attention to the wardrobe. After a quick glance over my shoulder, I opened it.

His clothes were hung in perfect order and I tried to resist the urge to grab a handful of his clothes and sniff it. But I just couldn’t help myself. My fingers grazed over his shirts, each one soft under my touch. Without thinking, I reached for one of the shirts and pressed it against my face. I closed my eyes as I deeply inhaled the scent, letting it pull me in.

It’s…hard to describe. Dark, but yet so soft. There was a warmth to it, something smooth and creamy, like….vanilla? No, it was more than that. The scent was something richer, deeper.

A hint of musk, maybe, but not overpowering. It kind of felt like the air after a heavy rain in which the earth was soaked, and it smelled fresh. But it wasn’t just that either. It was complex.

The scent was pure. Clean. But also…intoxicating. The kind of scent that wrapped itself around you and still lingered for a long time after it was gone.

A flutter rose in my chest—it was unexpected and strangely comforting. It felt like safety, but there was some sort of force that pulled me in—something I shouldn’t want but couldn’t ignore. I took another deep breath before I reluctantly lowered the shirt and shook my head as if that could clear the thought.

Whatever spell Zayn Blackwood had cast into that scent, it was dangerously effective.

Something in the corner of the wardrobe caught my eye as I proceeded to close it. It was a small stack of papers wedged tightly against the back panel behind his clothes.

Curiously, I reached for them and tugged gently until they came loose. The top page was a prescription and the dosage stood out clearly, but the name was unfamiliar to me. It looked like something serious. My mind raced with possibilities, but before I could fully process it, I heard footsteps approaching.

Zayn.

I started to panic, and I shoved the papers back into the tight space, but the corner of one tore in my haste. “Damn it,” I cursed under my breath as I closed the wardrobe and quickly turned, hiding the torn piece behind my back just as the door opened.

Zayn stepped in but stopped in his tracks when he saw me. “Ariana?”

I forced a smile, hoping it didn’t look as strained as I felt it was. “Oh, hey,” I said nervously.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

A nervous half-chuckle escaped me as I lied. “I was just uh…I was just helping to clean your room.”

His brows arched, and he leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “I cleaned it before I left.”

“Y-Yeah, I know,” I stammered, clearing my throat. “But I thought I’d, you know, make sure it’s extra clean.”

Zayn’s gaze shifted to the wardrobe and then back to me. He didn’t move, but the intensity of his stare made my palms start to get sweaty. “Really?”

“Yes,” I said quickly as I nodded. “Just being helpful.”

For a moment, he said nothing, just watching me with an unreadable expression. My heart was racing with each second that passed, and I could still feel the crumpled paper in my hand, pressed against my back.

Finally, he pushed himself off and stepped aside. “Helpful. Right. Well, thanks, I guess.”

I didn’t need to be told at all. I brushed past him, my pulse racing as I hurried back to my room. Even as I walked away, I could still feel his eyes burning into my back.

----

The piece of paper that I had torn was as good as worthless. All it contained was the signature of the doctor who had signed the prescription. ‘What a waste of my time.’

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. For a second, I wondered if I had imagined it. But then, it came again—more persistent this time.

I hesitated, pulling my robe tighter around me before opening the door.

It was Zayn.

‘What was he doing here?’

He didn’t even wait for me to invite him in before he stepped inside, his tall frame filling the space as he shut the door behind him with a soft click.

He didn’t speak right away. Instead, he just stood there with his hands in his pockets as he watched me. His gaze was dark and intense.

“You said you were in my room to clean, right?” His voice was low and smooth as silk but edged with something darker.

I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry. “Y-Yes.’

His lips curved—not into a smile, but something more dangerous.

He brought out his hand from his pocket and held up the torn paper.

My stomach dropped.

“The last time I saw this,” he said, his tone unnervingly calm, “it was whole.” He took a step forward, slow and deliberate as I moved back. “And it couldn’t have been a rat.” His dark eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of amusement dancing in them. “No bite marks.”

I took more steps back towards the corner of the room, instinctively pressing myself against the wall.

“And I saw you standing by my wardrobe earlier.” He took another step. Closer now. He was too close.

My pulse hammered in my ears and the air suddenly felt charged, thick with something I couldn’t quite name.

“I-I was just…” my voice faltered. I couldn’t even think straight. Not with him looking at me like that. Not with him so close.

His scent from earlier hit me first. Raw and undeniably male. It wrapped around me again and it made it hard to breathe, hard to focus.

“What were you really looking for?” he murmured, each word a caress that brushed against my skin.

I couldn’t answer. I swallowed hard as my lips parted, but nothing came out.

Zayn tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle he was determined to solve. Slowly, his hand lifted and his fingers grazed my cheek before tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The touch was so light, almost tender, but it set every nerve in my body on fire.

His hand didn’t stop there. It trailed down and his fingers skimmed the curve of my neck and traced the line of my collarbone. I LITERALLY shivered, helpless against the searing heat spreading through me.

His other hand slowly untied my robe, snaking its way under the light top I was wearing before it found my waist and he placed it like it belonged there. Like he belonged.

“You’re not very good at lying, blondie,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear.

I couldn’t even register the name he’d called me when I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt his hands move higher, fingers brushing the swell of my breast. My heart hammered and each thud echoed in the silence.

And then—his palm cupped me, warm and firm. His thumb flicked over my n****e slowly and deliberately, and it sent a jolt straight to my core.

I bit down hard on my lip but it was no use. A soft, breathless sound escaped me—a sound I couldn’t take back.

Zayn heard it. I know he did. His eyes darkened as a flicker of something primal flashed across his face.

His thumb circled again. It was teasing and torturing, and I knew my legs would give out at any moment. I was trembling, barely holding myself upright as he pressed closer to me, his body a solid wall of heat.

He leaned in, his breath hot against my neck before he inhaled deeply. His lips grazed my neck as he planted delicate, open-mouthed kisses along my skin. Each one was slow and deliberate like he was savouring my taste.

When he reached my collarbone, I couldn’t stop the gasp that slipped out. My head fell back, giving him more access as he took it immediately, dragging his lips across my shoulder and leaving a trail of fire with each kiss he planted.

I could feel my V-area throbbing, a relentless sensation that built with every touch, every kiss.

And just when I thought I might finally shatter—just when I was ready to beg for more—he pulled away.

I blinked, disoriented as he stepped back, his black eyes still locked on mine.

“Next time…I won’t be so gentle with you,” he said, his voice sounding rough as he wrapped a promise in a threat.

He turned and walked to the door, leaving me pressed against the wall, breathless and trembling. My body was a mess of sensations I didn’t know how to process.

When the door closed behind him, my legs finally gave out and I slowly sagged to the floor with my heart pounding and my mind spinning.

What the hell just happened?