(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana’s smile faded. She turned and looked at Gerald.

Truthfully, his ego was bruised because Ariana didn’t offer any other response to his recent confession. It’s foolish to say that genuine love doesn’t need a reply. Because in reality, Gerald wanted an answer.

But then, he faintly heard Ariana say, “Forgive me,” her voice barely audible. Gerald furrowed his brow upon hearing this. She didn’t need to apologize. Apologies were synonymous with the rejection he anticipated. And he didn’t like that.

“I’ve been trying to reject everything, honestly because I was afraid,” her continued words clearly made Gerald sense something deeper.

He gazed at Ariana, who seemed to be staring into the darkness far away.

“I’ve been trying to shut myself off at every opportunity. I refused to like anyone. And I refused to fall in love. Falling in love was never in my vocabulary,” she replied honestly.

Gerald again gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “Why?” he asked, curious to know.

Ariana shrugged. “I just thought that falling in love would only bring you pain. And make you forget what’s happening around you. Because your world would only revolve around that love story itself,” she replied again.

Gerald didn’t say much. He simply remained silent and listened.

“As a child, I felt my world was so perfect. I had both parents who seemed so loving and complemented each other. I had a twin sister who was so beautiful and obedient. It was all a happy life that other girls my age seemed to desire.”

“And suddenly, everything changed in just a matter of seconds. Dad went bankrupt out of nowhere and had nothing left. And then my mom just left, disappeared without a trace. I’m sure you know the story,” she continued. “I started wondering. Where was the love I had seen just a while ago? Why did my mom leave me and my dad? Is love really like that?

Then I saw what happened to my dad. He became despondent and then fell ill. I could hear my mom’s name in every one of his moans. He called out to her every time he lost consciousness. All I could do was stay beside him and hold his hand.

Then I started believing in love again when my dad recovered after Mommy came into his life. I was happy, of course. But then I felt forgotten. Because my dad slowly replaced me with Mommy and my siblings.

So what could I do? I couldn’t even beg for attention.

That’s why I chose not to live with them. Because deep down, I felt jealous and sidelined, even though they might not see it that way.

And it’s also why I don’t want to fall in love. Because I don’t want someone else to suffer because I ignore them,” Ariana concluded her story.

Gerald could only smile faintly. “You’re not wrong. But I also can’t justify your choice. People who don’t have love in their hearts will slowly die of loneliness.” Gerald taunted.

“And people who don’t have people who love and are loved by them will ultimately feel more alone. It’s better to die after your heart is broken than never falling in love at all.” Gerald continued again.

Ariana chuckled at the man’s answer. “Is that what a playboy recommends?” She asked mockingly. Gerald nodded his head many times.

“Trust me. No matter how painful a broken heart is, it will be repaid with the beauty of falling in love.” The man answered again.

Ariana could only shake her head in disbelief. She jerked her hand away, and suddenly, the man’s fingers were untied. He then walked towards the room.

Well, at least they were one step closer. Ariana has slowly opened herself up to Gerald, and Gerald is trying to understand her and vice versa. Gerald tried to make the girl realize who he was.

Ariana chose to go down to the first floor and head to the kitchen. Gerald was still following him.

“What do you want?” asked the man who chose to walk behind Ariana.

“I’m hungry again,” She answered. Gerald almost tripped over his feet when he heard the girl’s words. “I want to find something I can eat. Do your employees stock the refrigerators?” She asked without even turning around and continuing to walk towards the kitchen.

Without waiting for Gerald’s answer, Ariana opened the refrigerator and was amazed by the food inside. She opened another cupboard there and found several ingredients that she could process.

A can of corned beef, green onions, and a few other ingredients were already laid out on the table. Gerald chose to sit on a swivel chair and watched Ariana work. Ariana skillfully sliced some shallots, making Gerald tear up due to the pungent smell.

Ariana couldn’t help but chuckle at his reaction. “Are you going to make it for me too?” she asked, her voice slightly nasal from inhaling the raw shallot aroma too much.

“Do you want some too?” she asked Gerald. Gerald nodded.

“With lots of shallots, and make it without soy sauce for me,” he requested. He then stood up. “I’ll just wait over there. I don’t want to be seen as weak for crying over shallots,” he said, once again making Ariana laugh.

Ariana continued her cooking. A simple fried rice with plenty of shallot slices, a few slices of green onions, corned beef, and chili slices. And as per the man’s request, without soy sauce. She then served the fried rice on two plates and proceeded to make sunny-side-up eggs half-cooked for both of them before bringing the plates to where Gerald was sitting.

The man seemed engrossed in his show as Ariana placed the fried rice on the table and then walked back to the kitchen.

“Where are you going again?” he asked without turning his head away from the news in front of him.

“Just getting some drinking water,” Ariana replied casually.

Gerald just nodded and then reached for his plate of fried rice. Ariana returned with two glasses of warm water in her hands.

“Don’t forget to pay for the fried rice,” she said jokingly.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“I’ll pay, as long as it’s not the Villa you’re asking for as payment,” Gerald replied with his mouth full. Ariana looked at him with a furrowed brow. “Because if you become my wife, all of this will automatically be yours,” he said, his eyebrows raising and lowering suggestively.

Ariana rolled her eyes at his ridiculous remark and started eating her fried rice again, ignoring Gerald who was laughing at his own cheesy pickup line.