(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Amber truly left. Even when Ariana tried to contact her, the girl had already turned off her phone. It seemed Amber intended to avoid everyone. In the end, Ariana had to take over her position at the restaurant.

Ariana had informed Gerald that she couldn’t have lunch and dinner with him due to Amber’s sudden departure, and there was no one to replace her because all of their employees were busy with restaurant orders and catering.

Adel, somehow aware of Amber’s departure, came to the restaurant in the afternoon. The girl looked at Ariana apologetically. “Sorry, Ariana,” she said.

Ariana just chuckled. “What’s there to forgive?” Ariana asked.

“Everything. If only I hadn’t openly rejected this arranged marriage, maybe Chris would still be here. Maybe Amber wouldn’t have left,” Adel said remorsefully.

Ariana raised an eyebrow. “So you regret Chris leaving? Do you actually want to be arranged with Chris?” Ariana teased.

Adel shook her head vigorously. “Not like that,” she said. “Adel is a loyal person. Once Daffin, always Daffin,” she said enthusiastically. “I mean, maybe Chris and I could persuade Papa and Uncle Jason to cancel their plans to match us. Chris could bring Mba Amber in front of Uncle Jason as his chosen wife. And Adel knows Uncle Jason wouldn’t mind. That way, Mba Amber would be happy with Chris, and I could continue to get closer to Daffin,” Adel replied with a smile on her face.

Ariana chuckled. “You and Amber are the same,” Ariana said. “You both like Daffin, who openly rejected you. It’s the same with Amber. Are their charms really that irresistible?” Ariana asked, curious.

Adel just answered with a shy smile. “Mba here acts like she’s never fallen in love,” she said.

Ariana shrugged. She actually didn’t know what falling in love meant. Because until now, she had been avoiding it. Ariana had never cried over someone’s departure like Amber did when Chris left. She had never been curious and stalked someone’s social media accounts like Adel did with Daffin. She had never intended to make Valentine’s chocolates or give meaningful birthday gifts to someone.

Now she realized that she had never truly experienced her teenage years like other people. She never worried about a single pimple appearing on her face and felt panicked, afraid of being teased by others who saw it. She was never interested in wearing clothes or accessories matching those of the opposite sex, as most couples usually did. No, she never even spent her pocket money to buy snacks for a boy she liked. She had never felt any of that.

Since middle school and high school, she had never felt any of it. She didn’t even have many friends. The only ones she had until now were Amber and Chris. There was never anyone else. Although lately, she had started having Jody, Dara, and now Adel.

And Chris. Her feelings towards Chris were like those towards any other man. Ariana never wanted to appear attractive in front of Chris. Isn’t one of the signs that you like someone the constant desire to appear appealing and the best in their eyes? But Ariana never felt that way.

In front of Chris, she was no different from how she was in front of Jody and the other men who worked at her restaurant. And Chris was always the same way too. He was always genuine. Even though he seemed to always protect and comfort her, Chris never showed affection in the way men do to women. Chris never acted jealous if Ariana was close to other men. Instead, he always advised her to be close to men. Chris guided her to know which men could be trusted and which ones couldn’t.

As someone older than Ariana, Chris imparted many life lessons to her. Ariana, a victim of a broken home, and Chris, who no longer had a biological mother, felt like they lived in the same world. They shared perspectives on life. They told each other how to handle people. They taught each other. But it was only that, nothing more. Perhaps people who observed them might think differently, but Ariana didn’t care about that until she knew that Amber liked Chris the way women like men.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

And she knew, as a good friend and cousin, Ariana had to protect Amber’s feelings. Ariana had repeatedly tried to open Chris’s mind. So that Chris could see Amber as a woman. She had praised Amber so much in front of Chris hoping that Chris would like her friend. But just like Dara said, feelings couldn’t be forced. Just like Amber liked Chris, just like Adel liked Daffin, Ariana couldn’t meddle in the matters of the siblings’ hearts.

“Husband is here,” Adel’s words brought Ariana back from her deep thoughts. She glanced towards the entrance and saw Gerald smiling at her, waving his hand. “If Mba trusts Adel, let Adel handle Mba Dara’s table, and Mba Dara can handle the cashier,” Adel suddenly suggested. Ariana just looked at her and then smiled. She had to remember that she and Gerald were currently trying to mend their relationship. So, she couldn’t ignore the man just because of her work, especially when he had come all the way from his office to meet her.

Ariana waved at Dara, signaling her to come closer. Dara hurried over. “Please handle the cash register and let Adel take care of the reservations,” she instructed Dara. Dara glanced briefly at Adel, then nodded and handed the tools she was holding to Adel.

Ariana approached Gerald, who was still smiling at her. Ariana was aware that his presence drew the attention of some restaurant patrons. She couldn’t deny to herself that her husband had a charm. Gerald was handsome, tall, and athletically built, his physique well-maintained. And when he smiled… well, Ariana didn’t want to be too enchanted by her own husband. She didn’t want to go crazy like Amber and Adel.

They walked together towards the upstairs where Ariana’s office was located. “Hungry?” Ariana asked shortly after they entered the room. But suddenly, Gerald wrapped his arm around Ariana’s waist.

“Having a tough day, huh?” he asked, full of concern. Ariana looked up, seeing Gerald tilting his head towards her. She nodded.

“Very,” she replied softly.

Gerald smiled and nodded. He kissed the top of Ariana’s head and whispered, “Be patient.” Ariana looked up again and smiled. Then he leaned down and briefly kissed Ariana’s lips.