Bound By Fate

The Plane Rides Home

The boys' plane ride home was filled with tension. Aaron sat in his seat, fuming silently, while Theo scrolled through Olivia's story. Theo's eyes widened as he watched a video of Sean whispering in Zara's ear, and he saw Zara laughing. Aaron glanced over Theo's shoulder and his anger flared up again.

Theo looked up from his phone, catching Aaron's frown. "Aaron, it's probably nothing. Don't overreact."

Aaron's jaw clenched. "Overreact? That guy was all over her."

Theo sighed. "Look, Aaron, you can't control everything Zara does. She has her own life and her own friends. Maybe you should talk to her before jumping to conclusions."

Aaron huffed and leaned back in his seat, staring at the seat in front of him. "Talk to her? She hasn't said a word to me since we left the club."

The girls' plane ride was uneventful. Zara kept on thinking about the embarrassment she felt when she saw the picture. Aaron had texted her 3 dots but she didn't answer him back.

The boys landed before the girls. Theo and Aaron waited for the girls to land, to offer them a lift home. Aaron didn't want to but Theo convinced him.

The girls landed, grabbed their bags and exited the private jet. Once they saw the boys waiting for them, Zara didn't want to continue the journey towards the car. She had nothing against Theo, but she didn't feel like being in the presence of Aaron.

Olivia, trying to lighten the mood, approached Zara. "Hey, Zara. Where are you going? Come back with us?

Zara, still annoyed from the night before, barely glanced at Aaron. "No, thank you."

Theo noticed the cold shoulder Zara was giving Aaron and decided to intervene. "Aaron, why don't you help Mia with her bags?"

Aaron only nodded, his eyes still following
Zara.

Theo walked over to Zara with a smile, his dimples making an appearance. Zara returned the smile.

"Let's give you a ride home, please?" Theo asked, smiling.

"No, thank you. I'll just get a cab." Zara said with a genuine smile.

She walks a bit before her arm is held onto. She turns around with a smile, to ask Theo to please let her go. Once she makes eye contact with the person who is holding onto her arm, her smile drops and she rips her arm out of his hold.

"Come on, Zara," Aaron said, leaving no room for arguments.

"No." She tries to walk away again, but he grabs onto her arm again. She turns around again.

"Get. In." He demands.

I match the glare he gives me, before sighing and walking to the car leaving my luggage for him to bring to the car.

In the car:

After dropping off Mia and Olivia, it was just Aaron and Zara. The silence was deafening. Aaron finally pulled over, locking the car doors.

"Why was that guy all over you?" Aaron demanded, turning to face Zara.

Zara crossed her arms, not meeting his gaze. "What guy?"

"In Liv's video on Instagram. Is he your vacation boyfriend?" He asks with disgust evident on his face.

"None of your business, Aaron," Zara says.

Aaron's voice grew louder. "None of my business? You're my fiancée. Of course, it's my business!"

Zara glared at him. "Oh, really? And what about you kissing your ex in the club? How is that any better?"

Aaron's eyes flashed with anger. "That was a mistake. I was drunk. You know that!"

Zara's face hardened. "And I suppose laughing with Sean is a crime now?"

Aaron leaned closer, his voice low. "You're making me look like a fool, Zara. My reputation is at stake here."

Zara laughed bitterly. "Your reputation? What about mine? How do you think it feels to see pictures of you and Ava all over social media?"

Aaron's voice grew louder, almost a shout. "That was different! I didn't mean for it to happen. I was just having fun like you all told me to. And now you're turning this into something it's not."

Zara shook her head, her voice trembling with anger. "You don't get it, do you? It's not just about the kiss. It's about trust. How can I trust you when you're off kissing your ex?"

Aaron clenched his fists. "And how can I trust you when you're laughing with Sean, letting him whisper in your ear like that?"

Zara's eyes flashed. "You know what, Aaron? This isn't about Sean or Ava. This is about us. About you not trusting me and me not trusting you. If we can't get past this, what are we even doing?"

Aaron looked away, his jaw tight. "I don't know, Zara. I don't know."

The silence in the car was suffocating. Aaron finally unlocked the doors, his expression dark.

"Get out," he said through gritted teeth.

Zara grabbed her bags, her eyes filled with hurt. "Don't ever talk to me about reputation again, Aaron. You've done enough damage."

She slammed the door and walked into the house, not looking back. Aaron watched until she disappeared inside before driving off, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions.

In her house:

Zara dropped her bags by the door and sank onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. She couldn't believe how things had escalated so quickly.

Zara's mother walked in, looking concerned. "Zara, are you okay? I heard shouting."

Zara wiped her tears away and forced a smile. "I'm fine, mom. Just a little tired."

Her mother sat down next to her and took her hand. "You don't have to pretend with me, Zara. I know things are tough right now. But you and Aaron love each other. You'll get through this."

"Thank you, Mom," Zara says, knowing she and Aaron will never be able to have a civil conversation with each other.