Bound By Fate

Power Struggles

Zara stood in the sunlit kitchen, her mind already made up. "Aaron, I want to go to work today," she said, her tone firm.

Aaron, lounging at the breakfast table, looked up with an incredulous expression. "You don’t work anymore," he replied coolly.

Zara let out a snort, followed by a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, right."

Raising an eyebrow, Aaron watched her closely. "I’m serious, Zara. It’s not suitable for the wife of Aaron Archer to work at a little café."

Her frustration bubbled up, but she tried to keep her composure. "You can’t dictate my life like this. I will work wherever I want."

His eyes hardened. "The decision is final."

Zara, who wanted to argue more sensed a rare opportunity to gain a small victory, and said, "Fine. Take me to the café so I can explain to my boss. Since you want to play chauffeur, hurry up and get ready."

Aaron stood up, looking down at his casual attire. "I’m ready," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance.

She looked him up and down, taking in his linen pants, plain tee, and sneakers. "Are you sure?" she asked with a smirk.

Rolling his eyes, he brushed past her. "If you don’t start walking, I’m leaving without you."

Zara walked as slowly as possible, hoping to provoke him. She could feel his eyes boring into her. Finally, he reversed the car, making it clear he was serious about leaving. She squealed and hurried up, sliding into the passenger seat.

Aaron let out a quiet chuckle, a sound she remembered from their childhood. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a small smile.

At the café, Zara walked in and greeted Mia. She quickly helped a few customers, trying to delay the inevitable.

“Is that with or without sugar?” Zara asked sweetly. “That’ll be £4.75,” she says before hearing the doorbell chime.

When Aaron entered, his eyes narrowed at her. Zara sighed, telling the customers that Mia would assist them shortly. She headed to the back, where her boss's office was, and walked in.

"I was waiting for you," her boss said, surprising her.

"I’m so sorry," Zara began, but he cut her off.

"It’s okay. Here’s the rest of your salary and you’re always welcome back.” He says while holding out the envelope.

Zara starts to shake her head to decline the payment. He gives her a pointed look and she accepts it. He smiles and she smiles as well, shaking his hand.

Feeling a mix of relief and sadness, Zara thanked him and left the office. She hugged Mia, promising to meet soon, then grabbed Aaron by the shirt and dragged him out, her anger barely contained.

"Take me to the mall," she ordered.

Aaron sighed but complied. At the mall, he swiped his black card for everything she wanted, his arms soon laden with bags.

“In every store, we’ve entered you have purchased a black top. We’ve been in 12 stores.” He complains.

“No. We’ve been in 14 stores and I’ve purchased white ones too!” Zara replies.

Zara walked ahead like a princess, revelling in her small triumphs. After a few hours, Aaron decided they were done.

"Let’s go to the salon," Zara insisted.

"It’s getting late," he argued.

"I can always walk," she replied, amusement in her voice.

Aaron sighed, driving to the salon. While Zara’s hair was being washed, Aaron took business calls, his voice rising as a call turned heated.

“I don’t care about the money!” Aaron almost yelled. The person on the other end must’ve shat in their pants at his tone.

The salon staff avoided looking his way. Zara shot him a pointed look, and he rolled his eyes, stepping outside to finish his call.

When he returned, Zara’s phone rang. He tried to get her attention but she was too busy laughing with the hairdresser, she didn’t even glance his way. He answered it, seeing Luca’s name with a blue heart. "Stop calling Zara," Aaron said coldly. "She’s a married woman. Most importantly, she is my married woman. If you want all your body parts intact by the end of the week or even by the end of today, you still stay away from her.”

“Fuck off,” Luca replied and hung up.

When Zara asked why he had her phone, he said “Lukas called you.” shoved the phone and her handbag into her, storming out. Zara followed, explaining that Luca called because he liked Mia, lying to cover her tracks.

Aaron’s anger flared. "You’re lying. When we get home, you’re not leaving the house unless it’s to visit your mother, and I’ll be with you."

"You can’t control me like this!" Zara retorted.

"If you lie about Luca, I can lie about Eva, what about your precious reputation if someone happens to spot me and Eva together?" he shot back.

"I’ve never kissed Luca," Zara snapped. "Why do you care? It’s not like we’re in love."

Aaron, exasperated, told her to get in the car. Zara refused, knowing he’d try to keep her confined. “I’m not getting in.”

As she turned to walk away, she saw people in the bushes, phones and cameras pointed at them.

Rolling her eyes, she got into the car, slamming the door. The paparazzi had caught them arguing, and she knew the confrontation wasn’t over.