Forced promises

Hang out

Vivians pov:
After the engagement party, Aries and I walked out of the ballroom, the cold night air wrapping around us like a silent, tense companion. The tension between us was thick, unspoken, and heavy. Aries was still fuming from the encounter with Marcus, his possessiveness barely kept in check. He hadn't released my hand since we left, as if holding onto me would somehow ground him.

In an attempt to break the tension and lighten the mood, Josh had suggested a spontaneous trip to the amusement park that had just opened nearby. Reluctantly, Aries agreed, though it was clear from the look in his eyes that he wasn't doing it for fun. He was doing it to stay close to me and keep an eye on Josh, whose easy charm grated on him.

The bright lights and the smell of popcorn greeted them as they arrived at the amusement park. It was crowded, loud, and chaotic—an odd contrast to the quiet, controlled world Aries was used to. But Josh, with his laid-back demeanor, fit right in, walking ahead with me, who was starting to loosen up and enjoy the night.

Aries followed closely behind, his eyes locked on the two of me and josh. Every laugh that passed between Josh and I, every casual touch, sent a surge of jealousy through him. I looked more relaxed with Josh than I had with Aries all night. It gnawed at Aries, his usual control slipping as the possessiveness crept up.

As they passed by the carousel, Josh playfully tugged on my arm. "Come on, let's ride the Ferris wheel!" he said with a grin, his enthusiasm infectious.

I laughed, nodding. "Alright, let's do it."

Aries POV
They ran ahead, leaving me standing there, watching as they made their way to the Ferris wheel. My jaw clenched. The way she laughed with Josh, the ease of their connection—it was too much. Without a word, I followed them, my every step deliberate, my thoughts a whirlwind of jealousy and anger.

By the time I reached the Ferris wheel, Josh and Vivian were already seated in one of the carriages, the wheel slowly lifting them up into the night sky. My' eyes darkened as i watched them, sitting together, laughing as the wind whipped around them. Josh's arm rested on the back of the seat behind Vivian, and though it wasn't intimate, it was too close for my' liking.

I stood at the base of the Ferris wheel, watching as they ascended higher and higher, my blood boiling. The sight of Josh, so effortlessly charming, so comfortable with Vivian, lit a fire inside of me I don't know why I care so much, but she's still my fiancé.

I had never liked how easily Josh fit into Vivian's life, how he could make her smile in ways I couldn't. And now, after everything that had happened tonight, it was unbearable.

When the Ferris wheel finally came to a stop, and Vivian and Josh stepped off, I was there, waiting, my eyes locked on Josh with a dangerous intensity.

"Having fun?" I asked, my voice tight, barely masking the anger simmering beneath the surface.

Josh, sensing the tension, raised an eyebrow, his easy smile fading slightly. "Yeah, we were just—"

"I didn't ask for your opinion," I snapped, I looked at Vivian then back to Josh, "I was talking to her."

Vivian stiffened at the tone in my voice, glancing between the two of us. "Aries, what's going on with you?"

I ignored her question, his gaze fixed on Josh. "You seem to forget, Josh, that Vivian's mine. My fiancée. Not yours. So, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, alright?"

Josh's smile faded completely, and he stood his ground, though the tension was thick between us. "Look, Aries, we're just friends. There's nothing going on. Maybe you should relax."

"Relax?" My' voice dropped low, my body rigid with anger. "I don't think you understand. You don't get to flirt with my fiancé like she's available. She's not. She's mine."

Vivian, finally fed up, stepped between us. "Aries, stop this!" she hissed, her voice full of frustration. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you care so much? You've made it clear this engagement is nothing more than a business deal, so why act like this?"

My' eyes flashed, but I couldn't answer. The truth was something I wasn't ready to admit. Instead, he doubled down, pulling Vivian closer, my voice cold. "No one talks to my fiancé until I say so."

Vivian's eyes widened at my words, her anger matching mine. "I'm not something you own, Aries. You don't get to dictate who I talk to, who I laugh with. You don't get to control me."

Josh, sensing the rising heat of the argument, took a step back. "Maybe I should—"

"Yeah, you should," I said sharply, my eyes never leaving Vivian. Josh gave Vivian an apologetic look before turning and walking away, leaving the two of us alone in the crowded park.

Once Josh was out of sight, I finally let go of Vivian, my hand dropping to my side. But the possessive anger still lingered in my eyes. I turned away, running a hand through my hair, trying to gather my composure.

Vivian crossed her arms, staring at me, her voice quieter now but no less angry. "Why, Aries? Why act like you care? I've been trying to figure it out, and nothing makes sense. You don't want this marriage, and you don't want me. So why are you so jealous?"

"Shut up." I said, my voice flat, with no emotion, she just stared at me with shock.

"Excuse me?" She said.

"Get in the car."

"No."

I step towards her, not taking my eyes off her I look down at her "I said, get. In. The. Car."

"Who are you to boss me around like th-"

"go!" I shouted. She was getting on my last nerve, and this was the last thing I wanted.

She then turns around and leaves, I sigh to myself, and run my hand through my hair. Then make my way towards the car minutes later.