For both the families, It was just a business deal. A partnership, that would ensure their 'Billionaire' titles. And to top it all off, they even agreed to lump their children's life, by marrying them.
The future couple had a plan of their own. A co...
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After coming back from the airport, Axel parked his car near my café. I asked him to stay for a coffee, but he declined, needing to drive an hour to get home. Acting on impulse, I leaned in to kiss the corner of his mouth and bolted out of the car without looking back.
I reached the kitchen, closed the door, and leaned against it, my heart pounding. My lack of physical activity was finally catching up to me. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Jennifer said, "Long time no see." Startled, I jumped a foot in the air.
"What is wrong with you?" I yelled, and she threw a spoon at me. "...I'm sorry, darling. I've been busy. But, I'll be here a full week." I said, picking up the spoon.
"Help me clean this up. We'll have a girl's night," she said cheerfully. I'd never seen her this happy before. Something told me I wasn't the only one struck by Cupid.
An hour later, we had the perfect setup for our slumber party: junk food, cozy oversized clothes, face masks, some show running in the background on my old laptop that we were paying no attention to. No wonder Netflix asks if you're still watching. And that crazy, nosy gleam in our eyes, waiting to dig out information.
"So, spill it," she said.
"Spill what?" I asked, stuffing my mouth with salty potato chips. That earned me a death stare from her. "...It's good. It's like having a sophisticated gentleman as a roommate. He's really respectful and always introduces me as his wife, even though there's no need."
"Then what's the problem?" she asked, taking the chips from me.
"There's no problem," I said, fluttering my eyes like a moron to hold back my tears, failing miserably.
"Stop playing this mind game with me, Arianna. He's good for you. Why are you two so afraid of making a move? And I already saw you running to the café like a crazy person." She pleaded with me.
"I kissed him in the car...." I blurted out, and her eyes widened. "...On his cheek," I added, picking at imaginary dirt on my nail.
"You're no fun, Arianna." She huffed, giving me the chips back.
"I can't take his chivalry for something else. He is genuinely a nice person, not just with me but with everyone. He does it so naturally, I don't think he even realizes it." I said, feeling my chest tighten from the pain I was keeping inside.
"So, your problem is that your husband genuinely is a nice person and treats everyone equally," she said, shaking her head like I was a hopeless case.
"No, my problem is that I can't take his generosity as something else." I rasped, breaking into a sob. She sighed in defeat and focused on the show. I hugged the pillow to myself but couldn't take it anymore and said, "This café has been my dream since I was sixteen, and I'm close to owning it completely. I can't let my stupid emotions get in the way. And yes, the thought of Axel being with other women scares me. But you know I'm doing this for..." I croaked, and she hugged me.
