“Miss Aria, are you sure you want to change the groom’s name on your wedding invitations?"

"Yes."

"B-but aren’t you marrying Mr.Xavier-”

“Not anymore..”

“O-Okay.” After moments of shock I finally got an answer from the wedding planner.

After hanging up the phone, a small sad smile hung on my lips as I scrolled through hundreds of messages I had sent Xavier for the past one year but not a single one of them was answered back.

At the same time an interview broadcast aired on television presenting an interview with Xavier, the CEO of Avalon Enterprises.

Wearing a high end luxurious piece that I bought for him with one year of my salary, Xavier sat elegantly in the studio, his calm and cool demeanor coupled with a slow smile that could make any woman swoon.

"Mr. Stone, now that we already have you here in Las Vegas- the city of love and sin." the interviewer smiled slyly before continuing. "How about we leave behind business for now and ask some spicy questions?”

“Alright.” Xavier’s lips curled in a lazy smirk.

“You are the most eligible bachelor in the country. The prince-charming of ladies all across the world, care to tell who is the woman you secretly keep in your apartment hidden from the world, can we expect that we will soon get a ‘Mrs Stone?"

I could hear my heartbeat in my ears.

Then with a soft chuckle he spoke the words that shattered me.

“What wife? That is just a maid who had nowhere else to go so I felt pity and kept her. When the real ‘Mrs Stone’ comes along, she will of course be asked to wrap up and leave.”

“Oh! How kind!”

“But Mr.Xavier, then what about the ancient pearl necklace from the Han dynasty you won in auction?

And about buying the naming rights of an asteroid, are those two only an investment…Or it has something to do with the new actress Julia Lest? Yesterday night you guys were spotted in the same hotel, many claim that you decorated the entire hotel with red roses for her.”

As soon as those words were uttered my eyes widened with shock.

Last night, when I desperately called him as a drunken man broke into our apartment, Xavier didn’t bother to answer.

Not the first time, nor for the tenth as I kept hiding in the closet, tears streaming down my face.

I fought for my life. Alone.

Xavier arrogant and unbothered, answered without a single ounce of hesitation, not denying yesterday’s events with Julia Lest.

“For now, I just say that those things are not an investment, they definitely belong to a very special person in my heart.

I promised to spend my lifetime with her, marry her and have a little daughter that just looks like her. In four days I will enter in a matrimonial alliance with her and then you all will get to meet the real Mrs.Stone. Afterall such a pure-hearted and kind woman like her is hard to comeby.”

And that’s when it finally hit me.

Ten years of love, Ten years of sacrifice and Ten years of being ghosted as if I was his lapdog was nothing.

“Only Miss Julia is suited for Mr.Xavier! Of Course they would be together!”

“JULIA! XAVIER!”

“Our leading couple!”

“See, there are too many fans already rooting for you too.” The reporter teased Xavier making everyone at the studio burst in cheers yet my heart felt colder than ice.

The audience gasped with the explosive news and just like that after moments the interview was done.

And soon the social media was trending with Xavier’s love relation.

#Xavier’s true love revealed#

#Who is Mrs Stone?#.

#Xavier and Julia#

My phone buzzed instantly with numerous messages from Xavier’s work account.

[Xavier: I just received a call from your father regarding our marriage. Your birthday is in four days and he thinks it is then that I will marry you. It would be better if you explain to him that there is no need to take this marriage announcement seriously.

Aria, you are my employee and right now our company is aiming to expand our influence in the film industry,

If anything your primary target should be to make our new star Julia Lest happy and make sure she is comfortable with our company since I have tried hard to gain her cooperation.

For the next few days I am transferring you to Julia as her assistant so don’t make a fuss and serve her properly.]

I felt something in my chest crack open at that moment.

Xavier and I first met in school, what developed as a puppy love soon evolved to something greater but my parents were not able to accept our love for I belonged to a prestigious family with no end of money while Xavier’s father struggled to make ends meet.

Yet, what had I not given up to be with this man? To make the world believe that our love can surpass all boundaries of status and money.

During graduation, I rejected my offer letter from Harvard and went to a common local college to accompany my boyfriend.

All these years my parents thought that I was in France working for my passion as a jewelry designer but no.

Three years ago, owing to my prodigal talent in fashion I got an offer from ‘Levant’ a high end luxury brand, to become their exclusive designer but foolishly I gave an opportunity that people fought and died for and chose to live my life as a mere secretary of Xavier Stone in a rented apartment.

I was the one who made countless watch designs for Avalon Enterprises that made Xavier’s stocks skyrocket and established his company as an international brand without taking any credit for the hard work I had put, yet all came down to this….to Xavier asking me to serve his mistress well.

It was only now that I realized how ridiculous I have been in the past ten years.

Four days later it was my birthday.

Four days later Xavier announced the marriage that he never wanted me to become the bride for.

So it was decided then, I will marry four days later…just not with Xavier Stone.

Thus I picked up my phone calling the biggest big shot in the country.

“Hello”

“I want to marry on my birthday.”

“As you wish Aria.”

Four days later our paths would completely diverge Xavier.

It would be my last goodbye to you.

“Madam you will look stunning at your wedding, this dress suits you the most.” The picture catalogue was displayed in front of me as lead stylist Lia renowned in the entire capital stood before me along with her subordinates, explaining politely.

“Legendary Stylist Malcolm has taken two years to design this gown but he had never sold it to anyone because It was his dream that this masterpiece should only be suitable for someone with a pure heart and an aura which eludes elegance and beauty.

As I see you will be best suited for such a delicate piece.”

“Yes, I like it, let’s proceed with this one.”

It was at that moment the door opened and suddenly the lively atmosphere froze as Xavier along with his group of friends that looked down on me stepped inside.

“Beauty and Elegance? Yeah sure.” A low chuckle resonated from the doorway as one of Xavier’s friends remarked snarkily, making Lia pause with displeasure while I ignored them coldly.

Xavier’s sharp gaze scanned the room, before falling on me who didn’t even turn to acknowledge him.

“Aria.” His voice was low, laced with authority. “I am home.”

With a nonchalant attitude I flipped through the pages of the jewelry catalog in my hands barely glancing at him.. “I see you.”

That was it.

But unlike Xavier’s expectations that I will run into his arms as always, taking off his coat and welcoming him home after a tiring trip, I stood there without another word.

Xavier’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t used to this.

“Mr. Stone, we were just here showing our designs to Miss Aria before we were interrupted.” The tension in the atmosphere sizzled making the group of stylists glance at Xavier’s friends in distaste.

“Miss Aria, are you satisfied? After all, we were sent specially to take care of all your needs.”

“Yes.” I kept the magazine on the glass table swiftly. “Thankyou everyone for your hardwork today. The ‘Star of the galaxy’ first edition jewelry would go perfectly with this dress. Please arrange for it quickly and revert back to me.”

“Look at her being so arrogant, seeing her drama you can almost confuse her being a rich heiress from somewhere.”

“And then she wonders why no one wants her around.” Xavier stood without saying a word to stop the unkind whispers.

Sensing the storm brewing, Miss Lia looked at me for a moment, uncertain if she should leave, making me nod at her in assurance.

The door closed and Xavier’s friends found the perfect opportunity to mock openly.

“Xavier is your girlfriend, maybe blind or something, can’t she see there are guests? Is this how you greet us?” Xavier’s best friend James said his voice mocking before another voice chimed in.

“Stop it James! Even if you are joking harmlessly, what if Aria misunderstands us?

Didn’t you just see how Aria is spoiled rotten with expensive dresses and gifts by Xavier and is his precious girlfriend, how dare you pick a bone with her?”

I listened to the words with my heart colder than ice.

When I was newly introduced to Xavier’s group, I treated them with utmost care. Remembering their birthdays and baking cakes for them while arranging the best gifts yet there was no warmth for me as they usually ‘forgot’ inviting me.

I was often treated with such contempt and hateful words and yet when I retaliated or got angry they would completely turn around and say it was a mere joke, and I was throwing a tantrum just to attract attention.

How blind I was not to realise that Xavier never intervened once and it was always me who suffered in silence.

“Aria.” Xavier rubbed his forehead looking at me in displeasure.“Our company is using last of our funds to maintain our reach and here you are sitting around and doing nothing, simply ordering around such expensive clothes-”

“It is not from your money. Just me selecting certain things for myself.

Since your friends were busy making assumptions I was simply saving my energy in arguing with them.

After all they aren’t some bigshots that I should please, just some random strangers who have trouble finding any substantial thing to do in life.

I thought it was better that I become the bigger person here and understand their frustration with their personal lives which they are taking out here so I just stayed quiet.”

The sly smiling faces in the room froze instantly, the fact that I would retaliate back in Xavier’s presence and would go as far as to not even hear him out made Xavier feel unfathomable.

“Aria, enough of this. Why are you being like this? I have just invited some of my friends tonight for dinner after a long trip.

Can you not let the jokes slide? They don’t mean any harm and they all like you alot and love your food. They have prepared a list of what they want to eat, make sure to get it ready..” Xavier sighed before coming to sit beside me motioning his friends to take a seat as well.

Since they were given such a cold shoulder by me, none of them spoke for the moment.

My silence greeted the man who waited for me to agree instantly.

And then with a slight tilt of my head almost unbothered by him I said softly with a serene smile.

“It’s your friends not mine, if you want them to eat from a menu you can cook it yourself.”

Xavier froze instantly as if a bucket of ice cold water was poured over his head while others watched our interaction wide-eyed in shock.

“What?” His eyes slightly widened as he confirmed wishing for me to say that he had heard wrongly.

“If your friends need something, the kitchen is at the back, they can cook for themselves instead of sending me bothersome lists or if you insist that they are guests then you can do that for them or why not order catering since none of them know a thing about cooking something edible?”

“Aria!” Xavier looked at me in rage with his jaw clenched hard like he could not believe my words at all before one of his friends raged in anger.

“Xavier you did right by abandoning this woman! This wretched Aria can never be compared to someone precious and purehearted like Julia!”

The atmosphere froze instantly and Xavier realised that I must have watched the interview making his demeanor shift.

“Shutup!” Xavier growled, making the man instantly shut up.

“Aria, stop this now. I have had enough with your jealous tantrums today.

There is no need to misunderstand my friends, they like to joke around with me and Julia. I know the interview must have saddened you but understand that you have continued to disappoint me today.

I am the CEO of Avalon and am busy unlike you who lounges around doing nothing all day.”

I listened to Xavier without a word making him feel odd. At times like these previously, I would have accepted that it was all my fault by now only to stop irritating my ‘hardworking boyfriend.’

“Aria, even after staying beside me for so many years you still haven’t learned how to be a proper girlfriend yet. Go and rest tonight but tomorrow you must apologise properly for your rude behaviour.”

My heart shattered as I looked at the man who once chased me endlessly, fighting for me through thick and thin and creating an empire with a vow that he would never make me regret.

The man standing infront of me now was only a stranger.

“Go and sleep now. You will understand what you have done wrong tomorrow.” I barely controlled my emotions as the man who trampled on my heart ruthlessly, asked me for an apology.

The next morning I woke up to a bouquet of fresh white roses along with a pendant sitting by the bedside as Xavier slept with his arm around me.

A note was attached with the flowers.

[I forgive you for yesterday- Xavier]

An incredulous smile graced my lips as I barely controlled the strong urge to confront Xavier. Removing his hand wrapped around my body I got up quickly before leaving for the office without a single word as the flowers were left untouched.

Sitting in my cubicle, I was immersed in drafting a resignation letter when I received Xavier’s call.

“What do you want Xavier?”

“Aria, what the fuck do you mean?! Do not test my patience with you!” Xavier warned, his frown deepening, confusion bleeding into something dangerously close to rage.

“I come home from a draining trip only to hear your stupid arguments. Yesterday I relented and even after you insulted my friends I refused to let it come between us, but what the hell do you mean by leaving like this today?”

“Isn’t it your house too? I took care of it while you were absent so I automatically assumed you will do the same..” I said softly pretending nothing was wrong at all.

Xavier felt something was amiss and his eyes narrowed sharply.

“The fragile french cutlery worth thousands of dollars that my friends ate in yesterday are still lying unclean in the damn sink!

The breakfast is nowhere to be seen and you did not even touch the gifts I brought you despite everything!” He spat his voice laced with disbelief and rage.

For Xavier, I was a free nanny who was always serving him no matter what, from his morning coffee to his home cooked warm meal, taking care of his laundry and cleaning the house like a good traditional wife he needed for his pleasure yet never intended to marry.

Like an object he used and discarded me and yet I was so blind in love that I could never see it.

“Oh, that pendant? Aren’t those available in the night market in Paris for fifty dollars?”

“I am sorry but I assumed that since you bought the antique jewelry from the ancient Han dynasty in an auction worth millions of dollars there is no way you will give me a fake gold jewelry.

Xavier, don't you clearly know that I am allergic to mixed fake gold and last time you gifted it to me I developed severe burn marks because of it.”

Complete and utter shock consumed the man who did not knew what to say.

Obedience had become my second nature so how can he ever expect me to say such words to him.

“Are you blaming me Aria? Aren’t you being too greedy?!

You despise my thoughtful gifts and squander money on expensive designer clothes while neglecting your work.

Don’t forget that you work for me so, even if you are my girlfriend I cannot make any exceptions for you.

Everything you have is provided by me and yet you cannot even do such meagre tasks for my sake?” He clacked his tongue, sighing as if deeply displeased with my behaviour.

Silence stretched lond as I simply listened to his hurtful words and refused to argue with him pointlessly for at the end no matter what I said he would always see me as wrong.

“Aria, to take care of your feelings, that day in the interview while everyone was wearing a designer suit, I chose to wear that damned cheap tuxedo you purchased from who knows where just to please you but you have continued to disappoint me.”

A small humorless chuckle left my mouth as I listened to Xavier in disbelief.

“That tuxedo was from Oriole fashion industry, the designer brand your father used to work at, as a labourer barely earning enough to feed your family.

While we were still in college didn’t you say that it was your dream to once buy the best designs at that brand and showcase it in front of the world as a symbol that you have risen up?

It was my heartfelt gift but..It’s such a shame that you still can neither recognise the brand after staying in this industry for all these years nor see my feelings..”

The words landed like a slap making Xavier freeze in shock.

At that moment he was reminded of the past he had long forgotten, that he was once the man who was nothing, I gave him my life, money, connections and resources to rise above the top.

Even though Xavier now had unparallelled wealth the things he bragged he gave me, were in reality could be brought by me even without taking a second look for I never lacked money.

“Aria, is it your intention to bring up my past when we have come so far in this relationship.” Xavier said coldly, finally not able to find the reason for my odd behaviour.

“Have we? I never said a word Xavier, it was you who found my feelings cheap and replaceable. Did you even realise that I have been sick for the past few days suffering from fever and still working for you like a machine?”

Taken aback by the strange tiredness in my voice as if I was too burdened to keep this going and it made him unknowingly feel strange in his heart.

“Aria-” Xavier’s voice softened as he called my name.

“Xavier, while you have been telling me constantly not to disappoint you, you should also pay attention to the fact that maybe you are the one who has been disappointing me all this time.”

I hung up without listening to another word, making Xavier feel a strange frustration as he threw his phone down sharply.

That day I worked past my hours to complete my resignation and wipe out with all my financial accounts and information saved in the company.

It was almost past seven in the USA when a message from the French embassy popped up on my screen.

[NAME; ARIA VALARIE French Citizenship application: Successful

Congratulations on acquiring the French citizenship Miss Valarie.]

At that moment the joy of going back to my parents and the slight fear of starting a new life after marriage with ‘that’ person was cut short as my phone beeped with another message.

[Manager Kim: Miss Aria, please hurry to the front reception There is a big issue!

Actress Julia Lest has arrived.]