“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.]

Rushing outside my chamber I was astonished to see that a hush had fallen over the entire building as people watched the rumored Mrs.Stone making an entrance.

The black Mercedes stopped in front of the office and Xavier came out looking satisfied with himself. His arm gently supported a beautiful woman by his side who looked at him shyly with an innocent smile.

I wanted to laugh at my destiny. If only I had chosen to go home at my designated time today like always, I wouldn’t have to witness all this.

“Xavier, I feel a little unwell…” Saying that her body swayed dangerously before being caught by Xavier immediately.

“See this is what happens, it is almost nighttime and you still haven’t eaten anything properly. I will go and buy you some food myself.”

It was at that moment Julia’s eyes fell upon me who was watching them from afar and a slow knowing smile spread across her lips.

“B-but I am just a little lightheaded…it is..it is all your fault! You made me so tired and now I have completely lost all the feelings in my legs!”

I watched the scene with my heart sinking endlessly as I understood the meaning behind those words all too well to mistake it. all my beautiful memories with Xavier were crushed and the painful wounds of his cheating were reopened all over again.

“It's my fault then.” Without waiting for Julia to complete, my ‘boyfriend’ of ten years gently scooped up his mistress into his arms, carrying her inside the company bridal style.

“Oh my god? Not only did he open the car door for her but this…no way is this a professional relationship..”

“What are you even talking about? My boyfriend is a journalist and he told me that they have been tracking these two for the past three years, it was just that Mr.Stone was too careful and the paparazzi never had the right evidence.”

I could not help but stand there frozen as a fellow colleague said with a frown.

“Wait for me in the lounge area till I come back with your food alright.”

“Alright.” Julia answered with a smile as the duo soon entered the VIP area before Xavier left as quickly as he came.

With my heart feeling as if it was shattered completely I went to collect my stuff and was going to leave immediately before a soft voice resonated outside.

“I am bored in the lounge room, quickly hand me the keys of the CEO’s chambers. I will wait for him there.” The receptionist was completely taken aback by the sudden request by Julia and stammered in nervousness.

“Miss Julia, I am sorry b-but I am unable to do so.

Even if you are CEO’S girlfriend, I-I cannot give you a direct actress to his personal space because of company policy and secrets.”

“Then do you want me to keep standing here?” Julia said those words softly yet there seemed to be an inexplicable chill in her words.

The receptionist was on the verge of crying while the staff members looked utterly bewildered by such a request.

I could not watch anymore and thus intervened.

“Miss Julia, welcome to the Avalon Enterprises. I am Aria-”

“Aria?” Julia interrupted before smiling, tilting her head with her eyes colder than ice as if inspecting a rare insect.

“Oh, the maid in Xavier’s apartment, isn’t it?” Gasps were heard throughout as Julia smiled innocently.

“You are Xavier’s servant so you will heed to my orders right? Go on and fetch me the key to Xavier’s chamber quickly like a good puppy. Hurry up.” My fists clenched hard as Julia looked at me mockingly expecting me to create a scene in front of everyone present.

“How can she?…Secretary Aria is a such an important person…”

“Het stay quiet, she will soon become Mrs Stone, do you really want to lose your job?”

“It is better being a maid than a mistress who wrecks home. I will definitely not take offense at Miss Julia’s words. Atleast you didn’t call me something as disgusting as a mistress. ”

“You!” At my words Julia wanted to retaliate yet stopped suddenly.

It was at that moment she saw Xavier’s car arriving at the office parking lot and a smile graced her lips..

“Oh my god you must have taken my words seriously while I was merely jesting Aria.

What to do? I am so sorry if my words hurt you. I must have appeared so rude, I hope you will forgive me.”

Suspicious of her change in behaviour I nodded without a word and with a wave of my hand I quickly dismissed the staff to either go home if their shift ended or get seated and start working again.

“Xavier told me alot about how useful you are with household chores thus I could not help but ask him to transfer you to me. Oh dear, I hope you don’t mind it.”

“No worries.” I said stoically.

“It is really hot today, can you please get me an iced coffee? No sugar. Extra foam please?”

But it was rather cold today.

I hesitated for half a second before nodding.

Silently, I walked to the break room, prepared the coffee exactly as requested and returned to Julia’s side, offering the cup to her.

It was at that moment Julia scratched my hands painfully with her sharp nails in the garb of taking the coffee making the cup tip and splatter the cold liquid all over her luxurious blouse.

The sting on my hand which started bleeding made my hands tighten into fists at my sides.

A collective gasp rippled throughout the office as the dark stain spread over her white shirt, clinging to her skin and the lingerie beneath was evidently visible.

“This…this can’t be..no..”Bile rose my throat as I realised that the piece of clothing she was wearing underneath was the same one I wore on my first night with Xavier years ago.

“More beautiful, younger and better than you Aria. He begged to see me in this.”