Ariel was quiet as she sat at a round table with Aiden, Ken, Moon, and Viktor.
They ordered some chicken barbecue and drinks, but she had no appetite for anything. She was disturbed by the whole gathering.
She's been quiet since she heard Grandma Nari's announcement. So what was their relationship with Moon exactly?
"You okay?" Ken leaned his head to the side and whispered to Ariel.
Ariel nodded slowly, absent-minded and not removing her eyes from the Ferris wheels that were rotating with speed.
This information wasn't supposed to bother her, but it did, and she was looking for a way to get it off her head.
"We could go somewhere else if you like," Ken whispered again.
"Um, no, I'll just wait till everyone is leaving," Ariel replied.
Aiden had his fist clenched on top of his lap below the table, his blood boiled, he's had enough of Ken rubbing his relationship with Ariel on his face. Maybe it was time he did something to remind her that he was the husband.
He took out his phone and furiously started to type something.
Soon, Ariel received a notification.
She didn't bother checking it, she knew the only person who sent her any texts or emails was Aiden, and the only things he sent her were things related to their contract.
She didn't want to risk Ken seeing the make of her contracts with Aiden, it was bad enough for him to find out about the contractual marriage, but him seeing the terms and conditions? No, it wouldn't be good for her.
Aiden frowned. He was expecting Ariel to check her phone immediately, but she didn't; she just kept staring into space like she hadn't heard her phone pinging with his notification.
"Alright, everyone, I know this was a surprise gathering, but I did manage to get a gift for Moon," Grandma Nari placed a big pink box on Ariel's table, "I'll forgive you all for not having any gifts at hand, but you all must gift her something, at least, let's hope our gift bribes her to stay longer and not run away anymore," Grandma Nari chuckled.
Everyone was smiling and laughing at her words and at Moon's shy expression, it was a warm atmosphere, but Ariel felt very uncomfortable.
Even as Moon was smiling at everyone, she still managed to send Ariel a nasty look.
Moon didn't want Ariel to find out about her relationship with Aiden, but now that she did, she felt like Ariel wouldn't see her as a potential threat anymore. But she was wrong; she was going to make her see that Granmda Nari was wrong; she had never taken Ariel as a sibling, and he knew it; this was all Grandma Nari's belief.
"How about I take you out to dinner as your gift?" Viktor asked flirtatiously.
Moon startled a little as she heard Viktor's voice beside her, "Um, n-no, that's okay," She smiled forcefully.
"Tsk, that's sad," Viktor shrugged.
He turned to Ariel and asked, "How about you, Bonita, wanna go out with me?" He playfully winked at her.
Ariel smiled, shaking her head, "I'm sorry, Viktor, I'll have to decline," she replied.
Viktor put a hard on his chest and made a hurt face, "Ouch! You've really hurt my feelings, princess," Then he immediately turned to Aiden, "Hmm, tell me, Ariel, is it because of Aiden or Ken, huh?" He asked, smirking at his two friends.
Ariel widened her eyes at Viktor's wild question. What did he expect her to say?
Aiden fixed his gaze on her, waiting to hear her reply.
"Don't ask her that, you know her marriage with Aiden is just for show," Moon remarked snidely.
"Moon," Aiden called, frowning.
"What, Aiden? But it's the truth!" She said loudly.
"Stop it, Moon. You know no one is supposed to know this, especially Grandma," Aiden chastised quietly.
"Humph!" Moon humphed and looked away, sending Areil a haughty look.
Ariel sighed quietly; this was the reason why she shouldn't keep her contact with anyone related to Aiden; they always ended up mocking her.
"Don't mind Moon. I believe she's just frustrated," Ken whispered.
Ariel chuckled at his words; that was the exact word for Moon, frustrated, and she wasn't about to let Moon use her as a vent object.
From now on, she wasn't going to let Moon treat her however she wanted, her marriage to Aiden didn't mean she had to endure bullying from anyone.
"That's enough, that's enough, guys; I was just joking; no need to be so serious," Viktor patted Aiden's and Moon's shoulders, chuckling.
"We're leaving," Aiden suddenly stood up and pushed his chair back.
Moon immediately stood, grabbing Aiden's arm. "We'll be leaving, guys, see you all later-"
"Sit down, Moon," He removed his hand from hers and walked over to Ariel.
"Stand up, wife, we're going home," Aiden ordered behind Ariel's chair.
Ken immediately held Ariel's wrist, causing her to snap her head at him.
"You don't have to leave if you don't want to," Ken stared at Aiden with a frown.
Moon was sitting on her chair, gritting her teeth in anger.
"Ariel, are you coming with me or staying with Ken?" Aiden asked, his tone angry.
Ariel panicked and looked around. Her eyes met with Grandma Nari's, and her panic level increased; she didn't want her to see what was happening with Aiden.
"It's alright, Ken, I'll go. I don't want to cause any trouble, Grandma Nari might see," She said gently.
"Are you sure?" Ken asked.
Ariel nodded.
Ken released her hand, "Take care," He whispered to her.
Ariel nodded and slowly stood from her chair, she turned and was surprised to see Aiden already walking away.
She quickly followed him behind, not sure if he would wait for her when he reached the car.
"Ma'am," Gregory opened the door for Ariel as she reached the car.
"Thank you," She managed a smile and entered the car.
"To the hospital, Gregory," Aiden ordered darkly.
"Yes, boss," Gregory replied and started the car.
Ariel turned to Aiden, his face stone cold.
"Mr. Chaz, I thought we were going home?" Ariel asked cautiously.
Aiden ignored her, looking out of the window.
Ariel was uncomfortable with the deafening silence; why was he suddenly going to the hospital?
"You've refused to sign the latest contract, then we shall proceed with the initial agreement," Aiden suddenly spoke, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"The faster we get our deal done, the better for both of us. You can finally have your chance to throw yourself around at any man, however you want," Aiden turned his face and gave her a scornful look.
"Enough, Aiden! You know nothing about me!" Ariel shunned him angrily for the first time, shocking both Aiden and Gregory.
Aiden turned and stared at her with narrowed eyes.
"You raised your voice at me?" Aiden asked, disbelief written all over his face.
"I'm just trying to pass my message across, the fact that I'm married to you doesn't give you the leverage to assume ill things about me, I deserve the same respect I give you, I'm no less than a human than you are," Ariel had her fists clenched in anger, glaring at Aiden.
Gregory had his eyes widened, he was staring at Ariel through the front mirror, surprised by this new side of her.
Aiden didn't know why he found her outburst cute, he was supposed to be angry, but he wasn't.
"You need my respect?" Aiden asked, slowly shifting towards her.
Ariel frowned; that wasn't the reaction she was expecting; why was he giving her a weird smirk, and why was he coming closer to her?
"Stay away from me, Mr. Chaz," She shifted to the door, narrowing her eyes at him.
"If you sign the contract, darling wife, you'll have all the respect you want from me," Aiden skimmed his hand along her arm and suddenly pulled her into his chest.
"Shh, don't try to struggle, Ariel. I can ask Gregory to stop right here, and we'll finish up what we started in the bathroom," Aiden whispered huskily into her ear, shamelessly licking her ear, his hand wrapping around her and dragging her closer to himself.
"Aiden, let me go," Ariel furrowed her brows, pushing against his chest.
"Alright, I'll leave you when you answer the question Viktor asked," Aiden smiled sexily, slowly taking his hand higher between her legs.
Gregory forced himself to focus on the road, he was still trying to get himself used to this new side of his boss. It was weird seeing him cling to a woman the way he did with Ariel.
Ariel scoffed, maybe it was time she became truly honest with her husband.
"What did you think? Do you believe it's because of you, Mr. Chaz? Don't forget we're just contractual couples, there's no love between us, and where there's no love, there's no expectation, or, have you fallen for me?" Ariel dared to look into his eyes, this time, she wasn't going to let him intimidate her.
Aiden was surprised by the question; he stared into her eyes, and instead of answering her, he kissed her.