(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana suddenly straightened her shoulders. The woman turned, her smile still on her face. Her left hand reached out as if to welcome Gerald. “Good morning,” she greeted so softly. Gerald took her hand, and Ariana’s hand moved to wrap around his waist. Her crimson lips gently met his, igniting an instant passion in Gerald. He didn’t want to let go of the kiss his wife had given him; he responded by embracing her waist and wanting to kiss her even deeper. However, Ariana placed her hands on Gerald’s chest and pushed him gently. “Embarrassed in front of the children,” she whispered.

Gerald furrowed his brow. Children? he wondered silently. He followed where Ariana looked. There, he saw a little Ariana, laughing, taking hesitant steps, chasing Axel, who was still trying to tease her by moving back and forth in front of the beautiful toddler.

Gerald widened his eyes for a moment. But the light was gone. All that remained was darkness. He woke up in his bed at Zeroun’s residence. His breath was heavy, and the corners of his eyes felt wet.

What was that? he asked himself. What had he just dreamed about? Was it a child that Ariana had lost?

If he felt this much pain, what about Ariana? Did she also feel guilty? Did she regret removing a life that would have grown to be like Gerald or herself? Did Ariana regret it?

Gerald reached for his phone and called his servant. “She hasn’t gone anywhere, Sir. She’s still in her apartment.”

“Amber?”

“Miss Amber left two hours ago,” the servant replied.

“Keep an eye on her, and let me know if anything strange happens or if anyone visits her,” he ordered sternly.

Gerald then walked to the bathroom. He felt more refreshed now. He intended to clean himself up, and then he would go to the office to catch up on his work that had piled up due to his abnormal condition.

An hour later, Gerald was in his office, preparing to tackle his mountain of tasks and forget about Ariana and the beautiful dream that could never become reality.

A knock on his door made Gerald look up. Vivan stood there with a neutral expression. “Mr. Maximilian requests to meet with you, Sir,” she informed.

Hearing his old friend’s name made a smile bloom on Gerald’s face instantly. A tall, handsome man with the typical Italian tycoon’s face walked in, a smile just as wide on his face. “Hola, mi amigo. Mucho tiempo sin verte,” he greeted in his father’s language, Spanish. (Hello, friend. Long time no see.)

Gerald left his desk and extended his hand. For a moment, they embraced each other and patted each other’s backs as a sign of friendship. “I thought I’d never see your face again, buddy,” Gerald replied in the same language.

“I was hesitant to visit you, thinking you wouldn’t accept me. But I thought I should come to investigate,” Gerald furrowed his brow at the man’s statement. “About your marriage,” he continued with a mocking smile. “Although I know questioning it might get me kicked out of here,” he added with a teasing expression.

“By God, I wouldn’t do that,” Gerald said confidently. He led the man to the sofa. “What would you like to drink?” he asked Maximilian.

“Anything, as long as it’s not poison or alcohol,” he replied. Vivan, who was still standing by the door, nodded before retreating and closing the door.

“Since when did you stop drinking alcohol? As far as I know, alcohol is your best friend,” he teased, making the one hundred ninety-centimeter tall man laugh.

“Since I fell in love?” he said hesitantly.

Gerald raised an eyebrow. “Love does make sane people go insane, doesn’t it?” he teased. “Are you mocking yourself, huh?” Max asked with an equally teasing look.

Gerald leaned back, shrugging his shoulders. “Something like that,” he replied resignedly.

“So, is that why you look old, with dark circles under your eyes as if you’ve been working like a slave all year? Because of your wife? What is she doing? Did she ask for something you can’t fulfill?” Maximilian asked continuously.

“If she did that, I guess I wouldn’t mind having dark circles. But no, it’s not because of that. I’m just tired, a result of vomiting from being too drunk?” he said.

“What do you mean? Morning sickness?” Maximilian asked confused. Gerald furrowed his brow. “What’s that?” he asked puzzled.

“Morning sickness?” Maximilian repeated. Gerald nodded. “Come on, buddy, you don’t know what morning sickness is?” he replied mockingly. But seeing Gerald silent, Max knew that Gerald genuinely didn’t understand. “Morning sickness is the vomiting usually experienced by pregnant women.”

“What does that have to do with me? I’m nauseous and vomiting because I was drunk all night.”

Max furrowed his brow and looked at Gerald in confusion. “You’re clearly not the type of person who would have a bad morning even if you drank two barrels of alcohol, buddy. I know that,” Maximilian said. Yes, when they were in college, Maximilian was Gerald’s ‘naughty’ friend. They once lived in the same flat, and they certainly shared alcohol, although not with women involved.

“I don’t know, maybe because I’m old, and my alcohol tolerance has decreased,” he replied.

Maximilian shook his head again. “The acceptable level of alcohol for someone is like a dose of medicine. The longer, the higher. Not lower. Don’t fool yourself,” he snorted. “Why don’t you just ask your wife? Maybe she doesn’t realize she’s pregnant. I experienced that too.”

Gerald’s brow furrowed when he heard Max’s words. Vivan came in again; behind her was an office girl carrying a tray with two steaming glasses of drinks and snacks.

Max thanked the female employee, who blushed immediately. Gerald just nodded. After that, Vivan escorted the office girl out and closed the door again.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

Max raised his espresso glass, inhaling its aroma before sipping it. “Hmm… delicious,” he murmured, then took another sip of his drink.

“It seems Vivan made this specifically for you,” Gerald replied, to which Max nodded.

“I’m really impressed with her. She can endure your personality,” he said. They had been friends for more than a decade. That’s why Max knew what kind of character Gerald had, one that was not easy to oppose. If only the tragic incident hadn’t happened, maybe they would still be living in a country far from Indonesia, building their own company as they planned during their college years. But dreams were just dreams. Everything in front of him now seemed more complicated than just building a large business.

“What’s with you? Haven’t seen you in a while, and you seem to have changed a lot. Is it because of your wife?” Max asked, curious. “When are you going to introduce her to me?” he asked again. “I want to apologize to her in person for not being able to attend your wedding a while ago. Not to make excuses, but Gina’s condition really couldn’t allow me to travel far,” he said with a smile on his face.