(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Gerald rose from his seat, pushing the table aside that had been separating them and moving it to the farthest corner. He then slid his chair closer to Ariana.

“I’m not someone who has to be served all the time, Ariana,” Gerald began. “But I can’t deny that gradually, I have become accustomed to all of this,” he confessed.

“Once, I was an independent man, just like you. I lived abroad relying on my own body and mind. Although I don’t deny that financially I depended on my father, but when I was a teenager, I found my true identity.

“I stood on my own feet. I started everything from scratch. I mingled with people whose situations were far below mine.

“So don’t think that I can’t socialize with carpenters, gardeners, or even rickshaw drivers. I mingled with them much longer than I have with socialites these days.

“You need to know, all the socializing with socialites, it’s not something I genuinely desire. It’s just a demand of the role I’m playing right now.

“Socializing is essential to furthering the business. As fellow entrepreneurs, you should understand that.

Through socializing, we can gain connections. Through socializing, we can get information. And from there, we can develop the business we are running now.

“I do it not to show off or compete in what I have. I’m a selective man, my dear. I don’t socialize just because I want to, while deep down, I know that they don’t really want to socialize with me genuinely.

“Many of them are just sycophants, and I don’t like that.

“So you don’t have to worry about not fitting into my world. Because fundamentally, we’re the same.

“Perhaps occasionally you might need to accompany me wherever I go, just to let the public know who my wife is. I won’t force you if you’re uncomfortable with all that. After all, up to this point, Vivan and I have collaborated well as a couple,” he chuckled.

Gerald reached out and played with Ariana’s hair, which the evening wind had blown to cover her face. He gently smoothed it back behind Ariana’s ear.

“What else makes you doubt? Haven’t my actions so far proven that I want this to be a genuine marriage? That I am your husband and you are my wife?All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

“Do I need to write an agreement stating that I won’t leave you, won’t cheat, and I won’t even allow Karenina to come near me just to put your mind at ease?” he asked earnestly.

Ariana chuckled. “Should you?” she challenged.

Gerald shrugged. “Why not? Just list down the points you want. I’ll have my lawyer draft the contract,” he said again. Ariana laughed again.

“It doesn’t have to be that dramatic,” Ariana protested.

“If you think this is excessive, I don’t mind. In fact, everything I said is true.

“I swear, I won’t leave you, won’t cheat on you, let alone turn to your twin sister. If everything I said is a lie, you can do anything to me.”

“Anything?” Ariana challenged. Gerald nodded eagerly. “Including cutting that,” Ariana pointed to something between Gerald’s legs. Gerald immediately closed his knees tightly.

“Don’t be so cheeky, Mrs. Aarzu!” Gerald ordered.

Ariana burst into laughter. Gerald watched her carefully. His wife looked so enchanting with laughter on her face. And he was glad because this time, he was the one making her laugh, not someone else.

And honestly, he always wanted to make her laugh because of him. “I love you,” he said quite loudly.

Ariana’s laughter stopped instantly. She turned and stared at Gerald. “I know,” she replied.

But Ariana didn’t respond to Gerald’s statement the way Gerald hoped she would. Instead, she stood up and chose to go inside the house.

Gerald stood there, staring at her back in silence. Embarrassed? Of course, Gerald felt embarrassed. His ego was slightly bruised by Ariana’s nonchalant response to his confession. He couldn’t deny that he wanted Ariana to say the same thing in return.

Gerald saw Ariana raise her head to look at the sky and smile. “The sky tonight is beautiful.” She said, smiling gently.

“Yes, as beautiful as you,” Gerald said to himself. For some reason, Gerald was moved to stroke Ariana’s hair and gently kiss the top of the girl’s head, which clearly surprised the girl.

In his heart, Gerald said. “Oh my God, how could you create someone as beautiful as him? I hope that with him, I can get the happiness I have been seeking. I hope this girl is my destiny.

“I ask you to bless this marriage and relationship. Take care of us. Take care of this relationship. Keep us away from all the things that make this marriage damaged. And take care of myself, so I don’t return on the wrong path.

“Open and melt her heart for me. Make her eyes only look at me and make her heart lean towards me. And vice versa. I always keep my eyes only on her. And so that my love for her grows bigger. Amen.” Gerald kissed the top of Ariana’s head again with great tenderness.

They stood on the balcony side by side. Ariana held Gerald’s hand, which had been rubbing her head, and gently rubbed the back of Gerald’s hand in return. Gerald was also silent; he didn’t know what else to say to the girl who had become his wife. He just waited because maybe Ariana had something to say.

Slowly, he saw Ariana look up. The girl’s eyes looked confused, but also, on the one hand, Gerald saw hope.

“Why?” asked Gerald gently.