(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana fell silent. She remained quiet for quite a while until Gerald thought the girl had fallen asleep. “Ariana?” Gerald called her name.

Ariana looked up again. “Aren’t you going to ask something?” Gerald asked again.

Ariana shrugged. “I don’t know,” she replied shortly. “I guess I don’t need to know your past. Not because I don’t care and don’t want to know. But I think, I prefer not to hear.” Her answer made sense. “Why?”

Ariana shook her head. “I just don’t want to someday compare myself to someone I never knew,” she answered shortly. “I don’t like being compared to others. Especially if that person meant something in someone else’s life. It always makes me feel hurt.” Ariana answered again. “So I think I don’t need to know who your first love was and why your relationship ended.”

Gerald was taken aback by the girl’s words. When most girls preferred to dig into their lover’s past, Ariana did the opposite. And her reasons made sense. She didn’t want to be compared to someone else. Gerald didn’t deny the possibility of that happening. People often use others as examples and wish the same things to happen in their lives. However, in reality, what appears isn’t always the truth. It could be just a camouflage.

Gerald kissed Ariana’s forehead again when she lowered her head and leaned back on Gerald’s chest. Alright, if Ariana didn’t want to know about someone from his past, then someday Gerald would tell her when she wanted to hear it.

He could feel Ariana’s breathing slowly becoming regular. Now he knew that Ariana had fallen asleep. He smiled, finding a comfortable position for his head before falling asleep with her. Perhaps they could meet in their dreams later. Gerald smiled in his sleep.

The sunlight opened Ariana’s eyes. She blinked, aware of the warmth enveloping her body. Ariana tried to gather her thoughts, trying to remember what she had gone through last night. And she felt embarrassed about it. Oh God. Was she drunk last night? How could she be so open with Gerald? But oh well, she couldn’t take back everything she said.

Ariana tried to slowly remove Gerald’s legs wrapped around hers. But it seemed the man was so sensitive. Instead of releasing his leg from hers, he tightened his grip even more.

“Get up, it’s morning,” she said while trying to remove Gerald’s hand that was still holding her waist.

“In a moment,” mumbled Gerald with his hoarse voice.

Ariana hit the man’s arm quite hard. “Gerald!” she snapped. Gerald then opened his eyes and looked at Ariana irritably.

“Even though I was having a sweet dream.” the man grumbled. Gerald brought their lower bodies closer together, and Ariana suddenly widened her eyes when she felt something throbbing down there. “A little bit more.” the man whined. And Ariana knew what that meant. She pushed Gerald quickly, making Gerald groan again.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Pervert!” Ariana exclaimed. She struggled to unzip the sleeping bag and emerged from the tent. The campfire that had warmed them the night before now appeared completely extinguished. Ariana walked on, heading towards the bathroom, ignoring Gerald who was still lying inside the tent.

When Ariana finished brushing her teeth, Gerald finally emerged with disheveled hair. It was clear he had messed it up himself, presumably out of frustration. He reached for his toothbrush and handed it to Ariana, asking her to put toothpaste on it. Ariana complied. Afterward, she placed the toothbrush and toothpaste back where they belonged.

Gerald looked fresher now, with his hair tidier, although he was still wearing the same sleeping shirt from the night before.

“Let’s get ready,” she said shortly.

“Where to?” asked Gerald, his brow furrowed. “Home, of course.”

“Home where?” Gerald still looked at her, puzzled. “To your house. To Zeroun’s residence,” Ariana replied, annoyed.

“Why? I thought you didn’t want to go back there.”

“Honestly, I don’t want to go back,” Ariana replied flatly. “But what about Axel? He shouldn’t be looking for you during breakfast.” Ariana’s reasoning made sense. As she said this, she scanned the walk-in closet. “Where are my clothes?” she asked again.

Gerald shrugged. “Maybe someone already took them to the laundry,” he replied casually. Instead, he opened another closet door and showed new clothes that matched Ariana’s style. “Not much yet, but I think you can find something suitable here,” Gerald added.

Ariana glared at him. But then, she picked out an outfit from there haphazardly. “Get out, I want to shower,” she commanded Gerald. Gerald remained in his place, his eyes mischievously twinkling at Ariana. Ariana raised an eyebrow. Even though she knew what was on Gerald’s mind, she was certain she wouldn’t comply. She had nearly gone too far the night before.

Gerald ultimately gave up. He left the walk-in closet and even exited the bathroom. Ariana continued to follow him, which surprised Gerald himself. “Where are you going? Didn’t you kick me out? Why are you still following me?” he asked, confused.

“I’m not stupid, Mr. Aarzu. I know this bathroom doesn’t have a lock. So instead of you barging in while I’m showering, I’d rather lock you out from the outside,” she said. Gerald snorted but without many words, he left his room.

Ariana finished her shower and was now wearing a long-sleeved white blouse that reached mid-thigh and a pair of jeans that fit her perfectly. She had combed her hair and then unlocked the door to her room. Gerald appeared fresh with wet hair and new clothes. Although Ariana was curious why he had changed clothes, she didn’t ask too many questions.

“They left Gerald’s house after previously saying goodbye to the housekeeper. It turned out that the housekeeper lived there with his wife and a young child, who was probably around seven or eight years old.

“Have they been working here for a long time?” Ariana asked curiously.

Gerald shrugged. “They used to live in Zeroun’s residence. Before I asked them to move here and stay. Maybe about four or five years,” Gerald replied matter-of-factly.

“So, has this house been built for that long? Why? Who was it built for before? Your first love?” Ariana teased, wanting to know.

Gerald glanced at Ariana for a moment before refocusing on the empty road ahead. “Didn’t you say last night that you didn’t want to know about my past, Mrs. Aarzu?” Gerald teased Ariana. “Why? Are you feeling jealous now?” Ariana, feeling embarrassed, could only bite her lower lip.”