Chapter 120
Aria’s POV
I panic as Claire’s confession echoes in my ears, my heart racing uncontrollably. Stay calm, Aria, I tell myself, but her words keep ringing in my head.
“Miss Bennett,” I force a smile, trying to appear normal, “I suddenly need to use the restroom p>
Without waiting for her response, I hurry out of the room, practically breaking into a run. My only thought is to escape this awkward situation as quickly as possible.
“Aria! The restroom isn’t that way!” Claire calls after me.
But I’m already rushing toward the stairs, completely ignoring her. Good Lord, this is so unexpected! I’ve received my fair share of confessions before, but never from another woman! I have absolutely no issue with her orientation, but being the object of her affection… I’m completely at a loss for how to respond.
All I can think about is finding Aiden. Regret washes over me like a tide – why did I leave his side earlier? The ballroom is enormous, and with so many guests tonight, I spend a good fifteen minutes searching without catching even a glimpse of him.
My phone is still in his jacket pocket, making it impossible to call him directly. But then it hits me – I could call my own phone! The thought immediately brightens my spirits.
I scan the room, looking for someone who might lend me their phone. After a couple minutes of careful observation, I spot a professional-looking woman wearing a black spaghetti strap dress with a white blazer draped over her shoulders. The blazer has two pockets – perfect for carrying a phone.
“Hello,” I approach her with my best attempt at a composed smile, “could I ask for a favor p>
“Of course,” she smiles back warmly, “need to make a call p>
I gratefully take the phone she offers and dial my own number. As the connection tone sounds, I grip the phone nervously.
“Hello, this is Aiden Carter, Aria’s husband,” his familiar voice comes through the speaker.
“It’s me,” my voice trembles slightly against my will, “can we… go home now p>
“I thought you and Miss Bennett were getting along so well?” There’s a hint of amusement in his tone that I can barely detect.
“She’s… probably quite busy. I don’t want to impose,” I fumble for an excuse.
“Understood,” he doesn’t press me further, surprisingly, “stay where you are. I’ll come find you p>
“Okay,” I pause briefly, then add, “please hurry p>
I returned the phone to the elegant woman, my cheeks still burning with embarrassment. “Thank you so much,” I said, my gratitude genuine despite my flustered state.
“I’m Julia Roy,” she introduced herself with a gracious smile that lit up her refined features.
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Roy,” I replied, immediately wincing at how stilted I sounded.
Julia regarded me thoughtfully for a moment before letting out a soft, melodic laugh. “You’re absolutely charming, Miss Jones p>
Before I could craft a proper response, a friend beckoned Julia from across the room with an urgent wave.
“Do forgive me, Miss Jones. Perhaps we can continue our chat another time,” she said with genuine warmth, her departure as polished as her presence.
“Of course, I’d love that,” I replied, watching her glide away with effortless grace.
Left to my own devices, I remained planted where Aiden had instructed me to stay, though standing alone amid such grandeur felt increasingly awkward.
Just then, a server weaved through the crowd carrying a tray of vibrant cocktails that sparkled like liquid jewels under the ballroom’s chandeliers.
Without much thought, I reached for one and took a cautious sip. The flavor burst across my palate-a delightful symphony of tart citrus and tropical fruit that was absolutely divine.
The taste was so exquisite that I couldn’t resist another sip, then another. I’d never encountered this particular cocktan before and had no idea what it was caffed, but was utterly delicious.
Before I knew it, I’d drained the entire glass.
I scanned the sea of elegantly dressed guests, searching for any sign of Aiden’s familiar silhouette, but the sheer number of people made it impossible to spot him.
With nothing else to occupy my time, I found myself absentmindedly practicing piano fingerings on my thigh-an old habit that helped calm my nerves. I’d barely begun when sharp, cutting voices pierced through the ambient chatter beside me.
“Look at Miss Jones, so wonderfully dedicated. Can’t even take a break from practicing at a social function p>
“Well, she certainly needs all the practice she can get if she hopes to win anything this year p>
“Eight months in and what does she have to show for it? Not much, I’d say p>
Aiden’s POV
I’m in the middle of a conversation with Ryan on the second floor when I feel a phone vibrating in my pocket. I pull out the device with its cream-colored bunny case – Aria’s phone.
“Hello, this is Aiden Carter, Aria’s husband,” I answer professionally.
“It’s me,” comes her slightly trembling voice from the other end.
“What’s wrong?” I instinctively soften my tone.
“Can we… go home now?” she asks hesitantly.
I can’t help but tease her a little: “I thought you and Miss Bennett were getting along
so well p>
“She’s… probably quite busy. I don’t want to impose,” she stammers. I can just imagine how adorable she looks when making up excuses.
“Understood,” I decide not to push her further, “stay where you are. I’ll come find
you p>
“Okay,” she pauses briefly before adding in a small voice, “please hurry p>
Her final words catch me off guard, making my breath hitch for a moment.
Ending the call, I slip the phone back into my pocket and immediately head for the stairs, not even bothering to look at Ryan.
“Hey… where are you going?” he calls after me.
“To find my wife and go home,” I reply simply.
I pause on my way and turn back to him with a slight smirk: “Aren’t you going to find
yours p>
“Oh, sorry. I forgot you don’t have a wife p>
I can hear him cursing under his breath as I continue downstairs. “Damn! Is having
a wife such a big deal? Are you the only one in the world who has one p>