Chapter 205
Aria’s POV
Julian, noticing the caller ID, smoothly excused himself with his drink. The moment
he turned away, the smile vanished from his eyes, replaced by a subtle, unreadable expression.
I gestured to Summer with my phone, indicating I needed to take the call.
Summer nodded. “I’ll go grab your lunch for you p>
It was a demanding day – we had to shoot a promotional video right after lunch, or
we wouldn’t finish everything today. So, lunch had to be quick and easy.
While Summer went to get our food, I walked down the corridor, stood by the window, and then finally answered the call.
“Hello p>
“Are you done filming?” Aidan’s deep voice rumbled.
I tapped my fingertips lightly against the windowpane. “Not yet. We still have a short
promotional video to shoot this afternoon.” I went on, “This perfume campaign actually has two spokespeople p>
Aidan always got straight to the point. He immediately asked, “Who’s the other one p>
“Julian p>
“What time do you finish this afternoon p>
“I’m not sure,” I admitted, having never shot a promotional video before. I was worried I might slow things down.
“I’ll come pick you up p>
I frowned slightly. “Wouldn’t that be a little… awkward p>
Aidan’s hearty laugh boomed through the phone. “What’s awkward about that p>
My heart fluttered at the sound. “Okay, I’ll call you when I’m done p>
“I’ll head over as soon as my meeting is finished.” He paused, and I heard his chuckle again p>
I’m afraid someone might try to steal my wife away p>
I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s ridiculous! I’m not a child p>
“Alright, fine, it’s actually because I miss you.” His voice was low and magnetic.
I admit, I was utterly captivated. My pulse quickened. It was hard to explain the feeling. Just a few simple words. It thrilled me more than any physical intimacy. My husband missed me, even when I wasn’t with him. But did he truly love me? I couldn’t be sure.
While I was lost in thought and hesitation, Aidan said, “Go have lunch, Mrs. Carter.” Summer had already returned with our food. “Alright, I should go eat now,” I said. “Then hang up the phone p>
I pressed my lips together, reluctant to end the call, but finally tapped the screen, then turned and walked back.
Summer immediately gave me a knowing glance. “Was that Mr. Carter on the phone p>
I shot her a sidelong glance. “Give me my food p>
“Wow, Aidan is so good to you!” she exclaimed, growing even more animated. “So, when are you two planning to have a baby? Maybe you could take advantage of the quieter time this fall p>
“Don’t even start!” I said, taking the lunchbox. “We have no plans for children anytime soon p>
Summer laughed. “I totally get it! Mr. Carter clearly wants you all to himself!” She added, “If you have a little baby, your time alone together will definitely decrease p>
I chose not to respond. It was my private business. Summer didn’t press the issue. We found a place to sit and eat, and then suddenly, there was a knock at the door. I instinctively looked up to see Julian walk in, carrying two bags. “Cream of mushroom soup, one for each of you,” he announced.
Summer thanked him warmly.
“You’re welcome, enjoy your lunch.” With that, he turned and left.
Watching Julian’s retreating figure, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his attitude towards me earlier had been a bit strange.
Before I could analyze it further, Summer let out an exaggerated sigh. “Everyone’s falling for you! Even superstar Julian can’t resist p>
My eyes widened in shock. “What are you talking about p>
“I’m not making this up!” she insisted. “I was watching him from below the stage
earlier. The way he looked at you was practically brimming with longing p>
I stared at her. “Don’t talk nonsense,” I said. “I’m a married woman, and Julian knows that p>
Summer glanced around to make sure Julian had truly left before leaning closer to me and lowering her voice. “I’m serious! Look, I have photographic proof!” She explained that she had been taking photos of me working for promotional purposes but as she kept snapping pictures, she noticed something strange.
During the previous retakes, as I followed the photographer’s instructions, Julian had been standing outside the crowd,
watching me with an inexplic
focused gaze. Summer hadn’t paid much attention at first, thinking she was imagining things. But after the shoot, when she reviewed the photos, she discovered that in
several shots, Julian’s gaze at me
was almost intimate.
“Look!” She slid her phone across to me, its screen displaying the photos. “See for yourself p>
I chewed on my chopsticks skeptically and took her phone. The first photo showed
the photographer explaining shooting techniques to me, with Julian standing nearby, looking in our direction.
“What’s wrong with this?” I asked, unable to see anything unusual.
“You don’t see anything wrong with *this* photo?” Summer asked, sounding a little annoyed, and quickly swiped the screen to the next shot.
This photo captured the moment I was amused by the photographer’s words. Julian stood right beside me, watching me, a gentle smile gracing his face.
I still looked at Summer with a
bewildered expression, so she swiped the screen to another photo. This one was even clearer. In the photo after the shoot had wrapped up and people were gradually leaving the studio, I was looking down at my phone, Julian stood by, the doorway, looking down at me, his gaze filled with warmth.
I blinked. “Summer,” I said, “maybe you should read more poetry and fewer romance novels.” Julian was just looking at me normally. Why was she so insistent on seeing things that weren’t even there?
Summer opened her mouth to retort, but then sighed and gave up.
Although I dismissed Summer’s opinion at the time, her words still affected me. That afternoon, during the shoot, I found myself unable to concentrate at all. The director finally gave me a twenty-minute break to compose myself, warning that at this rate, we might be shooting until midnight.
I felt terrible. I had never been the one to hold people back in my life, yet today, I was the bottleneck.
Summer had gone to get me water when suddenly, a sports drink appeared in front of me. I thought Summer had returned and instinctively reached for it. Looking up, I realized it was Julian holding the bottle.
I was so surprised I almost choked, and awkwardly met his gaze. “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled. “I’ve slowed everyone down p>
“Don’t worry about it,” he reassured me gently. “It’s your first time shooting this kind of Video; it’s perfectly normal p>