Chapter 230
Aria’s POV
I pointed at the trophy sitting on the side. “No first place, no surprise p>
Looking down at my hands resting on my knees, I fidgeted nervously with my fingers. My first attempt at acting, and I was terrified Aiden would see right through
me.
Aiden couldn’t see my expression, but he must have thought I was genuinely upset with my head hanging low like that.
“Second place is still something to celebrate,” he said, reaching out to stroke my hair. “Hungry p>
Before I could answer, my traitorous stomach growled loudly.
I lifted my head, my ears burning with embarrassment. “Starving p>
“Want to grab something to eat p>
“God, yes p>
Aiden stood up, and I instinctively reached for his hand, which he gripped firmly. After hesitating for a moment, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him.
“You’re not mad at me, are you?” I asked, searching his face.
“Why would I be mad when my beautiful wife went to all this trouble just to surprise me?” he replied with a gentle smile.
Hearing those words made my stomach flip with guilt. I quickly averted my gaze, unable to meet his eyes. “Good. I’m glad you’re not upset p>
Aiden quirked an eyebrow, finally catching on that I’d been deliberately playing the sympathy card.
Damn. My little fox has learned some new tricks. She’s getting good at this acting thing.
Realizing Aiden wasn’t actually angry, my mood instantly brightened. “Did you come here early this morning p>
“Of course. My wife was planning a surprise, so I couldn’t very well interfere with her preparations, could I p>
I pressed my lips together, not knowing how to respond.
We headed to the hotel buffet first. It was peak lunch hour, and the restaurant was packed with people.
My eyes darted around until I spotted a couple leaving their table. “Found seats!” I exclaimed, pulling Aiden quickly toward the vacant spot.
“Thanks to my quick-thinking wife,” he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
I felt my cheeks flush, sensing something odd about his tone today.
“What would you like? I’ll get it for you,” he offered.
I considered going with him but realized someone needed to guard our table in this crowd. After a moment’s thought, I said, “Seafood fried rice and watermelon juice, please p>
I was actually hungry enough to devour everything in sight, but I didn’t want to seem greedy, so I kept my request modest.
Aiden gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, leaning down slightly with a smile playing on his lips. “Just that p>
I nodded firmly. “Just that p>
“You sure p>
Feeling self-conscious, I insisted, “Positive p>
Did I really look like someone who could eat that much?
After he walked away, I glanced down at myself. I didn’t think so.
Five minutes later, Aiden returned balancing a tray loaded with steak, pasta, salmon, Argentinian red prawns, plus the seafood fried rice and watermelon juice I’d requested.
My mouth watered as I stared at the feast. When I looked up and met his knowing
smile, I felt my face heat up. “Isn’t this… a bit much?” I asked lamely.
Aiden set the tray down and gave me an amused look. “What do you think p>
I bit my lip. “I can probably finish it all p>
He didn’t call me out on my obvious lie. “Start with these. If you want more, I’ll get
it p>
My hand trembled slightly around my spoon. “I mean, I’m hungry, but I can’t eat this much p>
“What about me?” he asked.
I blinked, realizing my mistake. “Oh! Right. Let’s eat. I’m starving p>
Lillian and Anna had gone looking
for me right after I left the stage, but when they reached the bottom of
the runway, they were told I’d
already left. Concerned I might ha
been bullied by Diana, they searched
everywhere before finally fearning
from a staff member that I’d left
with my husband.
Eventually, hunger drove them to the restaurant.
From across the room, Anna spotted me first. “Lil, there’s Aria!” she whispered,
keeping her voice down to avoid drawing attention.
Lillian followed her gaze and caught sight of Aiden tenderly wiping the corner of my mouth with his thumb.
Ridiculous. They were literally being fed dog food – the romantic kind.
Obviously, Anna had seen it too. “God, her husband is so gentle with her,” she sighed enviously.
Lillian couldn’t help but look at Aiden again. Okay, she had to admit, he really was incredibly tender when it came to me.
“Well, we found her. Let’s eat and not
disturb the lovebirds” she decided
At this point, approaching us would
only mean subjecting themselves to
more romantic displays.
I froze, staring at Aiden as he casually continued eating after wiping my mouth. Heat
crawled up my cheeks.
I unconsciously licked my lips, still feeling the warmth of his fingertip against the corner of my mouth.
Aiden placed a peeled prawn in my bowl and noticed my stare. His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Full already p>
I snapped out of my daze and shook my head. “Not yet p>
“Take your time. Do you need to make another appearance this afternoon?” he asked.
I nodded. “At the end, for one more group photo p>
I’d originally planned to eat, take a nap, and then head back for the closing. But now that Aiden was here p>
I bit into the juicy red prawn and asked cautiously, “Do you know how to drive a jet ski p>
“A little,” he admitted.
My eyes lit up immediately. “Want to try riding one p>
Aiden placed the last prawn in my bowl and methodically wiped his fingers with a
moist towelette. “I’m not very good at it,” he confessed.
Which meant he wanted to try but wasn’t confident.
My eyes sparkled with excitement. “That’s fine! I’ll take you p>
“Sounds good p>
I suddenly felt thrilled. I’d never taken a man jet skiing before—only Lillian in the
past.
Lillian was the classic example of someone with more enthusiasme than skill. If I went too slowly, she’d accuse me of underestimating her If I sped up, she’d claim I was doing it on purpose to scare her,
I wondered if Aiden would be scared.
At that thought, a mischievous idea crept into my mind. My lips curved into a smile
that clearly broadcast my intentions.
Aiden watched me but didn’t comment. He seemed more curious about something else-when his “Mrs. Carter” would ask him about the AR195.
I finished the last prawn and realized I couldn’t eat another bite. I rubbed my stomach and took a sip of watermelon juice. “I’m stuffed p>
“Too much?” he asked, eyeing me.
Having twice in the past eaten myself sick, I quickly denied it. “No, no.” I really was
hungry after all the physical exertion today.
Aiden handed me a napkin and checked his watch. “It’s only one o’clock. Still early.
Want to go back and take a nap p>
I was about to decline, but glancing outside at the harsh sunlight made me reconsider. “Mm-hmm,” I agreed.