Chapter 1 _ The Night Everything Fell Apart

Aria's POV

Today was supposed to be one of the best days of my life.

Instead, it became the worst . First I watched my parents die and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I can still recall the car screeching in my head, along with the flashing red lights and screams that could make one deaf.

I remember my mother's voice shaking when she told me to run. I can clearly remember my father 's last words, “ Aria you have to protect your younger sister Maya and take revenge on those who caused our deaths”. before the two most important people in my life died on the same day.

I felt like my world was crumbling, as tears streamed down my face .

At that young age, I had to start questioning my existence and why I was so unlucky. I even thought life was unfair to me.

Death took away my parents so it was just me, my little sister, and my uncle. I met my best friend Milan and my boyfriend Micheal .

And now, I’ve just caught them both in bed. The two people I trusted most… betraying me at the same time.

But before everything went wrong, I was so happy today.

This morning I happily put off the alarm, waking up to see the sun rays of the morning sun spilling in my room. I slipped out of bed . Took off my night wear and changed into my bathroom robe as I strolled inside the bathroom.

My sister, Milan even teased me for waking up without snoozing the alarm, not to mention me being eager to go to work. She knew it was all because today is Michael's and I’s

3 year anniversary.

I imagined how he would react when he saw me tonight as I brushed my teeth.

The thought of that made me laugh a lot. Then I had a warm bath. I liked the way the water felt on my skin. It was so refreshing, I didn't know why I felt overly happy today.

I had to make breakfast next, but my sister already did it, so I just took my coffee and ate my sandwich, cheerfully telling myself, "Today is going to be a great day."

I went to work to take care of a few things before going to The Elysian Grand Hotel, where I and Michael would have our date tonight .

I wanted everything to be flawless tonight.

When Michael saw me at work, he rushed over and gave me a big hug.

"Happy anniversary! "I love you," darling.

I then answered, "I love you too!."

“Cheers to our anniversary!”

Then his lips met mine gently, slowly and full of emotion. At that moment, the fluorescent lights, the paperworks , documents , emails and files all faded.

All I could think of was the feeling of the warmth of the mouth on mine , the softness of his breath, and the way he made my knees weak, giving me butter flies in my belly.

I pulled back feeling shy and my cheeks flushed.

“I still get nervous around you “. “It's been 3 years, come on,” Michael said.

“I meet you at our reservation at 8:pm”

“Yes!” I replied.

_ _ _

After making reservations at the hotel I went shopping for the gift I would give my boyfriend. I got him his dream wrist watch _ The Rolex wrist watch .

And two tickets for us to go on a vacation in Maldives this summer I had saved for months to be able to afford this wrist watch, picturing the look on his face after he unwraps it. This gives me so much joy and satisfaction.

Then I went to the salon to get my hair done. I didn't bother to buy a dress because my sister already made me one . So I went back home to go get ready for my date .

_ _ _

I stood in front of the mirror admiring my dress. The one my sis made for me. Milan placed her hands on her hips dramatically, and looked at me in admiration and said

“ Michael is definitely going to freeze when he sees you.” Maya grinned.

“I mean like he would be completely stunned and lost in awe.”

” You think,” I said while smoothing my hair.

“Of course”! “He's definitely going to do that”.

“He may even pop the question you know” “Aria would you marry me? “.

“I wish “ I said to Maya “I truly hope that he would propose to me so we can't start our lives afresh.“ I said to myself.

When I arrived at the hotel, my heart was full of excitement. I made a reservation earlier and even requested a special romantic setup. And I must say, the hotel staff met my expectations.

The room looked so magical like those in the movies — ribbons and balloons hung from the ceiling, flower petals trailed from the doorway to the bed, and soft candlelight filled the air with a warm glow. A stereo played slow, romantic music in the background.

It was perfect… almost too perfect.

This made me remember my first date. Michael had booked a reset for us at RH Rooftop Restaurant. I can still remember how the restaurant looked like it had elegant rooftops dining with chandeliers and garden like setting. It was so romantic and I remember Michael giving me a promise necklace which is still on my neck.

“Michael should be here by now,” I murmured, glancing at the clock.

8:45 p.m.

He was already forty-five minutes late. I said after being carried away in thoughts.

I tried to stay calm. Maybe he got caught in traffic, maybe something urgent came up. I waited. I thought of his smile when he walked in .

One hour passed. Then another. By the third hour, the candles had melted halfway down, and my hope began to fade.

I even called my best friend Milan , she told me the same thing I was thinking “maybe other things came up or he got stuck in the traffic “. She even assured me that he was still going to come.

Frustration boiled inside me as I dropped the call. He knew how important this day was to me. How could he just… not show up? Couldn’t he at least call? Then I suddenly felt uncomfortable in the once romantic setting.

I didn't know what excuse to make again because he himself reminded me earlier today while we met at the office so I just didn't believe he wouldn't show up.

I sighed, opened a bottle of wine, and poured myself a glass.

Maybe the alcohol would make the disappointment hurt less.

By 11 p.m., I couldn’t take it anymore. Tears blurred my vision as I looked around the room — the decorations that once made me smile now made me feel like a fool.

I popped the balloons.

I scattered the rose petals.

I ruined everything I’d spent days planning.

Even after ruining even I thought that he would show up but he didn't.

I had it in the back of my mind that he would walk through the door , with flowers in his hands, smiling, and apologize for coming late. But that didn't happen.

I was dejected,heartbroken, I felt dejected, because if someone had told me that Michael wouldn't show up today I wouldn't believe it, because he even reminded me when we met at the office.

And when I had nothing left to destroy, with clenched fists I sat on the bed and reminisced about all what happened today from me being happy to getting sad . Like I couldn't still imagine that he didn't show up today .

Then I took out the wrist watch I got for him earlier today. I had saved every penny I had to be able to afford this and now he didn't show up . Even the summer vacation tickets I booked are all going to waste .

Then I began to feel numb , I felt

an intense form of pain I felt on the night of my parents death. My chest began to ache. My cheeks swollen and my eyes red as a result of the uncontrollable tears that flowed freely from my face.

I had thought he was going to propose, I imagined our future together , I remembered the plans we had made , the dreams we shared, the moments we have ,. And the tears just kept flowing.

I cried till there were no more tears , then I fell asleep .

---

The sound of my phone buzzing pulled me out of sleep. My head ached, and the scent of melted candles and spilled wine filled the room.

I looked at the screen.

Michael.

Finally,

Anger and relief fought inside me as I answered, my voice harsh.

“Michael, where the hell are you?”

There was a pause. Then his voice came — nonchalant, careless, and without emotion.

“Aria, I’m sorry. Something came up. I’ll call you later.”

Click.

He hung up.

That was it? After leaving me waiting all night, that was all he had to say?

I clenched my phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. I was done with this shit.

I grabbed my purse, checked out and rushed out of the hotel, my heels clicking furiously against the marble floor.

When I arrived, the lights in his apartment were still on.

I walked up the stairs, my hands trembling as I pushed the door open.

And there it was. My worst nightmare came to life. Michael was tangled under the sheets with my best friend Milan.

My whole world came to a stop. I was having difficulty breathing. unable to move. The air was somewhat heavy.

When Milan saw me, she was shocked.

“What the fuck is going on here?” I asked.

"It's not what you think, Aria—" "Not what I think?" My voice trembled with fear. Then, Milan, what is it? A dream? A misunderstanding? A Joke? A prank ?

Michael grabbed for his shirt and sat up. "Hey, I can explain”.

"What can you explain?!" The sound of my voice came from deep within me. "How could you sleep with her and leave me waiting all night?

“She is not even a whore she's my best friend”. How could you Michael?

It took me a lot not to smash the vase on Michael's head because I was so angry but I didn't want to kill anybody.

"So, when I called you last night, you were with him?" I questioned, looking at Milan she didn't say anything,

"I don't want to repeat myself”.

“Yes!” said yes after I yelled at her.

My eyes stung with tears, but I refused the urge to cry. They wouldn't get that satisfaction from me.

"Michael, I gave you everything. My devotion, my love, and my time. I literally gave you everything.

To be with you, I made many sacrifices, and this— My voice cracking,

I gestured around the room. "This is how you pay me back?" They both remained silent. No scream could have drowned out the silence.

All of a sudden, everything made sense. The project, the award money, and the day he claimed that the system had "glitches" Is that when it began? Was that the reason he used Milan's name rather than mine?

"You made me believe that it was an error, and you even made a promise to correct it."

"You have no idea how it feels to put in a lot of effort for a company's project, have already planned for the prize money, and then have someone suddenly claim it."

“I kept quiet while Milan took all the credit and received praise and admiration, including "oh, you're a genius" and "how did you come up with such a brilliant idea."

"Do you think it was that easy to overlook all those things? It wasn't, but I had to, I think, because you let me believe it was a technical issue."

"I had no idea that I had become this daft ,that I didn't notice you guys or maybe because I was in love with you Michael” “Yes I was, I no longer do now” .The tears I finally struggled to hold in betrayed me as they flowed freely to my face .

After much thought Michael finally makes an effort to speak.

Michael: "Please, Aria. I didn't intend for you to know this way. "You're misinterpreting things; the project has nothing to do with this."

"You were too emotional all the time. You never fully understand how the business operates”. "I promise you, Ariana, this had nothing to do with the company's project."

“Aria, you must believe me when I say that I still love you. “

“ Milan you're such an ingrate. After letting you join the team last minute you went and removed my name from the submission.”

Milan: "Aria, you always had it all.”

“Michael's attention, the job, and the talent. I wanted something for myself for once.”

I finally let out a laugh, but it wasn't even my own; it was a broken, bitter laugh. "You know what? I get it”.” You both would make a good couple”. Then I forcefully cut the neck lace he gave me and threw it away.

I started to walk away, but as I spoke again, my voice broke. However, I truly hope that karma finds you both.