Her Face, My Wife's Shadow

Aria’s POV

I adjusted the strap of my handbag as I stepped out of the terminal, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar city in Australia.

The sun was warm against my skin, but it did little to calm the strange unease twisting inside my stomach.

This was my first international project as an architect. This should have been exciting, exploring a new place. But still… I felt restless.

"Relax."

Ethan nudged my shoulders as he walked beside me, rolling his suitcase with one hand.

“You look like you're about to walk into an execution, not a business meeting.”

I forced a smile, facing him.

“I'm not nervous.”

“I'm glad the HOD permits you to come along with us to see the CEO of Sterling Holdings.” Mark chimed in as he walked beside Mila.

“Yeah, I'm excited. Sterling Holdings isn't just any client.” I said.

"No," Ethan agreed, removing his arms from my shoulder. “It's one of the biggest luxury development firms in the world, which is exactly why we should look confident.”

I exhaled quietly.

That's right! Confidence!

We chatted excitedly as we made our way towards the private pickup area arranged for us.

A line of sleek black SUVs came into view; the guards in suits came out, helping us with our suitcase when a tall man came down from the car.

He was dressed in a navy blue suit tailored so perfectly it looked sewn onto his body. His dark hair was brushed back, his jaw sharp, and his composure rigid.

He looked powerful, controlled and dangerous. Even from a distance, I could feel it.

“Is that him?” I whispered.

Ethan nodded. “Yes, Mr Alexander Sterling.”

I never imagined he could look this handsome even when he's frowning with that cold expression.

He took a step towards us, his eyes landing on me.

Then his feet froze.

That expression he had earlier disappeared into a shock with his eyes widened and his lips parted slightly.

He was looking at me as if he had seen something impossible.

Did I do something wrong? Was I not supposed to be here? Why is he…

“Isabella.”

The name stopped my thoughts.

Before my lips parted to say something, Alexander Sterling walked with three strides to reach me, pulling me in his arms with my face buried in his chest.

His arms tightened around me. "You're here," he whispered in my ear. “I can't believe you're…”

“Let me go!”

At that moment, I didn't care if he was my client or a billionaire. I drove my elbow into his stomach.

“What the hell…” he cursed under his breath as he grunted and staggered backwards.

“Aria!” Ethan rushed forward. “Please forgive her, Mr Sterling; she didn't mean it.”

He ignored Ethan, his gaze still fixed on my face. Like… he was trying to solve a puzzle.

Loathing crawled over my skin, and I stepped back before he could touch me again.

“Mr Sterling", I said sharply. “I have no idea who Isabella is, but I suggest you stop staring at me like that.”

His breathing was even. “Who are you?”

My brows drew together, a crease forming between them. “Aria Bennett",

The area went silent for a brief minute while the others shifted nervously.

Finally, Ethan stepped in. “Mr Sterling, she's Aria, our special architect. We all came from New York to finalise the deal and start work immediately.”

Alexander Sterling still didn't look away from me; his gaze moved slowly upward to my hair, then my eyes, down to my nose, lips and ears.

His entire body stiffened as he stared at my ears.

I instinctively touched my ear, wondering what he was looking at.

His jaw tightened as he slid his hands into his pocket. "Interesting."

My heart dropped, and I held my bag tightly.

What was he thinking? Will he ask me to go back to New York?

Oh no! What have I done? I shouldn't have hit him that way or talked to him rudely.

“The cars are waiting," he said suddenly. "There has been a change in plans. You will not be staying at the hotel. My private estate is better suited for the security and privacy of this project."

"We’ve already booked rooms at the Ritz," I said politely, trying not to ruin my second chance.

"The hotel reservation has been cancelled.” His eyes met mine. "You are my guests.”

My eyelids fluttered as I tried to process what I’d just heard. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me clearly, Ms Bennett.”

My expression hardened. “Absolutely not.”

Ethan shifted beside me. “Mr Sterling…”

“If your team has a problem with that," Alexander interrupted, “you’re free to take the next flight back to New York and consider our contract void."

My fists clenched at my sides. “You..."

“Take it or leave it.” He turned to leave.

My gaze drifted to Ethan, and then he turned to the others. To my disbelief, he smiled nervously.

“We’re honoured to accept your invitation, Mr Sterling.”

"Ethan".

He avoided my eyes, still staring at Alexander.

Right? The contract was still important.

I clenched my jaw and stormed towards the nearest SUV. The rest of the team entered the other car. I called Mila to sit next to me, but she turned to the other car as Alexander opened the door and sat next to me.

Is he a pervert? Is this how he behaves around women?

The entire ride to his estate, I felt his gaze on me; he never left my face. My fingers fidgeted at my side as I shifted uneasily to the edge of the seat, facing the glass window.

Suddenly, the car rolled over a stone, which made the vehicle shake, causing me to fall over his side, my head hitting his shoulders.

“Are you okay?” He raised his hand to touch me, but I shifted my weight against the door.

“I'm fine.”

By the time we arrived, the sun was beginning to settle down. The estate was a fortress of marble and glass set on the edge of a cliff, the ocean crashing violently beneath it.

Something about it made my chest tighten. I couldn't place the strange feelings growing inside of me.

“Step down.” Alexander's voice snapped me back.

We followed him through the doors into a grand hall, so silent I could hear our footsteps echo.

“Aria, this house is a bit scary and yet so beautiful. It feels like no one has lived here for years.” Mila whispered to me as she walked beside me, following Ethan and Mark from behind.

“Wait here,” he ordered. He walked down the corridor alone.

What is wrong with that man? What is he trying to do now?

Alexander Sterling returned and stopped beside a massive object hidden beneath a black silk sheet. Without a word, he gripped the cord and pulled the silk down.

The room gasped loudly to my ears.

My body went still as my gaze locked onto the portrait.

In the portrait, a woman laughed in her wedding gown, one hand resting on Alexander’s chest, blue eyes full of light.

I stepped closer, as if drawn against my will. I lowered my head, staring at my hands, as if they might betray me at any moment.

"No", my voice was trembling. "That’s… impossible."

Alexander moved close enough that his lips were close to my ears.

"Is it, Ms Aria?" He murmured.

"That woman… is my wife. And yet, you’re standing in her house.”