Chapter Eight

THE QUESTIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

At 6 a.m., Aria tiptoed downstairs. The house was so quiet.

She had barely slept after hearing Lilly talk about Bella the previous evening. What bothered her most was not Lilly's words. It was Dave's hesitation to give a reply to Lilly.

Just a few days ago, he had been keeping tabs on her activities. "When she would be back home, if she had eaten.” Even though she couldn’t tell where all those questions were coming from, Aria had almost believed, for a moment, that he cared; she thought their relationship had changed a little.

She immediately pushed the thought away. “It was better not to misunderstand him.”

She picked up her bag and headed toward the door.

The old housemaid, Mrs. Rose, walked out from the kitchen and stopped when she saw her.

"Madam Aria?"

Aria turned.

"You're leaving already? It's early.”

“I have some work to take care of."

Mrs. Rose glanced at the clock. "It's just 6 a.m.”

Aria gave a small smile. “I know.”

The older woman studied her face for a while but didn't press. Instead, she returned to the kitchen and came back with a wrapped sandwich and a cup of coffee. "At least take these to have the energy for the day."

Aria looked at them. "You didn't have to. I will get food at my work cafeteria.”

"I know I didn't have to. But you didn't have dinner last night. Mrs. Rose placed them in her hands.

Aria's expression softened. "Thank you."

Mrs. Rose smiled. She understood Aria so well that she could tell she was not happy even when Aria didn’t say a word. "Don't let work make you forget yourself." The old woman said.

Aria nodded. Before she could open the door, Mrs. Rose remembered something.

"Oh, Madam Aria." "Madam Evelyn asked about you yesterday evening."

"She did?" Aria's eyes widened. Her mother-in-law never inquired about her except when the matter was related to the family reputation.

"Yes. I told her you were not back."

"All right.” Aria nodded slowly. Her hand reached for the door.

"Where are you going this early?" Madam Evelyn's voice came from behind her.

Aria's breath caught. She froze at the sound of the voice behind her.

"To work? So early? But what do you do exactly?

"Yes. I... I...Aria hesitated.

“ Forget it. "I don't really care where you go. Just don't stay out too late. I want to discuss something with you later. Come back early."

"I will." Aria nodded.

Aria left before the conversation could continue. As she closed the door behind her, she released a quiet breath. She thanked God he didn't come down; that was the whole reason she had left so early.

By eight o'clock, Dave was already in his office.

Lost in the files that spread across his desk, which needed immediate attention when Ethan walked in without knocking.

Dave didn't look up. Because he knew who would dare do that.

"You're late." He said.

Ethan dropped into the chair opposite him. "It's just eight in the morning."

"Exactly," Dave added.

"Good morning to you too." Ethan rolled his eyes

Dave finally looked up. "Why are you here?" Talk fast. I don't have time for you.

"The meeting you had with the supplier yesterday, how did it go?” Ethan asked.

Dave closed the file in front of him as he leaned back on his luxury, comfy chair. "The supplier confirmed what we suspected. Their production schedule is already under pressure." He responded.

"Because of Leon's order?" Ethan asked.

"Partly." Dave placed a report on the desk.

"If we move to another supplier, we can avoid the immediate shortage." Ethan reminded him as he glanced at the report.

“What about Quality?" Dave asked.

Ethan pointed to the figures. Our current supplier understands our brand. Their leather, finishing materials, and production standards have been consistent for years."

Dave nodded.

"A new supplier won't guarantee that," Ethan added

"Exactly the problem.” "We could get the quantity, but if the quality changes, customers will notice." Dave's expression hardened. "Liam Group can't build a luxury reputation and then destroy it because we're trying to solve a supply problem."

Ethan tapped the report. "We need another solution before the gala." He said.

Dave looked at the calendar on his desk.

The fashion gala was approaching quickly. Major luxury brands would be presenting their latest collections, and buyers, media representatives, designers, investors, and industry leaders would be watching closely.

For Liam Group, the gala was an opportunity to strengthen its position globally.

"All right. Let's do it this way. We keep the current supplier for now," Dave said. "But find alternatives quietly."

"Already doing it." Ethan agreed.

Ethan stood to leave, but stopped. "There's something else." He said.

"What?" Dave raised his eyebrow.

"Your wife."

Dave's expression changed slightly.

"What about her?"

"I remember we saw her at the supplier's building the other day.”

“And what about that?” Dave knew he was about to say something that would annoy him but the truth.

"Hope you are not thinking she might be linked to all this. Probably she had business around there."

"I know," Dave responded.

Ethan stared at him. “My brother, you don’t know.”

"I know she was there," Dave muttered

"That's not what I meant." Ethan crossed his arms. "You've been married to her for how long, and you still don't know what kind of work she does?"

Dave's silence gave him away.

Ethan shook his head. "Seriously?"

"She never talks about it," Dave replied.

"Have you ever asked her?"

Dave raised his shoulder before allowing it to fall again.

"Then you can't complain about not knowing."And if you say you ain't complaining, I’m sure you're curious.

"I didn't say that either." Dave narrowed his eyes

"You're my best friend. I've known you since college. I know when you're curious."

Dave ignored him and picked up another report.

Ethan wasn't finished.

"Maybe she simply had something to handle there. You don't have to make it complicated."

Dave slammed the pen on the document. "That's what I thought."

"Then stop looking like you're investigating your own wife." Ethan’s laugh annoyed him. Dave gave him a cold look.

"Get out."

Ethan laughed as he walked toward the door. "Still the same, Dave." He said as he closed the door behind him.

Dave looked back at the report, but he couldn't concentrate anymore. Ethan's words refused to leave his head.

Bella sat inside her car outside a shopping mall. Her phone vibrated. An anonymous message popped on her screen.

I know you hate Aria. If you want to know more about her, go to AVELON GROUP. You will understand.

Bella's eyebrows lifted. She read the message twice. Whoever sent it knew about her feelings toward Aria. That alone was strange.

A slow smile appeared on her lips. “The sender will be found later, but right now, Aria is the priority.” She said as she started her car engine and drove off.