Chapter 1- Scattered clues

Aria’s POV

My head was starting to ache from the high ponytail on my head. It was D'Cruz’s, my father-in-law's, birthday today so I had to endure everything.

I took a sip from the wine glass in my hand and continued watching the Swan Lake performance. He has been a steady lover of ballet performances so I arranged it as a surprise for him on his sixtieth birthday.

He turned around, searching for me with his eyes, I smiled and waved, and he returned my smile immediately when he saw me. He was such a sweetheart.

After the performance, I realized I hadn't seen my husband, Justin, for a while now. He literally missed the whole show. Is he busy with work at this important moment? Well, I have to stop him myself then.

I stood up, lifting my dress so I could walk properly, my head was still bowed when I ran into someone. It was Aaron, my brother-in-law.

“Sorry about that Aaron”, I said, adjusting the bangs almost entering my eyes.

“I should be saying that, I wasn't watching where I was going.” He chuckled.

Aaron, my brother-in-law, was the kind of man who never made anyone feel small. Calm. Steady. Always present when the company needed him. Everything Justin wasn’t. My husband preferred spending, chasing pleasures, and buying his way into excitement. No wonder his father hardly trusted him with anything important.

“You're so kind.” I chuckled in return. “Have you seen Justin? He missed the whole ballet show.” I said, worry filled in my voice.

“I think I saw him moving towards the kitchen earlier,” he stretched his neck towards the kitchen's hallway, as if he could see him in the midst of the crowd.

I smiled at him and started walking to the kitchen, Aaron followed me at my back.

It took about 20 minutes to get there… guests kept stopping us for greetings and small talk. That's one thing about being in a prestigious family, everyone is important and no one must be or feel ignored.

The kitchen door was slightly open when we arrived. As I held on to the doorknob, nothing could have prepared me for what I heard.

“Uhhhh… Justin… you're so good.” That was a female’s voice. A familiar one at that. And… Justin? What are they doing?

I wanted to push the door open, but Aaron placed his hand on mine, stopping me.

I turned instantly to him, his eyes said, ‘Just wait for a minute’. I didn't want to, why should I? If it were my Justin, then I would have to see and stop whatever was going on in there.

I made up my mind to open the door, when I heard clattering. Two figures had come into sight, the female was sitting on a counter, the man was holding her waist, nibbling on her breasts, and I could see their faces.

It was indeed Justin and his secretary, Summer.

My heart skipped a beat, I think it skipped two beats. My heart beat became painful, like it was knocking against my ribs. My hands became weak, and it slid down the doorknob, but I couldn't take my eyes off both of them. How she was running her hands through his hair and how he was caressing her other breast and making sounds. I wanted to evaporate.

“Seriously Justin?” Aaron's voice brought me back to my senses.

As soon as they noticed us, they began scrambling–Summer hurriedly pushed Justin away and turned to fix her exposed breasts into her dress, and Justin turned away fast, wiping his lips with his hands and then buttoning his shirt.

“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair. And started walking toward me. “Aria? What the hell? I thought that was you.”

What?

“What are you doing here? Am I that drunk?” He looked genuinely confused. He came closer, and I could feel his breath on his cheek, he was actually drinking. “Aria, are you okay?” He cupped my face in his hands.

Great observation Justin… How will anyone feel about their spouse sucking someone else’s breasts and moaning? Obviously not “okay”.

“Uhm… I don't… I think…”, words decided to fail me as soon as I set my eyes on Summer whose back was still facing me. “I think you're drunk honey. Let me get you back to our room.” I managed to say.

I wanted to put his arm around my neck so I could walk him upstairs, but Aaron stopped me.

“You'll draw eyes to you. I'll get a guard to take him upstairs.” He looked at me until I nodded.

“Summer, come with me,” he said with a firmer voice.

She cleared her throat and squeezed past me and Aaron. I watched them walk away, mostly her. I didn't know what to think… If my husband were really drunk, then it's possible she took advantage of him… right? I mean, everyone has made a drunken mistake.

After a minute, Aaron came back with a guard who picked up Justin who was already dozing off. I just stood there, feeling nothing. Or feeling something I really don't know the name of.

“I know this is not a good time, but I've told you about Justin. He doesn't… I don't know, he doesn't respect you Aria.” Aaron said, his eyes filled with pity or compassion, or both.

I sighed, “You saw him dozing off, he's not lying. Maybe Summer took advantage of him. You know how many women want you and your brother.” I defended, my voice sharper than usual.

Aaron drew in a slow dramatic breath, “Aria what do you even mean? He said he thought Summer was you… Do you know how stupid that sounds?”

He was trying to keep his voice low, trying not to tell, but he was doing a pretty bad job.

“Justin and I are in love, he loves me. And I'm telling you, he was drunk and maybe thought of me while he was ....”

He cut me off, sharp and unapologetic. “Just stop lying to yourself Aria. You know the truth, and I hope you don't keep it away from your heart till it's too late.” He walked away, his steps filled with anger.

Why's he more shaken than I am? It's not his husband who was caught with his secretary.