Chapter 5

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Before I could unleash my fury, Jared's expression hardened. His voice had a cutting edge to it. “Sofia, those flowers aren’t for you.” He took the bouquet back from her with a firm gesture, handing them to me instead.

“They’re for my wife,” he said pointedly, his eyes meeting mine.

Sofia’s face flushed. Meanwhile, I could barely hold back a satisfied smirk.

However, nothing prepared me for seeing Sofia tear up and turn to Jared. "Jared, Jay-jay. I'm so sorry to interrupt your private time, but... the flower is for me, right? Remember back in high school, you used to bring me lavender flowers, especially on prom nights?"

Jared looked thorn, as he looked from me to Sofia. Really? He was contemplating it? That flower was mine for Christ’s sake, he should simply ask her to hand it back to me, the rightful owner.

“Arielle,” Jared said calmly, “let her keep it tonight. I’ll get you something even more special tomorrow, I promise.”

I couldn't believe my ears. “You are unbelievable, Jared!” I exclaimed.

Sofia turned to me, smirking in triumph. She knew exactly how to manipulate the situation. But only I saw that smirk—Jared remained oblivious, stuck in his own old-fashioned sense of gentlemanly responsibility!

“I can't stand this,” I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. “You two can have the house to yourselves, I will look for a hotel to crash in.”

I turned around and stormed off to the place where I kept my bag, ready to leave. As expected, Jared appeared beside me, his face apologetic.

“Arielle, I'm sorry. You don't always have to lose your cool. She's pregnant, and I heard pregnancy hormones affect women's behavior a lot.”

I wanted to scream and ask him what about me? Was I not pregnant too? And then the bitter reality dawned on me that yet again, my chance of breaking the news of my pregnancy to Jared had been ruined.

“I don’t care what excuse you have this time. I’m leaving,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I moved past him, but Jared quickly blocked my path.

“Please don’t go, Wifey. Let me make things up to you. How about this—I’ll make dinner tonight. You hate cooking this late, and I’ll even do the dishes.”

I sighed, as I considered his offer. I hated cooking dinner late, and I hate eating out too. If I sleep at a hotel tonight, I am definitely going to eat out.

Reluctantly, I accepted Jared's offer. Making dinner will be the perfect punishment for Jared, as he will have to do the dishes afterward. And besides, I wouldn't want to leave my husband alone with Sofia.

Before I could respond, Sofia’s voice came from behind me.

“Why would you offer to cook, Jared? Cooking is a domestic chore, and is meant for women alone. You see, I have been working hard all day, cleaning this whole house and putting away decorations I found Medieval and out of vogue. I'm so tired and can't lift a pin, else, I would have offered to do the cooking. As for you, Jared, I'm sure you are tired as well. Being a billionaire CEO is no easy feat, and after a long day at work, you deserve to rest. Arielle, here, should do the cooking. She seems so energetic and even ready to get into a fight, the energy will be a lot useful if she uses it to make us dinner. Besides, she is a domestic worker and cooks for a living.”

I was dumbstruck as I listened to Sofia ramblings. With the way it spoke, a stranger would have mistaken her for the mistress of the house.

Jared must have realized that Sofia was crossing the line because he immediately intervenes.

“That's enough, Sofia. Don't speak to my wife in that manner, Arielle isn’t here to serve us. ” Jared chided.

Although I was not all too satisfied with his tone, I was glad that Jared had finally spoken up and put Sofia in her place. Finally, my turn to make faces at her.

Sofia immediately puts on a hurt expression. “I can't believe this, Jared. I wasn't being rude to her, I was merely telling the truth. You have changed a lot since you got married, Jared. You have forgotten the bond we used to share,”

“Sofia, things are different now. I'm sorry if I hurt you. But…"

I didn't wait for Jared to finish as I walked off, leaving them to themselves. I was disappointed in Jared. This minute he scolded her, the other, he is trying to pacify her. What's the problem with him? Did he have to lower his IQ every time when he meeted his 'old friend'?

I arrived in the kitchen and began to take out the ingredients I will be needing for dinner preparation. I intended to make macaroni, chicken, and cheese.

A few minutes later, Jared joined me, looking remorseful. “I want to help with dinner, Arielle.”

I didn’t respond at first, but when I noticed his determined expression, I just sighed and nodded. If he wanted to help, I wouldn’t stop him.

“What are we having,” Jared asked.

I knew he was trying to initiate a conversation because a mere glance at the ingredients on the kitchen counter could tell anyone what we were having. I was in a complicated mood, and in no way interested in a conversation with him.

The silence between us stretched, thick with tension. Then, without warning, I felt his presence envelop me—his scent, rich and masculine, wrapping around me like a spell. His arms circled my waist, pulling me back against him, and his lips grazed the side of my neck, warm and teasing.

"Look who’s still mad,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

“Jared, stop,” I protested, but it came out softer than I intended. His lips brushed my neck again, and I felt my resolve start to weaken. My waist softened, betraying me.

“It’s... itchy,” I added, my voice barely above a whisper, the words lacking conviction.

“Is it?” he whispered back, his voice a low rumble, deep and full of mischief.

“Jared,” I said again, firmer this time, though my body’s response was anything but firm. He knew exactly how to get under my skin, to make me melt with just a touch.

He finally relented, pulling back with a smirk, though his hands lingered for a moment longer, sending a shiver down my spine.

I turned back to the stove, trying to regain my composure. After getting the ingredients ready and placing the macaroni on the burner, I faced him, more serious now.

“For the last time, Jared,” I said, locking eyes with him, “what exactly is going on between you and Sofia?”

Jared sighed, running a hand through his hair before taking my hands in his, his fingers tracing gentle circles on my skin. “I promise you, Arielle. Sofia and I are just friends with ancient history.”

“Don’t feed me that excuse again. There’s more. Tell me why she feels so unique to you.”

“She's not unique love." Jared signed, "If you insist, there's only one thing."

I raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

"When we were little,” Jared paused for a short time before began, his voice quieter, “Sofia saved me once. I was getting bullied by some seniors, and she stepped in. They were the kind of guys who made life miserable for anyone weaker than them, and Sofia... well, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for me. You see her character today. She's just that type who fears nothing and stands up to make a mess.”

I blinked, processing the weight of his words. It was a side of Jared I’d never known.

He smiled, "Of course, in the end we were both beaten up and had to support each other back home. My dad was furious at the time, and we ended up transferring schools together."

“I never knew that,” I said softly. There was a pang of jealousy in my chest, but also a new understanding.

Jared's tone turned sincere. “But that’s all it is Ari. She helped me once, and I appreciate that. But you’re my wife. That’s what matters to me now.”

I nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Jared smiled, his charm flickering back. “Now, let’s finish up this dinner. I’ll handle the rest, and you just relax. And sure I’ll do the dishes, as promised.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly, shaking my head. Even after all this, he could still find a way to make me smile.

After an hour, the dinner was finally done. I set the table, while Jared cleaned the kitchen after me.

“I will go call Sofia,” he said to me, as I settled in the dinning room to eat dinner.

I nodded, without looking up, my attention fixated on my food. Seconds later, I heard approaching footsteps and I knew it was Sofia and Jared.

I refused to look up, focusing on my food. I heard Sofia pull the chair opposite me, and settled in it.

“This smells nice, I hope it tastes nice too,” Sofia said, as she uncovered her food.

Jared sat down on the seat beside me. For a moment, we all ate in silence—tense, uncomfortable silence. Then suddenly, Sofia made a throaty, choking sound, her face twisting into a grimace. She shot to her feet, sending her chair scraping harshly against the floor, and hurried out of the dining room.

“What the—” I started, blinking in confusion as Jared instantly leaped up and followed after her.

I didn't have to wonder for long because Jared and Sofia returned minutes later, with Jared looking worried, and Sofia looking pale.

“What happened?” I inquired, looking from Jared to Sofia.

“What happened is that you tried to poison me, making it the second time. First, it was at the restaurant, and now, in your house. What did I ever do to you?” Sofia said, feigning tears.

“I don't understand. Why would I poison you? Jared was in the kitchen with me, and I served everyone the same food,” I said defensively.

“You added milk to the macaroni, and I am allergic to milk!” Sofia yelled.

“That's right, Arielle. Sofia is allergic to milk. You shouldn't have added it to the meal,” Jared said.

I stared at him, stunned. “Jared,” I said slowly, forcing myself to remain calm. “You were in the kitchen with me. You saw everything I used. Milk was never part of it.”

His expression faltered. I rose to my feet, having lost appetite.

“Just for the records, Sofia, I never used milk in that dish. As a matter of fact, that's my milk–free recipe. You can ask any of my customers in the restaurant. But what difference does it make? You already decided that I poisoned you. Good night,” I said, smiling coldly before exiting the dining room.