Chapter 7 Don't catch a cold

Areiza heard the reporter's question, and she was not surprised at all. After all The Blue Ocean Group had always been in the spotlight and Hallie was an actress, whose career fueled the rumor. After all, sometimes financial reporters also can be gossipy.

Areiza looked at Jennifer, Lillian, and Frank and saw that their expression didn’t look good. Especially Jennifer, her face filled with anger.

“I think my personal life is the least of everyone’s concerns tonight. And with that, let me welcome you to tonight’s festivities. On behalf of the Blue Ocean Group, thank you for joining us and have a wonderful evening.”

Darren had handled the matter quite well, and it was expected. After all, he was in the business world for so many years and he knew very well how to handle those noisy people.

After Darren ended his speech, the soft music started to play, drowning out the reporter's follow-up questions.

Soon, the guests started to go on the dance floor.

“Little Beauty, may I have the honor to dance with you?” Alex walked over to Areiza offered his hand and bowed to her like a gentleman.

Seeing him like this, Areiza felt a little amused, after all, she still remembered how it was in high school. Alex was a bit ladies’ man back then and no amount of gentlemanly demeanor could ever cover up the trail of broken hearts he left in his wake.

Areiza smiled placed her hand on his palm and said, “Of course, Why not?”

After that, she led him to the dance floor.

He put his one hand around her waist and held her hand in the air with the other. Areiza also put her other hand on his shoulder.

“Why are you holding me so lightly. Are you afraid of getting beaten by Darren or something?” Areiza whispered to Alex.

Alex’s lips curved up in a smile and he shook his head. Then, he held her closer.

They began to dance. However, as they were dancing, Areiza suddenly felt a little uneasy. It was like someone watching them.

However, then she shook those thoughts out of her mind. I must be thinking too much or maybe I just put on my choker too tightly.

“Take your hands off her.” Suddenly, a familiar and cold voice interrupted Areiza’s train of thought.

Then, Areiza felt that someone yanked Alex’s hand from her waist.

She had no choice but to stop. Then, Areiza turned around sulkily and found that Darren was standing right behind her with that same unreadable expression on his face. She could not tell if he was angry or in pain.

“What’s wrong with you Darren? I am just dancing with our friend.” Areiza snapped.

Darren looked a little shocked. It was like he was not expecting such a reaction from Areiza. However, he did not say anything. He just turned around and left like a little boy whose parents did not allow him to play outside.

At the same time, a waiter passed by and Areiza took a glass of champagne from his tray and drowned it in one gulp. She was not in the mood to dance anymore. Her good mood was ruined by him.

“Why does he loved to ruin others people fun so much.” Areiza complained to Alex.

“It’s hard to get rid of old habit. Don’t worry Aria, your good days are on the way.”

Good days? Did he mean the days when she had nothing to do with Darren?

Areiza was not sure about that. Not long after, she felt a little suffocated inside the banquet hall and went out to get some fresh air. Areiza took off her choker as she made her way to the balcony. She stood on the balcony and let the cold night air blow on her face.

It felt so good. She thought in her heart.

Alex and Jason didn’t follow her outside and she felt good about it. Because she wanted to spend some time alone to calm down and regain herself.

River City has a different kind of beauty from L.A, where Areiza had spent three years studying. Even though, L.A. had always held a special place in her heart. River City would always be her home.

However, since she came back, she felt a little lonely. She missed Snow. She could not wait for her to come back from her business trip. Then, suddenly the thought that she had spent the three years of her life with her European friends came into her mind. Now, Areiza felt that she missed Snow even more.

Then a cold breeze blew, and Areiza felt goosebumps all over her arms. She took a deep breath and welcomed the cold breeze. Because, somehow she felt that it had helped her to ease her nerves….

Then, she felt that someone had put the suit jacket on her shoulder. It didn’t take long before she recognized the familiar sent on the suit…

Areiza turned around. In the dim light, she was still able to make out the contours of a handsome face. She met the gaze of the man standing behind her, and the river of emotions, which she had just calmed down, started to rapid once again.

“It’s so cold outside. Are you planning to catch a cold?” Darren's low voice fell on her ears.

Sometimes Areiza felt amazed to see how her ex-husband turned from an uncaring man to a concerned one. It was like he had a switch somewhere, so after pressing that switch he flipped whatever he wanted.

But why? Why did he do that? Why did he give me the cold shoulder and then turn around and mess with my emotions? I had already signed the divorce papers. He was no longer obligated to care about me.

“Aren’t you cold?” Areiza looked up at Darren and asked.

“No I am alright.”

At this time, Areiza’s phone beeped. It was a message from Snow. She said that she had already found a place for her to live.

“I am going to move out in a few days.” Areiza said.

“Why?”

Because divorced couples usually don’t go on living under the same roof.”

“But I said that we can’t reveal to our families that we are divorced.”

“The place is close to the hospital where I am going to work. It will be much more convenient for me.”

“Which hospital are you going to work. You can told me before, I can arrange that for you.”

Hearing that, Areiza smiled bitterly in her heart. She suddenly realized that Darren had been arranging many things for her, the most notable of which was his arranging for her to grow up into a woman worthy of his name. She had been living a life that he had directed, and she had been following him like a dead fish.

“No, thanks. I am good. I can manage my things myself.”

“Listen, Areiza…”

“Why should I listen to you?” Areiza snapped once again.

Then Areiza was about to take off the coat, but Darren stopped her.

“Are you trying to catch a cold so that you can make me take care of you? Or would you like me to go inside right now and get Grandma so that she can scold you?” Darren said with a half-smile.

Areiza rolled her eyes and put the coat back on.

“Take this.” Darren put a bank card in her hand and then turned to leave.

“When are we going to tell our families about our divorce?” Areiza asked.

“Why are you in such a hurry to get rid off me? Is it because of that Director?” Darren asked coldly.

Areiza didn’t know what to say. She looked at him for a moment. Then, she turned around and left.

If he thought that my answer was yes to his question, then I guessed he had just misunderstood me.