Quest In A Soul Land

|Aria’s POV|

My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I perceived the aroma of the little feast I was preparing, wondering what would be his reaction. Will he like it or will he throw it at my face?

“I am just so nervous, and I wanted to make it more special because it’s his birthday, But, I can’t stop feeling like I will mess it up.” I rambled.

She dropped her apron, which she was adamant about wearing even if she didn't help with the preparation. “Signora, it’s perfetto!”  Her Italian accent picked up my crumbled confidence.

“Thank you very much, Elena. Now take your leave, Ace will be back soon.” I hurried, shoving her out of the kitchen playfully.

I rubbed my hands on my apron back and forth as I checked the time, it was around 7 p.m., so he should be back already.

My legs were shaking, so I decided to take a seat.

“8 o’clock,” I muttered before going outside to check the driveway even if I knew the possibility of him sitting in his car and not coming in was slim.

‘9 o’clock’

‘Did I piss him off?’

‘10 o’clock.’

Raindrops raced down the windowpane, mirroring the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. The thunder outside seemed to match the tempest brewing within me.

I know a lot of people do a lot of stupid things right? I am sure I easily outrank them because imagine a literature student whose dream is to have her husband make her walk on a poetry-designed ground and getting married to a ruthless billionaire who is incapable of loving anyone but himself and maybe Gabriella, my step-sister.

My heart clenched painfully when I remembered the day I met Ace; I have always heard his name on the internet because I had a huge crush on him and my father but on that day, I was invited to my father’s house for dinner.

I was surprised at first when I realized that he was going to be joining us for dinner. However, I saw the subtle glances he gave Gabriella, even the blind could see how much he liked her because he wouldn’t even spare me a glance.

We both received the shock of our lives when we woke up in the sheet tangled the next morning, we had been drugged. My father wouldn’t allow him to be with Gabriella since the night resulted in pregnancy.

In summary, Ace was forced to marry me if not, my dad was ready to destroy his company and he had hated me since then.

However, I believe he would warm up to me completely. ‘Baby steps.’ I reminded myself because there was a time he wouldn’t even sleep in the same house with me.

The sound of screeching tyres halted my thoughts, and my heart beat wildly as I anticipated my husband. 

Slamming the entrance door, Ace boomed. “Aria!!!” 

“Sweetheart. You are back. Happy birthday to you.” I whispered.

 His voice made butterflies appear even if he sounded so pissed. But when does he not sound so pissed?  

My lips curled upward as my legs moved on their own accord. My body was so eager to be in his arms, where it actually belonged. A tightness appeared in my chest when he moved away from me like he was told that I was diagnosed with the most deadly and infectious disease.

“Do. not. Call. me. That.” He gritted out. 

Whipping out his phone, he tapped furiously on it before shoving it to my face. “ Listen to this.”

“What is th-” I paused when I heard my voice coming from his phone.

“Yeah, it requires drugging the billionaire and having sex with him.” My jaw dropped but I could not speak, my head kept shaking.

“N-N-No” I stuttered. All I could think about was how he was misinterpreting all of this coincidental information while the recording was being played.

 “Then blackmailing him into marrying me when I get pregnant.”

“Obviously, he wouldn’t want to tarnish our reputation, so jackpot.” The recording ended, as he tucked his phone back into his suit pocket.

“Wh- where did you get that from? I swear, it’s not what it looks like.” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I attempted to hold his hand.

His hardened gaze stopped me in my tracks. “ Where did I get it from? Are you surprised I got the recording??” 

“I swear, that was a scene I was asked to play. I was simply narrating it to my best friend. This part was just a coincidence with what happened.” My lips quivered and my eyes welled with tears as I tried to make him see that it was just a setup.

Cocking his eyebrows, his voice cold and murderous “You mean, you were asked to play the same scene that happened between us days before it happened??”

“No. It was your plan all along. You knew I was going to be invited by your father for dinner and you decided to drug me!” He yelled.

“We were both drugged. You weren’t the only one,” I staggered backwards at the weight of his accusation.

“You know, I was even kind of tolerant when I heard you were pregnant. At least, I was hoping something good would come out from the unfortunate marriage I was forced into.” My legs wobbled as it looked like icy arrows were driven into my heart.

“Un-Unfortunate marriage?” My voice broke.

“But, you couldn’t even protect the baby well. It’s been three years and yet no baby from you.” He spat. 

A wave of hot tears brimmed in my orbs when I remembered the unfortunate situation of how my only hope vanished like my dreams.

“You wouldn’t even look at me in the eyes. It is as if I disgust you badly, one day you want me, the other you don’t.”  My voice quivered and I felt my eyes stung, tears threatening to fall, my hands clutching my chest.

 “You disgust me. I despise you for ruining my dreams and imposing yours on me.” He spat coldly.

My eyes widened and my lips parted in disbelief, a lump forming in my throat. “What? I ruined your dreams? You even asked me to stop acting, saying you don’t want that career for your wife.” 

Ace paused and scoffed. “You know, with the evidence I have, I can decide to sue you in court. However, I would give you a less destructive option.”

“Wh….what?”

“Su- Sue?” 

‘What other option?’ I reasoned.

“Ace…please…ple..” My heart pounded hard against my ribcage, feeling my blood growing cold each minute.

“Ace?” I barely muttered, taking a step closer, trying to come in contact with him but he yanked my hands away as if my touch burned him.

‘When does this end….when?’ I pondered as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

“We are getting divorced. Sign the papers before I change my mind.” He threw the documents at me, pushing me to the side as he took long strides out of the door.

Shit!