Chapter 2

Spencer had the air of a man used to being at the top of the pyramid—detached and regal. Yet, he was holding an ordinary black plastic bag. The bag most likely contained the sanitary items Joanne needed.

Ariana withdrew her gaze and asked him, "Grandpa wants us to return to Ulrich Estate for dinner tonight. Can you make it?"

Spencer didn't even spare her a glance. His eyes were fixed on Joanne as he asked, "Does your tummy still hurt? Have you drunk some warm water like I told you to?"

As his words fell, he handed the bag to Joanne, who took it shyly. She then glanced at Ariana before replying, "I'm feeling much better now. Thank you."

"Go ahead. I'll wait for you here," Spencer said with a gentle expression. "I'll take you home afterward."

Joanne cast a tentative glance at Ariana before turning and leaving.

"Did you follow me here?" Spencer finally turned his attention to Ariana. "Don't you have anything better to do?"

Ariana didn't bother answering his question. She simply asked, "Are you serious this time?"

In the past, there had been rumors about him getting involved with female celebrities. Ariana had never thought much of those alleged affairs.

Spencer looked into the distance. In an unusual, wistful tone, he said, "She's a nice and innocent young lady. Don't you dare try anything."

Ariana's fingers twitched slightly, but she maintained her smile. "Sure. If that's what you'd like."

That evening, she went to Ulrich Estate alone to have dinner with Enrique Ulrich, Spencer's grandfather.

As she was about to leave, Enrique asked someone to get a box of pastries. "Spence used to love these when he was a child. Take these to him."

However, Spencer didn't come home for the next few days. Ariana couldn't tell Enrique about this, so she decided to bring the pastries to his office herself.

She went straight to the top floor of the building. The door to Spencer's office was ajar. Just as she was about to knock, she heard Joanne's playful laugh coming from inside.

Joanne said, "I can't even do something so simple. I'm stupid, aren't I?"

Spencer's voice came next. "It's okay. I'll teach you."

"Dr. Lubove must be very competent, right? I heard she was a top student. I'm so dumb compared to her…"

Ariana couldn't help but scoff at that remark.

Spencer replied, "You're different from her. Besides, she was quite dumb back when we were kids."

Ariana pushed the door open, unable to listen to their conversation any longer. Her sudden, unexpected entrance startled Joanne.

She quickly stood up from beside Spencer and greeted nervously, "D-Dr. Lubove."

Spencer looked up at Ariana, giving her an unbothered look full of familiar indifference. "Why are you here?"

Ariana placed the box of pastries on his desk. She replied coolly, "Grandpa asked me to bring these to you."

"You could have just asked the driver to do it," Spencer said with a frown. "Is there anything else?"

Was he mad about her interrupting his time alone with Joanne?

Ariana glanced at Joanne, who bit her lip as she looked at Spencer. She blinked at him innocently, pleading for him to intervene and help her.

With a reassuring tone, Spencer said to her, "Please leave us for now."

Joanne nodded with a soft hum. Then, she shot Ariana a quick glance and left.

"Well, state your business." Spencer sounded annoyed. He had always had little patience with her.

With that, Ariana spoke up, "Go and explain to Grandpa yourself if you don't want any children. Also, keep things discreet between you and your secretary. You'd better make sure things don't get out of hand."

"Are you trying to tell me what to do now?" Spencer stood up and walked over to her.

Ariana shook her head. "We agreed not to interfere with each other's lives. But I noticed you've been treating her differently. Don't forget that you're a married man, Spencer."

The next moment, Spencer reached out and trapped her between himself and the desk. He stared at her intently and took in her strikingly gorgeous features. She was a stunning woman, but her expression was always stoic and disinterested.

Even if she wore girly, feminine clothes that were supposed to make her look sweet and approachable, it only evoked a strong sense of disharmony.

He said with a contemptuous sneer, "Of course she's different. I'm warning you. Don't touch her."

They were so close that their breaths mingled. Ariana couldn't help but turn her face to the side.

However, he suddenly gripped her chin to turn her face back toward him. "Why are you looking away? Don't worry. I know my boundaries. At the very least, I won't sleep with her."

Ariana scoffed disdainfully. "You won't, or you can't bear to?"

Spencer was silent for a few seconds. "You're right. I can't bear to taint her."

"That's great, then." Ariana pushed him away. "Otherwise, I'd find you disgusting."

She walked out of the office without looking back. She saw Joanne standing outside with a cup of coffee as soon as she stepped out.

Ariana looked at her and remarked, "Spencer doesn't like coffee."

"Oh, I didn't know…" Joanne seemed a little taken aback to hear this. "But he always drinks the coffee I made for him."

So this was the power of love. Spencer could even gulp down something he usually disliked without complaint just because he liked Joanne so much.

Ariana had no words to describe her complicated feelings. She smiled ruefully and left.

…

Ariana's friend was having an art exhibition. That friend had invited both Spencer and her, but Spencer said he was busy. So, Ariana went alone.

She saw many of her acquaintances at the exhibition. She greeted them one by one politely. Many asked about Spencer, and Ariana gave the same explanation—he was busy and had no time.

"What a busy man your husband is."

Ariana looked over. The man who spoke was swirling a glass of red wine, discontent evident in his somewhat haughty gaze.

"Come on." Ariana walked over and smiled at him. "You know how he is."

"He does as he pleases because you keep letting him have his way no matter what." Jensen Rivera glared at her with annoyance. "You should fix this bad habit of yours."

Ariana didn't reply.

Upon seeing the sadness in her downcast eyes, Jensen couldn't stay mad at her. "Alright. I'll stop complaining."

Ariana clinked her glass against his. "Thank you."

"He never liked us back when we were kids. We never got along with him or any of his groupies. How did you end up…" Jensen couldn't refrain from speaking his most honest thoughts. "I sometimes wonder if he cast a spell on you."

Ariana glared at him and chastised, "That's enough."

Jensen pressed on, saying, "Why can't I talk about this? Look at all the silly things you do for him!

"You even changed your clothing style just for him. I've got to say that your outfit today is a very welcome change. This evening dress suits you a lot more. You look dazzling in it."

"Shut up," Ariana scolded.

Jensen harrumphed and muttered, "Is it so hard for you to admit that you were blind? I heard he's gotten close to a new secretary lately."

Ariana didn't snap back this time. She simply replied, "Maybe… I really am blind."

Jensen's heart softened at her dejected response. He ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright. I was just teasing you."

"I just had my hair done!" Ariana pushed his hand away. "You're messing it up. We're grown-ups now, so I expect you to know better. I'm a married woman. You should be mindful of your actions."

"We swore to have each other's backs, so I'm practically like an elder brother to you. What's wrong with me ruffling your hair?" Jensen argued.

Ariana rolled her eyes. "You're a grown man now. If you have nothing better to do, go find yourself a girlfriend."

Jensen averted his gaze and said, "I have high standards. I can't settle for just anyone."

Ariana had been his closest friend since childhood. They were so close that they could be siblings. Now, they were working in the same hospital, too.

Jensen was tall, handsome, witty, and charming. He looked learned and reserved when he wore his lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses at work. Many women liked him. Yet, he'd never had a girlfriend all these years.

"Keep being choosy, and you'll end up being single forever," Ariana joked.

After she said that, she turned and saw Joanne walk in with Spencer, their arms linked.

He came, after all. On top of that, he even brought Joanne with him.