CHAPTER 7: All Eyes On Us

Aria’s POV

Woah, I look so good.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The dress hugged every curve perfectly. I looked stunning.

It was a stunning black dinner gown that complemented my figure perfectly. I looked beautiful.

I slipped on my heels, fixing my hair one last time before grabbing my clutch. For a second, I just stood there staring at myself.

“You look hot,” I said out loud, then I sighed.

Unfortunately, it’s for the wrong reasons. For the next two to three hours, I’m going to be flashing fake smiles and doing that hand in hand with my least favorite person in the world. Hey, at least Liam is going to be there

I stepped out of the room and immediately froze.

Nathan was already there.

And holy fuck, he looked really good, wait no, Aria, stop, he can’t look good. For Christ's sake, that’s your annoying, stupid husband.

But damn, he looked good. I’d never say that to his face tho. Rather, chew a jean jacket than tell him he looked good.

“You’re staring,” he said, not even looking up from adjusting his watch.

“I’m not,” I replied quickly, fixing my hair.

“You are.”

“I’m really not.” The nerve of this guy.

And so even if I was looking, he had no right to say it.

He looked up, and his gaze landed on me. “You look beautiful “ he said.

“Thank you, you look decent,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Decent? You really are something “ he murmured, shaking his head.

“I scoffed. “You’re such an asshole.” Did he expect a compliment or something? Over my dead body.

The car ride was silent. I didn’t say a word to Nathan, and he didn’t say anything to me either.

I kept checking my phone every few seconds, waiting for a message from Liam.

Still nothing.

“Relax,” Nathan said.

“I am relaxed,” I replied without looking at him.

“You’ve checked your phone five times in the last minute.”

“So? Mind your business.”

“My business is sitting right next to me, acting like she’s about to jump out of the car because a guy is not replying”

I set my phone away, and everywhere fell silent again, and I kept staring out the window till we arrived at the venue.

I wanted to leave the moment we arrived. The venue hall was packed with a lot of people and media reporters.

The second we stepped inside, his hand went to my lower back, and I stiffened immediately.

“Don’t do that, take your hands off me,” I whispered.

“People are watching,” he said.

“I don’t care.”

“I do.”

“Of course you do.”

I forced a smile as someone walked past us, nodding like I was actually enjoying myself. I was not in the slightest way enjoying myself.

“Mr. Cross.”

A man approached us, shaking Nathan’s hand while staring at me intently.

What a creep.

“And this must be your wife,” the man said, taking my hand and kissing it. His eyes lingered on my body for too long.

“She’s very beautiful,” He added. Nathan cleared his throat and released my hands, entwining his hands with mine.

After some small talk, the man left, and I released myself from Nathan’s grip.

“I need a drink”

“The bar is over there. Go get something,” he replied. Such an asshole. He didn’t even offer to get it for me. Some husband he is.

I walked over to the bar and ordered a drink. “Make it quick,” I muttered, tapping my fingers against the counter.

“Impatient much?”

I turned at the familiar voice and sighed in relief.

“Liam!”

“Missed me?” he grinned.

“Obviously, I’m so bored here.”

He looked me over, nodding. “You look nice.”

“I know, right?” I said, taking my drink.

He laughed. “Where’s your husband? I haven’t seen him at all since I got here.”

“He should be around here somewhere, ah right there with those men over there”

“Sounds about right.”

We spent time just talking, and I narrated what happened on the day of the wedding that ended up with me being Nathan’s wife.

“Sucks to be you,” Liam said, shaking his head.

“Tell me about it. I’m really glad you came,” I said, taking a sip.

“You sounded like you were on the verge of losing your mind earlier. I just had to come.”

“I still am,” I replied in a bored tone.

He laughed. “What did he do this time?”

“His existence alone irritates me.”

“Fair,” Liam replied, laughing.

“Dance with me?” Liam said suddenly, holding out his hand.

Of course,” I said immediately taking his hand.

“No.”

I didn’t even have to turn around to know that voice. I closed my eyes in annoyance, turning around to see Nathan staring daggers at Liam.

This man again, can’t he just leave me alone?

“Don’t you ever get tired of being annoying?”

Nathan stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “Do you ever get tired of being difficult?”

“No.”

“Clearly.”

I looked at Liam, then back at Nathan. “I’m dancing.”

“With me,” Nathan added, taking my hand away from Liam’s.

I blinked. “Excuse me? Don’t you know it’s rude to interrupt two people”

“Not if that person is my wife and you came here with me.”

“And?”

“And you’re not dancing with him, that’s final.”

I stared at him for a second, then laughed. He must be really crazy if he thinks he can control who I’m gonna dance with.

I shook Nathan’s grip off me and grabbed Liam’s hand anyway.

“Come on,” I said, pulling Liam towards the dance floor.

Before we could even take a step, Nathan’s hand wrapped around my wrist again.

“What the hell?” I snapped, trying to pull away.

“Don’t,” he said quietly.

“Don’t what?”

“Push me.”

People were starting to stare now, and I could feel Liam getting uncomfortable. I don’t want him getting caught in this, so I let go of his hand and yanked myself free from Nathan’s grip.

“Fine, I’m not dancing with anyone, happy?”

Nathan’s Jaw clenched, and he looked like he wanted to say something, but he just ignored me and walked away. Everyone in the room turned to stare at me like somehow this was all my fault.

Great.

Public humiliation, just exactly how I wanted tonight to go.