Two Strangers

ARIA’S POV

The loud crash from outside my door woke me from a deep sleep, making my heart leap into my throat.

I groaned, blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains.

“Isn’t it too early to piss people off?” I muttered under my breath.

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled toward the door, eyes still heavy with sleep.

I barely turned the handle when it swung open, and two women rushed in like they owned the place.

“Thank goodness you opened before we knocked,” one of them said quickly, dropping several shopping bags onto the bed, my bed. “These bags are killing my arms.”

I froze, confusion written all over my face.

“What is going on here?” I demanded. “Who are you, and why are you in my room?”

They exchanged a glance before the second woman stepped forward, forcing a polite smile.

“We’re sorry for waking you so early, ma’am. But we’re working on orders.”

“Orders?” I repeated, my brows furrowing. “From who?”

“Mr. Weston,” she replied. “He asked us to get you ready for an event.”

I blinked at her, unsure if I’d heard correctly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Ma’am, if you’ll just sit down…”

“You know what?” I cut her off, “I’ll go ask him myself.”

Without waiting for a response, I stormed out of the room. My steps quickened as irritation settled in my chest. Xavier had a way of making decisions without consulting me, and it was starting to get on my fucking nerves.

I checked his bedroom first.

Empty.

Then I headed to his office and pushed the door open without knocking.

Big mistake.

Two men in sleek suits sat across from him, looking like they belonged in a boardroom.

But still, I didn’t let that get to me.

“Xavier, we need to talk,” I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. “Now.”

He looked up, his gaze meeting mine for a second before he turned back to them.

“Gentlemen,” he said smoothly, rising to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, my wife seems to be in a bad mood.”

My wife.

My breath hitched slightly at the way he said it so casually, like it wasn’t just a secret arrangement between us.

He was hell bent on keeping the whole thing a secret. Now he calls me his wife in their presence?

The men immediately stood, nodding respectfully at him, then flicked their eyes toward me, bowing slightly before leaving.

I watched them go, still trying to process his words before finally sitting across from him.

“Aria,” He pointed a finger at me, “you better have a good reason for interrupting an important meeting.”

“How about you give me a good reason for cutting my sleep short?” I shot back.

He leaned back casually. “What are you talking about?”

“Xavier,” I pressed, trying to keep my voice calm, “why did two strangers barge into my room so early in the morning?”

“Oh,” he said it so casually it made me want to throw something at him. “About that… we’re going to an event in a few hours.”

“We?” My voice echoed. “You mean both of us? Why?”

He removed his glasses slowly, placing them on the desk. “Because you’re my wife.”

“I know that,” I snapped. “But why do I have to find out through strangers?”

He clasped his hands together, a hint of apology softening his expression. “I should have told you earlier. I’m sorry. Now, will you let them do their job?”

“I’m not doing that,” I said firmly.

“Aria!” He warned.

“I said no. I’m staying here until you get them out of my room.”

His jaw tightened, eyes darkening. “You can either walk back to your room, or I’ll take you there myself. Either way, you’re going.”

I stayed put, glaring at him.

Seconds later, he was standing right in front of me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, voice trembling. “Why are you so close…”

Before I could finish, I was hoisted over his shoulder in one swift movement.

“Xavier!” I screamed, hitting his back. “Put me down this instant!”

“How hard is it for you to listen to me?” he asked, striding down the hall as if carrying me were normal. “Aria, I’m your husband.”

“Yes, on paper!” I snapped.

He hissed. “Let’s see how long it stays that way.”

I threw my hands in the air dramatically.

“What does that even mean?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he kicked open my bedroom door and carefully set me on my feet.

The two women froze, wide-eyed.

“Get to work,” he instructed. “Both of you.”

“That won't be necessary.” I pushed past him. “I'm leaving.”

His grip tightening around my arm froze me in place.

“One billion dollars.” He whispered.

I blinked. “What?”

He smirked. “That's how much you are paying if I sue you for going out of the contract. So you better fix that attitude and play the perfect wife for me.”

My hands clenched into a fist beside me.

What was I expecting from him anyway? He's just another Weston with a different last name.

Suddenly, he turned to the girls. “Step outside.”

They obeyed instantly.

Then he turned back to me, stepping closer, his hand brushing lightly against my cheek.

“We’ll have people at the event today,” he said softly. “Lots of them. And I’ll need you to turn heads with your looks and behave impeccably.”

His scent, his proximity, made my chest tighten.

“My little Aria,” he whispered. “Can you do that for me?”

I looked down at my feet and nodded quickly. “Yes.”

He chuckled. “Look at that. My obedient little wife.”

Fucking asshole.

“I’ll be waiting for you in our living room.” He added.

Our.

The word made my heart pound. The way he always said it… like this home, this life, was ours. Like I belonged here, like I belonged to him.

I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly racing for reasons I didn’t understand.

He looked… unfairly handsome up close it became annoying at some point.

I forced myself to nod. “Okay.”

He held my gaze a moment longer, then turned and walked out.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the room achingly silent.

I stood there, staring at the door, my chest rising and falling too fast to be normal.

Why the hell is my heart beating this fast around him?