The convenient marriage - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Waking up to the sound of running water and the distinct warm touch of the sunrays against her skin, Aria slowly shifted her body, already thinking of the difficulty of having to move her belly to her other side. But strangely the struggling feeling that she expected never came.
She frowned as she slowly opened her eyes to check why she felt more weightless than normal, only to see herself with a flat abdomen. Frightened by the loss of the usual image of her protruding belly that she should have seen, she opened her eyes wider, only to become even more surprised. There was no sign of the bed she had been sleeping on, no sight of her room, not even the sight of a ceiling over her head.
Looking all around her, what greeted her eyes was the sand she had been laying on and an endless sea, an endless blue which reached the horizon blending with the color of the sky. This image for some reason settled her mind down, the ocean blue color of the water reminding her of Zane's eyes.
It calmed her heart, leaving nothing but peace behind. The sunny light rays that fell lightly on her white maxi dress brightening it up, and the slight breeze that ruffled her wavy hair... the wonderful landscape that merged together made her unable to think of anything.
Standing up from the ground with her eyes never leaving the waves, charmed by the sea she had never gotten the chance to ever gaze at in her life, she stepped with her bare feet on the golden sand, slowly approaching the water.
But just as she came near the beach line, barely reaching with her feet the waves, the slight breeze turned fiercer, removing from her head the wide summer hat she did not even know she was wearing.
Surprised by the sight of it flying towards the sea, she reached with her hand to grab it, only for the hat to disappear as if lost in the horizon. She pondered whether it landed on the water in the second that her eyes had been blinded by the light reflected on the waves, so she inspected with her eyes the surface of the water. But there was not even the smallest of traces of it on the sea that had strangely calmed down into stillness. How could a sea stand still, as if it were a lake? She pondered.
No, there were still some small changes to the surface of the water a bit further away from her, small ripples in the sea that strangely had appeared frozen some moments ago. Why would ripples only appear in just one part of the sea?
As the curiosity of what could possibly be lurking underneath increased, Aria moved forward a bit until the water reached above her ankles, while she was still looking at the disturbance. The small ripples turned into bigger ones coming closer and closer to her position, as a head slowly emerged from the water.
Following the head, a slender neck, then a lean torso could be seen, with the person coming closer to her as he walked. The lean slightly muscular man walked with steady but determined steps as he exited the water, until he was only a few feet away from her position.
The handsome man then rose both his hands, running them through his ebony hair, sweeping the wet strands to the back of his head, revealing Zane's face. This particular image coupled with the small drops of sparkling water that still lingered on his body, and the small smile that he directed to her, made the Aria stare with her mouth agape, unable to react in any way.
Even when Zane stood in front of her, standing so close that if he stretched his hand he would be able to touch her, her expression remained the same. She only managed to react when the man did just that, he rose his hand and touched her small cheek.
Feeling him getting closer as he was leaning his face towards her, Aria finally closed her mouth as she gulped in expectation, already imagining the touch of his lips. But just before he approached his lips to hers, she...
'Hiccup!' Embarrassed beyond measure because of the failed kiss attempt, but regretful more at the same time, Aria looked towards the man and wanted to say something when the latter burst into bubbles.
Flinching in her sleep, Aria woke up as a yelping sound escaped her mouth, before finally sighing relieved when she felt the fabric of the pillow and the blanket. It seemed she had a nightmare, she pondered, but could not remember any details about it. Well, if it indeed had been a bad dream it was better that she did not recall it.
Sitting upwards on the bed, still feeling a bit out of it, as the only thought in her mind was going to the bathroom because the twins were pressing on her bladder, Aria rubbed her fingers on her eyelids trying to clear her hazy eyes. She rubbed a bit more, as she lazily yawned then, opening her eyes slowly, feeling slightly uncomfortable by the sudden light, with a clear eyesight took a better look at the room, only to figure out that she was no longer in the mansion.
With this realization, the information of the sleeping arrangement also did not tarry long in appearing in her mind, causing her eyes to briskly turn to Zane's side of the bed. The disheveled blanket and pillow clearly indicated that someone had slept on them, but the coldness that could be felt as her hand reached the fabric to check its temperature proved that the person who had slept on it was long woken up.
She sighed relieved, glad she was spared from the embarrassment of having to face him, and slowly rose on her feet. With unsteady steps, she put both her hands on her waist, as her protruding belly was getting harder to be sustained by her small physique, and headed to the bathroom.
Reaching the sink first, she was about to bypass it on her way to the toilet, when the image reflected on the mirror frightened her. The bird nest on top of her head, the scrunched up face because of the traces of the pillow... she was an absolute mess. In fact, her unpleasant morning face was quite a sight to be seen.
She felt like crying, realizing that Zane had most likely seen this exact face before leaving the bedroom. What did he think when he saw her? Was he scared of her appearance? He was, wasn't he?
Even forgetting her purpose for coming to the bathroom she scanned the sink, intending to take a hairbrush to detangle her hair, and fix the hair knots. She was not certain where Zane was, so she had to fix her appearance fast.
But as she moved her sight from left to right on the large counter, the order of the particular items displayed on it felt somewhat strange. Side by side men's cologne and women's perfume were arranged. In the cup holder two toothbrushes, one pink and one blue, were standing close to one another. Face cream, hair gel, a comb and a brush... where an item meant for a man was, next to it the one meant for a woman also stood.
Although it was only an arrangement of care routine items, their setting made a small blush creep on her cheeks... it was just like a newly wedded couple.
Admonishing herself as her thoughts flew in strange directions. Aria grabbed the brush and combed her hair, before putting it in a small bun.
What newly wedded couple? Zane and the original woman... they were already married for more than three years. Feeling a pang in her heart, once more realizing her fake status, Aria shook her head, continuing her morning routine.
Finishing refreshing herself, changing in new clothes, and arranging the bed, the small woman shyly opened the bedroom's door, still having no clue of how she would face Zane.
Fortunately, as she looked through the living room and the kitchen, there was no sign of the man, he had gone out of the apartment on a jog, according to the sticky note that was left on the table near a small breakfast. She felt a burden was lifted from her soul at least for the moment, and seeing the appetizing food, immediately sat on the chair.
If Zane would come back soon, she knew for certain she would be too awkward to eat around him at her full capacity.
Two chocolate croissants, a cup of milk, a banana, and two muffins disappeared with haste in record time, then as if on the clock the doorbell rang.
She felt happy that she managed to settle her stomach before he came back, but at the same time the nervousness crept up in the pit of her stomach again. And it accentuated when the doorbell rang again.
Raising up from the table, to open the door, Aria heard the doorbell for the third time, and only then the knowledge of the lock came back to her thoughts. The lock of the door required a fingerprint, so the doorbell would rang if it was someone else other than Zane.
She stepped towards the door, intrigued about who could it be. The maid would only come at lunchtime, and it was still not even ten o'clock.
Still she knew that the person who came was certainly someone who would know Zane, otherwise the doorman would have not permitted him or her access in the building.
When the doorbell was about to ring a fourth time, Aria had already reached the door and slowly opened it.
'... Hello!' The man's hoarse voice spoke from the hallway, a bit awkward as he was not expecting the person in front of him to be the one to ever open Zane's personal apartment's door. The one place Aria had never stepped into.
Moving her eyes to his face, Aria quickly recognized the guest. It was Zane's friend, the doctor from the hospital.
Running with all his might since early in the morning, Zane was finally jogging his way back to the apartment.
Seeing her lovely face by his side first thing in the morning, he had no choice but to exercise and redirect his attention to something else other than Aria, he had to do something with the overflowing energy.
The cute eyebrows that were scrunched up in a frown, the long curled eyelashes, the round puffy cheeks that seemed even puffier because of her sleeping position, the heart shaped lips, her snuggling position between the sheets, the sprawled wavy hair on the pillow next to him... all of it fiercely attacked his heart, making his pupils dilate at the sight.
He sighed deeply, realizing his attention went to her again, and increased the speed of his jogging. He really did not know why each of his victories against Aria, came with the feeling of defeat every time. Sleeping on the same bed was meant to make Aria loosen her guard against him, and make her feel more comfortable with his presence. But he did not expect that he would end up being the one uncomfortable.
To fall asleep near your wife whom you love, and just literary sleep was not an easy thing at all. But it couldn't be helped, she was currently pregnant... alright, who was he kidding, even if she wasn't, that heartless woman would only just literary sleep. At first when he came out from the bathroom last night, she had blushed a bit because of his naked abdomen and became nervous, delighting him because of the effect he had on her. But it did not take even five minutes after she had hidden herself under the blanket and the lady had already fallen asleep.
If she was conscious of him, it would have been more difficult for her to fall asleep that easily, but it was not difficult at all, her small cute snore proving his point. But he... it took at least an hour for him to fall asleep near her... Just when he started to think she might be feeling a bit conscious of him, it didn't take long for her to prove him otherwise.
Moving his hands through his slightly damp hair, removing the longer unruly strands from his eyes, he sighed again, feeling as though the exercise did not help him at all to vent his frustrations. His t-shirt and pants appeared as though he had showered with his clothes on, they were filled with sweat after the lengthy jog he had just took, yet he felt no better than when he began.
He knew he was impatient, he had only realized his feelings for her, but it did not mean that she would feel the same towards him instantly. And why would she? The frightened little woman, without a speck of her old memories left in her head, was mechanically taken by him from the hospital and dumped at his mansion in the care of servants, without even a words of comfort. And just because he showed some interest towards her now, she was supposed to fall for him in a heartbeat? Perhaps it would take longer for her to realize what being married meant, and even longer for her to fall in love.
For Aria to feel love towards him, he had to put in some effort... the problem was that in his thirty years of his life he had never properly courted a girl. He was always the one who was sought after by women. For him to make the first move in trying to conquer a woman, this was a first.
These past few days he had played it by ear, but he really should have another discussion with Malcom, he thought. Although that man also did not have many experience in this department, at least it was a bit more extensive than his. Unlike him, Malcom was the one who had pursued his previous girlfriends.
Climbing up the stairs of the apartment building, Zane took out his phone, intending to call Malcom, when its screen lighted up because of an upcoming call. He checked the caller's ID, and a second later he pressed the answer button, before raising it near his ear.
'Yes?' He replied simply. An answer that did not surprise the other person at all, even though his tone seemed almost dismissive and quite distant.
'You are renovating the mansion. Why?' The older woman asked, with the same inquisitive tone.
'It will not be long until Aria will give birth. I ordered for the babies' room to be prepared, and for the rest of the mansion to be babyproofed.' Zane replied calmly, telling half a lie. His mother would never believe that the mansion was infested with termites.
He had indeed instructed the butler to also make the preparations for the babies during this time, but it had not been the main reason of why the renovations were taking place. Still there was no reason for his mother to know the real reason.
'The children, how are they?' Not one to ask more than the minimum information, his mother had already accepted the explanation, and moved on to her other point of interest.
'The doctor checks them regularly, they are doing well, especially now since Aria is awake. She takes good care of them.' Zane replied, as he was already entering the building.
'... Understood. My trip will take a little longer this time, but I should be home before she gives birth.' The woman informed and closed the call without waiting for the confirmation that he heard her words, or saying goodbye.
'Aunty Victoria, was that Zane?' A beautiful girl, with black straight hair, green emerald eyes, dressed in an elegant strapless mini dress, overflowing with cuteness asked, just as she placed her cup of coffee on the table.
'Yes. It was him.' Zane's mother replied, but did not offer more details on what she had just discussed with her son, only placed her phone on the table.
The older woman, although one could tell she was already not so young anymore, still felt like a beauty who could compete with others half her age. Her hair that had lost its black luster having been replaced by a silver color, her mature elegant posture dressed in a professional black suit, coupled with the beautiful face adorned with small crow's feet at the edge of her eyes, that only added to her charm... all of her features showed she was once the most powerful business woman of her generation, though nowadays she had loosened much of her hold on the group of companies the family held, in favor of her son.
'Ohhh... so the children you were referring to must be the twins, right? When was Aria's caesarian scheduled? Or has it already been completed?' The beautiful girl asked, looking joyfully towards the woman who looked about seventy to eighty percent akin to Zane. She looked thrilled at finding out about the twins, not bothered of overstepping herself, as she brought the older woman's phone call in their discussion.
'Aria no longer needs a caesarian, well at least for the moment. We'll find out a bit later what the doctor decides. It is still uncertain if it will be a natural birth or a caesarian.' The woman decisively stated, as she leaned a bit back on her chair, so the waiter could place her meal in front of her.
'Ehhh... but she is still in a coma, is it possible for her to give birth naturally?' The young woman frowned confused, as she had also received her plate. A natural birth meant the woman had to push the babies out, but Aria... she was only a shell without a consciousness. It was already a miracle that she had managed to keep the pregnancy in her current state.
'Aria, has already regained consciousness.' Victoria replied, then picked up her fork and knife and started eating.
'R-really!' The young woman voiced, surprised as she could be.
'You didn't reply to my earlier question.'
'Oh... yes my father he is well. He is kept busy these days by the multitude of cases from the law firm, but it is what he likes to do best. And he also...' The younger woman immediately remembered the question Zane's mother asked and started to reply to it.
As Victoria had redirected the subject from the matter of Zane and Aria, she knew for certain that the older woman did not want to speak of it further, so naturally did not mention them again, only talked about trivial everyday things.
Victoria was one of the sternest people she knew, and if you were to insist on saying more or asking more than she allowed, her words would turn sharp as if it was capable of cutting you in two.
Zane, on the other end of the call, had not waited for his mother to say more. When the beeping for the end call was heard, he had already put away the phone inside his pocket.
With his mind clear and focused as a result of his earlier discussion, if you could call it that, he entered the elevator, pushing the floor button for the highest floor. He had stayed a bit longer than what he intended, and had left the small woman on her own for quite a bit of time.
By now she must have already woken up and was eating the breakfast he had left on the table for her. He could imagine her small round cheeks filled with food, chewing her meal happily.
A small smile appeared on his face as he pictured the adorable image inside his mind. Even when he opened the apartment's door he was still thinking of this. But he stopped his thoughts when a loud man's voice resounded from inside.
Upset at Malcom, for daring to raise his voice in his home, and concerned about the small woman, he immediately quickened his steps, exchanging the adorable image inside his head with a terrifying one... the image of him strangling his best friend.