The convenient marriage - Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Sparkling chandeliers, glamorous arranged tables, a slow classical music in the background that seemed to go hand in hand with the general elegant atmosphere.
Employees and business partners alike, everyone expected no less from the biggest consortium in the country, so they were not unaccustomed to the mood. Of course the people invited to this party fitted in the picture perfectly as well. All of them were the elite in their fields of expertise, so not to mention their select attires and manners, even most of the subjects of their discussions were also business oriented.
Talks of the general market, fluctuations of the economy, next year predictions... these matters were going all around the room, except the principal table where the president and his wife were situated at...
"I knew you would like that book. The degree of attention to details is impressive. I mean the way the villainess took her revenge on those who had wronged her can't compare." Aria affirmed happily.
"Yes, you were right. But you got to admit the transmigration book I gave you was also good. I won't give reasons for why it was awesome, I am sure the book itself proved it to you." Malcom smirked and proudly stated, as he took his glass from the table and sipped a mouthful of wine.
"Alright, it was indeed good. I could not put it down until I finished it." She sighed and finally relented to Malcom. She had indeed enjoyed the book, naturally she couldn't lie about it. Even though she was really reluctant to do so.
Her personality was like this, so it was no wonder. The only reason no one knew about her not being the real owner of the body was because no one would ever ask her upfront about it. Otherwise, she would most likely give herself away in a heartbeat because of her too honest expression.
"See? Was it so difficult to admit it?" Malcom teased playfully as his cheeky smile deepened.
"Malcom." Zane intervened suddenly, before the aggrieved Aria had even opened her mouth to answer.
"Yes?" Malcom looked towards his friend confused, and waited for the latter's words. It was unusual that Zane had something to tell him. Generally, his so called friend would only show interest in speaking with him only if he needed an advice.
"Aren't you going to get a new girlfriend soon?" Zane asked him expressionlessly as ever. The somber man did not sketch the slightest of change in expression that could make Malcom understand from where this interest in his love life came from, especially at this very moment.
"No. Why?" Malcom replied curious, and feeling strange that Zane asked about such a matter, inquired about the reason. If he were to think about it, the man had never asked him something like this ever.
"I thought you would be lonely by yourself. I mean time is running out, you are not getting younger. You should start seeking a suitable lady for yourself." Zane continued speaking with the same uninterested tone.
"Eh... No, I am not lonely. Malcom replied touched, a small obstruction in his throat preventing him from talking properly. His friend did care about him, he thought.
Zane always seemed aloof and detached from any matters that had even the slightest connection to feelings and concern towards most people. Even towards his own mother and him, his best friend, he did not show much interest in their private time and relationships, if any at all.
So even though he was a little pricked by Zane's question about a lover, as he felt as though the latter was flaunting his love and more importantly his superiority in life, the intention of his friend's words over shone any complaints he might have had.
It seemed that the reciprocated feeling of love from his wife, had turned the man softer and friendlier. Perhaps in the future, with the arrival of the twins, Zane would finally even admit that he was his best friend. He was really looking forward to that day.
"It doesn't look like it." Zane spoke with a smaller voice, but with his tone a bit deeper than before. Though the murmur was not loud enough for the man, who was already interpreting Zane's words in the exact opposite sense that the latter had wanted them to be perceived as, to hear them clearly.
"Hmmm?" Malcom voiced questioningly, an exclamation meant to make Zane repeat his words.
"Nothing." Zane sighed at the dumbness of his friend and turned his attention to his lovely wife, placing a plate of appetizers in front of her. The words were more for himself than for Malcom, naturally he wouldn't repeat them.
"I don't have an appetite." Aria shook her head, trying to refuse the plate with the lovely treats she had been eyeing since she had taken her seat.
The talk with Malcom had already eased a good portion of her nervousness. It had also distracted her from the glances she could feel every now and then from all over the ballroom. But she feared it would not look too elegant, if she ate her food. What if she stained her face or her clothes? What if she felt like burping?
It was too embarrassing if any of those two things were to happen, so she abstained herself from touching any food from the last half an hour. Even though they all looked so delicious, she could not eat any of it. She was the president's wife, she had to keep certain manners.
"Are you sure?" Zane frowned a bit because of her refusal, then seeing as she nodded to confirm she indeed did not wish to eat, slowly approached her ear and murmured a few words.
Widening her eyes at the warm breath that blew against her ear carrying with it audacious phrases, she did not even dare look towards Zane fearing his confident look. She only quickly brought the plate closer to her, then started to eat obediently. This man had gotten too bold lately, it was really bad for her heart. How could he tell her that he would place her on his lap and feed her himself, if she wouldn't eat on her own?
A lot of people were present in the ballroom, but Aria did not doubt that Zane wouldn't dare do what he said. Especially since just now he even lightly bit her ear, this action of him making her feel electrified from the top of her head until the sole of her feet. It made her feel giddy as blood rushed to her cheeks.
He had done such actions multiple times in the last week, things which caused her heart to leap out of her chest, so much so that she felt like a small animal observed by a large predator... especially the intent gaze from his cold blue eyes that she noticed at times.
An example would be that every night before going to sleep, he would kiss her senseless and hug her even tighter, but even then his eyes did not change. Perhaps they became even darker, it felt as though he was ready to gobble her whole, for lack of better words.
Seeing that dangerous expression of his and his actions should have made her scared of him, frightened of him. But for some odd reason she never felt fear towards him. Quite the contrary, she seemed as though whatever he would want her to do in those moments, when his expression turned that way, she would do without a word of complaint.
What exactly was this feeling... she really could not put a finger on it's exact name, but it was as though she was flustered, confused, shy and at the same time eager to experience it more. It made her heart flutter in ways she never thought was possible.
She had thought she had fallen in love with Zane for quite some time already. But the feelings she had towards him now could not compare to what she had felt in the beginning, when she became aware of them. Their depth could not compare in the slightest.
She felt she was so infatuated with him, that if she were to look in his eyes at this moment, everyone would notice her feelings, especially since they were situated right at the very front.
Realizing this once again, she tried to make herself smaller, but did not stop her hands from reaching for the food, even though by this point, the delicious appetizers had no more flavor as she ate them.
Pleased with himself, seeing the red inked cheeks of his obedient wife who nibbled on her food, Zane chuckled unbothered by Malcom's still confused expression.
"Everyone, can I have your attention please!" A delicate, but still quite loud voice boomed inside the giant ballroom. The owner of the voice, normally shouldn't have had enough strength to speak at the volume she currently was. But the microphone in her hand amplified her voice several times over, so she had easily gained the attention of all.
"Several days ago, I had the opportunity to listen to one of our coworkers' piano play, and I was absolutely thrilled with her impeccable performance of Fur Elise. So I insisted a lot until I managed to make her delight us with her music tonight. Please give her a round of applause."
As the woman's words finished, a young woman dressed in a fiery red gown with short hair and mesmerizing green eyes emerged from the crowd.
She appeared shy and reluctant under the applauses of the people who were encouraging her to perform, but bravely she still stepped forward.
Approaching the piano near the first woman, she took the seat where the player hired for the party had been at until then, and did not say a single word, before directly pressing on the keyboard. She only let her hands speak for themselves.
This situation was highly unconventional, there had never been other employees who had thought of personally showing off their skills of any instruments in public at the annual party. Aileen had also never wanted to use this method. It was beneath her after all to play right now and here, as the party was not only attended by high ranked managers, but also by common employees from the main building.
Like this she felt as though her performance was a side entertainment for the common employees, who may very well not be able to grasp her impeccable skills. But she was forced to do it nonetheless.
She never had any chance of seeing Zane privately, and even less of a chance to make him notice her. At work they did not interact at all, and she had no other opportunities to see him besides the office.
When she was about to start her work, her mother and father's friend, the woman who had spoken to Ryan, Zane's assistant, and had asked them to hire Aileen at the office, had visited them at home. And as her mother liked to brag about Aileen, she had performed a piano piece for her.
Hearing her play and thinking to help forge some better working connections, her mother's friend and her current direct boss, had suggested for Aileen to play at the annual party.
She had politely refused at the time, not wanting to gain such attention on herself. She was almost an elite player and her teachers had tried numerous of times to make her pursue a professional career. So how could she use her piano play in this way?
But Zane's eyes had never strayed to her even once. When she spoke to Aria the first time at the office, when she wanted to make a coincidental encounter in the hallway, last Saturday... even today, when she had purposely worn the best design gown and the most catchy color she could wear to suit her flawless white skin and green emerald eyes. None of it worked...
So when her boss just now expressed again how it was such a pity she did not want to play, she had remembered this fact, and pretended to reluctantly agree to play. During a performance of a single instrument player, naturally everyone's eyes would be on him or her. Whether he wanted to or not, involuntarily Zane's gaze would also direct itself towards her.
Under the sparkling light, the romantic and nostalgic song of an unfulfilled love, her attractive attire and pretty face... he was bound to start noticing her.
Fur Elise was not a difficult piano song, but she did not need a difficult one. She wanted her posture to remain as pretty and as gentle as possible, while still impress everyone with a perfect playing style. It was also an easily recognizable song, so most should know and appreciate just how wonderful her performance was, even if they did not know about classical music.
Unfortunately, with all the eyes on her she could not check Zane's face, she could not be so brazen under everyone's gaze to see his ocean blue eyes locked on to her body. But at the end of the song, while everyone clapped once more, she could subtly return a glance in his direction.
It would still not be too late at that time, to slowly bow towards the crowd and see Zane's eyes on her... this was what she had thought, hoped.
But as her body straightened itself from the bow, not only did she see how the man was turned towards the side, and was using a napkin to wipe Aria's cheek, he did not even show any thought to offer her a single clap as a congratulation for her song.
Everyone was applauding, but at this very moment she felt as though none were clapping at all. The humiliation and sense of shame were only suppressed because she still had one more objective to accomplish with this performance.
If he was still blind to distinguish the pebble from the diamond, then she would help open his eyes.
"Thank you very much, but I cannot compare to my cousin. Aria has learnt the piano far better than I could ever hope to. She is already on par with a professional player. Her Campanella is especially wonderful." Aileen affirmed smilingly and turned to look directly at Aria, after scanning her surroundings a bit, as though she was searching for her.
Hearing her name called by Aileen, Aria also shifted her attention towards the piano, confused by the former's affirmation. She did not understand why there was a need for Aileen to mention her name, but the reply to this inner question was answered in the next second unfortunately.
"Maybe if we all clap once more, the Madame president will grace us with her song." Aileen spoke and deepened her smile.
Using such words to force Aria to show her incompetence was perfect. If she played... well it could not even be called playing more like pushing the keyboard disorderly around, she would only be a clown. And if she did not, she would be disregarding everyone, not just the employees, but also the present business partners.
It was the perfect plan, fail proof no matter which option Aria would choose.
For one reason, everyone present had to clap whether they liked to or not. She was after all the president's wife. Thus under their encouragement she could not refuse to play the song. There were far too many people for her to say no.
For a second reason, her amnesia would prevent her to play the piano, but she could not use this reason to avoid playing. They had already told the Langdon branch family Aria was alright, so they could only continue with their current pretense, and she also could not be blamed for not knowing of her state.
In the eyes of everyone, Aileen would appear as a modest person ready to shift the spotlight from herself, while Aria would only be a mocking joke no matter what option she picked.
As the claps settled down, she could hardly wait for Aria to open her mouth and make herself deplorable, when Zane's voice was heard inside the room, surprising all the attendees.
"My wife's playing... naturally it would be better. But her pregnancy unfortunately does not permit her to maintain the posture needed for a flawless performance, and she is a perfectionist." Zane calmly spoke, before Aria had a chance to personally respond.
"I'm sure everyone would understand..." Aileen immediately reasoned as her sense of alertness went up. Zane was trying to decline in Aria's stead, and unfortunately it really was a proper reason, but she could not accept such a loss. She was too angry to let the matter rest.
"I haven't finished my words." Zane interrupted sharply, and looked coldly towards Aileen, making the latter unable to finish her words.
"Although playing the piano is hard for her right now, singing a song isn't." Zane replied as expressionless as ever, and finishing his words he had already stood up.
Aria had felt hopeless on how to refuse Aileen's suggestion as soon as the latter had uttered it, but did not know how to do so, especially under the pressure of everyone's applauses. So when Zane had started speaking, her restless heart had calmed down.
As expected of a business man, he knew how to refuse a request without causing anyone displeasure in the slightest. But the problem was that Zane had not refused a performance... he had only changed the type of a performance it was. How could she sing in front of all these people? She would make a fool of herself if she tried to... her voice would crack and become hoarse with just the first word, if she could even sing a few words at all.
"Zane, I..." She quickly grabbed the end of his sleeve and tried to plead for him to refuse.
"This is not any different than the karaoke you did with the maids." He cut her words and said slowly, as he bent his body to her level.
"It is, I can't sing in front of everyone. I am not that good, I..." Aria also lowered her voice and spoke urgently.
She really could not stand up in front of so many foreign people and sing.
"Do you trust me? I would never let you do something I knew you weren't capable of doing." Zane interrupted again and placed his hand in front of her.
"I..."
"Do you trust me? Will you sing for me?"
His confident words and his expression which had always made her feel safe, made her unable to refute his words. If she refused to sing, it meant she did not trust Zane. But of course she did. If there was only one person in this entire world that she trusted... this was Zane.
Everyone could deceive her, everyone could leave her, hurt her... only Zane, only he would never do something like that.
With a bit of a slight tremble that took over her body, she unconsciously raised her hand, as her eyes were captured by his ice blue ones.
She felt hypnotized by his entire being, so much so that she did not even realize when he had led her near the piano, even when he placed the microphone in her hand she did not seem aware of it.
She only somewhat regained a clear mind, when the claps of the piano were pushed.
Directing her eyes towards it, she remembered the first time Zane had played for her the most beautiful interpretation of "La Campanella" she had ever heard. His slender hands that moved across the keyboard, his handsome profile that had kept her eyes glued on only him the entire time he played... perhaps it had been at that moment that she had started to notice Zane, had started to admire him... she just hadn't realized it yet.
The only difference from that time was that the song that Zane was now playing was not La Campanella, it was not even a classical piece... no, it was her favorite song. It was the song that Zane had caught her singing when she was playing karaoke with the maids.
How was it possible for him to remember this song, even though she had only played it that one time?
What Aria did not know was that, as he was very fond of the memory when she had thrown the microphone away, he had asked the maids inside the mansion to tell him the name of the song. Playing it sometimes when he was alone in his office while he thought of her... naturally he knew it well. And with his piano skills, it was child's play to reproduce the piano that could be heard in the background of the voice.
With her eyes on him, as he also looked towards Aria, showing her his most cheeky smile yet, Aria slowly raised the microphone near her lips and opened her mouth.
Perhaps it was comforting for her that Zane was beside her at this moment...
Maybe it was the warmth she felt inside at the attentiveness of the man, who had even paid attention to such small details about her...
Or it could have been the song itself that resonated so well with her feelings and regrets.
Many times in her past life she had watched the movie with this particular song as its soundtrack. Whenever she could see it again, she always did.
It was the movie that she had loved the most, but ironically also the one which she had felt most bitter towards.
A walk to remember...
She found herself related to the girl who was in the same situation as her, the girl who was destined to die at a young age because of an incurable disease.
The difference was only that... said girl could still fulfill her most fervent wishes before her death, she could still experience a once in a lifetime love and leave memorable experiences behind. That girl still had someone who would stay beside her until she took her last breath, she still had a man who would forever keep her in his heart.
Aria had neither the power to make any of her wishes come true, nor did she have anyone beside her in her last moments. She was only waiting for a complete darkness to overcome her entire being... she was only waiting for the end.
But as she remembered the movie again at this moment, and having Zane beside her, helping her play this particular song from it, she felt that in this moment she could finally love that movie with all her heart.
With him beside her, with the small children who seemed to become more enthusiastic as she played the song, she really felt the lyrics she was singing came from her soul.
"I know now you're my only hope. I give you my destiny, I'm giving you all of me..."
The words easily flowed out from her mouth, and surprisingly not a small uncertainty and tremor could be sensed in her tone.
"So I lay my head back down. And I lift my hands and pray..." She continued playing as her mood relaxed completely.
She no longer sensed the people looking at them in the slightest, it was as though they were the only two people left in the entire world.
The party, although it was the first time they attended it together, was only meant to be an annual ordinary party that the company held each year, but this gathering was bound to become a special memory in both Aria's and Zane's mind just for this very moment.
They still weren't aware that this night would change their life in more ways than one.
Her fears, her doubts, her lonely heart, her lost thirst for life are only yours to quell.
Time is short and fickle...