(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Gerald lowered his head closer to Ariana’s face when the girl’s face avoided him. Ariana’s choice to look away was wrong because it showed the side of her long neck, making Gerald even more interested in touching her. And he intended to do it.

Gerald touched the tip of his nose to the girl’s neck, smelling the fragrance of the oil he had rubbed on the girl’s body. But instead of feeling the smell, he liked it. “Sweet.” He said in a whisper in Ariana’s ear. The girl shuddered for a moment.

Gerald knew that the girl was pressing her head deeper into the pillow’s surface, which made him even more touchy and intended to tease her further.

“You don’t want to look at me?” Gerald was still whispering in the girl’s ear. Even deliberately bit the tip of the girl’s ear. Ariana’s hand was on his chest, trying to push Gerald away. But no matter how hard she tried, Gerald’s strength was more muscular than those tiny hands.

Gerald now moved his face towards the girl’s jaw. he slowly touched his lips to the surface of the girl’s skin. He could hear the sound when the girl swallowed her saliva. And he wanted to laugh about it.

He succeeded. He had succeeded in seducing the girl. He was sure he could make her fall for him with just one more step.

Gerald moved his face closer to the corner of the girl’s mouth. He could feel the girl’s fingers pinching his chest when he was about to kiss her. Damn! Gerald groaned in pain and immediately allowed the girl to kick her foot against Gerald’s shin.

Gerald slammed, falling to the cold floor butt-first. And that makes the pain even more intense. He grumbled with his head thrown back. At the same time, Ariana sat on the bed and looked back at him annoyedly.

“Are you costumed as a gigolo?” the girl squeaked. Gerald looked at her with wide eyes in disbelief. “Sorry Mister. But I won’t be tempted. Unless I want to.” She said.

Ariana grabbed the pillow nearby and threw it before getting up from the bed and leaving the room, slamming the door shut.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

She walked swiftly toward the bathroom. “Damn it!” she cursed while looking at her own face in the sink mirror.

Did the man see her cheeks turning red? Of course, he would assume Ariana was feverish, right? Not because he thought she was tempted. Right? She questioned herself.

That’s right, Ariana. What you did was right. You mustn’t be tempted by a seductive man like him. He’s someone you should avoid. No matter how strong the temptation he gives, never fall into his trap. Especially not to be defiled by him.

What would the world say if Ariana surrendered herself to Gerald? No. Her future was still ahead of her. She should only surrender to the man she loved.

Even if that man was her legal and religiously recognized husband. But still, Ariana didn’t love him. He was just her backup. And when the main actor returned, he would return to his position. And if Ariana had given herself to him by then, what would her fate be?

No. She couldn’t do it. No matter how strong the temptation was, and no matter how much Ariana wanted to experience it, she couldn’t do it.

Ariana quickly washed her face. She didn’t bother drying it. She just needed to return to her room and put on her clothes. She looked at her body in the mirror again.

Oh God, she looked like a seductive woman. How could she face the man just wearing this flimsy tank top? Even if there was blame, she would be the main suspect because the clothes she wore would be seen as the trigger for his desires.

Ariana shook her head vigorously. She opened the door and walked back to her room, which was now open again.

“Where are you going?” the question made Ariana pause for a moment. She turned and saw Gerald standing behind the bar table. “Dinner is ready. Let’s eat,” he invited. Ariana furrowed her brow when she saw several dishes laid out on her small dining table.

“Why are you standing there? Come on,” he invited again. Ariana continued to stare at him but then resumed her walk. “Ariana?” he called out.

“I’m changing!” Ariana answered from inside her room, raising her voice.

“Why change your clothes? I prefer you like this,” Gerald replied. The man seemed to follow her back into the room, perhaps suspecting that Ariana was just making excuses, so he wanted to confirm her statement with his own eyes.

Ariana grabbed some clothes from her wardrobe haphazardly. She groaned again when her choice turned out to be a loose short-sleeved shirt with a wide neckline. It wasn’t overly revealing, but it showcased her collarbones and even the top part of her breasts.

Damn! She cursed again. But she couldn’t change it again because Gerald was standing still in front of the door. If she changed, he might think Ariana was seeking attention by trying to appear attractive in front of him. Besides, Ariana often wore this outfit as her daily wear when she was alone with Amber in the apartment.

Fine, ignore Gerald’s thoughts. Whatever accusations he might throw at her, Ariana wouldn’t care. She then walked back out and nudged Gerald’s frozen figure aside.

The square dining table had four chairs, with two facing each other. Ariana sat in one of the empty chairs and observed the menu in front of her. All the dishes there were made from the ingredients in the fridge. Ariana knew because she was usually the one responsible for stocking the fridge, and she was also the one who cooked for herself and Amber. But the question now was, who made all this?

“Try it,” the command-like request came from the man who now chose to sit in the empty chair beside hers. Ariana squinted at him.

“Can’t you sit over there? Isn’t that seat still empty?” she pointed to the chair in front of her. Gerald just looked at her, shrugging his shoulders.

“I know you want me to see your face from the front when you eat. But I prefer sitting beside you like this.” The man placed his hand on the back of Ariana’s chair. “So I can look at you like this.” He rested his left elbow on the table, supporting his head with a relaxed gesture.