(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

“Are you going to the restaurant?” Amber asked again. Ariana shook her head. “Why should I go there when I have you and Jody?” she replied sharply.

Amber chuckled. “Alright, alright, Boss. In that case, I’ll leave now,” she said. Ariana just nodded. “Don’t forget to have breakfast,” she ordered. And once again, Ariana just nodded. After Amber closed the door, Ariana curled up again under her warm blanket in her dark room.

Amber left the apartment after making sure everything was in order. Although she couldn’t bear to leave Ariana alone, she knew that her friend hated being pitied. And if Ariana chose not to go to the restaurant-the place that had been a source of her problems for so long-it meant that what Ariana was going through was heavier than it seemed. Yes, years of knowing Ariana had given her some understanding of her friend’s character.

The atmosphere in the restaurant seemed normal as Amber entered. Jody, Dara, and several other friends were already getting ready for their respective tasks. Amber, who headed straight to the second floor and started her work, had to look up when she heard a knock on the door and saw Jody’s face there.

“Can we talk?” the man asked hesitantly. “In private,” he added when he received no response from Amber.

Amber just shrugged. The man immediately took a seat in front of her table. “What’s up?” Amber inquired. “Do you know Ariana came to my house yesterday?” Jody asked without preamble.

“She went to your place?” Amber asked back. She clearly didn’t know because Ariana hadn’t told her anything. Jody nodded. “What did she say?”

“My mom didn’t say much. She just mentioned that Ariana looked sad. I came here because I wanted to ask you, what’s going on with her? What happened to her?” he inquired, wanting to know.

“She didn’t say much either. But it’s true, lately she’s been constantly troubled by unresolved feelings,” Amber commented.

Amber could only take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Jody was not wrong; in fact, he was absolutely right. And part of the problem Ariana was facing was herself.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“My mom said she seemed different. Like someone who’s pregnant,” Jody continued. Amber blinked instantly. “Your mom knows? Did Ariana tell her?”

Jody shook his head. “So, she really is pregnant?” he directed the question more to himself. Amber sighed deeply and nodded wearily. “How is she doing now? She must be confused,” he asked.

Reluctantly, Amber nodded again. “I’m sure she spent the whole night thinking about it. When I checked on her this morning, she looked really exhausted.”

“Does Gerald know?” Jody asked again. Amber shook her head.

“I want to be angry at him. At Gerald too. But what can I do? At one point, I left her too because of a misunderstanding a while back,” Amber replied, her face filled with regret. “On one hand, I can’t blame Ariana because she has self-esteem issues. But on the other hand, I also feel she’s right in protecting herself like she is now. But she’s wrong too because she demands Gerald to trust her while she doesn’t trust him,” Amber commented. Jody nodded in agreement. “But Gerald is also at fault. Because all of this is too extreme for Ariana. Even those of us who grew up with her sometimes find it hard to get close to Ariana. For her to trust us and tell us everything, we also need time. But Gerald is demanding too much from Ariana,” Jody nodded again.

“But I’m sure Ariana is starting to have feelings for her husband,” Amber agreed. “If she didn’t have any feelings for Gerald, there’s no way she’d be this confused. It’s precisely because she’s thinking about that guy that she’s confused right now,” Amber said.

Both Jody and Amber could only take deep, heavy breaths and exhale sharply. “Should we be the bridge for their relationship? Should we just talk to Gerald about what we know?” Jody suggested hesitantly.

Amber shook her head. “Ariana wouldn’t like it if we meddle in her affairs. Even if she knows we mean well,” she said firmly. Jody nodded again.

“I feel sorry for Ariana, Amber.”

“And you think I don’t?!” Amber replied, her tone rising.

Jody chuckled. “Oh, so now you’re not angry with Ay [Ariana] because of Chris anymore!”

Amber threw her pen at Jody. “You jerk!” she cursed. But then she realized Jody was bringing up that name again. “Chris!” she exclaimed loudly.

“Why? Missing him, are you?” Jody teased, his tone mocking.

“Damn you, Jod!” Amber cursed again. “That’s not what I meant. I meant, one of Ariana’s current problems is Chris.”

“I know. You got upset and left because of Chris, right?” Jody taunted again.

Amber grimaced. “It’s not that, you jerk,” Amber denied. “The thing is, Karen and another one of Ariana’s enemies said that the baby inside her might be Chris’s.”

“Damn! Did Karen really say that?” Amber nodded. “And does Gerald believe it?”

Amber shrugged. “I don’t know if he believes those two witches or not. All I know is that’s why Ariana chose to leave home,” Amber replied. “So the choice is for Chris to help sort this out. To convince Gerald that the baby isn’t his.”

“Are you sure that it’s not Chris’s baby?” Jody looked at Amber teasingly.

Amber stared at Jody with her mouth wide open. Frustration and anger blended on her face. “Are you insulting Ariana?” Amber asked, incredulous.

Jody shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. Who knows if Chris can handle Ariana while with you…” his words trailed off.

“Jody! You bastard! Are you implying I’m not attractive?” Amber asked loudly.

Jody chuckled and nodded. “You know, if I had to compare, you’re like a pillar in an ancient palace, while Ariana…”

“Jody! Damn it! Get out right now or I’ll tear your mouth apart!” Amber shouted loudly. She was clearly very angry at his words. Jody raised both his hands and complied with what Amber said. He left, leaving the girl with a mocking expression.

Jody frowned. “What do you mean?”