(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Gerald glanced at his assistant and personal secretary alternately. Neither of them gave him a satisfying answer. “So?” he asked, his eyes sharp.

Both of them shook their heads.

For the first time, Gerald felt disappointed in the performance of the two people in front of him.

“There are no CCTV cameras outside the restaurant area. Even though we followed her trail, everything was futile, Sir,” his secretary replied.

“The one who was watching her house and the restaurant also said there were no signs of her arrival, Sir. There were no calls or emails to the restaurant. It’s the same with her house,” his assistant added.

Gerald was furious. He slammed his wooden desk, creating a loud noise that made his listeners wince.

“Find her no matter what. If necessary, investigate each and every restaurant employee. I will visit her parents,” he said.

Both generations of men in front of him nodded before leaving Gerald’s office.

Gerald rose from his seat, walking toward the window behind his desk, staring at the cityscape below with unfocused eyes. His mind was fixated on the question ‘Where is Ariana?’

That girl was truly clever. Where could she be now? Another question that made him furious was, ‘Who is she with now?’

Gerald furrowed his brow. ‘Does the girl have a boyfriend?’ But from the data he had gathered, Ariana wasn’t close to anyone. Until now, she hadn’t entered into any serious relationships. Or does she have another friend in this city besides Amber?

Gerald squinted his eyes. He reached for his phone in his pants pocket and dialed a number.

“Hello?” Amber’s voice came through on the other end, mixed with the bustling noise of kitchen utensils.

“It’s Gerald,” Gerald said flatly.

“Gerald?” The girl sounded surprised. Oh, Gerald forgot they hadn’t officially met. “I’m Ariana’s husband.”

“Oh, right. The impromptu husband. Yes, what is it? Are you the one who has been asking about Ariana without mentioning a name?” Amber asked.

Gerald didn’t even intend to answer that.

“Has she come back? She hasn’t visited us, nor given any instructions. Her phone is unanswered. Is she sick?” The girl rattled on.

Gerald massaged his temples. He should be the one asking questions, but somehow he found himself being interrogated.

“Hello?” Amber called out on the other end. “Are you still there?” she asked again.

“Yes,” Gerald replied shortly. “I want to ask, does Ariana have any friends besides you?”

Silence for a moment. “She has many friends. Which one do you want to know about?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“A friend who is really close?” Gerald tried to narrow down the possibilities.

“Mmm…” the girl mumbled unclearly. “As far as I know, there isn’t one. Just me and Chris.”

“Chris? Who’s Chris?” Gerald felt like he had never read that name in the reports he received.

“Chris, our close friend. Ariana’s cousin from her Mommy’s side,” Amber replied.

“Where is he now? This man named Chris?” Gerald asked eagerly.

“In France,” Amber replied shortly.

“France?” Gerald furrowed his brow, confused. Could Ariana have followed Chris all the way to France?

Gerald shook his head. That couldn’t be possible. All of Ariana’s personal documents were in Gerald’s hands. Except for her passport, which might be at her apartment.

“Yeah, France. He works as a chef at a five-star hotel there. I forgot the hotel’s name. Anyway, he’s currently there,” Amber answered again.

“Besides Chris? Is there anyone else?” he asked once more.

“Jody? Dara? Bryan?” The girl listed the names of restaurant employees. Gerald sighed in frustration.

“Alright, thank you for the information. Goodbye.” Gerald ended the call. He rubbed his temples again.

Damn it. He forgot to ask for Chris’s full name. But could Ariana have gone to France? Clearly impossible. Unless…

Gerald dialed his assistant again. “Find Ariana’s family lineage through her Mommy’s side. Locate the man named Chris. And make sure I get information about him today,” Gerald ordered before hanging up the phone again.

Gerald slumped back into his oversized chair, letting out a long sigh. “Ariana Leonidas. Why are you making me so frustrated?”

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Ariana was busy packing up their camping gear. After talking to the campsite manager, Chris and Ariana intended to move to another location said to be close to a river and a waterfall.

They arrived at the spot, having descended a hill that left their knees sore. “Wow… Why didn’t we come here yesterday?” Ariana turned to Chris, who was grimacing.

“Probably because the location is a bit hidden. We didn’t notice the turn here,” he replied.

They set up their tents again, this time positioning them side by side, facing the river. After finishing setting up the tents and organizing all their equipment, Ariana and Chris decided to explore the area.

They walked on a suspension bridge, played in the river, and even soaked themselves under the waterfall. They took turns capturing moments with Chris’s phone camera. Ariana felt like a teenager on a picnic with friends, even though it was just the two of them.

Satisfied with their activities, they returned and chose to freshen up in a bathroom located less than fifteen meters away from their tent. Afterward, they prepared to make lunch.

“Are you happy?” Chris asked after they finished their lunch.

Ariana turned and nodded. “It’s one of the joys of being single. Going anywhere, anytime, with anyone,” she replied with a smile on her face.

“But you’re not single anymore. You’re someone’s wife now,” Chris reminded her. Ariana squinted. “Are you really that unhappy with that man?” Chris asked, curious.

Ariana shrugged. “Maybe if we did everything the right way. I mean, if we got to know each other properly. Dated in the right way. Proposed in a sensible manner. And prepared for marriage according to the concept we jointly developed. I might have liked him.

“Even though I initially saw him as a cruel man. But I can see he is a caring man. Proof is, he’s willing to protect his niece like this.

“But unfortunately, what he did to me and my family made me equate him with that woman and my sister. So yes… the conclusion is, I didn’t like him from the start. And it might continue like that until he changes his ways.”

“If he changes his ways, does that mean you’ll be willing to remain his wife?” Chris asked again, wanting to know more.

Ariana glanced at him again, pulled the corner of her lips, and shook her head. “Since last night, I’ve decided. He might be my husband on paper. But that’s all it is. Inside here, he means nothing.” Ariana pointed at her own chest.

“Once Karenina returns, I’ll go back to my position. As a single woman. But I won’t reject his presence. I think maybe we could be friends after all this is over. He and I are both stubborn.

“So I think our friendship would be fun.” Ariana laughed. “That’s if he’s willing to be friends with a ragtag like me.”

“It’s better to be friends with ragtags but have sincere hearts than to be friends with rich people but hypocritical,” Chris replied.

Ariana stared at him sharply. “Is that your reason for being friends with me, rich guy? Because I’m a ragtag?” Ariana asked, her expression feigned surprise. Chris laughed and tossed a pebble in her direction.