Chapter 421
Chapter 421
For a split second, it felt like fireworks exploded in Owen’s head. Excitement surged through his veins, leaving him a little breathless and lightheaded.
His eyes shone so brightly it was almost blinding, and Aria had to look away, flustered. “It’s late. You should head home,” she said, her voice unsteady.
“Alright,” Owen agreed obediently, getting to his feet–but his legs were so weak he almost crumpled, ending up kneeling right there, elbow banging hard against the coffee table.
He didn’t even flinch, the dazed smile on his face never changing.
Aria grabbed his hand, concern flickering across her features as she spotted the deep bruise already forming on his arm. “You hit your elbow.”
Owen looked up at her, grinning like a fool, happiness practically pouring off him. “I’m fine.”
“Go home and put some ice on it,” Aria told him, not quite able to keep the fondness out of her voice,
He just kept smiling at her, “Okay.”
“Go on, get out of here.”
“Alright.”
He started for the door, still walking like he was floating. Halfway there, he stopped, turned, and asked, “Are you planning to go to Neon Club again?”
The question caught Aria off guard, but she answered honestly, “Probably. If Vanessa asks me out again, I’ll go.”
Owen stepped closer, leaned in, and lowered his voice, “Just… do me a favor, okay? Next time, don’t touch that guy.”
Aria blinked, not following. “What guy?”
Taking advantage of the lingering buzz, Owen took her hand and pressed it against his own stomach, his tone both earnest and teasing. “Me. I’m yours now. If you feel like touching someone, just touch me–whatever they’ve got, I’ve got, too.”
Under her palm, his abs were rock hard, and Aria yanked her hand back like she’d been burned, clenching her fist as her heart pounded. “Got it. Now please, just go.”
Owen looked at her, voice a little more serious, “You won’t regret this in the morning, will you?”
Aria shook her head, “No. I won’t.”
The next morning, Aria sat in bed, running her hands through her hair, staring at her phone.
Owen’s chat was still on the screen, timestamped 2 AM: [Just in case you forget, here’s a copy of the contract.]
She’d lost track of how long she’d been staring at it.
Finally, she let out a long, exasperated sigh, muttering to herself, “I must be out of my mind. How did I end up agreeing to this?”
‘Not a girlfriend, just a lover. What even is my life right now…‘ she thought.
A new message popped up.
Nikolas: (Found the truck driver. Want to meet?]
Perfect. She needed something–anything–to distract herself. She typed back. [Where?]
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23:47 Sun, 22 Jun
Chapter 421
Nikolas sent her a location. She replied, [On my way.]
She was out of bed, dressed, and out the door without even stopping for breakfast.
She checked the hallway security camera, made sure it was empty, then slipped out quietly and hurried away.
Owen hadn’t slept all night. As dawn broke, he forced himself out for a run, still thinking about Aria.
Just as he was pulling out his phone to message her, he spotted a familiar car drive past. He caught a glimpse of the license plate–Aria’s car.
His heart stuttered. ‘Don’t tell me… she changed her mind and ran away?‘
He almost called her, then stopped, thinking better of it. He texted instead: [You awake?]
The message, like the contract, got no reply.
She must’ve seen the photo by now.
He just stood there, staring after her car as it disappeared down the street, lost in thought–until an old man wandered over and followed his gaze.
“What are you staring at? Did your wife leave you?” the old guy joked.
Owen forced a smile, “No, she just stepped out.”
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