(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

The tall and slim man dismounted his motorcycle, placing his helmet on the mirror and greeted Ariana warmly. “Hello, chubby. Est-ce que je te manque? (Do you miss me?)”

“Bien sûr!” (Of course!), Ariana exclaimed, throwing herself at the man in front of her. “The longer you’re away, the more fluent you become and you look like a stranger.” Ariana raised her head and looked at Chris with admiration. She then rubbed both sides of Chris’s arms, clad in a leather jacket, and exclaimed, “Oh, look at your muscles. It seems like they’re getting bigger as you get older.” She teased him.

Chris just nudged Ariana’s head playfully. “Watch your words,” he said. Ariana just chuckled.

Folding her arms in front of her chest, Ariana looked at Chris scrutinizingly. “When did you come back? Why are you here? Are you planning to leave again?” she interrogated. Chris sat on his motorcycle seat, looking back at Ariana with his arms folded in front of him as well.

“I just got back, and you’re already asking when I’m leaving again?” Chris frowned, clearly not pleased.

Ariana sat down next to the man, nudging his shoulder with hers. “Oh, come on, little Chris. You’re all grown up now. Can’t believe you’re still sulking. What would the French girls think?”

Chris glanced at Ariana. “For your information, Honey. I’m older than you.” Chris stretched out his five fingers. Ariana simply nodded her head. “And besides, I’m not really interested in the girls there. I prefer you, you know,” he replied, sounding nonchalant. Ariana burst out laughing upon hearing his response. Without warning, her stomach growled loudly. This caught Chris’s attention. “It’s past two, and you look like you’re starving. Is your restaurant so busy that the owner doesn’t even have time to eat?” he teased. Hearing the word “restaurant,” Ariana was reminded of the two people in her room.

“Hmm… I’m really hungry,” she replied honestly, reflexively rubbing her stomach. “So, how about we eat something that can make me full for centuries?” she offered. Chris looked startled but then nodded. “But you’re paying. I forgot to bring my wallet.” Ariana reached into her jeans pocket. She didn’t have a penny on her. Not even her phone.

Chris stood up. “Alright. Next time, I’ll ask you to pay,” he said. Ariana nodded enthusiastically. She sat on the large motorcycle, even before the driver got on. Chris chuckled, putting on his helmet before getting on his bike, and they rode off, cutting through the city streets.

“How are your parents?” They were at one of the eateries Ariana had frequented since high school.

“They’re good. Dad’s business is progressing. Mom’s business is mostly handled by employees now. She only focuses on financial reports and supplier management,” Ariana said, taking a large bite out of her burger. “What about you? When did you come back?”

“I got here two days ago. Just dealing with jet lag. Then had to sort out my living arrangements and the stuff I brought, so I could only meet you today. I went to the restaurant, looking for you. But your loyal employee, Jody, said you were out. He mentioned something about ‘devil mode’,” Chris explained.

Ariana chuckled. She had even ignored her faithful employee earlier. She would have to apologize later. “So, what are your plans for the future?”

“I want to scout locations. Opening a French restaurant here seems promising,” Chris answered seriously.

Ariana nodded. “For people from your circle. It will definitely work.” Chris squinted his eyes. He really didn’t like it when Ariana brought up their social status. “But what about your parents? Did they approve? And the company?”

“Whether they like it or not, they have to approve. Besides, there’s Daffin helping them all this time,” Ariana replied.

“You and Daffin, still at odds?” Ariana asked. Chris shrugged. They continued eating, catching up on the years they had missed due to the distance between them.

Meanwhile, at Ariana’s restaurant, Gerald continued to wait. It was already four o’clock, and Ariana still hadn’t returned. Her employees had started preparing ingredients for dinner, but there was no sign of her.

Worried? Definitely, Gerald was worried. Especially since Ariana had left without taking anything with her – no wallet, no phone. Where could she have gone? Even if she was angry, Ariana shouldn’t have been this reckless. Gerald glanced at her phone and wallet on the desk, untouched.

“Papa, where’s Mommy?” Axel asked, the umpteenth time since he woke up. “Mommy went out, Axel. She has some work,” Gerald repeated the same answer.

They sat in front of the television, but Gerald wasn’t paying attention to the TV at all. Axel seemed restless too. Damn! Where did she go? What if something happened to her?

Gerald didn’t want to assume the worst. But still, the worst-case scenario could happen.

“Let’s go home, alright?” Gerald looked at Axel. The child hesitated, looking at him with uncertain eyes. Gerald knew the boy wanted to refuse his request, but eventually, he got up from his chair and followed Gerald.

“Are you guys leaving?” Amber, who happened to be standing near the stairs, looked at Gerald and Axel in turn.

“Do you know where Ariana went?” Gerald, who had been trying to contain himself, finally spoke up. Amber shook her head. She herself was puzzled since Jody mentioned that Ariana had left hastily, her face clouded with anger.

“Did you upset her?” the bespectacled girl asked, her face neutral. Gerald narrowed his eyes. “Ariana, when she’s emotional, tends to disappear like this,” he replied, still with his stoic expression. “She wouldn’t leave without a reason. Unless someone made her angry or upset.”

Gerald didn’t provide any further answers. His silence was meant to answer the girl’s questions. “When will she be back?” she asked again.

Amber fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. Then she shrugged. “It depends,” she said shortly, making Gerald furrow his brow even more. “It depends on how angry she is. She could come back within an hour or two. But she could also be gone for days. One day, two days. Weeks, even months?” The girl’s answer sounded unsure.

Once again, Gerald furrowed his brow. “But she didn’t take her phone or wallet. How could she survive if she had to be gone for that long?”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Amber once again shrugged her shoulders. Her expression showed no concern whatsoever, as if she was explaining that events like this were quite common. “She always finds a way to survive. She could probably live in the Amazon rainforest if she had to.” A call interrupted Amber, making her leave Gerald abruptly.

Gerald pulled Axel’s hand and walked away. He left the restaurant area and headed back home. Alright, he would wait and see when the girl would return. Even though he himself wasn’t sure whether she would come back home or not.