Betrayed by him, I finally decided to leave

“Madam you will look stunning at your wedding, this dress suits you the most.” The picture catalogue was displayed in front of me as lead stylist Lia renowned in the entire capital stood before me along with her subordinates, explaining politely.

“Legendary Stylist Malcolm has taken two years to design this gown but he had never sold it to anyone because It was his dream that this masterpiece should only be suitable for someone with a pure heart and an aura which eludes elegance and beauty.

As I see you will be best suited for such a delicate piece.”

“Yes, I like it, let’s proceed with this one.”

It was at that moment the door opened and suddenly the lively atmosphere froze as Xavier along with his group of friends that looked down on me stepped inside.

“Beauty and Elegance? Yeah sure.” A low chuckle resonated from the doorway as one of Xavier’s friends remarked snarkily, making Lia pause with displeasure while I ignored them coldly.

Xavier’s sharp gaze scanned the room, before falling on me who didn’t even turn to acknowledge him.

“Aria.” His voice was low, laced with authority. “I am home.”

With a nonchalant attitude I flipped through the pages of the jewelry catalog in my hands barely glancing at him.. “I see you.”

That was it.

But unlike Xavier’s expectations that I will run into his arms as always, taking off his coat and welcoming him home after a tiring trip, I stood there without another word.

Xavier’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t used to this.

“Mr. Stone, we were just here showing our designs to Miss Aria before we were interrupted.” The tension in the atmosphere sizzled making the group of stylists glance at Xavier’s friends in distaste.

“Miss Aria, are you satisfied? After all, we were sent specially to take care of all your needs.”

“Yes.” I kept the magazine on the glass table swiftly. “Thankyou everyone for your hardwork today. The ‘Star of the galaxy’ first edition jewelry would go perfectly with this dress. Please arrange for it quickly and revert back to me.”

“Look at her being so arrogant, seeing her drama you can almost confuse her being a rich heiress from somewhere.”

“And then she wonders why no one wants her around.” Xavier stood without saying a word to stop the unkind whispers.

Sensing the storm brewing, Miss Lia looked at me for a moment, uncertain if she should leave, making me nod at her in assurance.

The door closed and Xavier’s friends found the perfect opportunity to mock openly.

“Xavier is your girlfriend, maybe blind or something, can’t she see there are guests? Is this how you greet us?” Xavier’s best friend James said his voice mocking before another voice chimed in.

“Stop it James! Even if you are joking harmlessly, what if Aria misunderstands us?

Didn’t you just see how Aria is spoiled rotten with expensive dresses and gifts by Xavier and is his precious girlfriend, how dare you pick a bone with her?”

I listened to the words with my heart colder than ice.

When I was newly introduced to Xavier’s group, I treated them with utmost care. Remembering their birthdays and baking cakes for them while arranging the best gifts yet there was no warmth for me as they usually ‘forgot’ inviting me.

I was often treated with such contempt and hateful words and yet when I retaliated or got angry they would completely turn around and say it was a mere joke, and I was throwing a tantrum just to attract attention.

How blind I was not to realise that Xavier never intervened once and it was always me who suffered in silence.

“Aria.” Xavier rubbed his forehead looking at me in displeasure.“Our company is using last of our funds to maintain our reach and here you are sitting around and doing nothing, simply ordering around such expensive clothes-”

“It is not from your money. Just me selecting certain things for myself.

Since your friends were busy making assumptions I was simply saving my energy in arguing with them.

After all they aren’t some bigshots that I should please, just some random strangers who have trouble finding any substantial thing to do in life.

I thought it was better that I become the bigger person here and understand their frustration with their personal lives which they are taking out here so I just stayed quiet.”

The sly smiling faces in the room froze instantly, the fact that I would retaliate back in Xavier’s presence and would go as far as to not even hear him out made Xavier feel unfathomable.

“Aria, enough of this. Why are you being like this? I have just invited some of my friends tonight for dinner after a long trip.

Can you not let the jokes slide? They don’t mean any harm and they all like you alot and love your food. They have prepared a list of what they want to eat, make sure to get it ready..” Xavier sighed before coming to sit beside me motioning his friends to take a seat as well.

Since they were given such a cold shoulder by me, none of them spoke for the moment.

My silence greeted the man who waited for me to agree instantly.

And then with a slight tilt of my head almost unbothered by him I said softly with a serene smile.

“It’s your friends not mine, if you want them to eat from a menu you can cook it yourself.”

Xavier froze instantly as if a bucket of ice cold water was poured over his head while others watched our interaction wide-eyed in shock.

“What?” His eyes slightly widened as he confirmed wishing for me to say that he had heard wrongly.

“If your friends need something, the kitchen is at the back, they can cook for themselves instead of sending me bothersome lists or if you insist that they are guests then you can do that for them or why not order catering since none of them know a thing about cooking something edible?”

“Aria!” Xavier looked at me in rage with his jaw clenched hard like he could not believe my words at all before one of his friends raged in anger.

“Xavier you did right by abandoning this woman! This wretched Aria can never be compared to someone precious and purehearted like Julia!”

The atmosphere froze instantly and Xavier realised that I must have watched the interview making his demeanor shift.

“Shutup!” Xavier growled, making the man instantly shut up.

“Aria, stop this now. I have had enough with your jealous tantrums today.

There is no need to misunderstand my friends, they like to joke around with me and Julia. I know the interview must have saddened you but understand that you have continued to disappoint me today.

I am the CEO of Avalon and am busy unlike you who lounges around doing nothing all day.”

I listened to Xavier without a word making him feel odd. At times like these previously, I would have accepted that it was all my fault by now only to stop irritating my ‘hardworking boyfriend.’

“Aria, even after staying beside me for so many years you still haven’t learned how to be a proper girlfriend yet. Go and rest tonight but tomorrow you must apologise properly for your rude behaviour.”

My heart shattered as I looked at the man who once chased me endlessly, fighting for me through thick and thin and creating an empire with a vow that he would never make me regret.

The man standing infront of me now was only a stranger.

“Go and sleep now. You will understand what you have done wrong tomorrow.” I barely controlled my emotions as the man who trampled on my heart ruthlessly, asked me for an apology.