They ate quietly, taking in the meal. Ariana noticed how at peace Holden seemed and wondered if he might still be oblivious to the recent news about the love-variety show.
With this thought, she ventured a question. “Have the days been too busy with you managing the home and caring for the little ones?”
She held onto the hope that his days had been filled to the brim, leaving no room for the mind-numbing pull of reality television.
“Yes,” Holden confirmed with a nod. “Today is my rare day off. Tomorrow’s agenda includes a charity auction.”
Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates…
After a brief pause, he inquired, “How would you feel about going with me to the auction?”
Ariana weighed his invitation for a moment and shook her head.
Her commitments to the love-variety show didn’t allow her the time to do that. Besides, she was not his official partner. Attending the auction with him could spark unnecessary talk.
She yearned for nothing more than a peaceful life.
Understanding her stance, Holden simply gave her a heads-up on what had been planned for the coming days.
Listening to Holden’s packed schedule, Ariana felt a wave of relief wash over her.
It made sense, given his CEO responsibilities, that his time was stretched thin. She doubted he had a moment to spare for idle internet browsing or rumor mills. She would feel more at ease once the current whirlwind of media attention died down.
She considered reminding Shawn, known for his interest in celebrity news, to keep such discussions away from Holden.
Meanwhile, Holden took in Ariana’s relaxed demeanor as he ate.
Inwardly, he was thinking about his plan.
He was plotting the right moment to approach the brewing storm, once her defenses were down.
The dinner concluded quietly, their silence filled with unspoken thoughts of the love-variety show that neither addressed.
Afterward, as Ariana was about to leave with Melon, Holden grabbed her hand to stop her, his eyes mirroring his discomfort. “My headache persists. Are you really going to leave me here?” he said.
Ariana remembered him mentioning a family physician. “Isn’t there a doctor in the family for you?”
Holden’s gaze intensified, but his grip remained gentle. “That doctor won’t do. You’re the one I need.”
Ariana offered him a knowing smile and decided not to voice her thoughts. Seeing this, Holden let out a weighted sigh. “Just leave me. Let me be sick and alone…”
Interrupting him with a gentle touch to his lips and a resigned smile, Ariana said, “Alright, I’ll stay.”
As night fell, Ariana found herself reading stories for the children, her voice a soft cadence coaxing them towards dreams.
But as weariness crept over her, her words tapered off to a whisper, and she succumbed to sleep amidst the storytelling.
The children were seated on the bed, exchanging quiet looks.