(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Releasing the embrace, Ariana realized that her face was now undoubtedly flushed with embarrassment. Gerald, who witnessed it, could only grin mischievously.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“I’ll take a shower first,” he said as he walked towards the bedroom. Yes, one more thing Ariana and Gerald shared now was their personal space. They were using the room in the restaurant together. Gerald began placing some of his personal belongings there to make it easier if he visited and needed something.

But only up to the restaurant. Because Ariana didn’t want to take Gerald to the apartment she shared with Amber anymore, to spare her cousin’s feelings.

Gerald seemed ready to shower. Meanwhile, Ariana informed him that she would go downstairs and prepare dinner for both of them. Indirectly, she signaled for Gerald to lock himself in the room.

It was just a precautionary measure. Who knew if someone might go upstairs and suddenly enter the room, only to be shocked by Gerald’s presence? It was fine if Gerald was fully dressed, but what if he wasn’t?

Ariana heard the room key being turned before deciding to go downstairs and prepare the food. It took quite a while to prepare a few simple dishes they would share. Ariana carried the tray covered with a cloth up the stairs, and when she entered, she was quite surprised to find someone there.

“What are you doing here?” Ariana asked, her forehead creased.

The girl, her twin sister, just shrugged nonchalantly. She even sat behind Ariana’s desk as if she owned the place. “Just paying a visit to my sister’s place, is that wrong?” Karenina asked casually.

“Not wrong,” Ariana replied just as casually. She placed the tray on the table. “But your actions can be considered impolite. You’re crossing my privacy boundaries, Karen,” Ariana said again.

Karenina just shrugged her shoulders again. Ariana noticed the closed bedroom door. Fortunately, she had suggested to Gerald to lock it. If not, she didn’t know what crazy idea her sister might have if she found Gerald inside.

Karenina might barge into the room and break into the bathroom… Ariana shook her head vigorously. “So, what brings you here?” Ariana asked without beating around the bush.

Karenina shrugged her shoulders once more. With slow steps, she approached where Ariana sat on the sofa. “Ariana, do you know who Gerald’s first love was?” she asked with a facial expression that Ariana knew she intentionally made pitiful.

Ariana snorted inwardly. What was going on today? Did Ariana have to give this day a special title? ‘First Love Stories’ seemed like a suitable title. However, she didn’t say it out loud to Karenina. She just looked at her twin sister and tried to play along. “Who? Is he someone famous?” Ariana asked with a tone she pretended to be enthusiastic about.

Karenina appeared to smile. It seemed her twin suspected Ariana had fallen into her trap. “She’s a very beautiful woman. She’s the daughter of one of the richest people in Kalimantan. I think you can guess what that means.”

“Is she one of the heiresses to a coal or gold mining tycoon?” Ariana asked again. Karenina nodded casually. “Is she beautiful?”

“Extremely beautiful,” she replied.

Ariana just nodded. “So what?” she asked nonchalantly. The change in Ariana’s facial expression seemed to surprise Karenina. The girl immediately furrowed her brow.

“So what?” Karenina repeated Ariana’s question back to her.

“Yes, so what if she’s a wealthy heiress and incredibly beautiful? So what? Should I feel inferior because of that?” Ariana asked again.

“Do you at least feel that compared to that girl, you don’t stand a chance?” Karenina asked again.

“Karenina, my dear sister. Since when have I cared about comparing myself to others? Especially to someone who is more beautiful or richer?” Ariana asked her twin sister casually. “I can’t be more beautiful than anyone, even if I wanted to, because just like you, I was born with this face. And I have no intention of trying to beautify myself to look as stunning as a celebrity because I know I won’t be able to undergo plastic surgery and change my appearance. And as for being rich, if you always compare yourself to people wealthier than you, you’ll always feel poor, no matter what.” Ariana replied with her sensible logic.

“Do you know what caused their separation?” Karenina seemed to be trying to divert Ariana’s attention again, given that Ariana was completely unfazed by her earlier remarks. Ariana shrugged and then shook her head. “They parted ways because the woman was arranged to marry another man considered equal to their family,” Karenina answered again.

“And?” once again, the question came from Ariana’s mouth.

“It means they separated not because they didn’t love each other anymore. But because they were forced to,” Karenina answered again. It seemed Ariana’s twin was really trying to get a rise out of her, but unfortunately, Ariana showed no reaction.

Instead, the girl casually asked, “So what?” and this seemed to infuriate Karenina even more. “Don’t you understand what I mean?” she asked, annoyed.

Ariana shook her head. Her face remained impassive even though she knew she was provoking Karenina’s anger. “What do you mean?” she asked again. “I mean, you should understand the direction of my conversation.”

“And what exactly is that?” Ariana asked again.

“It means Gerald’s relationship with that woman could improve someday. Because they separated not of their own will, but because of coercion,” Karenina replied passionately.

“So the conclusion is, you’re currently warning me about the possibility of her coming, and in doing so, Gerald might turn away from me to her because he still has feelings for her. Is that it?” Ariana’s question was met with Karenina’s enthusiastic nod. “And has this woman appeared now?” Ariana asked again. Karenina’s forehead furrowed once more. “You don’t know if the woman you’re talking about has returned yet or not?” Ariana asked again. “You should come to me and warn me about her when she actually returns. If she’s not here, why bother warning me?” Ariana asked again.

Karenina shook her head. “She hasn’t returned yet. But she will. From the rumors I’ve heard, the woman will be back in Indonesia in a matter of days.” A satisfied smile appeared on Karenina’s face. Ariana could only stare at her. “You’re truly amazing. Where did you get that information?” Ariana asked, her tone loud and praising.

Karenina shrugged her shoulders. Her expression clearly showed satisfaction. “I socialize a lot, unlike you, who only revolves around pans and stoves,” she taunted.

Ariana raised the corner of her mouth. “Yes, you’re right. I rarely socialize with people until I don’t understand how foolish people are who socialize too much,” Ariana mocked Karenina.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, the person you should inform about the arrival of that woman isn’t me. It’s him.” Ariana nodded her head toward the bedroom door that had been open since earlier. Karenina, who was sitting on the sofa with her back to the bedroom door, slowly turned and was left gaping.

“Gerald?” she asked nervously.