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I desperately hope that whatever I found is just a misunderstanding. That Baba is still a good person.
But the nagging doubt remains, making me wonder what my father has up his sleeve.
27
ARIA
Isit across from Gianis in Black Bean, the hum of conversations and clinking cups surrounding us. Freshly brewed coffee fills the air, blending with the scent of pastries.
Gianis looks tired as he sips his espresso. I stir my latte, the creamy swirl mesmerizing for a moment before I look up at him. It’s nice to see him again, especially with everything going on. And I know he’s been through a lot, too.
“So,” I begin, my voice light but curious. “How do you feel about Angie now? I know it’s been hard...” Gianis has had feelings for Ang for years. Once Evan came into the picture, he confessed how he felt to her, but she didn’t reciprocate. Safe to say, he and Evan aren’t each other’s biggest fans.
Gianis sets his cup down, exhaling softly. “It’s...complicated. I still care about her a lot, but I’ve come to terms with it all. Seeing her happy is more important to me than anything else. And she seems in a better place now, especially with us visiting her in Antium.”
“I’m glad you’re handling it well. It’s not easy to let go of someone you love.”
“No, it’s not.” He chuckles, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “But we have to move on, right? What about you? How are you holding up with everything?”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his question. “Honestly, it’s been a lot. The forced engagement, dealing with Andrew...It’s— I don’t even know where to begin.”
Gianis’s gaze sharpens. “I’m worried about you. You don’t have to go into detail, though, know that I’m here if you need to talk.”
His words catch me off guard, a lump forming in my throat, and for a moment I debate telling him what happened. But I can’t. “Thank you for being there for me. It means a lot.”
He reaches across the table, squeezing my hand gently. “Anytime.” Though I can tell, he won’t let it go easily.
“Ri, I don’t know what’s going on, but I can sense something isn’t right.”
I glance away, my heart pounding. “It’s nothing I can talk about right now.”
Gianis nods, not pressing further, and he reluctantly switches to a different topic.
We chat for a while before falling into a comfortable silence, both lost in our thoughts as we finish our coffees.
When we head outside, the bright sunlight momentarily blinds me.
As my vision adjusts, I spot Andrew leaning against his car, his eyes fixed on me. My stomach churns, anxiety creeping in. Gianis notices him and turns to give me a reassuring smile, before squeezing me against his chest.
“Take care, Aria. And remember, I’m here if you need anything.”
I offer a weak smile in return. “Thanks, G. I’ll see you around.”
The cool breeze hits me as I make my way along the sidewalk toward Andrew.
My heart skips a beat—in an “I want to throw up” kind of way—as I meet his gaze again, but I try to maintain my composure.
Ever since his threat, Andrew’s been going away for long periods at a time, popping up unexpectedly like this, lurking in the shadows like a predator. I know he’s always watching me, though I refuse to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging it. The only time I’m confident he’s not keeping tabs on me is when I’m home. Though, I’m almost positive he has the guards reporting to him. I haven’t seen him in a few weeks, and he seems oddly on edge, his gaze shifting around us, as if he’s looking for someone.
Andrew’s erratic behavior has given me whiplash over the past year. One second, he’s playing nice, acting like the perfect fiancé with his charming smile and considerate gestures. The next, he reverts to a pompous asshole who doesn’t give a shit about anything but himself.
It’s as if I’m constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing when he’ll snap.
“Hello, Aria,” he drawls, his voice dripping with false charm. “Fancy meeting you here.”
I force a tight-lipped smile, fists clenching at my sides. “What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
He pushes himself off the car, glancing over his shoulder, as if looking for someone. Tension radiates off him, making me uneasy. “Oh, just checking in on my favorite girl,” he says, eyes glinting with something dark and unsettling.
