Chapter 6 Mere Commodity

Aria's POV

In The Plane.

I kept gazing out, lost in thoughts with different scenarios running through my mind. This flight was going to last for twenty hours and more. I did the calculations after boarding this private jet.

The air was suffocatingly silent, saved for the sound of punching keyboards coming from Jameson's laptop, together with my deep sigh once in a while.

Even though I don't wanna think about it. His words kept ringing in my head, what even makes him think that I would fall in love with him?

He sounded so confident saying that, as if the reverse can't happen. Besides.... I glanced at him as I paused my thought, his sharp gaze fixed on his laptop. It has been like this since this plane took off.

He looks good to someone like Clara.

Not me.

My face turned distasteful, shaking my head negatively as I turned my head back to glancing at the clouds. He doesn't have the qualities of my ideal type of man.

Amidst my thoughts, my stomach growled angrily. I shut my eyes in embarrassment, this has been happening for a while now.

I didn't have breakfast this morning because of my excitement to leave the country. I wrapped my arms around my stomach, there must be a kitchen around here but I was a terrible cook.

I can't allow my pride to be lowered in front of him. After much contemplation, I cleared my throat to get his attention as I stood up, stretching my legs after sitting for what felt like hours.

"Bathroom." I muttered, walking past him. He didn't give any sign or hum for acknowledgement.

Not like I cared, I thought as I made my way down the narrowed aisle.

The soft hum of the private jet's engine filled the cabin, blending seamlessly with the luxurious silence around me.

I wasn't going to the bathroom but to the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, I noticed how simple but fancy it looked. The counters were shiny and clean, the appliances fit perfectly into the space, and everything was neatly arranged.

But that wasn't what I was here for. I went to the fridge to check for any instant food I could munch on.

There were packs of cheese, butter, and other items you would expect to find in a fridge, but nothing that was ready to eat. It was clear I would have to make something myself if I wanted to eat.

"Ugh, God." I whined, throwing my head backward dejectedly as I slammed the fridge door closed.

"What am I gonna do?" I scrunch my face, my hands on my tummy before shutting my eyes.

I recalled a few times Adrian, my boyfriend, prepared delicious meals for us. That only happened twice since two years we've been dating.

We can't be strangers.

I gotta talk to him, and I'm sure that he must be hungry but just pretending not to be.

I glanced at the fridge with a sigh, before walking out back to the cabin seating area. My soft glare gazed at Jameson's back, who was still busy with whatever he was busy with on his laptop.

"I'm hungry." I said, going to stand in front of him.

No response.

"I can be really aggressive when I'm hungry. So it will do us both good if you can quit whatever you're busy with anD TALK TO YOUR WIFE!" My voice increased with each word.

His fingers halted on the keyboard before he raised his head. His signature frown plastered on his face, but that didn't diminish his handsomeness. Which I didn't admit.

"The kitchen is right over there." He said in a soft tone.

My face got flushed, knowing that I just made a fool of myself with how gentle his tone was. Sighing, I sat beside him with my arms crossed grumpily.

Looking down at him while standing was a little bit awkward.

"You know, it's funny," I began, glancing at him briefly with a feigned sad face before looking at my feet. I took off my shoes earlier.

"I graduated at the top of my class, aced every subject you could throw at me. My brain can handle anything-calculus, literature, even memorizing random historical dates. But ask me to cook an egg, and it's like my mind just shuts off. It's embarrassing, really."

I turned to him, expected to see something close to empathy but there was none.

Sluggishly, he passed the laptop to me making my eyes twitch in surprise. Before I couldn't ask what I was going to do with it, he had spoken up.

"Your admission to the university in Europe has been finalized; I've been handling the process for you. All that's left is for you to create a password to activate your student portal so you can access everything you need." He said everything in one goal, leaving me flabbergasted.

What?

'He got himself busy for me?' I thought with widened eyes, then my lips curled into a bright smile as I glanced at the laptop screen.

"Oh my!" I purred, forgetting my hunger. I turned to him, the smile never leaving my lips.

"Gosh, I was just painting scenarios in my head because you weren't talking to me and only pressing your laptop. Without knowing it was all... FOR ME." I squealed with a giggle.

"Thank you so much!" I enthused, smiling brightly at him.

"Don't get too excited. That's all...."

"I know. I know." I cut him off, knowing he was going to mention our deal. What I could think of right now to set as my password was 'husband' then I added 'mia'.

Those are the two persons I've in my life presently.

When I was done, I closed the laptop and turned to him.

"I say thank you, and you don't even give me a 'you're welcome'? What, am I not worthy of good manners?" I quipped, trying to create a lighter atmosphere.

He didn't respond and leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. I furrowed my brows, my hand touched his forehead to observe his temperature but he slapped my hands away.

"Just stop it, okay?!" He snapped, further startling me. "We're just partners goddamnit."

"Hey, why are you lashing out at me?" I asked, staring with him with a flustered expression.

"I'm playing my part in this deal. So don't try to touch or act like we're close." He said, his voice laced with threat.

Where is that coming from?

"I...I..."

"I really hate it when someone disrupts my privacy. We've established this fact before we left Australia."

"But that doesn't mean you've to be so rude and cocky." My voice quivered with my eyes slightly red.

His words pierced my heart, and that made sobs brewed in my chest.

"Just know your place, woman. You're just a commodity your parents threw at my mine for a mere little company shares." He spat, his veins popping out and the tears I was holding back slid down my cheeks.

His glare deepened before he pressed a button on his wheelchair, it turned around and he left my side just like that.

My eyes grew more glassy, a soft cry escaped my lips as I hung my head low. But I can't give him the satisfactory of saying his piece and expect me to stay mute.