Chapter 5 FIVE

The black Mercedes came to a halt in front of the fashion store like it owned the boulevard. Ariel hesitated before stepping out, eyes moving to the golden sign etched across the glass; La Belle Boutique.

She hadn't set foot inside since the day she turned in her resignation letter. Elena had been furious, reminding her of her son's health and how she'd be responsible for his demise. Only if she knew.

She smoothed her dress, smoothing out the invisible creases, and adjusted her sunglasses, taking a steadying breath. Behind her, Johnny stepped out with all the boldness of a man born to dish out orders, adjusting the cufflinks of his crimson blazer.

"You're nervous," he said, his voice low and amused. "No one's going to bite you." That was his way of being funny.

"No," she lied. "I'm just not ready to confront my ex-boss."

Johnny tilted his head, grinning. "You're about to walk into your old job, with your new husband."

"I'm not your real wife," she muttered, stepping toward the door. "A marriage of convenience, remember?"

"Tell that to the contract you signed two days ago." He pushed the door open for her. The soft ring of the entrance bell made her flinch. Old habits were hard to get rid of.

The scent hit her immediately. Expensive fragrances and freshly sown designer clothing. The atmosphere was the same-stiff, elegant, cold.

"Welcome to La Belle Bou-" Elena's words trailed off as she looked at the woman who stood before her. Her smile froze, then melted into disbelief. "Ariel Richmond." She said, her eyes filled with contempt.

Ariel felt the air tighten around her lungs.

Elena was just as she remembered-auburn hair, her well-tailored pink suit, and that nasty look she gave her every time. The kind of woman who judged your worth by your scent. "You're... back?"

"I'm shopping," Ariel said with a neutral tone.

Elena's eyes moved to Johnny, then back. "This isn't lost and found my love; we don't sell rags."

"Is this how you treat your customers?" Johnny said coolly, sliding his sunglasses into his pocket. "How rude!"

Elena raised an eyebrow. "This boutique isn't... casual. We attend to the elite only, people who swim in money. Not just anyone can shop from our racks." she averted her gaze to Ariel. "She's well aware."

Ariel felt her throat tighten, but Johnny only chuckled, stepping forward.

"Perfect," he said smoothly. "Then we'll buy out your newest collection."

Elena blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"I said," Johnny repeated, his voice cool as ice, "We'll take everything in her size. There'll be no need to test them."

Elena couldn't help but laugh. "You're joking, right?"

"Do I look like I can joke?" Johnny asked, straightening his posture. "I'm Johnny Lucas."

Elena's smile disappeared at the show Johnny was putting on; she couldn't bring herself to understand why he would be introducing himself to her again.

~Didn't you know me before? What game are you playing?~ She questioned inwardly, then curved her lips into a rather forced smile.

Ariel tried to look away, but Johnny turned to her and slid an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "I'm also her husband," he said. "Newly married. Shopping for my beloved wife."

Elena's face paled as if someone had drained her blood through her emeralds. "I... I had no idea, I didn't know-"

"Of course, you didn't," Johnny cut in, eyes gleaming. "You never know what gold looks like until someone else polishes it."

Elena stammered something about bringing them a bottle of wine and vanished like a ghost down the hall. Ariel turned to Johnny, eyes wide. "You didn't have to do that."

He shrugged. "Yes, I did. No one talks down to my wife."

She swallowed hard. "Even if it's just pretend?"

Johnny didn't answer immediately. He tilted his head, studying her face as if trying to read something unspoken. "Maybe," he said finally, "but this moment is real. And so is your worth."

For once, Ariel didn't argue. And for the first time in years, she didn't feel ashamed of who she used to be.

Meanwhile, Across the City...

Alexander sat behind a vast desk in his penthouse. He was looking down at the city, but he wasn't looking at the view.

He was staring at a frozen video frame on his phone screen.

A woman. Her face was radiant as he remembered from years ago. The woman from six years ago. The one who disappeared like smoke before he could even ask her name.

Alexander's knuckles whitened around his whiskey glass. "She's alive," he said quietly, almost to himself.

Across from him, a man in a gray suit leaned forward. He was lean, balding, with sharp eyes behind rimless glasses.

"Her name is Ariel Richmond," the man said, tapping the phone screen. "I've traced her back to Barcelona, but her records go silent until recently. Last known employer: Elena Charles."

The name made his ear itch; his jaw twitched in response to the shock, and his gaze slowly shifted towards the man, pinned at him like a dart.

"Is that all there is to her?"

"Married," the detective added, glancing at his notes. "To one Mr. J.L, no name, just his initials."

The glass slipped from Alexander's hand and shattered on the floor which caused the detective to flinch.

Alexander stood, fists clenched, pacing to the window. "She's married?" he repeated it over and over again like it would get her divorced.

"Yes, it doesn't say for how long but from records, it happened recently."

Alexander's pulse thundered in his ears.

"She can't be with another man," he muttered. "She was mine first, I've always loved her."

The detective cleared his throat. "I can dig deeper. Surveillance records. Would you like her followed?"

Alexander turned slowly, face hardening like stone. "Find out everything. Where she lives. Who she speaks to. And most importantly-who her husband is."

"Yes sir."

Back at Elena Charles, Johnny leaned closer to Ariel as a team of sales girls gathered dresses and shoes for her fitting.

"You see?" he whispered. "Power looks good on you." he teased her.

Ariel met his eyes, unsure what scared her more-the power he wielded, or the way a part of her liked being under it.

But neither of them knew that from a tower across the city, a man with the same blood and twice the rage had just started digging.

And he would stop at nothing to uncover who her husband was. Only if he knew it was his stepbrother.