(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana glanced at the tables in the lower part of her restaurant. It was a little past twelve. The tables downstairs were almost completely filled with customers. A sense of pride crept into her heart. Even though her venture had only been established in the last two years, seeing the increasing enthusiasm of the visitors day by day, Ariana felt immensely grateful.

Considering the two years prior, Ariana couldn’t believe that everything had come this far. It hadn’t been without challenges. Frankly, Ariana herself had been quite pessimistic at the beginning. But with the support of her mother, who guided her and directed the business with her own personal experiences, Leonida’s had become what it was now.

What Ariana liked most about working in the kitchen was seeing the happy smiles on people’s faces as they ate her food. Of course, Ariana didn’t lie when she admitted she enjoyed the compliments thrown her way and her team’s way. Among all of this, working in the kitchen made Ariana feel like she was part of a large family.

It didn’t mean she wasn’t happy with her family at home. Not at all. In fact, her father’s marriage to Mom Hestia was something Ariana was most grateful for to this day. She could feel the genuine love, even if it wasn’t from her biological mother. And as a bonus, Ariana had younger siblings who were kind and very dear to her heart.

And her father had become much more positive since his marriage to Mom Hestia. God is indeed good. He provides good partners for good people.

Ariana turned around, then looked at her impromptu husband. ‘Is this what they call fate?’ she mused inwardly. Ariana knew she wasn’t a good person. What good person hates their own mother and sibling? But that didn’t mean she had to end up with a bad man too, right? Ariana could only sigh deeply.

She noticed Axel seemed dozy in his seat. She then glanced at Gerald, who appeared reluctant to get up from the couch. “Don’t you want to take Axel home?” she asked, puzzled. Why was the man so oblivious to his own child? Well, even though he wasn’t his biological child, Axel still shared his genes.

Gerald lifted his head from his phone. “Axel, do you want to go home?” he asked the boy. Axel looked back at his father and shook his head. “See. It’s not me who doesn’t want to take him home. It’s him who doesn’t want to go,” Gerald replied casually, returning his gaze to his phone. Meanwhile, Ariana observed that Axel really seemed quite exhausted.

“Is it his naptime?” she inquired, moving closer. “Does he usually take a nap at this hour?” she asked again, sitting beside Axel and gently stroking the child’s hair.

“Maybe,” Gerald replied without lifting his gaze. Ariana felt her irritation rise. “What kind of answer is that? Seriously, you don’t know?” Ariana scoffed.

“My wife, darling. In case you’ve forgotten. Axel’s been taken care of by a babysitter. If you want to know about his daily activities, ask the babysitter. My job has been to earn money out there,” Gerald replied casually.

Ariana couldn’t help but sneer. “What kind of father are you?” she muttered. “A sudden father,” she added.

Ariana ignored Gerald. She turned to Axel. “Let’s go to the room. It’s nap time.” she said, inviting him. The boy nodded and got off the couch. Ariana guided him into the room. But when she tried to close the door, she was blocked by Gerald, who had apparently followed them from behind. “What are you doing?” Ariana asked sharply.

“Nap time,” Gerald replied casually. He preceded Ariana and Axel into the room, throwing himself onto the medium-sized bed as if it were his own.

“So, you want to sleep with Axel?” she asked, her brows furrowing. The bed was only big enough for two people. Typically, Ariana and Amber slept together if they were too lazy to go home. And now, just seeing Gerald lying there, Ariana felt suffocated. “Axel, sweetie, sleep with Papa, okay?” she coaxed Axel. Axel just looked back and forth between his parents.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Who said I want to sleep with Axel?” Gerald countered.

“Then why are you lying there?”

“I want to be groomed by you. Right, Axel?” Gerald gave his son a conspiratorial wink. The man patted the bed and waved his hand at Axel. Axel half-ran into bed. The two men slept on their backs on Ariana’s queen-size bed.

“Come on, Mommy. Come here. Let’s take a nap.” Invite Axel with his adorable face. Ariana could only take a deep breath before finally climbing into bed. Ariana’s suspicion was correct. It feels cramped. They lay down with Axel in the middle; Ariana was forced to sleep sideways, almost at the edge of the bed.

“Axel, do you like it?” Gerald asked the man’s body turned sideways. Supports his head with his right hand. Axel looked at his father, giving him a confused look. “Does Axel like having Mommy?” The boy turned to look at Ariana and then nodded. “What does Axel like about Mom?” he asked again.

“Mommy is pretty,” he praised sincerely. “Mommy is also kind. I really likes Mommy a lot,” he replied enthusiastically.

Gerald nodded. “In that case, give Papa a kiss. After all, Papa gave Axel a pretty and kind Mommy.” Gerald asked in a playful manner. Ariana herself felt disgusted watching it. Axel then kissed Gerald’s right cheek. “One more, so it’s not lopsided.” He pointed to his left cheek with his index finger. Axel obeyed and kissed his father’s left cheek. “Mommy’s jealous, it seems. She also wants Axel to kiss her.” Axel then turned to look at Ariana and kissed her left and right cheeks alternately. Ariana found it amusing; she chuckled because of it.

“That’s enough. Hurry and sleep. Mommy still has to go downstairs,” Ariana said.

“Why go downstairs? There are employees working there,” Gerald retorted. Ariana stared at him over Axel’s head. “Then why do you bother going to the office? You have plenty of employees there too,” Ariana retorted. “Who’s going to the office? I’m right here.” Gerald replied.

Ariana was too lazy to respond. Instead, she chose to look at Axel, who didn’t seem to care about the commotion the adults in the room were making. The boy was utterly helpless. It didn’t take long for him to sleep Unintentionally, drowsiness crept over Ariana, and she too succumbed to sleep, embracing the young boy in front of her.

Ariana jolted awake in surprise when she realized she had also fallen asleep. Oh God, she rarely took naps. She attempted to get up but felt something constricting her stomach and legs. “What are you doing?” she hissed when Gerald’s grip tightened around her waist, and his head drew closer to her neck.

“Sleep.” whispered the man.

“I know you didn’t sleep.” Ariana was still hissing. He didn’t want to wake Axel. Her hands kept trying to get Gerald’s hands off. But in vain. “Gerald, I’m late for midday.” Ariana was starting to get impatient.

“I have to get back to work,” Ariana continued to insist. Gerald slightly moved his body back, giving a bit of space for Ariana to move. However, his hands remained tightly wrapped around Ariana’s waist. With a teasing look, he propped his head on his palm and tried to kiss Ariana. “Give me one kiss,” he requested, moving his lips closer.

Ariana widened her eyes. Instead of fulfilling Gerald’s request, she pushed his body away forcefully until he fell to the floor.

Quickly, Ariana got up. “Your wish!” she snorted, then walked towards the bathroom.

Rather than getting angry, Gerald chuckled on the thick carpeted floor. Ariana, his wife, was indeed unique. Just this morning, she boldly gave Gerald a small kiss. Maybe Gerald should satisfy her first so she’d be willing to give him another kiss?

Gerald watched as the bathroom door opened again. After splashing water on her face, Ariana looked more refreshed. Gerald’s mind drifted back to the moments just before their wedding took place.