Chapter 67: Doubts

Her emotions became a whirlwind, torn between her devotion to Adrian and the intoxicating allure of what Brad's wealth could offer.

It was a decision that pulled at the very core of her desires and values, leaving her with a heart heavy with the weight of her decision.

She knew that she had to make a choice soon, and that she would ultimately have to decide between her heart and her head.

Her poker face masked her inner turmoil, but beneath it all, a newfound hunger for a new life began to form. A longing for a different world began to take root, like the first hint of a budding flower in the warmth of spring.

In the end, the seductive call of opulence won her over, and Aria chose Brad, hoping to find the affluence she had longed for. She was confident that Brad's wealth could help her obtain the happiness she craved.

It was a decision that left her with mixed emotions, a sense of longing for the love she wanted to leave behind, and a bittersweet taste of the opulent future she had decided to embrace.

A justification was all she needed to break up with Adrian.

***

At noon on the bustling college campus, Aria found herself surrounded by her friends, enjoying their company. They were en route to class. The day was sunny, and laughter filled the air, but the pleasant atmosphere was about to be shattered.

"Hey you!"

They turned to see the person who had spoken. They wore puzzled expressions, as none of them could identify the lady addressing them. Behind her stood a man in dark glasses, an obvious bodyguard.

"Who are you addressing?" Lara inquired.

"You!" the lady exclaimed.

The lady with a determined look on her face, stormed over to where Aria was standing. She approached Aria with fiery determination, her voice laced with anger.

Aria was unshaken, as cool as a cucumber, despite the lady's furious expression.

"What can I do for you?" she asked calmly.

"I need you to leave my boyfriend alone."

"I don't understand, you're here shouting because of a man?"

"Girl, don't play with me," the lady said.

"Who's your boyfriend?" Aria asked.

"How many boyfriends do you have?" the lady said loudly.

Panic settled into Aria's eyes as she struggled to identify the person she was referring to. Was it Adrian or Brad? Her friends were only aware of Adrian as her boyfriend, and it would be embarrassing if Brad's name was brought up in this confrontation.

"Ad.. Adrian?" Aria stammered.

"You got that right. Stay away from him!"

Aria, her initial intentions to break up with Adrian hidden deep inside, now felt a strange sense of relief that she finally had a reason to end things.

"Maybe you should talk to Adrian about this. We've been dating for a long time, and I don't need your permission."

"You have no idea who you're messing with," the lady said confidently, irately.

The heated exchange continued, with both women defending their positions, their words becoming sharper and more passionate. The campus around them buzzed with curiosity as they watched the confrontation unfold, a gale of emotions and accusations.

The lady soon walked away after threatening brimstone and fire.

Aria trying to maintain her composure, began taking deep breaths.

"I think that's Jeanne Everdeen," Lara said, finally recognizing her from social media.

"Who?" Aria said between breaths.

"The Headstone Hotel Heiress," Lara said.

"You have got to be sh*tting me," Aria said. "How can she possibly know Adrian? His family is just upper class. They are not super wealthy."

"I can't imagine," Lara said.

"They must have crossed paths somehow," another of her friends said.

"Adrian is not worth this trouble," Aria said and walked towards the lecture room, her friends trailing behind her.

***

Adrian sat alone in his room, a heavy cloud of unease hanging over him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong with his relationship with Aria.

Her recent aloofness and change in behavior had been gnawing at him, and he despised the growing distance between them.

She canceled their dates at the last minute, and he found himself missing the vibrant, fun-loving woman she was. The thought of her withering away from their once-strong connection haunted him.

Just as Adrian was lost in his thoughts, the door to his room burst open, and there stood Aria, her face etched with anger and distress.

"Adrian, we need to talk."

Adrian, startled by her sudden entrance, rose from his seat, his heart pounding.

"Hey Babe, what's going on? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay, Adrian! I can't take this anymore," she said loudly.

'Take what? Aria, please, talk to me," Adrian asked, confused.

Aria's frustration boiled over as she accused him of cheating, her voice quivering with emotion.

"You've been cheating on me, haven't you? I can't believe I trusted you!"

Adrian was stunned, his jaw hanging open as he struggled to grasp the accusation. The room grew tense, and the once cherished relationship felt like it was on the brink of a devastating conclusion.

"What happened? Did you see me with anyone? Did you..." he started.

"Your girlfriend, Jeanne came to me today, on campus, in front of my girlfriends."

"Jeanne? Jeanne is in London," he simply said, not quite believing his ears.

"So you're not defending yourself. She truly is your girlfriend but she's in London," Aria accused.

"No, I mean. She should be in London. What am I saying? Look, she is not my girlfriend. She was my girlfriend, but we broke up. We've broken up for a long time. I find it hard to believe that she..."

"I'm lying. Is that what you're saying?"

"No. I'm not saying that..."

"She humiliated me in front of my friends, I have never been so embarrassed."

"She doesn't have a reason to accost you. She and I are no longer together. For a long time now." Adrian explained. "Babe, I'm so sorry, I can't cheat on you, have you seen you?" he said, trying to lighten the mood.

A plan was in motion, and his attempt at humor wasn't going to succeed.

"Adrian, I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore. She threatened me..."

"What are you saying, Aria?" Adrian said, beginning to get angry. "I'm telling you, I'm with you and no one else. Jeanne was my past. I don't have anything to do with her anymore. You should believe and trust what I tell you."

"She was yelling at me…."

"Farhan beat me up because of you, he drew blood from me!" Adrian shouted at her.

A silence ensued.

Aria couldn't muster the courage to meet his gaze.

"Can't you endure to stay with me? Am I not worth fighting for? After everything we've been through?" he said, breaking the silence.

"Adrian...I can't..."

"You gave yourself to me, Aria. That should mean something, that should mean everything."

"Maybe you should and Jeanne should sort yourselves out," she said and made to open the door.

"I promise you, there is nothing between Jeanne and I anymore."

She turned to leave.

"Aria," he called out to her.

She stopped, not turning back to face him.

"Is Jeanne just an excuse for you to dump me?" he paused for effect. "For Brad Newton?"