Aria

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual midday chaos - students chattering, trays clattering, and the occasional burst of laughter. I was seated at a table with two other girls from my group, and we begrudgingly worked on our project after the rest abandoned it.

As the door swung open, the sudden hush spread like ripples through the room. A girl with an air of confidence, framed by perfectly styled hair and vibrant makeup, strolled in. I squinted, trying to place her, her features naggingly familiar.

The cafeteria's atmosphere shifted subtly as the stranger approached our table. Whispers slithered across the room, and heads turned in unison, eyes fixated on the unfolding drama. A collective gasp swept through the students, their attention captured by her presence.

She got to our table and asked, "ARIA CARTER?" A ripple of curiosity cascaded through the crowd.

My brows furrowed as I attempted to discern the girl's identity. Nearby, someone from an adjacent table muttered, "Isn't that Ruby Hayes?" The mere mention of the name set off a chain reaction - students craned their necks, straining to catch a glimpse of the high-profile model in their midst.

Phones materialized like magic, capturing the unfolding scene. Flashbulbs flickered, creating a surreal tableau of the cafeteria drama.

Murmurs of "Is that her?" and "What's happening?" circulated, heightening the tension in the room.

"And here I thought the girl sleeping with my boyfriend was prettier than I was," she scoffed, leaving me utterly baffled.

"Boyfriend? What the hell are you talking about?" Bewildered and stunned, I struggled to comprehend the unexpected revelation. The onlookers, their curiosity now tinged with a hint of judgment, added an uncomfortable layer to the atmosphere.

"Listen up, bitch. You're probably one of those college, poverty-stricken girls who think they can climb the social ladder by cosying up to rich boys. Well, not with my man. Consider this a warning; I can do much worse," she spat, venom lacing her words.

"Hold up," I interjected, attempting to process the barrage of information. The cafeteria buzzed with hushed conversations, and the realization that people were filming the scene unsettled me. Fame was the last thing I sought, especially through such drama.

"Don't you think you're being rude to someone you just met? What do you mean I'm sleeping with your boyfriend? Who the hell is your boyfriend? And poverty-stricken? Girl, do you even know who you're talking to?" I fired back, my patience wearing thin. While I seldom flaunted my family background, this situation warranted a reality check.

She sneered, leaned in, and slammed her hand on the table. "Rude? For someone of your calibre? I don't think so. I don't give a fuck who you are, honey. Stay away from Lucas Walker! My final warning."

Her warning echoed through the cafeteria, drawing a final gasp from the audience as she made a dramatic exit. As she strode away, leaving me in my wake, the lingering shock in the room transformed into a murmured aftermath of speculation and gossip.

I dialled Lucas's number repeatedly, the ringing echoing in the quiet of my room. Each unanswered call intensified the knot in my stomach. What if she was his girlfriend? I thought to myself. The thought alone left me restless. What would I do if it turned out to be true?

Unable to endure the uncertainty any longer, I decided to confront the situation head-on. I drove to Lucas's place, a location I hadn't visited in this academic session due to his seemingly perpetual busyness. As I stood before his door, my heart pounded in sync with the urgency of my emotions.

A tentative knock yielded no response, and just as I contemplated knocking again, the door creaked open. To my surprise, Lucas's supposed girlfriend stood before me, her wet hair clung to her shoulders, and an oversized shirt screamed familiarity. My chest tightened at the sight, the implications sinking in as the accusing eyes of the morning resurfaced.

"Calm down. I am getting the door already," she shouted. Her eyes met mine, a fusion of defiance and subtle triumph shining through. The shirt, an emblem of intimacy, draped casually over her, heightening the palpable tension.

"Never thought you'd sink any lower after my warning." she scoffed, folding her arms, a disdainful posture against the door frame. A whirlwind of emotions engulfed me - disbelief, hurt, and simmering anger. Her words hung heavy in the air, leaving me grappling with the emotional turmoil sparked by the unexpected scene.

Lucas materialized from behind Ruby, his presence accentuated by the allure of sweatpants that hung low on his hips, revealing a toned chest adorned with glistening beads of sweat. Surprise flickered in his eyes, swiftly replaced by a guarded expression as he registered my unexpected presence.

"Hey, Aria. What brings you here?" His voice, once comforting, now carried an undertone of tension.

Ruby clung possessively to Lucas, her fingers tracing circles on his bare chest. "Baby, do you know her?"

"Go and clean up the mess you made in the room," Lucas shrugged her off with a dismissive air, leaving Ruby to pout and retreat, her lingering kiss leaving a bitter aftertaste in my heart.

"Why didn't I know about any girlfriend until now?" My voice sliced through the tense air, each word laden with the weight of betrayal. My fists clenched, demanding answers in the silence that followed.

"Didn't think it was necessary. Besides, she's cool with it," Lucas retorted casually, his indifference acting as salt on the open wound. Frustration surged through my veins like a relentless storm.

The lack of denial about their relationship hit harder than the public humiliation already etched across my face.

"She's okay with it, and she pulled the stunt she did in the cafeteria this morning? For fuck's sake, Lucas, my face is all over the school forum, hashtag the man snatcher, and you say she's okay with it?" Frustration spilt from my lips, mingling with tears that welled up as I grappled with the reality of falling for someone indifferent to my feelings.

The pain went beyond the embarrassment I felt in the cafeteria, cutting deep into the illusions of a special connection. I berated myself for the delusion, for believing I held a unique place in Lucas's life. The bitter realization of my naivety settled like a heavy fog.

Then again it wasn't his fault. I was the one who fell in love in a situation I wasn't supposed to.

Lucas's feeble apology fell short as he reached out, attempting to touch me. My recoiling form spoke volumes, a physical manifestation of the emotional chasm between us.

"Let's end it here. Whatever it is that we're doing, let's just end it all," I declared, my voice a turbulent mix of hurt and anger.

"Fuck, Aria, I didn't know, I swear," he pleaded, desperation clouding his eyes.

"That you didn't know changes nothing. We agreed that when either of us started dating, we would take a break. Every time I dated, we took a break. Now you're dating, and it's only fair that I do the same."

"Why then do you sound like we aren't meeting again?"

"Yeah, 'cause we aren't," I asserted, my steps purposeful. "I know this situation. She is not just a one-week girlfriend, and Lucas Walker doesn't date. So there's only one answer to this: a family arrangement you can't escape from. The last thing I want is to be your mistress." I pointed out, the weight of my decision lingering in the shattered connection I left behind. It promised more than it could deliver, a haunting echo of what could never be.

In the privacy of the elevator, I succumbed to my emotions, sinking and allowing the tears to flow freely. The rules of our casual arrangement, once clear, now lay in tatters. The pain of rejection and betrayal enveloped me, questioning the choices that led me to this heart-wrenching moment. If only I had resisted at the beginning or halted the moment I realized my feelings, perhaps the hurt wouldn't cut so deep.

♡♡♡

Three years later...

The aeroplane's gentle hum filled the business-class cabin as I gazed out of the window, a smile playing on my lips. The clouds painted an ever-shifting canvas, and the anticipation of returning home after three years brought a sense of happiness that bubbled within me.

The aircraft descended gracefully, and I eagerly joined the familiar routines of the airport – clearing customs, collecting my luggage, and weaving through the bustling terminal. As I stepped into the arrival hall, my eyes scanned the crowd of people waiting with placards. Amidst the sea of faces, my gaze locked onto a figure with fiery red hair, a leather jacket, and shades.

"Ivy!" My voice echoed through the terminal as I rolled my box towards my little sister. Ivy turned, a grin lighting up her face, and we embraced as if we hadn't seen each other all those years.

"Fuck, you are here. I thought you were joking when you said you were finally coming back and permanently for that matter," Ivy exclaimed, breaking the embrace. I chuckled, explaining my unexpected transfer to the company's headquarters.

"Mom did well; a talented fashion designer like you should work in the headquarters, and you shouldn't be far from your own home," Ivy remarked, her eyes reflecting pride in my achievements.

"I missed you," she added, her voice filled with genuine warmth, squeezing me in another heartfelt embrace.

"You're acting like you've missed me for years when you were just with me last week," I teased as Ivy led me to her new car waiting in the parking area. "This is different, I don't need to fly halfway across the world to see you."

Ivy opened the trunk, showcasing the luxurious car. I raised my eyebrows, impressed. "Is this the car mom got you for your birthday? A Ferrari? It looks better than it did in the picture you sent."

"Getting jealous already?" Ivy laughed, and I couldn't help but join in.

The car glided out of the airport parking space, and as the city skyline unfolded before us, we caught up on life's happenings.

I learned that my older sister, Leah, had travelled to Miami with our father, possibly due to some issues in her marriage. Ivy's frustration surfaced as she muttered about Liam fucking up again.

My thoughts drifted to my sister, Leah. She had hurried into marriage with her college sweetheart, and it appeared that the reality of their union didn't align with the dreams she had envisioned. The weight of concern for Leah settled in my chest as I pondered the complexities of her relationship.

Lost in thought, I looked out of the window and caught a glimpse of Ruby's face on a billboard – an ad for a perfume brand. A surge of mixed emotions washed over me as Ruby's smile seemed to mock my return.

I am once again in the same city as him.

I mused to myself the weight of those words settling over me like a heavy cloak.

Seeing Ruby on the billboard had rekindled memories I thought were safely tucked away. I hadn't anticipated the impact of being near him. The emotions that had been dormant for three years stirred within me, a mixture of curiosity, apprehension, and a hint of longing. I shifted in my seat, trying to shake off the thoughts of him.

You didn't work your ass off all those years to think of him again.

Ivy must have noticed the subtle change in my demeanour. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just...old memories resurfacing," I replied.

Old memories that shouldn't resurface.