No acknowledgement

(ARIELLE'S POV)

7pm, the Grand Imperial Hotel.

"You've got to pull yourself together," I said to myself, splashing cold water on my face.

The afternoon had passed in a blur-probably because my mind kept drifting.

Stephen had handled everything, and I arrived 20 minutes early. Now, I found myself here, stuck in this awkward limbo.

How hard could it be? Negotiate with dealers, help clients solve problems, assist blind dates, and maybe catch my ex-husband in the act?

"If I get through tonight, I'm buying a lottery ticket," I murmured, a bitter smile crossing my lips.

I checked the time again, then left the bathroom, taking a seat closer to the table with the sea view.

That's when I spotted Margaux, the young woman supposedly the Harrisons' granddaughter, waiting for her date.

She looked delicate, calm, almost ethereal in a beautiful blue dress-something straight out of a French film. She had this quiet, classical elegance about her. It was hard to believe she was the rebellious granddaughter the Harrisons had mentioned.

Her long, curly dark hair cascaded down her back, and I caught the glint of her bright blue eyes. She seemed irritated, though, her gaze sharp, as if she'd rather be anywhere else, and I couldn't blame her.

I continued to watch, glancing every so often at the entrance. What I only felt was an odd sense of anxiety, unsure if I was waiting for something to happen, or trying to avoid it.

All the memories of our recent fight, our past struggles-flashed in my mind. Six years of turmoil. I wasn't anyone to him anymore. Just his ex-wife. That's all.

Except for Maverick. I still needed to talk to him, explain why his father hadn't been around lately.

thing: I'd be happy if he really let it go. I should

And then, he arrived.

Margaux's date.

him walk in-charming, tall,

It wasn't Jared.

how I felt, but I was sure of

I felt that way about him not being Jared, but

I saw... Ashley

calling him a workaholic. I hadn't expected him to

appearance or personality. Instead, she quipped, "Do you bring your secretary on every date?" Her

nodding in agreement. Ashley shot him an exasperated look, as if his confirmation was

awkward tension. I made a mental note not to forget to

I always think arranged dates are so boring. Nobody takes them seriously. It's just a

my direction. "And what about you?

as both Ashley and her boss turned to look at me.

by remaining seated, I stood

"Hello..." I greeted awkwardly.

you are. You're the restaurant lady they can't stop talking about. These old fellows always worry about me. I'm only mad at you because-" she glanced back at

remained silent up until now, finally spoke, his tone calm and

the wrong thing to say. Margaux's irritation flared, but Ashley quickly stepped in, trying to ease the tension with a forced cheerfulness. "So, ladies, how

introduce ourselves?"

it was obvious the energy

wasn't genuine.

of us refuted, and we agreed to the idea, the route of us officially exchanging

supposedly," she added, her voice polite, though the coldness in her eyes was hard to miss. "Roman McFadden," Ashley's boss replied, his voice

for a moment.

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