"I agree he lied but I... I don't know. That model might be lying to us as Brother Calvin sent her or somebody mimicked him to her... Ahhh, I'll go crazy at this rate."

Alan saw Aria rolling on the bed in frustration going off from the screen.

​​

"Sweetheart!"

That was enough to bring her in front of him like an eager child waiting to hear.

Alan suppressed his lips from tilting up looking at her widened eyes with an anticipating gaze on him. He knew what she wanted to hear but he didn't say that.

"Sleep, you are tired. Stop freaking out."

Aria earnestly asked what she couldn't hear from him, "Shall I come to you?" It had been four days they had met.

Alan too wanted to meet her but he didn't want to take the chance, "Be good and go to bed. Anyway, we are going on vacation on Friday."

Aria pouted in displeasure hearing the rejection. Alan knew he could only see her and be content for the time being even though he wanted to be with her.

He took a casual topic and spoke to her till she dozed off. Aria didn't inform him about her next day's plans and slept hearing his soothing voice.

Alan saw her sleeping face steadily breathing. He took a screenshot of the screen and sighed.

He didn't want her to lose herself in the problem and he was glad she wasn't letting it affect her real self and keeps her professional and problems aside from herself.

But her carefreeness?

He knew she liked to be carefree and enjoy life.

He was different from his childhood. He didn't like much to go out for fun or mingle much with friends so it doesn't much affect him.

But Aria wasn't like him.

She yearned for freedom, she wishes to live a fulfilling life. She wants to keep people happy around her and live like a girl of her age which she lost as soon as losing her father.

He knew she hated her current state and she doesn't like to stay away from him.

She doesn't like the sentry, she doesn't like to compromise on her privacy because of people in shadow for her protection.

She doesn't like to be on guard all the time.

She doesn't like her people being targeted because of her.

He didn't want her to keep her bound by these things. He wanted her to live her life as she wants. So if nothing solves sooner, he thought to go by her wish.

That was staying together and facing it.

Sometimes he felt she was more daring than him. Because he cared about her life and she cared about their life.

His train of thoughts and his gaze from her diverted when his mobile went off displaying 'Rian'

He again looked at Aria, "Good night my little wife."

He hung up the video call and answered his mobile at the last ring.

Rian spoke without bothering about greetings, "How can this man think I could get drunk by just six glasses? This man is trying to indoctrinate me against you, Aria, and you guys being together. What will he get from this?"

Alan closed his laptop and went towards the glass wall. It was completely dark outside and the moon was peeking between clouds in the inky sky.

"Doubting me and my wife?"

When Rian forced and tortured him that he wanted to help them, Aria flatly objected. She didn't want to pull him to the mess and hurt him or see him go against them by misunderstanding.

He knew Rian wasn't strong-hearted. Rian couldn't control himself if anybody talks rubbish about the ones he likes and it was really difficult to identify real against a fake.

The blind yet the strong, unbreakable trust as Aria and Alan had on each other was too difficult to get or expect from others.

Alan sometimes thought to let Rian live his life without a problem but it was very important to be independent because he and Aria couldn't guarantee that they could forever protect them so he had decided to toughen his younger brother.

Rian smirked looking at himself in the mirror of the men's restroom of the club, "Of course, if I don't doubt you guys in front of him, how am I going to know what is there in the bag."

"So?" Alan was emotionless.

Rian continued, "Bro if this financial department director against Arrie, we could say as it might be because of problems. Why is he irritated about you dote on Arrie too much? And what is his problem seeing you guys together?"

Alan didn't answer his question. "Why do you think?"

Rian was quick, "I want to investigate this man's background."

Alan's lips slightly curled up knowing his brother might be slow but he was still smart, "Go ahead and..."

"I will be careful. Good night then." Rian hung up and tried to fix his look like a drunk man.

Rian felt proud of himself for joining as Assistant managing director. For the company employees, he fought with Alan to join the company whereas it was a play.

All in the company was thinking Alan and Rian were hating each other.

Roxy too tortured Aria but Aria flatly objected to her from joining the company because her higher-level management was clean and all were investigated thoroughly.

Hearing her pester, Aria asked her to help her plan a theme either her painting or calligraphy, to use it for Alia's next fashion show. And with that, she was working on finding the loopholes on the firewall of the company with the solution.

---

Morgan Industries

The next day, Nathan welcomed Xoan west and his secretary to the meeting room. Xoan was on time but Alan purposefully wanted to delay.

"Greeting to CEO West. This way, please." Nathan greeted formally and motioned his hand towards the meeting room.

Xoan had expected Alan wouldn't be receiving him so he just grunted.

Nathan was used to the autocracy of Alan so Xoan's cold and domineering behavior didn't affect him even a little.

"President Morgan is still in the previous meeting, I hope, CEO West understands and waits for a few minutes."

Nathan politely and professionally spoke and then he rolled his eyes looking away, 'If you know he is just adoring Young madam's picture in his office, you will faint in rage.'