chapter-36: Daydream Wedding
Aria Anastasia
It has been many days since I went to Zaiden's family gathering. In fact, another of his family get-together was around the corner.
Even though it's been that long, it still felt surreal to be with Zaiden. It was almost as if I was trapped in a bubble of dreams and it would burst with the lightest touch.
Ever since we started dating, we would rarely argue. As we started to get to know each other even better, we would understand each other's point of view more easily. It helped us wrap up our work sooner and do whatever we want for the rest of the day.
However, we would try to remain professional during our work hours in front of others. We didn't want anyone to think we were slacking off from work and were romancing in the office. Even though we do catch some moments with each other in between, the other employees didn't need to know that. Because Zaiden still called me for silly things like bringing him fountain pens or stuff like that which only meant that he wanted to see me.
Right now, I was knocking on Zaiden's cabin for lunch. Once he said 'come in', I entered the cabin. I saw Daniel was already inside, so I waited until they were done. Daniel gave me a greeting before exiting the cabin.
��Hey, let's go out for lunch today,�� I proposed.
��Sure. Just a minute. I need to check this mail,�� Zaiden said with his eyes glued to the screen.
I hummed in response and went behind his chair. I had a sudden urge to mess with his perfectly styled hair. I knew that he wouldn't mind me running my fingers through his hair but others might have different opinions once they see it.
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders from behind, also reading the mail he had opened up on his screen.
��Babe, you are distracting me,�� he said and leaned into my touch.
��No nicknames at the workplace,�� I mumbled.
��So, is hugging me like that allowed?�� he asked in amusement.
I nodded my head and placed a kiss on his jawline. ��Yes,�� I said boldly.
��Shouldn't I be the one to make rules since I'm the boss?��
��But my boss loves his girlfriend very much, so he listens to everything she says.��
��That is true though.�� He closed his laptop and spun around his chair. He stood up and placed a hand on her waist. ��Shall we go for lunch, my lady?��
��Yes, my lord.�� I giggled and went along with him.
We got into the private elevator and made our way to the ground floor. As we were walking towards the exit, a strawberry blonde woman around my age at the reception caught my eyes.
��Freja?�� I called out, and Zaiden halted on his steps with me.
��Who?�� he asked.
��My best friend,�� I muttered under my breath and rushed to the reception counter. ��Freja, what are you doing here?�� I asked and the woman immediately pulled me in a hug.
��Surprise!�� Freja squealed.
��Oh, my gosh! I can't believe you are here,�� I exclaimed in excitement and hugged her back tightly.
It has been so long since I last saw Freja. I missed her so much. Even though we always talked over the phone and facetimed, it was never enough.
��Damn, girl, you totally look like the CEO's wife,�� Freja whispered in my ears, making heat rush to my cheek.
I pulled apart from the hug and snarled at her, ��Don't say such rubbish, idiot.��
��Oh, you are Zaiden, right?�� Freja ignored me and went forward to shake hands with Zaiden who was just happy to see me happy. ��I am Freja, Aria's best friend, if you didn't forget.��
��Of course, how can I forget you?�� Zaiden shook his hand with her and maintained a polite smile.
��You actually look like a Greek god,�� Freja complimented and I elbowed her in the stomach while Zaiden stifled a laugh.
Freja really didn't know when to say what. Telling it to me was alright, but telling it to him directly means he would think I do the same thing.
��Thank you, Freja,�� Zaiden said in a mischievous voice.
��You still didn't say. What brings you here?�� I inquired.
��To get you guys married,�� she chimed in a voice that almost made the two of us believe her. ��Don't worry. Just kidding.�� I narrowed my eyes at her which made her spill the beans, ��I just wanted to meet up with you. It's been so long, after all.��
I smiled and hugged her briefly again. ��Thanks for coming. It means a lot.�� Pulling apart from the hug, I asked, ��You are staying at my place, right?��
��Unless you want me to stay at a hotel so that your boyfriend and you can spend the night together in your apartment,�� she teased.
��Don't worry. I have two rooms,�� I responded casually.
Freja and Zaiden looked at me as if I had grown three heads.
��What?�� I asked.
��Have you spoiled my best friend's innocence, Zaiden?�� Freja asked in disappointment.
��No, I would never do such a heinous thing,�� Zaiden replied to me innocently while I was still confused.
��I think I missed something,�� I said, not understanding their double-meaning conversation.
��Never mind. Freja, do you want to join us for lunch?�� Zaiden brushed me off and offered to Freja who jumped in excitement.
��Yes, I would love to.��
I shrugged off the earlier topic and started walking out with the two of them. The restaurant was only a block away, so we decided to walk. Zaiden was walking a bit ahead to give us the time and privacy to catch up.
��You two are so in love. Tell me when you are getting married,�� Freja whispered to me.
��I don't know. We haven't talked about it yet.��
��You do plan on settling with him, don't you?�� she asked and I nodded. ��Then, what are you waiting for? Just get married already and give me an invitation. It's been ages since I attended a wedding ceremony of anyone close to me.��
��Don't worry you will be the second person to know about my wedding after my mom,�� I assured her.
��I'm your bridesmaid, right?��
��Of course.��
��What type of wedding do you want? I suggest a destination wedding,�� she suggested mischievously.
��I think I would prefer a much more normal wedding with less hassle,�� I replied and started imagining Zaiden and my wedding in the church.
That day would be so perfect. The sky would be blue and the weather would be mild cold with a warmness in our hearts. It would be Zaiden and my big day. The church bells would ring while the pastor would recite the Bible. Zaiden would make me wear the wedding band while I would do the same for him. Finally, the pastor would announce us��
��Snap out of it, Aria!�� Freja hollered in my ears and I jumped out of my dream. ��What are you daydreaming about?��
��Nothing.�� My cheeks were burning red by now as I marched ahead but I ended up bumping into someone's back.
��Look where you are going. You will hurt yourself,�� Zaiden said and turned around. ��Are you okay, Aria? Your face looks red. It's not the heat, is it?��
��No, yes, no, yes, it's the heat. I'm getting hot,�� I rambled. ��Let's go inside.�� I ran inside the pizza restaurant as we were already there and sat on the table beside Zaiden and my usual seat.
After we placed our orders, Freja clasped her hands and started, ��So, Zaiden, when will you marry Aria?��
Zaiden, who was drinking water, choked and let out, ��What? Marry Aria?��
Why does he sound like he doesn't want to marry me?
��Why, you won't?�� Freja tilted her head to the side in an intimidating way. ��Don't tell me that you are only using her.�� She cracked her knuckles, glaring at him. Her attitude towards him changed within a few seconds. Well, that's my best friend for you.
��No, it's not that. It's just that we are only in our dating phase,�� Zaiden said.
��So, you only plan to date her and never make her your wife?�� Freja repeated.
��No, it's not what I meant to say. What I am saying is that I haven't thought that far ahead yet.��
His words stung me hard for some reason. Here I had already dreamt of our wedding and he hadn't even thought that far ahead. Once in a while, I would even dream of us being a married couple. How could Zaiden not think of it? And he claimed to love me for so long? That liar.
��The thing is, you don't want to marry me!�� I snapped.
��What, where did that come from? I only said that it's our dating phase and we shouldn't think that far ahead just yet,�� Zaiden responded.
��It's still the same. You have no intention of marrying me. Now, I understand. You are only taking advantage of an innocent girl like me,�� I pointed out.
��Innocent girl? If you have forgotten, Aria, it was you who���� I shoved the garlic bread that had just arrived in his mouth to stop him from speaking any further.
��I understand everything now, Zaiden. You don't want to marry me. That's fine. I'm not angry at all.��
��I think you are angry enough,�� Freja butted in but I shot her a glare which made her go back to chewing her garlic bread.
��Fine, I'm angry at you, Zaiden. I won't talk to you at all.�� With that, I stormed out of the pizzeria.
How dare Zaiden not think of our wedding? How could he be that clueless? He could go and rot in his office for all I care. I will not talk to him at all.