Chapter 104
Aria’s POV
I woke up to the insistent ringing of my phone. Groggily, I reached for it on my nightstand, my mind still fuzzy with sleep.
“Just waking up?” a familiar male voice asked, though in my half-conscious state, I couldn’t immediately place who it was.
“Who is this?” I mumbled, sitting up in bed and pushing my tangled hair from my face.
“Seems Miss Aria is truly busy with important matters, when you previously mentioned I could contact you again for freelance work p>
My brain finally kicked into gear as recognition dawned. “Julian p>
“Congratulations, Miss Aria, you guessed correctly.” His amused tone made me flush with embarrassment.
“Do you need something?” I asked, the last traces of sleepiness evaporating.
“Of course. My concert tour next month starts in New York, and I need piano accompaniment for two songs p>
He let the implication hang in the air, but I understood immediately. A concert tour p>
I bit my lip, hesitating for only a second before declining: “Sorry, you’ll have to find someone else for this p>
“The compensation is generous,” Julian countered smoothly.
I sat up straighter against my headboard. “It’s not about the money. You know I’m married now. I can’t be too high-profile p>
After Aiden had swooped in like my personal hero yesterday, how could I turn around and perform at Julian’s concert? We’d already sparked rumors once before. Working together again just wasn’t appropriate.
Julian chuckled softly through the phone. “Well, I guess someone else will have to earn that three hundred thousand dollars p>
“Wait! Did you just say three hundred thousand?” My jaw practically hit the floor.
“The company approved a three hundred thousand dollar budget for the guest performer at this concert p>
“When exactly is your concert? And which two songs need piano accompaniment p>
“Do you have someone to recommend?” he asked innocently.
I cleared my throat, embarrassed. “What about… me p>
Julian burst into laughter, taking a full five seconds to compose himself. “Ahem. Weren’t you just saying I needed to find someone else p>
I felt my ears burning as I scrambled to save face. “Well, I was just thinking more carefully. This is your first stop on the tour-you need to start with a bang! You need perfection! You know my professional qualifications, right? There aren’t many pianists with more credentials than me. And think of the publicity value p>
“Looking at it now, I’m really the best fit for your concert p>
“You’re right. The company approved that budget because I submitted your name,” he admitted.
I didn’t catch on at first, automatically responding, “Exactly! They must recognize my commercial value p>
I might not want to be part of the entertainment industry, but that didn’t mean I’d pass up entertainment industry money! Playing accompaniment for two songs and earning three hundred thousand dollars? I’d be stupid not to grab that opportunity! “So you’re accepting then?” Julian confirmed.
“Yes, yes! Just send the contract to Summer and we’re good to go p>
“Alright p>
Just as I was about to say goodbye, Julian asked unexpectedly, “The payment was quite tempting, wasn’t it p>
“I knew money would move you p>
Since my true motives were already exposed, I dropped all pretense. “Well, Mr.
Julian, please remember me for future opportunities like this p>
“Don’t worry. There aren’t many pianists with more credentials than you, right?” he echoed my earlier words.
My face heated up again. “Um, I need to go eat breakfast now. Bye p>
“Bye p>
After hanging up, I quickly messaged Summer about the opportunity before heading
to wash my face and brush my teeth.
By the time I sat down at the
breakfast table, it was already past
eight My mood was soaring – Leven ate two extra buns. When Lucy asked what I wanted for lunch, I cheerfully rattled off several dishes.
After ordering lunch, I turned to head to the piano room to practice, only to be confronted by the most delicious sight imaginable.
Aiden had just finished swimming, his hair still dripping wet. Droplets traced the sharp contours of his face before falling to the floor. He wore
Paparobe, but so casually
that it hung open at the collan giving me an eyeful of his chiseled chest beneath.
“Finished breakfast?” he asked.
I quickly averted my gaze. “Just now p>
Damn! Talk about an unfair
comparison! Living under the same roof, I was just finishing breakfast at 9 AM while Aiden had already completed his morning swim and workout!
No wonder his body was so perfect while I couldn’t even manage to get abs!
I was such a weakling!
Aiden nodded slightly, raising his hand to towel-dry his hair with the edge of his robe.
The movement caused his robe to ride up, exposing his upper body almost completely. I got a clear view of those eight-pack abs. God, I wanted to touch them so badly.
I had reason to suspect Aiden was deliberately teasing me, but I had no proof. Then he dropped his hand, letting the robe fall back into place, covering those tempting abs once more.
I forced my eyes away. “I’m going to practice piano now p>
If I kept looking at him, I’d lose every scrap of restraint – I’d want to climb on him then and there.
Twelve years’ worth of moral lessons warred in my head, but they were a brittle thing against the heat rising in my chest.
I couldn’t – I wouldn’t let myself want Aiden just because his body was nice.
Well, not just nice—exceptional. And his technique was… God, no wonder my brain kept going there.
Aiden studied my face. “Are you feeling hot p>
My eyes widened in surprise. “No, I’m not p>
“Oh. Then why is your face so red p>
“Is it? Maybe the weather’s a bit stuffy today p>
As I spoke, a breeze wafted through the room, carrying Aiden’s subtle, clean scent
to my nose. My whole body tingled in response.
Aiden watched me for a moment before the corners of his lips curled upward. “I thought someone was admiring my abs. I was about to let that someone touch
them p>
“Really? I can?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Realizing what I’d just said, my face exploded with heat. “I’m going to practice now!” Aiden watched me, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Go ahead p>
I felt like my face was literally on fire. I just needed to get upstairs quickly and find somewhere to recover from this embarrassment.
But in my haste, I managed to stub my toe on the staircase I climbed every day.
The pain shot straight to my brain. I instinctively crouched down, all thoughts of embarrassment forgotten.
It hurt so bad!
Ugh! Shit! I made a fool of myself in front of him again.