I hadn't spoken to Asher since morning. Even to avoid him, I left for work early and left a note that I had to meet with a writer whose manuscript I was working on. I didn't lie about my job.
I was angry with him, but I still prepared all of Asher's needs, especially his breakfast and clothes. The problem was that I forgot to put his lunch in his bag.
“I'll drop off his lunch,” I thought.
“Did you see Lady Diana's post on Flashgram?”
My hearing is very sensitive. But I'm even more sensitive if someone mentions 'Lady Diana' or 'Prince Alpha Asher Clawhaven.'
As I glanced over, I saw several of my coworkers huddled, staring at the screen of a cell phone belonging to one of them.
“Seriously, they look so good together. Look at the way Alpha Prince Asher holds Lady Diana's hand!” Another chimed in.
“Too bad they haven't confirmed that they're dating yet.”
“Lady Diana is pretty and charming.”
Feeling curious about the comments I heard directly, I stole some working hours to open Flashgram and check the much-talked-about upload. As it turned out, Diana's post had already galvanized the city. Unsurprisingly, Diana's posts on her social media involve Valonia's Alpha Prince, Asher.
Judging from the time Diana uploaded the photo, it was when Asher drove Diana home.
“I'm sure they love each other.” Everyone seemed enthusiastic about Diana and Asher's relationship.
Yes, I confirmed their words when I saw the reality of the photo upload that my coworkers were talking about.
Asher seemed focused on driving with one hand, the other clasping Diana's hand tightly. How could anyone not think that they were a couple? They were getting along well, and their relationship received much support from many people.
“Ah, my ship has come true.” Someone jumped up and down enthusiastically with Diana's post.
“Hey, your voice is too loud! Don't you know that Aria is currently Prince Asher's girlfriend?” Another chided.
“Disappointing. Why would a Prince love a lowly woman like Aria so much?”
They were whispering, but I could still clearly hear them. I looked away as their cynical eyes fell on me.
Besides being hurt by Asher and Diana, the loyal fans of the two of them were also starting to hurt me. I never thought loving Asher would be this painful. I don't want to cry anymore. My eyes are still puffy, and I don't want to worsen them.
Not wanting to hear more about Asher and Diana, I got up with the lunch I had prepared for Asher. Asher's office is near my work. So I can get there on foot.
“Lowly woman? They don't know that Diana is just like me. She's just lucky to have been adopted by a wealthy family.” I grumbled in annoyance.
I saw a few messages from Asher come in. And I suddenly felt happy because I thought Asher remembered the substitute date he promised. He may let me know the time and place of our date.
My happiness didn't last long. It was all gone after I saw Asher's message. He canceled our date.
“I'm expecting too much of him!” I complained.
*Asher Clawhaven*
[Aria, I'm sorry. I have an essential business meeting today. I'll find another day for our date. I'll be home late too].
I let out a long sigh. Why do I never stop hoping for her despite knowing the same result? She has an important business meeting, so I'll leave her lunch with the people in her office later. I was always worried about Asher's health, even though he didn't care about my worries.
Yeah, Asher has taken the time to send me a message. I was just as bad as Asher if I didn't appreciate it.
I replied;
[All right, have fun.]
“Prince Alpha is handsome when he laughs out loud. Only Lady Diana could make him look like that.”
The people I passed on the street were talking about the same thing. But... Asher? Laughing out loud? Where did they see him laughing like that?
Besides being never out of my mind, Asher and Diana were never out of the public eye. I always heard support for their relationship. It was like eating food I didn't like every day to survive.
I took a deep breath of the fresh city air. My eyes fell on a cafe where a man seemed to be talking to someone on his phone.
Ah, I couldn't lie to myself. I loved him.
“Asher.” I approached him.
Asher ended his call and looked at me. “Aria, you here. What's wrong?” he asked.
“Your lunch. I forgot it, sorry,” I said, handing him his lunch.
“Hi, Aria. Did Asher call you?” Diana walked closer to us from inside the cafe.
Diana was there, which meant that Asher was probably spending time with that sneaky woman. People saw him laughing when he was with Diana.
I concluded that Asher had canceled our date for the umpteenth time for Diana's sake.
“Ah, Diana. You haven't eaten yet, right? This is for you.”
In front of me, without the slightest hesitation, Asher handed Diana the lunch I had brought for him.
“But, Asher. I cooked for you because I was worried about your GERD.” I tried to stop Diana's hand, who was about to grab the lunch I had brought from Asher's hand.
“I've already eaten, Aria.”
“Then, you can eat for tonight. You said you'd be home late.”
“Don't worry, I don't get hungry easily. Instead of wasting it, wouldn't it be better to give it to Diana?”
Asher's words made Diana confidently take the lunchbox with a triumphant smile. She immediately opened the box and took a small portion of the food to try it.
“It's delicious. I like your cooking, Aria.” Diana praised me, but I didn't feel happy. “Asher always gives me his lunchbox, Aria.” She continued with her mouth actively chewing.
“If I had known that you were the one who ate it from the start, I would have put poison in the food.” I gritted my teeth to hold back the fangs that seemed to insist on appearing right then and there.
