Rise of the Enigmatic Daniel Wells

Chapter 002

The excitement in Daniel's heart bubbled even more than Aria's favourite dish that was simmering on the stove.

She had stood by his side, never looking down on him for once since they got married. She was unlike her mother, who always yelled at him at the slightest thing just because he was a stay at home husband. Aria had always respected him and been an understanding wife.

He had cleaned the kitchen and done wvery other chores, including the ones Sandra hadn't assigned to him yet. Nothing would distract him and his wife on their special night.

But he had one more thing to do. It was the cherry on the cake. Aria would not see it coming, and she would forever remain shocked.

He called his secretary, Regina, and she answered on the second ring. "Good day, Mr Wells," she greeted, her tone laced with courtesy.

"Regina. Well done, once again," he appreciated firmly. She had never failed his trust in her ability to run his company and carry out major tasks successfully. "I have another task for you. Treat it as urgent."

"Of course, Mr Wells." The professional lady listened with her brows slightly raised at her boss's next demand.

"Prepare me a document of the transfer of the shares of Rochdale to my wife," he ordered. "I need it in the next thirty minutes."

Regina hesitated for a split second. Rochdale was one of the largest entertainment companies in the state. Just a single share of the company was a luxury for anyone. How was her boss willing to hand everything over to his wife?

"Are you there, Regina?" He questioned, displeased by the pause. He needed it to arrive on time before Aria got back.

Regina blew out a breath on the other end of the line. The wish of Mr Daniel Wells was her command, after all.

With a slightly faltering voice, she replied, "Yes, Mr Wells."

The call came to an end immediately. He hurriedly packed the dish he had prepared and served it to his wife's taste and organised the dining table.

The soft glow of the candles flickered across the porcelain on which dinner was served. The roses he had ordered a couple of minutes ago sat gracefully in the centre of the table, just between the two plates, and their scents wafted through the air to create a romantic atmosphere. He had also made her favourite desert.

Pleased with the outcome, he got dressed and sat at the table. The Rochdale share transfer document was tucked neatly in the side of his jacket as he sat and waited. He could not wait to smirk at her surprised expression when she got here.

But, two hours passed without any sign of Aria. Daniel grew worried. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he checked his wristwatch again. Aria only returned late whenever she had to shoot movies late into the night, and he was always aware of that.

He had no foreknowledge of anything that could keep her late tonight. His countenance fell when another hour passed.

He pulled out his phone and dialled her line. It rang for what seemed like an eternity before she finally answered on the last ring.

"Hello." Her cold tone bit into him like frost as she responded. The noise in her background was anything but soothing. The loud pumps of the bass speakers resonated over the phone, confusing Daniel all the more.

"Aria, where are you? The award ceremony ended over three hours ago, but you aren't back. Did something come up?" His voice was warm and soft as he spoke. He couldn't help but worry about her.

"Nothing came up. I'm fine." Her tone was anything but reassuring. Daniel had never heard her sound so off. "I might not return home tonight so don't wait up for me."

His brows furrowed. Why did she sound so different? In all their years of being married, never had she been so cold or... rude.

"Hey, babe. I'm waiting," A male voice sounded on the other end of the line.

For a split second, Daniel stared at the phone in his hands for a moment more confused than wordless. His heart raced at the conclusions that his mind threatened to draw but he shook his head.

"Aria, who was th–"

He was interrupted by her hurried words. "Daniel, I'll talk to you when I get home. You don't have to worry about me. My colleagues hosted a party for me to celebrate the award I won. Good night."

As the phone beeped to signify the disconnection of their call, Daniel stared into space, wondering what was up with her. Was she ill? Was everything okay?

He let out a sigh and shrugged, running a hand through his hair. Peharps shewas just worked up by the whole event. Being in the spotlight could be a big deal after all, so she was probably tired.

Disappointed, he let our another sigh, staring at the candlelight dinner he had carefully prepared for her. For some reason he felt an overwhelming weight of sadness settle on him.

To get his mind off thing, he opted to do dishes. It was hard to forget the voice of the man on the other end of the line but he made up his mind to let it go. He could be one of the friends she was out with.

Just as the thought settled in his mind, his phone buzzed with a message.

Grudgingly, he took it out, hoping to see a message from Aria explaining her attitude, but what he saw left him stunned. The dish in his hand fell to the ground with a crash sound, and the plate shattered into a million pieces.

It was a picture of Aria in the arms of a man outside a bar with their lips locked in a passionate kiss. They didn't look like they were with anyone else. It seemed like they were in a bubble of theirs, another world where only the two of them existed.

His fingers trembled slightly as he began to dial her line frantically, but to his dismay, her line was switched off.

Tiny beads of perspiration dotted his brows as he tried to call her repeatedly but got the same response. Her line was switched off.

A wave of despair crashed over him. He cradled his head in his hands, a sigh escaping his lips and his moist eyes fluttering shut. He slid down the wall until he sat on the ground. How could Aria do this?

Meanwhile, within the four walls of the presidential suite of the luxury Grandeur hotels, the loud, flirtatious chuckles of female resonated, followed by the deep voice of a male.

"Stop it," Aria chuckled, her arms wrapped around the neck of John Slade, her true love. He had his arms wrapped around her while blowing breeze into her ears.

He smirked, pulling her closer to himself, and soon, their lips were locked again in a passionate kiss for the umpteenth time the same night.

They just couldn't seem to get enough of each other. In a moment, Aria's hands yanked at the buttons of his shirt, threatening to escalate things, but he covered her palms with his, stopping her.

"Darling, wait," he urged, and she let out a frustrated groan. He had to make sure they were clear. From the desperation in Aria's eyes, he could tell that she would do anything for him.

"What is wrong?" She questioned, her eyes darkened with lust as she stared at him.

"It was your husband who called earlier, wasn't it?" He questioned, staring into her eyes.

She let out a sigh in frustration. "He doesn't matter."

He sighed. "We can not truly be together yet," he stated with a downcast countenance.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"You know what I'm talking about, babe. You've been postponing your divorce. Do you not want us to be together?"

Aria paused physically, her eyes dimming slightly. "The divorce agreement is ready, but I just need a few more days to finalise things," she stated, her voice wavering slightly.

She had been with Daniel for many years, but John had always been the one her heart yearned for right from her adolescent years.

The thoughts of divorcing Daniel for her first love did not seem selfish to her. After all, Daniel had had her to himself for all these years and never contributed anything to her life. She had been the one working while he stayed at home as an irresponsible house husband.

"A few more days?" John pressed further, and she nodded in response. "Good. I can't wait to have you to myself."

He smiled to himself. Daniel was going to have to leave Aria for him. Since Aria was too scared to call it quits, he had taken a step.

She broke into a grin when their lips connected again. Her mind was made up. She could not lose her first love again now that he was in front of her, regardless of whether there was a husband in the picture.

The husband would just have to get out of the picture.