(ARIELLE''S POV)


    My face fell as I scanned the empty space, realising that Jared and Sofia had gone in without me. I didn''t have a problem with Sofia, but I did have one with Jared.


    I was his wife, and weren''t couple''s supposed to arrive at an event together? Hesitating for a moment, I contemted going in on my own or calling Jared toe lead me inside.


    I felt really nervous walking into the bar without Jared, because despite being his wife for three years, I had never met his ssmates and friends, mainly because I was busy with work, or an opportunity never presented itself.


    After a few seconds of indecisiveness, I decided to walk in alone. I took a deep breath, smoothed my dress, squared my shoulders and made for the entrance door.


    As I pushed open the door, the sounds ofughter and banter weed me, and I was immediately hit by the smell of expensive perfumes and alcohol.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Woa! This was definitely a reunion for people that matters, I decided. I scanned the room, my eyes adjusting to the surroundings. And that was when I spotted them-Sofia and Jared.


    They were standing by the bar,ughing and chatting with a group of people I presumed were friends. My heart squeezed painfully as I watched how Jaredughed and spoke carefree, making me wonder if he even remembered he came with a wife. Did he even notice my absence?


    I scoffed, of course not. Sofia was beside him, ying out the role perfectly as she held onto him, smiling and waving at everyone that stopped to greet them.


    My heart churned painfully at the sight and I quickly averted my gaze. I forced a smile on my face as I turned to make my way to the rows of seats at a corner.


    But just as I made to take a step, two voices stopped me. Their topic of discussion rather. I paused to listen to the men''s conversation, while not giving off the hint that I was eavesdropping.


    "Did Jared really marry Sofia? I still find it hard to believe."


    "Of course, he did. If he didn''t, why else would he arrive with her? The instruction was clear; arrive with your spouses. Why will hee with her if she''s not his wife?"


    "But there was apromise for those without wives or fiances. They were asked toe with a female friend. And you know Jared and Sofia have been friends for decades."


    "And can''t you see the rings on both of their fingers? Sofia is even pregnant, and the child has to be Jared''s. Or, do you think another man will let his pregnant wife go on a date with another man, no matter how close they are?"


    "You''re right, Nate," the second man, who I would love to call a doubting Thomas said, finally giving in.


    I decided that I had heard enough, and made to leave because I was already feeling bad that I was Jared''s wife, yet my identity was unknown to his friends and pals. It was really disheartening that once again, Sofia had the upper hand in Jared''s life,pared to myself. For a moment, I wished I was not so engrossed in work and had pushed to meet with Jared''s friends. That way, these men wouldn''t have to debate about my identity.


    Ready to leave now, I turned again, but the next line of the men''s conversation got me hooked once more.


    "Aren''t you amazed by Jared''s transformation?" The first man began. He seemed to be the instigator of the gossip.


    "I don''t think I understand you," the second man responded.


    "Can''t you see how much he has


    changed. Look at him, all dressed in designers, gentle and courteous. A stark difference to his arrogant and rough self in highschool. Who would have thought that he would turn out to be the fine gentleman he is today."


    I blinked, my interest fully piqued now. The Jared I know and married, is a meticulous gentleman, howe I was just hearing about this side of him now? And yet again, I felt that familiar tug at my chest a painful reminder that I don''t really


    know my husband.


    Wanting to hear more of the men''s gossip, I inched closer. Who knows, they could deviate and talk about Sofia and Jared''s rtionship while as teenagers and I just might be able to gather some useful information.


    But my purse decided to give me away by slipping off my hands andnding on the floor with a thud that startled the two gossiping men.


    "Shit!" I cussed under my breath, crouching to pick it up, but the first man beat me to it.


    "Here," he said, handing the purse to me. "Are you okay?"


    I took it and smiled gratefully, trying to mask my embarrassment. "I''m fine."


    The man nodded, and then he looked at me intently. "What ss were you in? I don''t think I recall you."


    I smiled nervously. "I''m...I''m not your ssmate. I''m the "


    The man''s brows shot up, almost


    touching his receding hairline. "You''re not? Oh well, I apologize, miss, but we''re having a ss


    reunion here today, and we bo


    the whole ce because we want it just to ourselves. If you''re looking for where to have fun, you should look somewhere else. This ce is not open to the public today."


    "I''m not here for fun. Actually, I came with someone."


    "Oh, I guess you''re a spouse or a friend to one of the men here. Tell me, who did youe with because I am well acquainted with most of my buddies'' partners." "Jared," I responded simply.


    The man was taken aback, and it reflected in the way his eyes widened. "You came with Jared Smith? Sorry, who are you to him?"


    "I''m his wife..."