NOVEL NEXT Chapter 738: Little wife.
Jason turned and stared at Jacob. "Get married?" he asked as though he was considering.
When Jacob nodded back to him, Jason pursed his lips at him, snapping, "Marriage comes after a blind date gets successfully clicked. Here, I am asking for help to escape blind dates, and you are suggesting I go a step ahead. Like really, Jacob."
"I am just suggesting the solution to choose from. Isn't that what you asked us here for?" Jacob said with s subtle shrug of his shoulders as though he couldn't find anything wrong in that.
Jason held himself back. "To be honest, I am actually regretting asking you here. You have no better solutions. How did you even become a successful lawyer? Are you sure your skills are not sham?"
"Jason, repeat that again?" Jacob said with a warning laced in his tone.
However, Jason stared at him evenly. "What? You started having doubts as well?"
Jacob took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled it.
Meanwhile, Aiden finally spoke from the other side. "What Jacob suggested is not a bad idea."
When Jason turned to look at him, he nodded, "Getting married will put an end to all the drama once and for all."
"Are you serious, Aiden?" Jason couldn't believe it. "How could I get married? Do I even have a woman I want to spend my entire life with? Or, are you saying that I am going to find one as soon as I blink my eyes?"
"You don't really have to get married for real, Jason," Jacob said, making him turn his way. "There are options to everything. Even to the marriages."
"What do you mean?" Jason asked seriously.
And the very next moment, Jacob answered. "I am suggesting the option of contract marriage. It's not a bad idea." His tone was as serious as it could be. "You get to avoid these blind dates until the date you signed it for."
Jason paused for a second, considering it. Contract marriage. It truly didn't sound like a bad idea. But still, something made him frown, and he shook his head. "No, I can't do that."
Neither Jacob nor Aiden asked him why. Because in their hearts, they knew what made Jason refuse to reject the idea.
"Then you could try making them believe that you already have someone in your life," Aiden spoke, both his words and idea sounded deep. "If they know you have a woman, they won't arrange you for such set-ups."
Jason thought for a moment and then nodded. "That seems good plan. But how should I do that? Who should I ask to pretend?"
Aiden had no name in his mind. Nor did Jacob.
Jason sat and thought for a while, and suddenly someone came in thoughts. Exchanging a gaze with Aiden and Jacob, he said, "I think this one is good. I have someone in mind. If explained carefully, she would be willing to help."
Aiden nodded. Then, standing up, he tucked his hands in his pockets.
When Jacob saw him, he asked, "Where are you going?"
"It's already time for dinner," Aiden replied evenly, checking the time on his watch. "Moon must be waiting for me."
Jason quickly stopped him. "You can't go without sealing the deal." Aiden turned to look back at him, and he continued. "You didn't ask who I had in my mind."
Aiden's brows furrowed.
"It's someone you know," Jason explained, continuing, "Your niece."
Gianna.
Aiden paused and stared at him. And Jason nodded with a smile. But neither of them saw the expression on Jacobs's face changing. It was like there was something that made him uncomfortable. His face became stiff, and his eyes turned dark.
"I have nothing for her, but I kind of liked her humour the other day," Jason said slowly. "Since she is someone in a close circle. I am sure she will understand my situation and agree to help me out. What do you think? Should I ask Arwen to help me ask her out?"
Before Aiden could even answer, Jacob's voice rejected him, hard and sharp.
"No, you won't do that."
Jason's brows furrowed, and he turned to look at him. "Why? I mean, she fits well."
"She doesn't," the retort right after Jason completed it. It was as if it were sitting at the tip of Jacob's tongue, ready to roll out.
Jason paused and stared at his friend as though he couldn't wrap his head around what was going on with him. After a moment, he said, "If anyone should be refusing this idea, it should be Aiden. After all, Gianna is his niece. Why are you acting like you share something more closely with her? Are you —"
"I am not going to explain anything," Jacob stood up. "I just said of you want this to look real, ask someone else to pose with you. She is not suitable."
And with that, he turned to leave.
Jason blinked. "Where are you going?"
"Home," Jacob replied. "I think we already helped you decide on a solution. The rest is up to you. Deal with it yourself." And then he was already out.
Aiden watched him but said nothing. Jason turned to him and asked, "Are you thinking exactly what I am thinking?" There was an undertone of suspicion laced to his words.
Aiden didn't answer. But his gaze carried a depth that had carefully observed everything. "It's getting late," he said, adding. "I am leaving as well. You can take your time."
Before Jason could say anything, he also turned and left.
Left behind, Jason sat watching the door.
————
Meanwhile, back at Winslow Residence —
Arwen looked at the clock and a subtle frown settled between her brows. "Mr. Jones, did he inform you of anything?"
The butler shook his head. "No, madam. Sir hasn't called. Maybe he would be on his way."
"It's past dinner time already," she complained, already taking up her phone to dial Aiden's number. However, just as the rings went through, she saw him entering the mansion.
She disconnected the call and stared at him with pursed lips. "Is your watch showing you the wrong time?" she berated. "It's already past dinner time, and you are coming now. You'd better have reasons to explain."
"Moon, I —" he tried to speak. However, before he could even start, Arwen turned away, crossing her arms.
"I am not listening to anything. Keep your explanation to yourself."
Aiden's brows furrowed slightly, but then he smiled when he saw how adorable she looked in the role of little wife. He gazed at Mr. Jones and gestured for him to leave first.
Mr. Jones understood his cue. Nodding, he left quietly.
Aiden then stared at her and slowly walked in her direction.
Arwen caught his shadow approaching her. But just when she thought he would coax her, he disappeared. Her brows tugged together, and she turned to look, only to find him sitting on the sofa, almost looking unbothered.
"What?" she asked, her lips pulled tight.
Aiden glanced up at her and simply shrugged. "What? You said you want to hear me out. What else could I say?"
Arwen stared at him dumbfoundedly. Like really? If she said it like that, he would just obey? Since when did he become so painfully obedient?
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him.
He stared at her and couldn't hold back his smile anymore. And the moment he smiled, Arwen's lips pulled a little in a pout.
"Is that fun?" she asked seriously. "I care for you, and that's why I want you to have your meals at the right time. But you find it funny, don't you?"
Aiden noted the way her brows knitted. He reached out and pulled her onto his lap. She struggled, but he held her firm.
"Let me go," she squirmed, trying to break free. "I am really upset, and I am not going to talk to you."
Aiden slowly leaned and pressed his lips against hers. She paused for a moment, and he took the chance to explain.
"I never meant to upset you, Moon." his voice was as gentle as it could be. "I just couldn't help it."
Arwen turned and stared at him. Her brows still furrowed as though unconvinced.
"Although I don't like seeing you upset, I like it when you become the little wife. I like it when you lose your patience around me, scold me. When you get angry with me, yet couldn't hold onto that anger a moment longer."
This shouldn't make Arwen feel warm, but somehow, when he put it like that, she couldn't help but feel her heart melting.
Could she really not stay upset with him for long?
Why was it always so difficult yet so easy around him?
"Why are you like this?" she asked, leaning in to rub her nose against his.
Aiden smiled, enjoying the little moment between them. "Because you love me like this. Don't you?"