On the top floor of the luxurious 5-star restaurant, the best view was reserved for Charles Cole.
Burning candles were placed at the center and corners creating an eccentric look in the dimly lit room, the illuminating chandeliers giving off the classical yet modern feel.
Ariana's bare back could be seen from the entrance as she glanced at her wrist watch nervously chewing on the insides of her cheeks.
After a while,Charles stepped into the room dressed in a black tuxedo and cufflinks to match, his dark brown hair was gelled down and he looked devilishly handsome.
He set the suitcase he was holding on the table and took a seat."I'm sorry for running late, I had some business to attend to."
Luther Warrick, his assistant bowed his head slightly upon his boss' arrival, Charles had sent him to pick up the young madam when he was running late.
"It's fine really, Should we get to business first or have something to eat?" Ariana asked softly with her eyes cold.
Charles who had his head down the entire time straightened up paying attention to the woman seated across him.
Her straight blonde hair was cascading down her shoulders in voluminous waves, she had her signature simple makeup look.
Her petite body was wrapped in a red simple yet elegant gown, the beautiful backless gown had a V-neck exposing her fair back and collarbone which highlighted her fiery hazel eyes and delicate facial features.
She was stunning even with her cherry-blossom lips turned down, She looked innocent and yet tempting at the same time even to Charles.
"You haven't gotten something to eat?" Charles frowned, glancing at the empty mahogany table which only had the restaurant's signature paper swans.
In the past when he had brought Sarah June to the restaurant, she racked up a fine sum on the bill even before his arrival wanting to try every exquisite dish.
"I was waiting for you." She replied curtly.
Charles' eyes narrowed and he nodded, turning to Luther Warrick. "Get me, Manager Gordon."
Luther scrambled and came back after a few minutes with the short pot-bellied man dressed in a tuxedo behind him.
Manager Gordon stepped into the room, bowing his head in respect. "Welcome Miss Sarah and President Cole, what can I get for you today?" Getting no response, he took it as a cue to list the specials. "We have a fine aged steak prepared by our special chef and a delicious filet paired with our special decade-old red wine."
"Manager Gordon, where do you see Miss Sarah?" Charles' icy voice echoed throughout the room, sending an involuntary chill down the middle-aged man's spine.
Manager Gordon raised his head to assess the couple and found that the woman seated across from the president wasn't Sarah June but his wife, Ariana.
His eyes widened in surprise, cursing his ill luck, President Charles frequented their restaurant but it was never with Ariana. His body trembled with fear, just a word from Charles Cole could get him fired from his 20-year job and he knew more of the man's short temperament.
Charles Cole had once shut down a restaurant for getting his and Sarah June's order wrong and also making the woman cry by being rude about it. If he doted on his mistress so much, what more of his wife?
"I'm so sorry President Cole, Please forgive me, Madam Ariana." He fell to his knees clasping his hands together.
Ariana's heart tugged slightly, this shameless man, while she was at home making meals for him, he had been frequenting 5-star restaurants with that vicious woman, Sarah June.
She licked her chapped red lips and opened her mouth to say something but quickly clamped it tightly.
"It's fine. Charlie, can we get something to eat now?" Ariana's tone softened as she called the endearment she used for him months into their marriage.
The stoic man's cold heart softened hearing the vulnerability in her voice, it reminded him of her fervent pursuit at the beginning and his mood dampened thinking of the contract in the briefcase.
"Your Madam forgives you, Manager Gordon. Now take her order and I'll also be having whatever she has." His thin lips quirked up into a teasing smile.
Ariana's fragile heart skipped a beat at the simple act from the man, when they had started going on dates before the marriage, he used to request meals and order a salad claiming she needed to lose some weight.
Her soul glimmered with a speck of hope but once again her sanity flashed back to the document and cruel treatments and her pounding heart quickly dissipated scoffing lightly at the man's beautiful roleplay in public. "I'll - We'll have the steak and red wine, thank you."
Manager Gordon nodded, getting on his feet, the president's wife was truly different from the rumors that said she was an ugly country bumpkin with ill manners.
Factually, She was far better than the other woman the president always brought along who was one of those typical sheltered women.
"Charles Cole, do you have the contract with you?" Ariana asked once again.
"Of course." His expression flattened as he brought out the document from the suitcase tossing it across the table.
Ariana held the file in her hand, reading through the drafted contract which stated the terms of their roleplay until their divorce.
Her heart slightly ached at the last piece which stated that she would be getting a settlement of 50 million dollars and a villa after the divorce.
Although, those things were little to the quota of her wasted time and forsaken love.
She couldn't believe after all this while, this man still thought she was after his money.
Charles Cole noticed Ariana's hesitation and felt a sudden surge of pride, she was probably rethinking her decision. He had calculatedly added the settlement.
It gave him a sense of credit hoping she would change her mind realizing how wealthy he was going to be once he fully took over the company and became the Young Master of the Cole Family.
Ariana grabbed the pen and canceled out the alimony scribbling down some words, she gave it a satisfied smile before appending her signature.
She smiled lightly before handing the contract to Charles, her countenance didn't show any sign of sadness or heartbreak making Charles' mood bitter once again.
Although he had arranged the document he didn't expect her to sign, he was hoping she would realize her mistake and beg before it was too late.
His fist clenched the sheet of paper reading her added bit 'Charles Cole wouldn't see or speak to Sarah June for the entire course of 6 months before the divorce'.
He sucked in a sharp breath, his jaw flexing in vexation at the request, he appended his signature on the other side and begrudgingly muttered "You would get your copy of the contract soon."
Ariana nodded, smoothening the rumbled edges of her gown, Charles unfurled his mouth to address her but was interrupted by the slamming of the door.
Multiple waiters walked in with extravagant displays of dishes and dropped them one after the other performing their little tricks before the last waiter stepped forward dropping some scented candles and Rose petals on the table.
Charles Cole smirked lightly at the performance, this shameless woman was truly scandalous in various ways, she displayed a threatening world-class performance.
Yet she had a surprise planned, he couldn't deny she was really romantic after all.
Ariana squirmed uncomfortably into her seat after the performances, this was meant for lovers but the man across from her even though he was her legal husband, their relationship was more or less that of strangers.
Wanting to avoid any further confrontation she dug into her food munching with a mouthful.
Charles Cole who had wanted to thank her for the display frowned slightly but swallowed his thoughts joining in on the meal.