Seeking for a Chance

James remarks, "You haven't been yourself today." "During your photo shoot this morning, your facial expressions were off. Are you sure walking this show is okay for you? I fidget with the hem of my robe and nod. I have been thinking about Ariel's remarks all day. My heart ached to hear him express that he felt stuck. Although neither of us is in the best of situations right now, I believe he has begun to feel a connection with me. I considered it progress for us when he took me to the Bumble and then Leo Carlo Designs. It's clear to me now that all he wanted was to treat me fairly. Ariel's heart does not always align with what he believes to be the best course of action. "Yeah, I'm okay," I reply, attempting to calm myself down but knowing that I won't be able to. I'm overcome with sorrow, guilt, and heartache. Damn it, every time I consider how I measured his figure and the clothes I've been wearing about the home. He probably thinks I've been making a fool of myself and that it's all just one big guilt trip. The day I sat on his lap and he told me he would never truly want me, I should have believed him. Although I can make his body respond to me, he will never desire me as much as he does Loretta. I'm disgusted by the recollections of all I've attempted and done. This is not who I was in the past. I have never imposed my love on anyone else, but I have been doing the same thing to Ariel. I gave up my dignity because hope gave me the confidence to, and for what? "Arielle, you're not fine." James puts his hand on my shoulder and gives me a sincere look of worry. "Are you working too much? Have I been putting too much on your schedule? Is it Warren, or is it something else entirely? With very few exceptions, he's given us total authority over your schedule. However, you should let me know if he's putting any pressure on you behind closed doors. Unsure of what to say, I stare into his eyes. I haven't felt the need to depend on someone in a very long time. I feel like crying until my heart stops hurting and asking him to hug me. "I simply didn't get enough sleep," I finally utter, lowering my gaze as I untie the knot on my robe and allow it to unfold. My dress designer should arrive any moment now. James looks down, and I wonder briefly what he sees. The only man I've ever wanted doesn't agree with the world that I'm irresistible. Are those who don't know me merely interested in me? Is there something about me that turns people off? "Arielle, are you alright? I'm concerned for you. Has Ariel Warren harmed you in any way? I shake my head and fake a grin for him. "It was just a dispute between us. That must be the nature of marriage, isn't it? It can't be flawless all the time. James opens the door and cuts himself off in midsentence. When we turn around, Ariel enters instead of the designer who should have been carrying the gown I was meant to wear. His eyes find mine, and he pauses, the bags under his eyes the same as mine. He didn't stop messaging me throughout the night while I slept at Bianca's; neither of us could get any sleep. Ariel's eyes follow my exposed breast down, and they become filled with utter rage. His gait is brisk and assured as he approaches me and takes off his jacket. He draws me towards him and puts his jacket around my shoulders before calling me "Arielle," my name sounding like a warning. He grinds his teeth and gives James a quick look. Please pardon us. My wife and I need some alone time. I nod as James glances at me. After a brief moment of hesitation, he turns to go, the door shutting behind him. He says it again, sounding gentler now, "Arielle ." What is the meaning of this? Why do you... Before him, you're only partially clothed. Does something exist between the two of you? Feeling low in my chest, I gaze into his eyes. Despite being married to me, he remains separate from me even though I have loved him for as long as I can remember. "Is it significant?" His eyes get distant, and he draws me in. Naturally, it does. When we were married, Arielle, we made fidelity promises to one another. I threw my arms around his shoulder, causing his jacket to drop to the ground, and standing before him in nothing but an exposed robe. Ariel, I didn't betray you. That is something I would never do. That's not the kind of person I am. He seems to be attempting to figure out my sincerity as he looks directly into my eyes. "Have the two of you ever met?" I snort uncontrollably and turn aside. "It's nothing like the things you two share," His hands round my waist as he firmly grasps on. "Arielle," he murmurs, bringing his forehead to meet mine. Ariel takes a trembling breath and my heart falters. "I apologize for yesterday. Indeed, I am. I try to push past him, but he won't let me go. "Pay attention to me," he begs. "All day long, you have been refusing my calls. Baby, I can't handle this. Please understand that this is not how I want our marriage to be. We agreed to communicate, didn't we? Our circumstances are so unusual already. I don't want to make things any more complicated. Please pay attention to what I have to say. I give him a nod. "All right," I murmur, unsure whether anything he says will ease my suffering. "I never should have said what I said, and she never should have visited our house. Arielle , I don't feel confined. not in your presence. It's a difficult scenario, and I feel like I'm hurting you or Loretta. All I meant to say was that. You hear me? I never once intended to imply that I felt stuck in our marriage to you. Arielle, I've never felt happier. I'm just certain that your relationship with Loretta will suffer more if you injure her. Sweetheart, I don't want to be the cause of your arguments with your sister. I simply... All I want is for you to be content. I nod, not sure how to interpret what he's said. "Ariel, I understand. Simply said, I'm not convinced it matters. Even so, what are we doing here? Why are we doing this when you'll just go back to her after our three years are up? "Did I not tell you that I would be yours forever? How can I persuade you that I mean it? I promise you, Arielle, that's not Loretta I see when I look at you. Never. You said you wanted your happiness, and if you'll give me a chance, I promise I'll do everything in my power to grant it to you. Arielle, will you? Do you think I have a chance? As I meet his stare, my heart skips a beat because there is nothing but honesty in his eyes. Ariel, what does that mean? He tenderly strokes my lip with his thumb as he cups my face. It implies that I'm not just interested in your body. I want an opportunity to show you that, history be damned, I do want everything with you. He murmurs, "I want a chance to win your heart. "Because you're taking a little bit more of mine away from me every day."