Chapter 6 Her Exclusivity

Ariana Sutton's POV Figaro Capeham was my friend back in college. He wasn't a suited man back then. The Figaro I knew was studious. I thought he came from a poor family. While everyone was searching for a college partner, he spent all his time studying, but he could have dated any girl he wanted. Figaro was a tall and handsome man, after all. Love letters would come to him almost every day, but none of the girls managed to make him fall for them. Everyone thought he didn't like women, but I knew that was not the case. He tried to court me, after all. But I said no. I still loved Stefan back then, and we were in an intimate relationship, so to speak. I could never fall for someone else. It had been years since I saw Figaro. This reunion was a little awkward for me. I might have refused this job had I known I would be coming to his house. Figaro didn't look awkward, however. It seemed like he had forgotten about our past. "Yeah. Surprised you, didn't I? My friend introduced you to me. I thought it was a case of the same names, but I was surprised when you turned up. My sister's a bit of a brat, though. Sorry if she causes any trouble." Figaro looked confident, and I pushed my hair back stiffly. I wanted to quit, but I couldn't say no. "It's alright. This is my job." I would teach his sister for six hours every weekend. Three hours each day, and he would pay me seventy-four dollars per hour. That was enough to entice me. Money was what I needed. Once the class was done, Figaro offered to take me home. Before I could even say no, he justified, "It's going to rain. I don't think you love getting drenched, do you?" He was always smiling. Talking to him was a comfortable thing to do. Once we got into the car, Figaro whipped his phone out. "Add me on Facebook. Makes it easier to Venmo you next time. My sister chased off a ton of piano instructors before you came, but now I know she won't do the same thing to you." That was a good reason to add him on Facebook, so I did. We did not talk about that time in college, however. Instead, we chatted about something else. A short while later, we were already at the Jablonsky Residence, and the rain finally started. The silence we had just a while earlier was replaced by the pelting of raindrops. Just when I was about to get out of the car, he asked quietly, "Ariana, can you tell me why we would never be a thing?" I almost missed that, but I heard everything. Still, I refused to answer. He deserved a better woman, but I wouldn't say that. I looked at him, pretending I heard nothing. "What did you say?" He smiled. "Nothing. You should go inside. Don't wanna get drenched, now." I stood under the overhang, seeing Figaro off. It's been years, and still, he couldn't let it go. The rain was getting bigger, so I trotted my way into the house. Then my phone rang for a moment. Venmo from Figaro. It felt rude to not say anything after taking his money, so I texted, 'Careful on your way home. It's raining, so drive slowly.' Sounds of footsteps echoed through the air. I raised my head and was met with Stefan's eyes. There was a dark look in them. He must have gotten home a while ago. I could smell the shampoo coming off him. And he had changed into casual attire. Looks a bit more easygoing now. I asked, "Had lunch?" He didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Who was that?" "A college friend," I answered honestly. But I didn't tell him I was working part-time. There was no need for that since he would probably insult me again. But then he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. With fury in his voice, he spoke. "What else did you do? What else besides a piano teacher? Do you need money that desperately? Or are you just trying to get closer to the rich? Why are you selling yourself like the sl*t of a mother you had? Did she infect you with her promiscuous personality? Or am I not enough for you, Ariana?"