Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 192

Aria's POV

I woke up as sunlight streamed through the curtains, stretching my limbs across the empty bed. Aiden had already gone, even though I'd fallen asleep before he finished his shower last night. Funny how I went to bed first but still woke up later.

"God, I'm such a sleepyhead," I muttered, rubbing my face in embarrassment. Tomorrow, I swore to myself, I'd start being a proper morning person.

After breakfast, I walked Aiden to the door before his early meeting. The morning breeze played with my hair as he stood at the doorway, his hand resting lightly on my waist.

"I'm heading to the office now," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "We're having dinner at my uncle's tonight."

"Mmm-hmm," I nodded, looking up at him. "Drive safely."

His hand lingered on my waist, making no move to leave. I raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you have that meeting?" I asked, confused. "Won't you be late?"

"Yes," he acknowledged softly, a playful gleam in his eyes. "But isn't Mrs. Carter forgetting something?"

I blinked up at him, completely puzzled. "I... don't think so?"

"Tsk." Aiden clicked his tongue in mock disapproval before leaning down to press a kiss against my lips. "Next time, don't forget, Mrs. Carter."

My heart fluttered as he stroked my hair once more before turning to leave. I stood there in the doorway, watching his car pull away, feeling warmth spread through my chest.

Clearly, I still needed to adjust to being Aiden's actual wife—goodbye-kiss protocol and all.

Later that morning, I was deep into researching "appropriate gifts for meeting husband's relatives" when my phone buzzed with a text from Aiden: "No need to bring anything tonight. I've arranged the gifts. Don't worry—my uncle and aunt always respect my choices."

I cringed, immediately sending back a flustered emoji before typing: "You already knew what I was doing?"

His reply came surprisingly fast: "In these matters, I have more experience than you."

"Experience?" I typed back, confused.

"Mrs. Carter doesn't think I was nervous meeting her father?"

My cheeks flushed. I was about to send another emoji when I remembered he was supposed to be in a meeting. "Aren't you in a meeting right now?" I texted.

"Yes. One of the department heads is presenting. Boring."

"Pay attention to your meeting!" I chided him. "Do your employees know their CEO texts during presentations?"

I put my phone down, smiling to myself despite the scolding.

Aiden returned at 5:30 that evening. I'd just finished practicing piano for two hours, my fingers still sore as I massaged them while walking into the hallway. When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I rushed to the landing.

There he stood in his perfectly tailored suit, making my heart skip like it always did.

"You're home!" I exclaimed, practically launching myself into his arms.

"How long did you practice?" he asked, holding me close.

"About two hours," I admitted, nuzzling against his chest. "What time are we leaving?"

"No rush. We'll head over at six."

"It's already 5:30! I need to put on makeup!" I pulled back, suddenly panicked.

"You look perfect without it," he said, one arm still curved around my waist while his other hand gently massaged my sore fingers.

"I need to look my best!" I insisted, wiggling out of his embrace. "I'm going to get ready!"

Before he could respond, I'd already dashed toward our bedroom, my floral dress swishing behind me.

With time ticking away, I kept my makeup light—just enough BB cream, slightly darkened eyebrows for a more alert look, and a swipe of Dior 001 lipstick for a natural enhancement. I'd picked out an ivory pencil dress earlier, which I paired with gold sandals. The outfit struck that perfect balance of sweet yet sophisticated—ideal for meeting family.

By the time we arrived at his uncle's house, it was already 6:30, and my fingers felt cold with nervousness.

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