Marrying The Billionaire

One Year Earlier.

"I'm sure Daniz won't expect the surprise I'm about to give him," Riana murmured softly, looking satisfied with herself after decorating her boyfriend Daniz's television room. Today, the man she had been dating for two years was celebrating his birthday. Riana had prepared a surprise by secretly visiting Daniz's apartment while he was at work this afternoon. Earlier, she had lied about being sick and apologized for not being able to join him for a special dinner on his birthday.

Since Riana had a spare key to Daniz's apartment, she could freely visit without his knowledge. She had prepared various decorations and a birthday cake to support the surprise.

With full concentration, Riana set everything up – decorating and transforming the TV room into a romantic place for an intimate dinner.

After everything was neatly arranged according to her plan, it was time for Riana to get ready. While waiting for Daniz to return, she dimmed the lights and hid in a corner of the room.

Thirty minutes passed, and according to the schedule, Daniz finally came home. Riana felt anxious and excited from her hiding place, impatiently waiting to see his reaction to the surprise she had carefully prepared.

However, it seemed her hopes were dashed. Instead of surprising Daniz, Riana surprised herself. She witnessed her boyfriend entering the apartment while embracing a seductive woman. They kissed, and Daniz even carried the woman and gently laid her on the sofa.

"No need to rush, why don't you take a shower first, and then we can have dinner together?" the woman said in between their kisses. She even helped Daniz unbutton his work shirt, revealing his muscular upper body.

"Not in the mood," the man replied. "I miss you so much, Tasya Adelina. I just want to feast on you," Daniz teased, planting short kisses on the woman's lips and neck. "Or maybe we should shower together?"

Tasya laughed and playfully glared at him. "No way! What if your girlfriend finds out?"

Daniz shook his head. "No chance she'll find out. Riana said she's sick. I invited her for dinner, but she couldn't make it. She's always making excuses and causing trouble."

"Yeah, why are you still with her then? I heard you two are even planning to get engaged, right?"

Daniz nodded. "You know how it is with Arab families. They like to arrange marriages for their children. My parents intentionally arranged this with her to preserve our lineage. Besides, I'm willing to accept the arrangement because she's wealthy. She has been supporting me financially for a while. It would be a waste to let her go just like that."

"And funny enough, you use the money she gives you to treat me." They both laughed. "You're so wicked, Za," the woman teased.

"What can I do? I've loved you all along."

In her hiding spot, Riana tried to hold back her tears. It hurt so much to hear all the conversations between her boyfriend and his lover, but she tried to keep her emotions in check and continued listening in silence.

"Then, if you really marry her, what will happen to us, Za? We can't be together anymore, can we?" Tasya's face suddenly looked sad, and she seemed skilled at pulling at Daniz's heartstrings.

"Don't worry; you'll always be the one I love the most," Daniz confidently replied. "I'll still visit your apartment regularly."

Tasya smiled happily and pulled Daniz closer. Without hesitation, she hugged and kissed him, and Daniz let it happen, seemingly enjoying the intimacy.

"I just don't want to break up with you," the woman said again.

Daniz shook his head, using his hand to move a strand of hair covering Tasya's cheek. "I could never leave you, my dear. Besides, Riana is so complicated and overly religious. She won't even sleep with me like you do. She considers it a sin, saying it's not the right time. Such a hypocritical woman. She refuses to enjoy life. Besides, she's still stuck in those old-fashioned beliefs."

As they both laughed again, Riana decided to reveal herself. She switched on the light, which was close to her hiding position, and the room suddenly became bright.

Daniz and Tasya, realizing Riana's presence, were shocked. Moreover, they were now half-naked.

"Riana, I-I can explain this—"

"Enough!" Riana interrupted Daniz. "I don't want to hear anything from you!" She pointed directly at his face. Oh, sorry, correction. Perhaps Riana no longer considered Daniz her boyfriend.

"Riana, but this is not how you think it is. All of this—"

"Enough, Za!" Riana emphasized. "You don't need to explain. I've heard everything."

Daniz stood up, not caring that his upper body was exposed without any cover. His main concern was to explain everything so that Riana would listen to him.

"I apologize; what you heard isn't true."

Riana stepped back cautiously and deliberately avoided getting closer to where he stood.

"Here, I should be the one apologizing because it turns out I'm not up to your taste. But don't worry, I'll ask Dad to cancel our engagement plans immediately. And as for our relationship, we better end it today."

"No, Riana!" Daniz shook his head. "I don't want to break up with you."

"Whatever," Riana replied quickly. "If you don't want to break up, that's not my concern. The important thing is, from now on, I consider us to have no relationship at all."

****

Riana let out a long sigh and brought her hand to gently massage her aching chest. Once again, tonight she had a terrible dream, a dream she had been trying to bury deep inside her for a long time.

Remembering the event from a year ago when she caught her boyfriend being affectionate with another woman, Riana felt her own trauma. Because of that incident, she had tightly closed her heart to any other man, including Rayyen, the guy who was currently close to her. She was afraid that the old wounds she had tried so hard to bury would resurface and shatter her life once again.

"Why?"