The more you care, the more it hurts.

Janet didn't expect such a response. She didn't get anything to rebuff and asked straight, "Then why are you rejecting without even knowing about me?"

Aria had to respond as Alan wouldn't separate his pursed lips, "Ms.Miley! You are a strong woman. It may be your looks or your standpoint about marriage. But the Morgan industries or family doesn't need your company or family to boost themselves. We are looking life partner for President Morgan. Not a business deal between two families. Our morals are completely different. I hope you understand now."

Janet didn't reply. Alan held Aria and took her out.

Alan knew numerous dating history, problems of Janet and her viewpoint of relationship by the investigation. Given Aria's thoughts and morals about families, he was sure Aria would reject.

He loved the way she domineeringly overtook everything and how she handled ignoring the fact that she was the youngest between the trio.

"President Cooper is very Overbearing and Autocratic." He spoke after entering the elevator.

Aria glared at Alan, "Are you a scaredy-cat? Your date! And I have to speak." After a pause, she realized she just called Alan as timid.

"I didn't mean to say, you are sissy. I just said it since you didn't talk. I know you don't like to talk." She awkwardly smiled and bit her tongue.

Alan had already felt scaredy-cat was a critical hit, she even said sissy.

Feeling the unpleasant silence, Aria spoke again, "I didn't ask you whether you liked her or not. If you are interested in Janet Miley, I can still manage the situation."

He paid and moved towards the exit as he responded, "I don't like her. By the way, your views about marriage are impressive." He quickly changed the topic away from Janet.

Aria nodded, "But why do some families look at marriage as a business deal between two families? Are family status, stock rates, and business tie-ups are so important? Why can't they be happy with what they have and grow it by themselves?"

Alan opened the car door for her and he took his seat. He flicked on her nose, "Don't you think you are still young to think about this?"

Aria hummed and blamed him. "Because of you, it came to mind. Instead of worrying about my school works, here I'm thinking about marriage." She pouted looking away.

Alan chuckled and drove out of the restaurant...

He dropped her and left to his villa.

Aria explained whatever happened and asked Amelia to make sure, she was right and the Morgan family or business doesn't require any family for business tie-ups.

Aria was again teased by Rian, Noah, and Eva. Aria then spoke to Eva for hours before hanging up and stuffing her head in chemistry.

She couldn't understand why chemistry doesn't go to her head. She closed the books and went to bed soon.

--

In the following week, Elite won the second match. Rian and Noah didn't let Aria cheer as a cheerleader. Isla wasn't present.

On Saturday, they had the third match in a different city and they had to leave on Friday afternoon. Since the accommodation was done by the school, they didn't allow Aria or Eva or other non-players except the cheer girls.

Aria was informed that Alan had a lunch date on Saturday and Dinner date on Sunday. Having no choice she could only nod.

After sending Rian and Noah, Aria was on the way to class, she received a call from Rowan. The latter doesn't call for simple talk hence she quickly answered, "Uncle?"

"Aria! Where is Rian? His number is not reachable."

Aria frowned hearing Rowan's hurried voice. "Uncle! he just now left with the team. What's wrong? Shall I ask the teacher to drop Rian back?"

There was silence for a few seconds. Aria heard the housekeeper voice and started to get worried but Rowan spoke. "Aria! I and Amelia are going to check on Dad. He got a heart attack and admitted to the hospital, we just got a call. We wanted to take Rian and Alan but Alan is busy with the office work. Rian left... No need to inform about this to Rian. Let him play. If anything urgent, I will ask him to come in a different jet with Alan. Aria! Will you be fine alone at home until we return?"

Aria wasn't in a position to ask, 'shall I come?' as Rowan said they wanted to take Rian and Alan. So she replied as, "Don't worry about me, Uncle. I will be fine. You take care."

Rowan hung up after bidding her.

Eva approached Aria looking at her gazing at a distance lost in thoughts. "Arrie! Let's go."

Aria nodded, "Eva, want to a sleepover today?"

Eva didn't take it seriously and teased, "Oh ho! Are you sure you are calling me tonight? Aren't you scared I will eat you up?"

Aria covered her mouth, "You will die single if you flirt around so much and importantly, I will die single as boys will think you and me as... Somebody, please help this imbecile child."

She dragged Eva hearing her chuckles.

Aria many times stayed alone in her villa whenever Oliver was going on business trips. She was fine staying alone but after talking with Rowan, she felt bad for his father but she felt worse for herself.

She didn't want to stay alone thinking she might start crying so she asked Eva as Aria wasn't still allowed to go and stay over at other places because the reason behind her father, Oliver's car crash was still unknown.

She finished her class and went to the Morgan mansion. She had her dinner early before locking herself in her room. She finished her homework and tried to study chemistry but her mood didn't even let her understand a simple topic even after a very long time.

Failing many times, she took her sketchbook and tried to design. She left nearly fifteen sheets half done and threw away everything feeling her head heavy, she laid down before falling asleep in tears.

She knew Amelia and Rowan treated her like a daughter. But there was always a difference between being a daughter and being treated as a daughter. So even if she tried to feel the Morgan mansion-like home, it didn't become one and her villa where she stayed with Oliver felt like home as she lived there and had memories.

She had only two things in mind. 'Keep your emotions in check. The more you care, the more it hurts.'

--

Aria woke up early and cleaned her room first. She went for a jog instead of Aerial Hammock.

Alan had reached the Morgan mansion late night finishing his work on Rowan's request as Aria was alone. He finished his jog and was going inside when he saw Aria jogging in the estate.

He finished his forty-five minutes of workout in the gym and saw Aria still running around. He furrowed his brows not understanding why she was jogging so long.

He went downstairs and asked housekeeper, "Aunty Lilly! Does Aria jogs for more than an hour?"