The ambiance of the room took a positive turn. Aryanna ceased to give Leah and Carlos attention. She focused on her husband as she let Dyana attend to her hands and feet.
The memory of her wedding day lingered in her head. She cherished her fortune for granting her a chance to run into Sebastian. The opportunity brought dreams to her doorstep she previously didn't dare to have.
Faber grabbed a seat next to Aryanna. He brought his tablet along with him, he opened the employee's files and one by one, introduced them to Aryanna. Her training as the new boss started immediately.
Aryanna gave her attention to Faber, she tried get level best to keep up with the information the man let out.
Her mother-in-law and husband entrusted her with such a big responsibility. It was up to her to prove that their faith in her wasn't misplaced. With the ring on her finger, Aryanna felt empowered to take on the world, one day at a time.
Henifer watched Aryanna and Sebastian drown at work. The image melted her heart. Her face lit up, her son found a person to help him shoulder his responsibilities. She trusted Aryanna would melt Sebastian's shell and bring out his inner child. To help Sebastian be more at ease with the world and learn to live his life to the fullest.
Aryanna stole glances at her husband on occasions in the session. She chooses a red gel application, the color of allure with silver floral petal art. Aryanna felt alive, free, and happy. Emotions that gave her security but also fed on her insecurity. Her new life was surreal.
She started down to her fingers. The lines on her palm came into her view, her fate plagued her mind. Whether happily ever after awaited her at the end of the road or a devastating heartbreak remained unknown.
"What is Sebastian like?" Aryanna asked Faber.
Faber subconsciously shot a gaze at Sebastian for a moment before bringing his focus back to Aryanna.
"He isn't the type to get a manicure and pedicure service, in truth," Faber informed Aryanna. His boss usually accompanies his mother during her spa days. But he rarely let anyone touch him, it surprised Faber to see Sebastian letting someone cut and trim his nails.
Sebastian hated being touched, talking too much, being the center of attention, and having someone cling to him. Faber wondered how long he was going to entertain Aryanna. Touch seemed to be Aryanna's love language and that went in contrast with Sebastian.
"That can't be true, " Aryanna played Faber's answer as a joke.
"It's true. Sir hates skin contact with other people, " Dyana chipped in. "This is the first time I've seen someone get so close. "
Aryanna traced her line of sight to get her husband. Sebastian had his glasses on and was focused on his tablet while the nail tech attended to his feet. Rubbing spa salt over his leg to his knees to remove the dead cells on his skin.
He appeared studious in his pose. It came naturally to him, Aryanna's heart skipped a beat. She drew a long breath and held it, afraid her breathing would ruin the perfect picture of her husband's presence. She tried not to freak out when Sebastian raised his eyes from his tablet to glance at her.
"Is everything alright? "
Aryanna lowered her head. Shying away from his gaze, her cheeks burning from the embarrassment of being caught staring.
"That's new too, " Faber whispered to her. "Sebastian isn't the type of man to worry about others, " he added. Dyana nodded to confirm what Faber said. Aryanna doubted the person she met and the one Faber and Dyana talked of were the same.
Sebastian showed concern for her since the moment they met. He treated her better than any man she encountered in her life.
"I'm here too. Won't you ask if I'm alright? " Henifer teased Sebastian.
Sebastian scoffed. "Are you alright, Mom? " he asked playing along to her tease.
"Aryanna comes first. I get it, " Henifer feigned a pout.
"The Angel Foundation charity gala, " Sebastian changed the subject. "Are you attending? "
Henifer leaned back on the seat and sighed. She hated the idea of attending the gala and has been avoiding talking about it. The aim of the gala was honorable but the people hosting it made her blood boil with anger.
"I don't want anything that puts me in the same room as them. I won't be able to control myself, " She let out.
"Faber, call them and inform them that we'll make a money contribution but won't be in attendance, " Sebastian crossed it out of his schedule.
"The Angel Foundation gala, " Aryanna's eyes sparkled as she registered the topic of discussion. She read about such gala and saw pictures of them online. Aryanna often memorized the picture and mirrored herself at the gala with a beautiful dress and a prince by her side to take on the first dance of the night.
Sebastian set down his tablet and took in her mesmerizing look. Suddenly, he had the urge to go to the gala and see Aryanna come alive the whole night.
"I'll call them right away, " Faber took out the office phone from his pocket.
"Hold that thought, Faber, " Henifer stopped him. "My son and daughter-in-law will attend the gala to represent the Lerstrom family. "
Aryanna broke from her daze when she heard Henifer's decision. Her smile stretched from ear to ear. Her eyes glimmered with joy. Her imagination was becoming a reality and it left her breathless.
"Tell me you're joking, " Sebastian's smile fell.
"Aryanna wants to go. It will make her happy to attend the gala, " Henifer enlightened Sebastian. "Can't you endure one night in a room with them for her? "
".... "
Sebastian was speechless. He clenched his fist and put his focus back on his tablet.
Leah squinted her eyes, she was in disbelief over all she saw and heard. Aryanna was getting the world at her feet without lifting a finger. Leah flinched back and frowned in envy. Aryanna's happiness made her insides coil. 'I am the original and she's the fake. Only I deserve to be happy, ' she thought bitterly and stormed out of the room.