Sebastian's eyes bore into hers. His eyes travelled down her body and back up, he took all of her in.
The hairs on Aryanna's arm raised as Sebastian openly perused her. Her whole body tingled as his eyebrow lifted and his lips turned up slightly. Indicating that he liked what he saw.
Aryanna felt him watching her intensely as she took her seat between Clara and Henifer. Sebastian had a clear view from his chair by Aaron's side. Aryanna grinned as a crazy idea struck her mind.
She knew that her cleavage looked fantastic in her dress. Aryanna intentionally dropped her black clutch near her chair. She slowly bent down to retrieve it. Giving Sebastian a full, long view of her dangling breasts nearly breaking out of her dress.
Aryanna had the satisfaction of watching his mouth fall open as she rose back up. She locked eyes with him, to let him know that the show was exclusively for him.
The waiters came by and delivered numerous delicacies and drinks on the table. Leaving room for the guests to choose from the variety of dishes what they wanted to have.
Aryanna attempted to make small talk with Clara and Henifer but her mind drifted off to Sebastian. Her husband's eyes were like a magnet for her eyes, every time Aryanna looked up at him, he was openly looking at her.
He looked at her like she was the only woman in the room. Which made Aryanna feel beautiful, and sexy.
"The Kincade family's save our endangered forest gala is proceeding quite splendly. I'm honored at the turn out, " A young man took the microphone. "I hope you'll enjoy the party and donate to this selfless cause," he added.
Aryanna applauded. She recognised the man who spoke, he was Raul Kincade. The eldest son of Richard Kincade, an influential hotelier. The most eligible bachelor in the city now that Sebastian was married.
The Kincade family were the third richest family in the city. With the Leerstrom family topping the chart in wealth and influence. Aryanna followed his news on the media, she was impressed by his kindness and his charisma. He was one of the souls in Lavena that cared about the less fortunate.
Sebastian and Henifer looked askanced at Raul. Their expression didn't go unnoticed by Aryanna. She put her hands down and stopped applauding her icon.
Aryanna was tempted to ask what the deal was between them and Raul but held back her words. It was a family matter and she felt it inappropriate to bring it up in front of Clara and Aaron.
She dished out a plate of fried rice and chicken wings. As she picked up her spoon, the fork fell off the table. Aryanna bent down to pick it up, Sebastian stretched his hand across the table to hold the edge of the table.
Aryanna rushed to rise back up, her head grazed Sebastian's hand. She looked up at him. He saved her from hitting her head on the table. Aryanna caught him frowning at Raul who was delivering a speech on the stage.
She smiled, despite his distraction, he didn't waste an opportunity to look out for her. Aryanna felt honored, it was the first time she met someone so romantic and caring towards her. It melted her heart.
"Wow, how romantic! " Clara exclaimed. "I had no idea you were so cute, " she let out fangirling at Sebastian.
"I'm seated right here, honey, " Aaron feigned a pout.
"Sorry, love. You know that you're my superman, " Clara playfully apologised. She winked and blew a kiss to her husband.
Sebastian drew his hand back and massaged his temples. His mood worsening by the minute. Aryanna took note and leaned next to Clara's ear, "Switch seats with me. "
Clara traced a gaze between her and Sebastian. She read the situation and understood what Aryanna wanted to do. Clara quickly agreed to the request and she moved over to sit between Henifer and her husband, Aaron.
To give Aryanna a chance to talk to Sebastian and some privacy. "That was nice of you, " Aaron said softly.
Clara beamed. A blush crept to her cheeks. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach and dished out a plate of food.
Aryanna moved her food over and changed her seat. When she gave her attention back to Sebastian, she found his eyes were riveted on her.
There were plenty of women at the gala, so the way he focused his attention on her sent a thrill down Aryanna's spine.
"Are you alright, husband? "
"Hmmm, " Sebastian hummed completely engrossed in her beauty. "I'm great. "
Aryanna knew the latter to be true. Sebastian hasn't been fine since he caught sight of Raul. His attention was focused on her but the lines between his eyebrow was yet to dissipate.
She opened her mouth to insist on her query, a handsome, older gentleman walked up to Sebastian interrupting her train of thought. He whispered something to Sebastian's ear.
Sebastian nodded at his words. He gave Aryanna a quick wink, rose from his seat and followed the man.
As they walked off together, Aryanna looked at their shoulders and their walking style and decided the man was likely Sebastian's brother or close cousin.
Since Sebastian was busy and Henifer was occupied with Clara and Aaron. Aryanna excused herself from the table to find the powder room.
Once inside, she locked the door and checked her appearance in the mirror.
Her face was flushed red from Sebastian's intense gaze. I reached into my clutch to take out my phone. I leaned back against the sink and went online to see if I can find some scandal involving the national fairy, Raul and her husband.
She searched the net for a while but nothing came up. No article or news that puts the two in the same room let alone anything that give her a hint on why Sebastian hated Raul.
Aryanna gave up on the idea and set her phone in her clutch. She stared at her reflection one more time before turning around to head out.
One of the toilet doors opened and someone stepped out. Instinctively Aryanna snapped her head back to take in the identity of the person. Her eyes widen with surprise as Leah came into her view.
"Leah! "
Leah shot her gaze up at the mention of her name. She froze, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on her. Leah backed away from Aryanna and ran her hand over her hair.
"What are you doing here? " Aryanna registered the shock of seeing Leah at the gala. "Did you follow me here, " it hit her, Leah heard Henifer confirming their attendance at the gala. It was possible that Leah followed her to cause trouble for her.
"You aren't the center of the universe, Aryanna, " Leah dismissed the accusation.
She straightened her knee-length off shoulder dress. Leah walked up to the sink and washed her hands.
"How do you explain your presence here at the gala? "
Leah stared at Aryanna through the mirror. She released a frustrated sigh. "Belet is my mother's family name, I use it to stay low-key while I establish my career," Leah disclosed. "The name on my ID card is Leah Alessia Medrano, " she lazily divulged.
The news hit Aryanna like ice cold water, she shivered. Leah's last name was all too familiar to her. It was the Surname her mother died trying to obtain, it was the name of her father.
"Yes, Aryanna. I am Henrik Medrano's legitimate daughter, " Leah dried her hands. "Your mother hurt my family so much. I will never forgive her or you for everything my mother and I have been through, " she coldly declared.
Everything suddenly made sense. Aryanna got to understand where Leah's hatred for her came from. Leah hated her for her mother's sins and tried to destroy her to even the score. Aryanna felt a pang in her chest.
It was the first time she met someone from her father's family. It was far from how she pictured an encounter with a Medrano. Learning Leah's true identity left a sour taste in her mouth. Another victim of her mother's actions.
"I didn't follow you here. My family got an invitation to attend the gala. The Medrano family might not be as wealthy as the Leerstrom but we do make the giants of this country, " Leah ambled towards Aryanna.
Aryanna took a step back defensively. Leah scarred her soul with her acts against her. Aryanna was yet to heal from the wounds the girl inflicted on her with Carlos's help. She naturally feared Leah.
"You can dress in fancy clothes and hold Sebastian's hand all you want. But the truth is, which you can't change even if you wanted to, you'll never be able wash away the stain of your mother's sins. It'll follow you for the rest of your life,
" she added and walked out of the washroom.