Time seemed to slowly crawl by as Aryanna ascended the stairs. Her nerves kicked in high gear. 'Breathe, don't worry. You deserve to be happy, ' she reminded herself internally.
The dress chosen for the occasion gave her the extra boost of confidence she needed to face the night. Henifer was her escort to the gala, Sebastian got held back at work and promised to meet them at the gala.
Aryanna didn't mind Henifer as her companion. She was the warmest person ever and having her there helped ease Aryanna's nerves. She simply hated the fact that Henifer had to set aside her feelings to accommodate her.
Henifer had them arrive a half an hour after the event started to slip in unnoticed. They arrived at the entrance, Aryanna reached for her invitation card to give to the lady at the check-in.
"Oh, no, " Henifer stopped her. "I'm Henifer Leerstrom, my name and presence is enough to get through any door, " she let out.
She held Aryanna's hand amd marched right in to the party. No one stopped her or asked her any questions. Aryanna's eyes lit up in awe. It must be nice to be able to walk through any door without worry of being stopped or called back.
"Get used to it. Soon everyone will know you and you won't need to introduce yourself to anyone. Your name will open every door in this city, " she assured Aryanna.
Aryanna felt overwhelmed. Having a powerful name offered her protection against people who wish to harm her. But it put her in the spotlight and in the public eye and there was nothing more scary than having multitude of Lavena watching her.
She knew they'd be able to tell that she wasn't meant for the life she had and would tear her apart for it.
The great room had been transformed into a sparkling fairy forest. The effect was quite magical, Aryanna's jaw dropped.
Five foot tall mushrooms painted red with white polka dots were scattered around the room. Giant colourful butterflies dangled from the ceiling.
The entire room had an overhang of moss that draped between enormous trees towering over everything.
Being in a room with the whos who in Lavena made Aryanna's knee almost buckle. There were what to be appeared to be a million twinkling light glimmering from all angles of the room.
Aryanna gasped and took in the amazing transformation of the room. It seemed as though she walked into a fairy forest and about to be sent on a magical adventure.
"Good evening, Henifer, " a woman approached them. Henifer frowned at her presence.
Aryanna's eyes slowly travelled down her body and back to meet her eyes .The woman wore a black dress and adorned pearls on her ears, neck, and wrists.
She stood straight with the grace and elegance of a sophisticated woman from a prestigious family.
Her appearance resembled Henifer's from head to toe. Expect for the colour palette of their outfits, they were twinning. Henifer donned a white dress which matched her white pearls.
Aryanna was stunned. The beautiful graceful woman copied her mother-in-law's appearance flawlessly.
"Monica!"
"What do you think, " Monica asked pointing at the amazing decoration.
"It's a good party, Monica, " Henifer answered. "I didn't expect any less. Parties happen to be your speciality, but let me raise a question. After all is done and guests have left, what would you have left if not a bunch of empty tables? " she coldly delivered a sharp right hook.
"This is a charity event. I'm doing this... "
"To seek the attention of a man who can't be bothered with you otherwise, right, " her left hook cut deep in Monica's heart.
Aryanna held her breathe. Henifer facing off against Monica was different from the person she's known so far to be her mother-in-law. Aryanna didn't know Henifer had it in her to break someone with her words.
"That's not very nice, Henifer. I was kind enough to extend an invitation to you and your family out of respect... "
"You had no choice but to invite us. Let's be honest, it isn't worth a talk unless the Lerstrom's attend, " Henifer's upper claw took a shot at Monica and hit the target. "This charity gala got meaning the second I walked in with my daughter-in-law. Don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise, " she added.
Monica swallowed the lump in her throat hard. She clenched her fists on her dress and held her tongue. Monica refrained from striking back, she knew that Henifer was being soft on her because of Aryanna. The woman she knew would do much worse that cocky commentary when provoked.
"I heard Sebastian got married. I didn't get an invitation or else I would've made it to your wedding, Aryanna, " Monica addressed Aryanna.
"It's alright Ms. Monica, " Aryanna responded politely.
"I got you a wedding gift. I'll give it to you later, I hope you won't mind, right? "
"No.. Not at a... "
"She will mind, Monica. My daughter-in-law doesn't need pocket change from you, she already has everything, " Henifer cut in. "We'll find a table, excuse us, " she pulled Aryanna away with her.
Monica gritted her teeth in anger. She watched Henifer's retreating figure. Monica felt envious of Henifer, the woman got everything without having to work hard for it. While she worked so hard and still she couldn't hold a candle to Henifer's status. She stormed off in anger.
"Aunt Henifer, over here, " a young lady waved them over.
"Clara, my darling. How have you been? " Henifer greeted Clara with a kiss on the cheek. Clara gave her a hug, it lasted a few seconds before she pulled back.
"Where do I start. My mom is crazy and Monica won't slow down, " Clara informed. "Between the two of them fighting for uncle's favour, I see myself suffering from high blood pressure in a few years, " she complained.
"Don't say that, sweetheart, " Henifer comforted her.
"Why would you get blood pressure when I'm here, " A man approached from the next table.
"Aaron, you look well, " Henifer stated acknowledging his presence.
"My wife takes great care of me, " Aaron let out, he leaned down and locked lips with Clara in a snap kiss.
"This is Aryanna, Sebastian's wife and my daughter-in-law, " Henifer gave an introduction for Aryanna to the couple.
"Hi, " Aryanna softly greeted Clara and Aaron.
"Oh, she's the sweetest. Where did you find her, she's so cute! " Clara exclaimed. In no second, she made her way to Aryanna and gave her a warm hug. "I'm a hugger, and you are so lovely, " she complimented Aryanna.
"You look gorgeous too, " Aryanna uttered.
"Let's be best friends, " Clara proposed on the spot.
"Where is your son. Didn't Sebastian come with you? " Aaron asked Henifer.
"Yeah, Auntie. I was looking forward to finally meeting Sebastian. I've heard about him but never got around to see him. Is he coming? " Clara asked.
Before Henifer could respond, a commotion attracted their attention. Aryanna knew that Sebastian had arrived because the ladies sitting across from her stopped talking and gazed at him.
Sebastian walked up to their table and grinned at Aryanna. "You're even more beautiful that I remember, Ari, " he pecked Aryanna's cheek.
Aryanna turned red from his compliment and show of affection. "You don't look too bad yourself, " Aryanna whispered.
Clara walked behind Sebastian, she fanned herself with a hand. 'He's a keeper, ' she silently mouthed to Aryanna.
Aryanna couldn't disagree with her. Sebastian looked like a greek god in his hand-made tuxedo tailored to fit him to perfection.
His coat was slightly opened, showcasing his white shirt that was right enough to show off his flat abs. He looked scrumptious that Ayanna's mouth watered.
"How have you been, Aaron, " Sebastian recognized Aaron's presence.
"I'm great, you? " Aaron shook hands with Sebastian.
"Never been better. This is my wife, Aryanna," he presented his wife in front of Aaron. "Aryanna, Aaron is my closest friend, " he brought up.
"Nice to meet you, Aaron," Aryanna said.
"Pleasure is all mine," Aaron flashed Aryanna a friendly smile. "She's Clara, my wife," Aaron made known to Sebastian.
"Sorry, I didn't make it to your wedding," Sebastian apologized.
"Likewise, " Aaron and Clara chimed.
The three of them let out a soft laugh. Everyone got to know each other a little but more.
"Your aura is absolutely radiant. You fit right in, " Sebastian remarked to his wife.