Aryanna splashed cool water on her face. She wiped her face with a damp paper towel. She attempted to fix her appearance and mask the fact that she'd been crying.
She touched up her make-up and vowed to steer clear of Leah and her family at the party. Aryanna didn't want a scene to be created over a chapter she wished closed the day her mother died.
Aryanna returned to fairy forest room. Her eyes were immediately drawn to Leah who stood next to Carlos with a bevy of ladies making small talk with her.
Leah had her arm possessively curved around Carlos. Aryanna shook my head, had it not been Sebastian inviting her to the Devonte party, she would've been seated at home in front of a screen waiting on Carlos to reach out to her. Oblivious to his relationship with Leah or that Leah was her stepsister.
Aryanna was immensely grateful to Sebastian. He played a big role in opening her eyes to the truth.
"There she is, " Sebastian approached Aryanna. He had a dark-haired beauty with him.
The girl's enormous jade eyes were accentuated with long eyelashes. She was stunning in her floor-length midnight black gown.
Aryanna recognised the family resemblance immediately. "Aryanna, she's my baby sister Jalana. Jalana, my wife Aryanna, " Sebastian formally introduced his sister and wife to each other.
"My brother has told me all about you, Arya. It's great to meet you," Jalana extended her hand and flashed a dazzling smile at her sister-in-law.
Jalana seemed friendly and kind. She looked so much like Henifer, her compassion was a reflection of her mother's good upbringing.
"All good things I hope, " Aryanna shook her hand. She felt a rush of excitement at meeting Sebastian's sister. Watching Sebastian stand next to Jalana in his dashing tuxedo nearly took her breath away.
"Well... That's our little secret, " she grinned at Sebastian before adding. "I know all of his secrets. Let me know if you're interested in his biography, " he winked cheekily at Aryanna.
"Don't even! " Sebastian playfully threatened.
"I'm going to find mother. I'll see you lovebirds later, " she waved goodbye to Aryanna. She kissed her brother's cheek and turned around to leave.
Sebastian grabbed her arm and paused her in her tracks. "Don't think that you can get away that easily. You can't brush this matter under the rug by avoiding me," Sebastian uttered coldly in a tone barely above a whisper.
It was clear by Sebastian's expression that he was upset with his sister. He did his best to hide it but Aryanna saw through his mask.
"I'm not going to apologize for what I did, Seb. I followed my heart and I won't let you judge me for it, " Jalana yanked his hand away and steadily walked away.
"Let's dance, " Sebastian invited with a smile. Aryanna accepted the invitation half-heartedly.
Alot of things plagued her mind. Sebastian's issue with Raul Kincade, his fight with his sister, her stepsister Leah and Carlos. It felt like the walls were closing in on her from all sides.
Sebastian whisked her to the dancefloor. Aryanna spent the next few songs with her head his slightly broad shoulders. Relishing the feeling of being enveloped in his arms. Her body acutely aware of the places Sebastian touched.
The nerve endings in her hand, lower back and waist were all teeming with activity. Aryanna slowed her breathing, she attempted to mask her feeling but the rest of her body betrayed her.
Carlos watched Sebastian moving to the slow dance with Aryanna and a twinge of jealousy took hold of his heart. He had to admit that Aryanna looked gorgeous on her polished look. He noticed her beauty and charm only when she was in another man's arms.
He didn't take any initiative to mask the jealousy in his eyes. He openly watched Aryanna and wished to be in Sebastian's shoe.
Aryanna was his to begin with, Carlos didn't see why Sebastian should have her. He pulled out from Leah's hold. He sauntered over to the dance floor, his gaze mesmerized by Aryanna's beauty.
She paled in comparison to her previous self that waitered at the coffee shop. The elegant dress and diamond jewelry suited her. Aryanna gave off the aura of someone who was born to lead a lavish lifestyle.
Aryanna felt Carlos was near before she saw or heard him. "May I can in, " Carlos's voice was deep and clear.
Sebastian frowned. Aryanna's eyebrows creased together, her whole body tensed, she was overly appalled by his lack of shame.
"Can I have one dance, Arya? It's for our endangered forest."
Aryanna, Sebastian and Leah we're stunned by his request. Carlos's confidence in that moment was nothing short of astounding.
"Don't be mean Sebastian. It's just a dance for charity, " one of the guests spoke up.
Sebastian gritted his teeth. He gave a mock bow to Carlos and Aryanna and walked away. Aryanna was aware of the tension radiating from Sebastian, her dance with Carlos was going to add to the number of things that upsets him tonight.
Aryanna wished to be Sebastian's peace and not a reason for his discomfort. She stared unblinkingly at her husband's retreating back with a heavy heart.
Carlos perused her body from head to toe, and then back up again. Aryanna felt disgusted by his stare. Her beauty was exclusively for Sebastian and no one else. Her body with anger under Carlos's intense gaze.
Aryanna's guts twisted into knots when Carlos's eyes paused at her breast. Which she knew was slightly visible to his eyes. She felt dirty. He licked his lips and smirked.
Carlos held open his arms in invitation, lifted his brows and said, "Shall we? "
Aryanna didn't want to be in his arms again but she couldn't cause a scene. Carlos's eyes twinkled as he sensed Aryanna's reluctance to comply to his invitation.
The bastard was enjoying making her uncomfortable. "I'll do it tonight. I've gotten the promotion and it's a cause for celebration. I'm certain I can lure my way to her bed as a reward for my hard work, " Carlos's words of assurance to Leah from the night of the Devonte party echoed in her head.
Aryanna's mind screamed as she vowed not to let him see how much he affected her.
She stiffened herself into a formal dance pose. As Carlos expertly guided her across the dance floor.
Aryanna's eyes scanned the room, desperate to look anywhere but at Carlos. Carlos drew her close, forcing Aryanna to inhale sharply. "You're so beautiful, Arya. I can't seem to keep my eyes from looking at you, drawing all of you in with a mere glance, " he uttered near Aryanna's ear.
"I don't care, " she snarled a response.
"I know you don't love Sebastian, Arya. It's me that you love with all of your heart. So why don't you stop this act of being his wife and come to me, " Carlos spoke out.
Aryanna shot him a glare. Carlos had the audacity to grin at her reaction and continued. "I know that you're doing all this drama to get my attention. You have it, so end this game you're playing. "
"Have you lost your mind? " Aryanna spluttered. Then she lifted her chin and refused to let Carlos push her buttons. "For your information, I'm not playing any games. I am married to Sebastian and I intend to faithfully honor our relationship, " she confidently let out.
Carlos leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "You don't have to put on an act for me. I can tell you're with him for his money and to make me jealous, " Carlos said.
Aryanna's mouth fell open. Her eyes felt like they might pop out of her head. "Get lost, Carlos, " Aryanna whirled away from him, she made her way towards Sebastian. "Carlos is worse than a pig! " she complained.