The chattering lowly begins to die down, quiet whispers could be heard as they walked through the hall,her hand in his arm. Red could feel the eyes burning on her skin, boring into her soul,studying her as they wondered "who is she".
Aiden guided her through the wondering and curious guests. Bowing his head and offering brief greetings to his guests as they passed. Some, taken aback by the sight to even give a reasonable respond back.
He stopped at a table, of a group of four, standing and chatting.
"Apologies, It seems I've arrived late to my own event. I'm afraid I was monetarily distracted by a certain pressing matter", he said, giving her hand a quick, gentle squeeze. On queue, Red plastered a broad smile that made her face ache.
I hope it doesn't look fake,or scary
She thought to herself, trying to look as normal and collected as she possibly can.
"I can see that", a short man who appeared to be in his 60s, wearing a white tuxedo answered, giving a small amused smile at the both of them.
"Well, I'll be", whistled another man at the table, Also suprised as he stared at the couple standing in front of them. But, like everyone else, his main focus was on the mysterious woman, who was clutching Aiden's arm dearly, attempting to smile as sweetly as she could, although she was as nervous as could be.
"Aiden", a matured pretty woman smiled sweetly at him.
"Aunty", he kissed her on her cheeks, "you look as breathtaking as always".
Oh God...his Aunty???
Red thought to herself.
"Aren't you going to introduce us to your...friend?", She smiled warmly at Red.
"Ah yes, forgive me,where are my manners. Isabelle, allow me to introduce you to my associates", Aiden spoke softly to Red.
"This", he gestured to the old short man in a white tux, "is Dr Greg Rayman,a dear friend of my family and i, and brilliant neurologist".
The man beamed proudly, trying to appear a little taller than he actually was, taking Red's hand and placing a kiss on it. She could see the top of his head, and she knew for a fact the hair on his head was not his,but a toupee, looking slightly out of place. She was tempted to reach out and push it back in place, just to amuse herself.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance"
The man greeted.
"Likewise", she offered a small smile.
"This, is Mr Phill Billman,the brilliant mind behind the viral OC3 computer chips and the CEO of Nexarion Technologies". The man who appeared to be in his late 40s nodded, raising his glass to her.
"This is Sue Reshman, Co-founder of Ray's cosmetics, my business partner and... my beloved, forever-young, dear aunt", he beamed at her.
"Oh, you", She slapped his arm playfully. They appeared close.
"I'm not that young I'm afraid. Pay no mind to him dear, this one likes to tease me", she laughed, walking towards Red to give her air kisses on both sides of her cheeks.
"It's a delight to meet you dear, Oh you're stunning!", She beamed at Red.
"Thank you", Red smiled genuinely and nervously at her, as she reciprocated, kissing the air at her cheeks too.
She felt refined and posh!
"And this, is Elena Lévêque".
Aiden did the last introduction, gesturing to a stunning young woman. Beautiful and sophisticated. She did not smile at all, she had a cold demeanor around her that immediately made it clear to Red that this woman did not like her.
"Miss Lévêque,is a model and fashion designer with the famous Roux fashion and clothing line", He added.
Red wasn't even surprise. A woman with such beautiful curves and bold,elegant features was definitely going to have her foot in the fashion industry.
The longer Red looked at her,the more she realized, she recognized her. She had seen her on several magazine covers and shows.
She gave Red a curt nod, before taking a small sip of her champagne.
"I'd like to introduce you all, to miss Isabelle Aisling", he smiled, putting his hand on the small of her back as he introduced her to the group.
Red forced a smile at him, trying to play along with the facade of familiarity. This brought more nearby chattering from people watching them.
"Miss Aisling and I go way back, right from our university days at Standford, She's a renowned jewelry appraiser and collector and dare I say, a skillful one at that", he smirked wickedly at Red, who shot him a look, knowing fully well the joke he was making at her expense. At that moment, she wanted to slap him so bad. He knew what he had just done.
"I've never seen my nephew with a date at any of these events!", His aunt Sue exclaimed. She was definitely a woman with a bubbly personality. "Do tell us dear, what was Aiden like, as a student,you know,he never did say much about his university days".
"Oh you know, he hasn't changed a bit, still the same old, arrogant, charming fellow he was back then, he is something else alright", she gave a tight fake smile and the others followed laughing at what she had said.
all except Elena Lévêque
"She really knows you alot Aiden!", Mr Phill Billman laughed, shaking his head.
"Oh?, If I recall,you found me quite dashing and thought I was quite the charmer", he grinned at her, As their slient exchanged went on.
"Did I?, I highly doubt that", she smiled back at him. "You were rather egolistic".
"Ohh..but you did"
"Your memories are something else", she pretended to laugh.
"oh miss Aisling, and you're indeed a character, selective amensia", Aiden grinned at her, trying to control himself, he plastered a fake smile on his face, holding her dearly and closely to his side, like she wasn't a miniature devil at all. It was evident, she was always going to try to push, and challenge him, and he was a hundred percent ready to fire back, he sure wasn't going to let her win.
"why you...", she cooed pretending to laugh again, her left eye slightly twitching in annoyance, barely unnoticeable.
"Wow, you too really...must know each other", Elena said sarcastically, without smiling as she took another sip from her glass.
It was until then, Red and Aiden fully became aware and reminded that they were still in the midst of people.
One of them gave a small fake cough. "You guys really do have one hell of a tension, I'll give you that".
"I like her!", Aunt Sue laughed, reaching out to hold Red's hand. "you Know what I think Isabelle?, We're going to get along just fine,You and me". She beamed.
And Red could immediately tell, she was going to like her.
"If you'll excuse us, sadly Miss Aisling insist on retiring early, back to her hotel, she has had a long flight and is quite exhausted, but thankfully she decided to grace us with her beauty and....wit", Aiden said, hinting at Red that it was time to go as he pulled her closer to his side.
"I'm afraid so", she replied, resting her hand on his chest. Playing along with the whole familiarity act. "it was a pleasure meeting all of you", she waved at them, as they turned to leave.
" I hope to see you again, Soon dear", aunt Sue waved back.
As they walked away, Aiden whispered to Red, with a smirk.
"She'll be seeing a whole lot more of you".
.
.
This was just the beginning..