Chapter5:Dinners&JealousExes
1628 Words
VIVIENNE
“Well, I do hope you’re not thinking about pushing it,” Adam asked, peering at me as he poured a drink for himself. We were at my private house. It was one of the properties I had secretly bought because there were times I desperately needed space from Mom and her antics.
“Well, I am.”
“No, no, no…”
“No, you listen to me.” I got up and stood in front of him, “Julian publicly humiliated me. Have you seen the news? Have you looked at the comments? This is ruining my father’s campaign. People are talking and you know how my mother is about image. That’s all she cares about. Do you have any idea what I go through in that house?” I yelled, just so he would understand.
“I told you to stop checking the comments, Viv. I know this is all f****d up but getting married to a stranger? I don’t know.”
“He’s not a stranger, Adam.” I rolled my eyes and poured a glass for myself.
“I don’t care if you hooked up with him once, he’s still a stranger.”
I shrugged and walked back to the couch with my drink in hand.
“Did you know that she’s pregnant and they’re getting married soon?” I bit my lips with one of my legs bouncing anxiously. Adam walked over and sat beside me.
“Wow. He really is a dickhead.”
I looked away, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall.
“I will make him pay. You should have seen her today at the cafe, glowing and mocking me. I have been hiding from everyone, while they’ve practically been out and about, rubbing their relationship in my f*****g face. I hate him so much, Adam. What did I ever do to him? I didn’t ask for much, all I ever asked for was for him to love me and be loyal. Is that too much?” By now, I was full-on sobbing in Adam’s arms.
“It’s okay.” He whispered into my hair. My eyes darkened and I pulled away.
“No, it’s not. It will never be okay. But I will make him pay.”
Ares had walked out on me the day before at the cafe but I am determined. I would do anything to make him agree. Even if it meant seducing him.
“Viv, don’t make any rash decisions,” Adam called after me but my mind was made up. I remembered the pity looks everyone gave, my tear-streaked face all over the blogs and posts, and my name on everyone’s lips. It is time to take charge.
My phone which was in the corner rang.
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know,” I answered the call.
“Let’s get married.” The cool, gravelly voice at the other end said, sending chills down my spine.
“What? Who’s this?”
“Ares Ravelli. There’s an event I would like you to accompany me to tonight. Everyone of high profile and standing will be attending. Can’t wait to introduce you.” With that, he hung up.
“Who was it? Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?” Adam asked and my lips stretched in a wide smile.
“It was him. He agreed. We’re getting married, Adam.”
******
“Here’s your ring.” He handed over the silver box to me and I gasped when I saw its contents. We were driving through the private road that led to the Ravelli Estate.
The ring was breathtakingly gorgeous—the clear-cut edges of the diamond catching light and the platinum band was studded with little stones. It was no doubt a luxurious piece but it felt almost like a burden.
I slid it on the ring finger on my left hand. I stared dreamily at it, my shoulders dropping. An ugly memory of Julian proposing to me on a yacht with a few friends crawled into my mind.
It was the best day of my life and I was hoping our wedding would top it.
“It’s my brother’s anniversary and afterwards we will have a private dinner with the family. My family can be a lot…I’m sure you know that already.”
“Yes, yes I do. But how did I never meet you?” I asked the question that had been bugging me. My parents were cordial with the Ravellis and did a lot of business together but in all our meetings and even while dating Julian, I never met Ares until that night at the club, and even then I didn’t know who he was. He wasn’t even at the wedding.
“I try to avoid my family as much as possible.” He divulged and I nodded.
“I have another question…” I said, looking into his eyes. He groaned, looking away.
“Go on.”
“Why did you suddenly agree? I mean, at the cafe yesterday, you walked out—“
“Like you already know, my brother is holding this against me for getting my share of the inheritance. If he wants a bride, then I've got him one.”
“This is really messy.” My lips stretched into a smile and he chuckled hoarsely.
“My entire family is messy.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see Julian’s face,” I added.
The car slowly came to a halt and the chauffeur opened the door for Ares who walked over to open mine. I stepped out, hand in his as we strutted into the grand ballroom.
I looked around at the people in designer suits and dresses, sipping from the glasses in their hands as they whispered secrets and made alliances that would last generations.
“You made it, Sir. You're late and you’re up next.” A tall brunette said before us. She looked between us and her forehead creased.
“Madison, this is my fiancé. Vivienne, this is my assistant.” I didn’t like the way she was staring at me so I just nodded and looked away.
“I don’t know why he makes me do the toast every year when he has a son who is very much capable.”
He guided me through the crowds and then climbed the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen,
tonight we celebrate not just years together but the strength of a bond that endures. Here’s to more years of wins, joy, and unforgettable moments. To Ava and Dante!” He raised his glass in the air. He sent me a look with a small smile and I nodded.
Wait…did he just say Ava? Why does that name sound so familiar? Where did I hear it?
“Before I forget, I would like to use this medium to introduce everyone to my fiancée, Vivienne Vale.” He pulled me to his side and placed a light kiss on my lips. I blinked repeatedly, too stunned and lightheaded to speak.
The sound of glass connecting to tiles resounded and there were collective gasps and I couldn’t tell if it was from the announcement or the broken glass.
My face broke into a full-blown grin as I watched Julian’s face fall from where he stood across the room with his mistress. His eyebrows drew together in a tight line and I could see both the fear and anger in his eyes. It made me so giddy.
******
“Do you have something to say, Julian?” Ares asked bluntly, dropping his napkin roughly on the table. The party was over and the family was having dinner at the large dining table but Julian wouldn’t stop making snide remarks.
He looked up at Ares, eyes challenging him.
“No.”
“Well, then maybe you should shut up and stop muttering incoherent nonsense until you grow the balls.”
His eyes burned with a raging fire as he had a stare-down with his uncle. Although I never met him, I knew how much Julian revered his father’s brother. He didn’t say much about him but whenever he did, you could tell he respected him so this betrayal must hurt him.
“You know what? f**k it. Why is she here? So, you decided to w***e your way into my uncle’s bed?? Are you really that cheap?” He spat viciously. I smirked, because things were starting to get interesting.
“If you ever speak to my fiancée like that again, I will chop off your tongue and feed it to our wild dogs. You had better not dare me.” Ares warned coolly and went back to his meal. I watched as Julian seethed, you could almost see the smoke emitting from the side of his head.
“Can we all calm down and enjoy our meal like a family for once?” Julian’s father spoke, looking between Julian and Ares. Ares scoffed.
I felt like I was being watched and so I turned to see Selene, Julian’s mistress staring at me with a lopsided grin and hooded eyes. But what really struck me was the woman sitting between her and Dante. It was Dante’s wife and she was staring at me in a scary way that sent chills down my spine.
Ava.
Oh. My. God.
Ava….it was her name on his phone that morning at the hotel. Was she the one who had texted him saying she missed him? I blinked repeatedly as she gave me a pointed stare.
But why would she send that text? What are they doing together? Is she having an affair with her husband’s brother?
What the hell is going on?
- Writer
