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1858 Words
Javier and Veronica happily arrived home. Their faces were the picture of a happy "couple." They couldn't believe that their first day of pretending had been a success.
"Congratulations, Beatrice. I told you, right? You nailed it! If you just keep trusting yourself, this will always be the result of our plans," Javier said, his mood filled with joy.
Veronica dropped herself onto the soft mattress. They were fully playing the role of a "married couple" now since they were sharing a room, but they had separate beds. Of course, she still wouldn't allow them to sleep in the same bed.
She also couldn’t believe how easily the Black Moon Pack accepted her. She thought it would be hard to convince everyone, but who would ever think she wasn’t Beatrice? From head to toe, she was the woman. She even smelled like a Luna.
"No one even doubted that I wasn’t Beatrice, huh? I still can’t believe it. I thought I was going to die earlier, but it turns out I can survive," she remarked.
Javier had simply explained that they had a small misunderstanding, and she went abroad to think things through and take a vacation. Now, they were fine and back together. Amusingly, the pack accepted that alibi and welcomed her back with open arms.
Many also said they thought she was dead, so she just joked to them earlier, "I’m not dead yet. You can see, right? I’m very much alive."
The entire Black Moon Pack completely bought their story. The meeting concluded with Luna Beatrice’s return, but what they didn’t know was that it was someone else in her place.
"It feels kind of guilty, doesn’t it? Your members seem so kind. They welcomed me with open arms," she said softly.
"Even I feel bad for deceiving them. But if they saw you as human, I don’t think you’d make it back here alive. When all this chaos is over, they’ll know the truth. But not now," Javier answered seriously.
"What’s our next move?"
He grinned and sat at the edge of his bed. "We’re going to a banquet party. It’s actually a charity event, and I heard Angelo was invited. It’s a good idea for us to go."
"When is it?"
"Three days from now. I got an invitation. We have time to prepare. Are you ready?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Of course. I’ve been waiting for the day our paths would cross again, Angelo."
“Good. I’ll get everything ready for what we need to do. I’ll make sure that you have the most beautiful evening gown that night. I’ll guarantee that no one will look at you just once,” he said with a smirk.
She laid her whole body on the mattress. “You want me to seduce Angelo, right? That’s what you’re hinting at with your words.”
His eyes became evasive. “Can’t you do it?”
She laughed. “I’ve never made such a bold move in my entire life, Javier. But for the sake of our revenge, I’ll do it. If this is the only way to get close to Angelo again.”
He seemed satisfied with her answer. “I don’t want you to think that I’m selling you to Angelo Fuentebella. But the worst thing that could happen to him is to be betrayed by someone he thought he could trust.”
That’s what happened to her. She was betrayed by her own husband, the one who was supposed to be the first to protect his wife. The thought of making him feel the same pain he caused her felt gratifying. She couldn’t wait.
“I know. I can do this, don’t worry.”
“I’m just warning you. Angelo is cunning. He’s willing to do all the bad things he can. He’s a traitor and attacks from the shadows. So if you still have any lingering love for him, throw it away. Because that love will ruin all our plans.” She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt his voice grow colder.
Did she still love Angelo? She knew she didn’t. After all the bitter memories he and his family gave her, after all the abuse she endured, she’d be a fool to still love him. She wasn’t a masochist.
She shook her head. “Rest assured. I’m not a weak woman. And I will never trust someone like Angelo and his family. And I think you’re mistaken. My relationship with him is not like yours with Beatrice, who are soulmates. I never really loved Angelo from the beginning. I was bullied for not having a boyfriend, so when Angelo gave me attention, I promised myself I would learn to love him. Because I believed that whoever your first is, they should also be your last. But that’s crazy, now I know. So no, he’s not my greatest love,” she explained, hoping he would understand her point.
He seemed a bit weirded out by what she said. “Learn to love? Shouldn’t you feel that you like and love someone before you let them into your life? You should love each other. Not just learn to love him. Look what happened to you. You gave in to peer pressure. So what if you didn’t have a boyfriend yet? Your life went off course because of that. I hope you’ve learned your lesson now.”
She nodded. She knew she had been stupid, and no one could be blamed but her. Ever since grade school, she had been a victim of bullying. So when she reached college, she dreamed of no longer being bullied, which is why she accepted Angelo’s “love.”
“What’s strange is that your demon of a husband knew you were human. For sure, you weren’t his mate. But why did he choose to have a relationship with a human? I’m still puzzled by that. But I know we’ll find the answer soon enough. Anyway, get some rest. I’ll contact the designer and makeup artist to give you the best gown and look for the banquet party,” he said, dismissing the conversation.
She was excited and nervous. She didn’t know how to feel anymore. All she knew was that soon, her path would cross with Angelo’s.
“Thank you, Javier.”
He smiled. “Thank you too for trying your best. Just so you know, I always have your back, okay?”
She nodded and closed her eyes. She couldn’t wait any longer.
Three days flew by quickly. Now, they were preparing for the upcoming party. She couldn’t believe the gown she was going to wear. It was so beautiful, and she felt like a princess in a grand palace.
The gown clung to her curves like liquid gold, shimmering under the soft lighting of the banquet hall. Every inch of the fabric was a masterpiece, with thousands of sequins cascading down her torso in intricate swirls, catching the light and scattering it like a thousand stars. The material hugged her figure, accentuating her waist before flowing down in luxurious folds, a train of satin whispering against the floor as she moved.
The high, asymmetrical neckline framed her shoulders, with one sleeve sculpted in sheer, glittering fabric that gave her an air of untouchable elegance. Her every step seemed to create a ripple effect through the gown, the delicate fabric shifting and shimmering with each motion. It wasn’t just a dress—it was a statement, bold yet breathtakingly feminine, commanding attention without asking for it.
“God, you’re breathtakingly beautiful,” Javier’s face clearly showed his admiration for his “wife.”
The makeup artist also did an excellent job, enhancing Beatrice’s beauty with the makeup. She looked fresh and even more innocent, complemented by beautiful shoes.
She was surprised when Javier suddenly came behind her. They were in front of a large mirror, so she could clearly see what he was doing behind her.
She gasped when she saw the jewelry he took out from a case. He fastened it around her neck. She was stunned by the beauty she was seeing.
The necklace gleamed like a dream around her neck, a flawless symphony of diamonds and pearls that could have only been crafted by gods. At its center, a single teardrop pearl, the size of a robin’s egg, glowed with an ethereal luster, its surface smooth and silken. Surrounding the pearl were rows of perfectly cut diamonds, sparkling like ice under the soft lights. Each diamond caught the glow from the room and refracted it into a kaleidoscope of colors, casting rainbows across her collarbone.
The intricate platinum chain was almost invisible, as if the jewels were suspended in mid-air, draping elegantly over her skin. Smaller pearls interspersed between the diamonds shimmered in soft contrast, their ivory glow bringing warmth to the brilliance of the stones. Each pearl was perfectly round, each diamond meticulously cut, creating a balance of power and grace.
“J-Javier, d-don’t tell me you bought this–”
“This is an heirloom, a treasure that speaks of centuries of luxury and power,” he replied briefly, looking at how she looked wearing the beautiful necklace.
She couldn’t believe its beauty. She wasn’t fond of jewelry, but she appreciated its unique splendor. “This is very beautiful… I don’t think I deserve to wear this,”
He gently squeezed her shoulder. “You deserve more than anything you can imagine. I’m sure tonight is yours at the party. It’s impossible for everyone not to notice you. Especially Angelo. Just stick to our plan: don’t give him any attention, make him crave yours. I’m sure it’ll be a challenge for him to talk to you.”
“Impossible, we’re coming together.”
“There’s nothing impossible for someone hungry for money and power. Besides, I won’t stand beside you; I’ll let him approach you, and that’s when I’ll show up. Anyway, I don’t want to reveal my presence to him yet. I’ll wear a masquerade mask.”
She was surprised. “Huh? Won’t you look foolish with that?”
Javier laughed at her reaction. “Of course not. At big parties like this, there are high-profile guests who don’t want to be recognized and actually wear masks. Especially politicians and big businessmen with mistresses. So don’t worry. I won’t look stupid. I suggest you wear a mask as well, to add a mysterious effect. Remove it only when you think it’s necessary.”
She seemed to like the idea. “Anyway, are you sure you want me to wear this necklace? What if I break it or lose it? How much is it?”
He didn’t answer her question but gave a different reply. “That necklace is called the Tears of Aphrodite. Anyway, finish up what you need to do. I’ll come back in fifteen minutes, and then we’ll leave.”
Once Javier had left the room, she continued to stare at the necklace she was wearing. Absently, she found herself touching it.
Tears of Aphrodite? This night is going to be interesting! She can't f*****g wait!
- Writer
