Avenge Marriage

CH-5 Poles Apart

                                                                                      Ivan

Song: All I need (Within Temptation)

I don't know why she was still giving me the wide-eyed look. I mean first time was understandable. I caught her off guard. But why now? Her dark eyes looked like they would literally pop out of her black Venetian mask as we both stared at each other. Was she generally like this? So shy and nervous? I watched her talking to Enrique before and she seemed absolutely fine. Was it me then? Does she not like me?

Don't be ridiculous...she barely even knows you!

"You didn't dance with me," I muttered and she glanced at my outstretched hand that was now starting to hurt. If she says no, that would be hell of an insult. I don't know what prompted me to ask her in the first place. "May I?"

Amber, I liked the name. Was it because she has dark amber eyes? Maybe I would ask her sometime. She stared at my hand and then at my face and back to my hand.

Girl! I don't bite!

"Sure," She said and placed her hand in mine. She has a soft, calm voice and soft small hands compared to her moderate height of probably 5'5 or 5'6. Her frame was slender, unlike Vera who was curvaceous, and even though I barely knew anything about Amber, I can tell that there was no similarity between the two.

I ushered her to the dance floor and gave her an assuring smile. She reciprocated with a wry one. It was unsettling. Why won't she just relax?

"It's okay...I don't bite," I couldn't help but blurt out and her eyes widened again. This time she looked surprised.

"What?" She murmured and I shook my head.

"You don't seem to like me," I pointed drily and she stared at me with an ah! I see expression.

"I don't know you well enough to start judging you," She answered, and a reluctant smile tug on her red lips. Hmm, she talks.

"Well, that's a relief I guess," I smiled and again placed my hand out to her as the lights dimmed and turned into a soft shade of purple and pink. She placed her hand in mine and slowly so as not to startle her again, I placed my hand on her waist. She has a tiny waist and I pushed that thought away.

Jesus...Ivan! She is supposed to be your sister-in-law.

Something changed in the atmosphere, maybe it was because of the lights but Amber stood up straight and placed her hand on my shoulder, completely poised. Beneath the changing opal and pink lights, she stared straight at me, her eyes studying me and for some reason, I felt extremely exposed as we started to move at the slow rhythm that quickly sped up as we begin to dance. I made a mental note to find out what song was this. She was a smooth dancer and I realized appearances can be deceiving.

I whirled her around and was momentarily mesmerized by her long dark hair as they swayed along with her. I pulled her in, maybe a little bit too swiftly and she crashed across my chest. Dark amber eyes looked up at me and my breathing hitched in my throat. Not with lust but with something different. Something that I can't place my finger on.

She seemed so familiar for some reason like I have seen her before. Like I have known her not only for this lifetime but for many previous lifetimes before. The realization startled me. As the song came to a pause, I instinctively reached out to pull her mask away so that I can see her face. Maybe, I really have seen her somewhere? Amber moved back as she realized what I was about to do and stared up at me questioningly.

"Can...can I see your face?" I asked. "Please?" It was such a stupid thing to say but I couldn't help it. 

"Why?" She demanded softly and I shrugged. I didn't know the answer to that.

"You look very familiar," I replied. "Please?"

She stared at me long and hard and then slowly untied her mask. I watched, my heartbeat spiking up for some reason as she freed herself from the possession of her mask and slowly looked up at me. Her face was small with soft features and I was sure I have definitely never seen her before. But yet she seemed so close that it was distracting.

"This is strictly a masquerade ball," She muttered, driving me back to my senses as she pulled her mask back on. "Excuse me," Before I could say anything else, she gave me a bow and walked away while I stood there feeling like a complete and utter moron.

Ivan! You are an i***t!

Shit! s**t! s**t!

"Ivan there you are," I turned to see Mamá walking towards me with Vienna Vazquez trailing behind her.

Vienna was a stunning woman and I could see where Vera gets her blonde hair and good looks from. Vincent was more like his father and Amber...I closed my eyes, feeling all shades of embarrassment at the mention of her name. I hoped that I don't have to see her before the wedding. And that reminded me, Vera was clueless about the wedding. Not once in the span of an entire evening did she ever mentioned anything about that. So neither did I. But it was weird.

"Did you dance with Vera?" Mamá demanded and I nodded my head.

"Twice," I answered with a smile. "Your daughter is lovely Mrs. Vazquez,"

"I am so glad to hear that. We were getting wary about how things will turn out for you two...given the circumstances, you know," She replied, looking relieved.

"Don't worry, Vienna," Mamá said. "If anything, Ivan has been waiting for your daughter for quite some time now, isn't Ivan?" I nodded, grimacing inwardly.

Yeah...tell everyone that I was in love with a faceless girl for so many years. Like I didn't have enough embarrassment for one night. 

"Huh?" Vienna Vazquez shot me a questioning look which I ignored.

"Er...excuse me, ladies," I muttered as my phone begin to vibrate just at the moment, and giving them a bow, I quickly scooted outside into the fresh air. It was stifling inside. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath.

"Can...can I see your face?"

What just happened there? How could I be such an utter moron? I can't believe I did that. I was just supposed to dance with her because Amber was the only person in the Vazquez family that I wasn't acquainted with. And I didn't want any awkwardness between us later on. Then what just happened?

Why in heaven's name did she feel so familiar? 

"Damn, Ivan," I cursed and just hoped that I don't have to face Amber anytime soon.

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Cecilia and Enrique were on my back the next day, bombarding me with a thousand questions as we met up for lunch later in the afternoon. I was already exhausted after sitting through so many meetings but that was not helping my case of escaping their relentless catechizing.

"So...tell us everything from the evening," Cecilia urged as I stifled a yawn and took a sip of my fourth cup of coffee for the day. I barely got any sleep last night. It was a very restless night for some reason and I decided it was because I was too tired with all the dancing and talking.

"What is there to tell?" I grimaced and Cecilia made a clicking noise with her tongue in disapproval.

"Don't be so taciturn, Ivan," She admonished, biting into her seafood salad.

"Exactly bro...you spend the entire evening with her if I remember, correctly. So...spill the beans," Enrique urged.

"You spend the entire evening with Amber," Cecilia grinned, nudging him with her elbow. I glanced at Enrique and he rolled his eyes.

"Let's stick to Ivan," He muttered and turned his grey eyes to me. "So?"

"So what? What do you want me to say?" I inquired, irritated.

"How was it like? Did you like her? What did she say? So on and so forth," He replied and I made a face. Jesus, were they always this nosy? Or was I just in a bad mood today?

"Of course, I liked her," And for some reason, I sounded defensive. Like I was desperately trying to prove that point.

"What is not to like?" I continued, ignoring my thoughts. "She is smart and witty and it was very invigorating. She is exactly the type of woman, I like,"

"Ah!" Enrique and Cecilia cheered, clapping their hands and I was reminded of the time when I got together with my first girlfriend. I was sixteen, I guess. And this was their exact reaction. The thought brought a smile to my face. Long time. 

"Grow up, will you," I grumbled and Cecilia clinked her glass with me.

"What else? Did you ask her out?" She inquired, her eyes shining like an anime character.

"I did. Wednesday...for dinner," I answered, picking at my food. "I want to do this the right way even if it's an arranged marriage,"

"Way to go bro!" Enrique smiled, patting my back. "Did she agree?"

"Why wouldn't she?" Cecilia said. "Our Ivan is the best she can get. He is wealthy, hot, and sweet...the perfect combination,"

"You don't like her, do you?" I raised my brow and she gave me sheepish smile in return.

"Not really. But... it's my personal opinion so don't count on that," She answered. "I liked the other one better...Amber," This was the second time she was repeating this. I scowled at her. 

"Yeah...she's sweet," Enrique agreed and both of us turned our eyes to him. He frowned at us.

"What?" He demanded. "Don't get ahead of yourself you two,"

"What's going on?" I demanded and he rolled his eyes.

"Nothing is going on," He murmured and I turned my eyes to Cecilia.

"Did you dance with her, last night?" Cecilia demanded, looking sweetly at her brother. Enrique let out an exasperated sigh.

"So? Ivan danced with her too," He pointed and I cringed inwardly as the embarrassing memory flooded my mind again.

"She is not my type," I answered flatly. "Too shy and reserved for my taste. I like bold women like Vera,"

"I think she is mysterious," Enrique contradicted and I shot him a look. He shrugged. "She doesn't let out much. She is into music...musicians tend to be that way, I guess,"

"How do you know she is into music?" I demanded.

So she was ready to talk to Enrique but not me? Why? I grimaced inwardly at the idea. She probably doesn't like me.

"I don't know you well enough to start judging you,"

Why then? Does she by any chance...like me?

I rolled my eyes at myself. Don't flatter yourself too much, Ivan. It was probably because of what happened outside earlier. I shouldn't have stared at her like a p*****t while holding her at the same time. We started on the wrong note.

Why does it even matter? 

"Cecilia did. And then I asked her myself," He answered nonchalantly. "That was when she told me that she graduated from Royal something...and plays the piano. No...wait...the Viola, whatever that is,"

"She plays like magic. A very talented young girl, I must say," Cecilia agreed and I stared at the two of them blankly and wondered why they were suddenly talking about Amber.

"Can you tell me some great place to take Vera out?" I demanded in an attempt to divert the topic.

"Sure thing. Just leave all that to me," Cecilia grinned. "Are you gonna propose to her?"

"Should I ?" I inquired and Cecilia nodded her head.

"Not the traditional proposal," She replied. "There's no point of that in your case. But you could surely gift her a ring. A big rock...the girl likes it all out,"

"How do you know?" I inquired and she scoffed.

"Vin told me. She has been spoilt all her life being the youngest so I am presuming you will need to go all out," She replied. "But you are Ivan Navarro. That's not a very big deal for you, is it?" I nodded my head in response.

"Excuse me," Enrique muttered and headed out to attend a call as Cecilia and I finished up the rest of our food.

"Ivan?" Cecilia whispered, scooting closer to me. "Do you think Enrique likes her?" I frowned at her.

"Like who?" I demanded and she rolled her eyes.

"Amber," She clarified and it was my turn to roll my eyes at her.

"They just met last night for heaven's sake," I muttered. "Don't you know Enrique...he is always fascinated by women who are good in music and stuff. Remember, when he dated that ballet dancer?"

"Hmm...yeah. You must be right," She made a face. "Still, they would have made a great couple. Don't you think?"

"And how would your parents react to the idea?" I demanded and she nodded her head.

"Yeah...you are right," She sighed. "I feel bad for that girl to be honest. She doesn't have anyone in this huge world. I wonder how that must feel,"

Why was she talking about this again?

"She has the Vazquez. They think of her as their own family. Especially Vincent," I pointed and Cecilia shook her head.

"Yeah, Vin does dote on her," She agreed. "But there is a difference between being thought of as a family versus having a real family. What is her future? Surely she can't expect an advantageous marriage like Vera. She has to settle for just...someone. What do you think? How that might make her feel? Maybe this was the reason she stays so quiet and reserved. Because she's hurting inside,"

"It's not our problem to worry about," I answered, wiping my mouth. "I should get going. I have a meeting at three-thirty. See you later. Text me the ideas if you get any,"

"Cosa segura," She gave me a wave and I nodded.

As I drove back to the office, I felt a weird unease inside me. I didn't know why but it was a very restless feeling. Almost unsettling. I glanced out of the window as we halted at the light and was surprised to see Amber. It was her right? I couldn't mistake those long thick hairs. She was coming out of the bookstore, hands full of bags from that store. I was amused to see her smiling brightly at a man. So she smiles. And she was into books and music. That's why she looked so grim last night. Most probably an introvert.

Boring.

I turned my eyes back to the front and was surprised to find a text from Vera. I clicked on the notification and the message popped open.

Vera: Did you know...that we are supposed to get married?

Oh...now she knows...

Ivan: sí.

From her tone, she didn't seem very keen on the entire idea. It was understandable. Must have been a surprise for her. It sure took me an entire day to digest the entire prospect. I turned my eyes out of the window once again and was surprised to find Amber gone. Where did she go so soon?

Vera: Why didn't you tell me?

Ivan: How was I supposed to know that you weren't aware of it? And this is not something you go on flashing around, isn't it?

Vera: Hmm...I guess you are right.

She was wary...

Ivan: Don't worry. We will talk about it on Wednesday, okay? I don't want you to feel pressured or anything. Just think of me as a friend, okay?

Vera: I think that can work. I will see you on Wednesday then :)

Ivan: Great! I will text you the details :)

When no reply came from her, I placed my phone back in the pocket of my blazer and wondered why didn't Vienna tell her anything. Why? Was she hiding something? Does Vera don't want to marry me? Frowning, I pulled my phone out again and dialed my manager, Joaquin.

"Sir?" He said, picking up at the very first ring. Good...I don't like to wait and after three years of working with me, he knows that pretty well now.

"Can you run a background check on Vera Vazquez?" I asked. "And oh...send me her social media handle too,"

"Sure thing sir. The background check will take some time but I will send her social media right away," He answered and I cut the call. It felt wrong to pry on the woman who was soon to be my wife but it felt necessary for some reason.

Back at the office, I opened the link that Joaquin send me and it directed me straight to Vera's i********:. I was rendered speechless by the number of followers she had.

Followers: 10. 121k

Following: 150

Incredible. I scrolled through her feed and was honestly a bit startled by her social life. She was the absolute party-girl. No wonder the entire prospect of marriage didn't go down well with her although I was just assuming it. She was very independent and progressive. And as I kept scrolling again surprised that she had already posted six pictures from last night, I couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she was. Absolutely stunning with an equally flawless body, all curves, and long legs. Perfect hourglass figure. I stowed my wayward thoughts away and ideally wondered what Mamá would have to say about this. She won't approve, for sure.

She has many friends as well but my eyes got stuck on one of the pictures she posted with Amber. It was some kind of club and Vera has her hands around Amber's shoulder, sticking her tongue out and looking like she was having the best time of her life. On the other hand, her counterpart looked like someone was strangling her to death. Clubbing was definitely not her thing. I couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. It was funny. Since she has tagged her, I clicked on it and her profile popped up which had a comparatively less followers than Vera. Just a little above 1k. There was hardly any pictures of her although her feed was very aesthetic. All books and music and quotes. She was...I don't know...Amber seemed old beyond her age. Not by her appearance, of course. Just the aura of her. And I hate to admit it but that made me uncomfortable. 

These girls were worlds apart for sure. And I wondered if I was given the choice, whom would I choose? It would be Vera for me. Like there was any doubt about that. And which was why I was glad to be getting married to her and not Amber. 

It was not like I disliked her or something. To be honest, I just have no feelings for her. She was a complete stranger to me. But more than that, Amber and me, we can never work. Because with her it would take me a decade to open her up. She was too mysterious for my taste. I like women like Vera... smart, bold and fun. And yet as I stared at her picture, I couldn't help but wonder...

Why the hell does she feels so familiar from within? 

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A/N: Hello my lovely readers! Here's the next update :) I hope you are enjoying the story so far though it has just started. But I hope you like it. Thank you as always for all your support and love!