Revenge marriage to my ex-husband’s Rival

16.

As they re-entered the party, the vibrant pulse of the music and the chatter of the crowd welcomed them back. Leah fell into step beside Aria, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“I’ve heard so much about you from the others, Aria,” Leah said, her voice carrying a note of genuine interest. “It seems like I already know you.”

Aria smiled, appreciating Leah’s friendly demeanor. “Really? I hope it’s all been good things.” Though she tried to tell herself otherwise, she really missed some friendly women relations, that weren’t her Aunt or Grandmother.

“Oh, absolutely,” Leah replied with a grin. “They talk about you like you’re some sort of legend. It’s nice to finally meet you in person. And I have to say, your jewelry is stunning. Those earrings and the necklace—they’re absolutely breathtaking, a work of art really.” Now in the brighter light, Leah found it hard to look away. Even her purse was made of emeralds, she thought absolutely boggled, unable to even compute the sheer fortune that the other woman wore on her body today.

Aria’s eyes lit up at the compliment, Aunt Marie really went all in with them. They were family heirlooms too. “Thank you! I’m glad you think so.”

Leah’s enthusiasm grew. “I’m actually a bit of a jewelry enthusiast. My family owns a designer jewelry brand, and I work as a manager at one of our stores. So I’ve seen a lot of beautiful pieces, but yours are truly exceptional. The way the diamonds and the emeralds shine under the lights is simply mesmerizing. It’s like they have their own story to tell. And is that imperial Jade?”

Aria nodded, her eyes gleaming with interest. “Yes it is, it’s quite an old piece too. And that’s fascinating, about your family. Which store do you manage?”

Leah’s face brightened. “I manage our flagship store downtown. It’s a lot of work, but I love it. I’m always surrounded by beautiful pieces, and I get to help people find the perfect jewelry for their special moments.”

That’s nice, Aria smiled. It’s so rare to see someone so genuine and transparent in these circles. But she could tell Leah was the kind that always wore her emotions on her sleeves, that might make her have less tact than half the people in the room, but she was also the most genuine.

Aria’s gaze softened as she looked at Leah, appreciating her enthusiasm. “That’s really wonderful. It must be rewarding to be surrounded by such beauty.”

Leah’s eyes sparkled. “Absolutely! Plus, it’s a family business, so there’s a real sense of tradition and passion behind everything we do. You definitely should come check out one our stores one day, preferably the one I work out.” She winked.

As Leah spoke, Aria’s attention was momentarily diverted by a commotion nearby. The lively music and chatter of the party created a backdrop of energetic chaos, but amidst it all, she noticed Beatrice watching them with a strained smile.

Realizing that Beatrice was waiting to re-engage, Leah finally took a deep breath and said, “I should probably grab us some drinks. I’ll be right back.”

As Leah moved off towards the bar, Beatrice seized the opportunity to step closer to Aria. She offered a tight smile and said, “I was hoping to catch up with you properly, Aria. Maybe we could talk a bit more..somewhere…” Bea trailed off mid sentence, realizing Aria’s attention was away from her, and she turned as well, to notice that something was off too.

Half the people in the vicinity were looking at them, they had been before but something was different about the way they looked this time. The women most especially. They kept looking towards them, Aria in particular, with glee and something akin to schadenfreude in their gazes, giggling as they looked from her, to somewhere just a little up front, where the commotion had come from before. Beatrice’s heart dropped, she had a bad feeling about whatever it was.

“Come, Aria. I have something important to tell you.” She said, and without waiting for Aria’s response, she took hold of her hand and dragged her off towards the opposite direction, heading towards the direction of the stairs.

“But shouldn’t we wait for Leah?” Aria spoke up, a bit confused. She had been hoping to find out what was causing a commotion, but Bea seemed very urgent.

The urgency in Beatrice's grip left no room for hesitation. “No time for that,” she said tersely, her voice tinged with nervousness. “This is important.”

Aria glanced back at Leah, who was still making her way to the bar, seemingly unaware of the sudden shift. As Beatrice guided her through the throng of partygoers, the curious glances and muted whispers followed them like a dark cloud.

They ascended the grand staircase, the murmurs of the crowd growing fainter as they climbed. The opulent surroundings of the party below faded, replaced by the quieter, more secluded upper floor. Beatrice led Aria to a small, dimly lit sitting area, away from prying eyes and ears. She was friends with April Chalini, and had on more than one occasion frequented the mansion, so she knew her way around.

“What’s going on, Beatrice?” Aria asked, her apprehension growing. “Why the secrecy?”

Beatrice took a deep breath, her heart racing a little. “Sorry about that..something about the way they looked down there was off. It’s been a while since you’ve been around society, but I know these people. Whatever it was causing that commotion was related to you, and it isn’t anything good.” She finished, looking away from Aria in guilt.

Aria was quiet for a few seconds as she observed Bea’s countenance, she really couldn’t get a grip of the other woman. “Don’t you think leaving should’ve been my decision to make?” She wasn’t at all weak, running was not something she did. Whatever it was, she faced it head on.

“I’m sorry.. I just..I panicked. I didn’t want anything or anyone to..hurt you.” Like I did last year..she finished shamefully. Still unable to word out how much she’d hurt her.

“Why?” Aria questioned straight forwardly, “Why did you help me? Granted I probably didn’t need it, but why did you do it?”

“Because we’re friends! Goddammit!” Bea exclaimed, “I haven’t been much of a friend, I know, but I still care.” She sighed as if exhausted, plopping down on one of the stiff chairs. They were the kind that were more for interior decor than for actual sitting.

Aria scoffed, shaking her head. Friends she says, “Last time I checked, friends were supposed to be there for each other Bea, I needed you, but you weren’t there. You knew how much he meant to me, you knew how much I must’ve hurt..but you didn’t care then, so why do you now?”

Beatrice looked pained, her shoulders slumping as she tried to meet Aria’s gaze. “I know. I messed up. I should have been there, and I’m deeply sorry for that. I was dealing with my own stuff, but that’s no excuse. I thought I could just—” She cut herself off, swallowing hard.

Aria’s eyes softened slightly, but the hurt still remained, had she been someone who was so eager to forgive and forget, she wouldn’t have made a deal with the devil to exert revenge. “You think you can just sweep it under the rug because you had a change of heart? It doesn’t work like that.”

Beatrice looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know it doesn’t. I’ve been trying to make up for it in small ways, but I understand if you don’t want to forgive me. I just couldn’t stand seeing you thrust into an unpleasant situation if I could help it.”

Aria shook her head, appreciating, but still not about to let it all go. “Then what about tonight? You’ve been such a b***h. Your behavior was certainly not trying to make things “right”” she said, air quoting the word “right”.

Beatrice’s face flushed with a mix of shame and frustration, “I didn’t know how to react, just seeing you back so suddenly, especially when I didn’t do right by you..and you’re well you’re you! Looking so beautiful and then with Finn..I just..gah I don’t know..” she slumped her shoulders, taking a breath to calm her emotions.

Aria paused, looking at her meaningfully. She always knew that Bea was envious of her. Of her life, and just basically everything about her. But the woman would absolutely take a bullet for her. Bea’s envy and jealousy was something they often talked about and fought over in their friendship, but they were still able to overlook and overcome it. But her jealousy always reared its ugly head at the slightest opportunity, and it was so toxic to Aria, so taxing to be around.

“There is nothing between Finn and I. We’re just close friends.” Aria revealed, taking a seat too. She missed Bea quite a bit, but she wouldn’t rekindle her friendship with her. She didn’t need a friend that she always had to look behind her back for. But if telling her the nature of her relationship with Finn would get her off her back, then what the hell.

“He loves you,” Bea looked up bitterly. “You can’t tell me you don’t see it, see the way he looks at you like he’s the only one in the room who sees you. How he craves your nearness, your touch. He’s like a moth drawn to your flame. And I can’t stand it!” She said getting a heated.

“I can’t lose him Ari, and especially not to you. Things at home haven’t been great, and he makes it all better. My match with him is all the family is counting on. And I..I love him Aria, I love him so much my heart literally bleeds to see him look at you with such longing. I can’t lose him. I just can’t..so please..don’t take him away from me..please..” she broke down, her shoulders quaking as she cried.

Aria looked at her break down, she wanted to feel bad, wanted to feel sorry for her, but all she felt was apathy. “Bea, I’m sorry that things aren’t going well at home and you think that the only way to make things right was a match with a man. One whose heart is taken by another. I would not look at you right now and deny that I don’t know about his feelings, but I can assure you this, he knows as I’d made sure of it, that it would never lead to anything. I do not have feelings for him beyond friendship. And this past year, I’ve learnt he is my one true friend. And I would not let go of him, just because of your insecurity.”

“But you’re only hurting him by keeping him by your side, I could make him happy, we could be happy together..that’s all I want Aria..please.” Her tears continued to flow as she begged, she didn’t care how pathetic she looked, she was willing to do anything to have him.

“I can’t help you.. I’m sorry.” Aria whispered, turning away conflicted. She couldn’t dictate who Finn loved and who didn’t, and why should it even be her place to? He was her friend. And that was it.

Why did everything have to be so complicated anyways? What was it about her that made everyone lose their goddamn minds?! And whatever it was, why was it that it didn’t work to keep the one person that mattered, faithful to her?

Well, it didn’t matter now. She didn’t care to know.

She looked towards the direction downstairs. Whatever was waiting for her there, it was time to face it.

She was done running, just as she was done with the conversation here.