Revenge marriage to my ex-husband’s Rival

14.

Aria snagged a flute of champagne from a passing waitress, and emptied the glass and dropped it on the tray before the sweet-looking girl could even whisk it away. She would’ve gotten more, had she had any left, but that had been the last one.

She took a breath, before she turned to the man by the side of her, Gabriel Chalini, who her grandmother had literally dumped on her the moment she arrived, with this satisfied nod, as if to say he was worthy, an acceptable match. Gabriel, with his perfectly combed hair and squeaky clean polished demeanor, had been droning on about his political ambitions since the moment they had been introduced.

He was handsome yes, in that typical, in your face sort of way. Nothing interesting about the way his features came together, nothing unique or compelling. Gabriel's charm was as polished and generic as his appearance, leaving Aria feeling trapped in such an impossible conversation. Especially when he only seemed to find talking about himself and one of his many “admirable” qualities, interesting. And the few times he wasn’t talking, he was gawking at her unabashedly, with no mind for subtlety. The creep.

"—and that's why I believe my platform will truly resonate with the voters," Gabriel continued, not noticing her complete and utter boredom. "We need fresh blood in politics, someone who understands both the grassroots level and the broader economic landscape."

What grassroots level, when your father has been financing your entire campaign? Aria thought, suppressing a sigh. She’d always known this, but standing there forced to be polite while the man droned and droned reinforced that she really, really was not meant for polite society. Sure she knew how to play the game, but it was all so f*****g exhausting . What, she’d been back 20 mins tops, and she wanted out again. She really hoped her return wouldn’t come back to bite her in the ass.

She must have dazed off again because when she came to, Gabriel was now talking about how perfect a match the two of them were. She blinked, trying to refocus on his words, but the sheer monotony of his voice made it difficult.

"—with my intelligence and passion, and your beauty and elegance," Gabriel was saying, his tone exuding self-satisfaction. "Together, we would make an unbeatable team. Our children would be the finest, combining the best of both worlds."

“Dude.” She cut him off when it seemed he was going to go into another spiel. “I’ve only just met you like 5 minutes ago, what makes you think I have any interest in discussing children or a future with you?" Aria’s tone was sharper than intended, but she didn’t care. The evening was already wearing on her nerves.

And discussing children? The nerves of the guy. Like she would ever have children. The thought of becoming a mother was something she had never entertained seriously. She respected the choice of others who found fulfillment in parenthood, but the idea of it for herself was as appealing as a root canal. It wasn’t just the prospect of sleepless nights and endless diaper changes; it was the sheer tedium of it all. It just wasn’t her. And the thought of even going through pregnancy itself, was one that she shuddered to even think about. And besides, she didn’t even like kids. It was completely out of the question. Doesn’t matter who was proposing.

Gabriel blinked, clearly taken aback by her abruptness. “Oh.. I just thought..” he trailed off, unsure how to continue as a blush creeped up his face. He snuck glances to the side where his father and the Morreti family’s head, watched them covertly from the side. He’d just assumed she knew what their families were hoping to do, he had no idea he had to do any sort of wooing or something.

Aria taking pity in his suddenly lost expression, sighed, her irritation melting away. “I’ve only just met you, but you seem nice enough. However, I really have no interest in settling down so soon, I’m sure you could understand why..” she trailed off knowingly, and immediately his face flushed again in embarrassment this time.

“Right, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I’ll..” He hurriedly apologized, before glancing around awkwardly, and making gestures as if someone called out to him, then excused himself politely and rushed off, looking back at her with longing before he disappeared into the crowd.

Aria chuckled at his fast retreat, looking away only to catch the Matriarch’s eyes. Her face was set in a little frown, but when aria shrugged her shoulders with an apologetic smile, she shook her head with a smile and resumed her conversation with some Deputy Head of State.

Now that there was no one bothering her with incessant chatter, Aria finally acknowledged the fierce burning she felt within her as she checked the time on her phone again. He was very late. She didn’t know what to make of it. She couldn’t understand why he didn’t just show up, why he didn’t just respect the time they’d agreed, why he let her come to this event when he knew he wouldn’t even hold up his end of the bargain.

Or could he have forgotten altogether? Forgotten about the poor drunk girl he’d promised to help fulfill revenge on her ex husband. Who was she kidding, of course he’d forgotten. She wasn’t his problem after all. Perhaps he’d only humored her that night, relishing in schadenfreude to see her so broken and unhinged, so far from the perfect mold she usually presents herself around him.

“When you rejected my escort, I had no idea you were planning to spend the night lost in your own thoughts..” A familiar voice called out from behind, a smile evident in its tone.

Aria’s lips quirked up, as she turned to see a tall figure stepping into her view. It was Finn. Finley Brassard, he was supposed to be her date, But she broke it off because she’d been expecting someone else to accompany her. A decision that was quite stupid she realized now. She never should’ve believed in that man at all, after all she didn’t know him personally, nor he her. She had just been that desperate..

Anyways Finn looked good. Heck he looked better good. Now Finn was gorgeous in the I think I just drenched my panties sort of way, oozing s*x appeal with every arrogant tilt of his head. His gorgeous dark skin seemed to glow under the ballroom lights, highlighting his manly features. He was big too, muscular and defined, and he walked with all the ease and confidence in the world that you couldn’t help but just pause to stare. And he was never without his trademark grin, softening the harsh lines of his face and transforming him into this hulking but quite friendly presence.

He wore a sleek, dark grey blazer over a crisp white shirt, paired with tailored black jeans. Though his outfit was more relaxed than the typical formal wear expected at such events, he carried it off effortlessly, making it seem as if it was exactly what the evening demanded. That was Finn, he was unconventional in that sort of way. Did whatever he wanted without caring for the consequence. And he damn near always got away with it too. One flash at his gorgeous grin and you forget why you even mad in the first place.

Now Aria would never tell him this -he had enough ego as it is- but he was the most physically perfect person she’d ever seen. And though he had an idea of that himself, again massive ego, she just wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing, because knowing him he’d never live it down. Well anyways, Finn was gorgeous, now back to the story.

“Finn,” She said, moving forward into his welcome embrace. “Who would’ve thought I’d ever be happy to see you.”

Finn’s arms wrapped around her in a relaxed embrace, his smile widening as he looked down at her. “I’m flattered to be the highlight of your evening,” he teased, “but you certainly were the highlight of everyone’s evening..”

“Yes, yes, I’m gorgeous, I know,” She grinned, flipping her hair exaggeratedly.

“Tsk tsk, such vanity,” Finn shook his head and nudged her playfully. “Now come, and tho I absolutely adore Alessandra, we really need to rescue you from these oldies..” he whispers, pulling her away from her grandmother who was now engaged in a heated conversation, and together they slipped from that corner of the room. One she was just noticing seemed to have been filled mostly with the older demographic.

No wonder she was having a moment of peace, and no one was coming to her hungry for gossip or just to have fun digging at her.

“Remind me why you were there again?” Finn asked, guiding Aria through the thong of the bustling guests. They attracted attention everywhere they went, hard not to when one looked like a s*x god and the other so beautiful even the moon shied away in shame.

“It’s been a year, Finn, I hardly know anybody here anymore. And I’m not in the mood to listen to their inquiries and play their little word games.” She rolled her eyes, embarrassed that she even put herself in this situation again. Did she really need to enter high society just to have her revenge?

“That’s all they do, gossip and have word games. That’s why you should’ve been with me..” His fingers tightened around hers, and she stopped, making him stop too.

“You know why I couldn’t. Why I can’t. I was supposed to be with someone. He-”

“And where is he now? I’m here. And I will be for as long as you’ll have me.” His eyes focused on her alone, his pupils a beautiful amber that looked like liquid gold when he got emotional.

“Finn..” She said only, shaking her head slightly.

“Heartless,” He grinned, “I’ve only myself to blame for being bewitched by a heartless vixen..” he dramatically cupped his chest, earning a few odd stares but he didn’t care at all.

“It’s always going to be no. No matter how many times you ask.” Aria continued as they resumed their walk.

“Doesn’t matter, because I’ll still keep asking.” He grinned, fully confident in getting what he wanted eventually.

Gorgeous and kind and smart as he was, they met at the wrong time. They met during Henri. And during him, He was all she could think about. And after Henri, she didn’t have the heart to open herself up to anyone, not even to someone as amazing as Finn. It’s become a hidden joke. Him always professing his love or asking her out at the oddest of times and places, and she always saying No. And they both knew she would never say Yes, but that only made the game worth playing.

Everything considered, they were good friends. And he’s the closet thing she had to a best friend. Romeo didn’t count because he was basically family. And he was closer to her than any friendship.