Revenge marriage to my ex-husband’s Rival

15.

"Where is it you seem so intent on taking me?" Aria asked, when they exited the large ballroom, the hum of the party fading behind them.

“You’ll see,” Finn replied cheekily, leading her through a set of French doors that opened onto an expansive poolside terrace.

She took a deep relaxing breath, her eyes roaming beyond the pool where a lush garden lay, vibrant with the colors of blooming flowers and the scent of jasmine hanging heavy in the warm evening air. Lanterns hung from tree branches, casting a soft, golden light over the scene. A group of young people around their age was gathered by the edge of the garden, drinking and laughing, their voices carrying on the breeze. The occasional smoker stood apart, the glow of their cigarettes punctuating the darkness.

Aria paused to take in the scene, a slight smile tugging at her lips. “This is nice. Much better than the stuffy ballroom.” But she knew she couldn’t while away the entire evening here, it was just for a little bit. And besides.. “I see some familiar faces..” she remarked now that they were closer to the group.

“I thought you might appreciate a change of scenery,” Finn said, his grin widening. “Plus, it’s about time you had some real fun tonight.”

As they approached the group, Aria recognized more faces. There was Forest Mormont, with his easy laugh and perpetually tousled hair, Beatrice O’Neil, who had been close friends with her once, the triplets, Liam, Lionel and Lee Thompson together as usual, laughing about something, and a lot others that she remembered the faces but couldn’t recall their identities.

“As I live and breathe..” Forest, the first to notice their approach, called out, his eyes widened in shock and incredulity, “Aria f*****g Moretti!” he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide in an exaggerated welcome. “I thought you’d disappeared off the face of the earth!”

At his loud cry, the others turned to look. At first they all seemed to mirror the shock that everyone tonight seemed to have been possessed by, as their eyes trailed over her, surprise and admiration evident in their gazes. Beatrice was the first to come over her shock, as she rushed forward her arms outstretched. “Aria! It’s been ages. You look absolutely radiant, as always." She pulled Aria into a tight hug, the scent of her floral perfume mingling with the jasmine in the air stinging Aria’s nose at the cloying scent.

Aria stilled at the unexpected contact, her smile slipping a little. She took a step back, and Beatrice immediately let go, her face contorting in guilt and a little embarrassment that Aria rejected her in front of so many people. But who could blame her? When Aria needed her, and actually most of them, neither of them had been there for her. Now they acted like nothing had happened, like the past year of her life hadn't been the most tumultuous and painful.

"Bea," Aria said, her tone cool. "It's been a while."

Finn noticed the tension and quickly took charge. "Everyone, this is Aria Moretti. I’m sure she is no stranger to most of you here.” He chuckled, because really who didn’t know Aria Moretti. Even if you’ve never seen her, you’d at least have heard of her. The girl who was born with everything. She was the admiration and envy of all.

“Alright, let me introduce you to everyone,” he said, guiding Aria through the group.

“This is Forest,” Finn said, pointing to Forest, who was still grinning broadly. “You already know him, of course.”

He then turned to Beatrice. “And this is Bea. A long-time friend, and—” Finn paused briefly, glancing at Beatrice and then back at Aria, “—she’s recently become quite close to me.” Beatrice smiled warmly, though there was a hint of awkwardness as she leaned slightly against Finn, but she leaned in even closer, a subtle but possessive gesture that didn't go unnoticed.

Aria’s gaze flickered between them, noting their closeness but saying nothing.

Finn continued, “The triplets Liam, Lionel, and Lee.”

The triplets gave coordinated waves, their playful smiles making it clear they were enjoying the evening.

“Then we have Leah,” Finn said, pointing to a young woman with dark curls. “She’s cool.”

Leah gave a friendly wave. “Nice to meet you, Aria.” Aria nodded, mirroring her smile.

“And this,” Finn said, pointing to a tall, athletic-looking guy with a relaxed demeanor, “is Jake. He’s a bit of a muscle head but he alright.”

Jake exclaimed in offense. “Hey!”

Chuckling, Finn finally gestured to a reserved young man with glasses, standing a bit apart. “And this is Derek. The guys genius and a bit of an enigma, but he’s got a great sense of humor once you get to know him.”

Derek gave a shy, modest wave, his face flaming red. “Hello, Aria.” She was so pretty, he thought, unable to look away.

“Hello Everyone, nice to meet you all again.” She grinned. She really was happy to see some familiar faces.

Since her marriage with Henri, she’d withdrawn from them a-lot, he was quite possessive of her, and she mistook his possession as a sign that he cared so deeply. Well..anyways, they hardly met unless it was on some event or something, and that too Henri was always by her, so it wasn’t much of a meeting. So this was actually nice.

The group responded with varying degrees of enthusiasm and curiosity. Forest, still riding high from his initial surprise, clapped his hands together and grinned. “I can’t believe you’re here, Aria. It’s been too long girl. We need to catch up!”

Beatrice, trying to regain her composure, added, “Yes, definitely. It’s just like old times, isn’t it?” Her voice was slightly too cheerful, betraying the unease she felt.

Aria forced a smile. “Sure, let’s catch up.” Her eyes scanned the group, taking in the mix of old friends and new faces, but her mind was still a little preoccupied with the past and what lay ahead for the evening. She tried to forget about that man and the implications of what his absence entailed, but he was never far from her mind.

Finn, sensing the moment’s awkwardness, lit a cigarette and took a slow drag. He leaned against the bench next to Aria, lost in thought as he watched her. His gaze followed her every movement with a mix of admiration and longing, as if he was seeing her for the first time in a new light. She really did look radiant tonight. Elegant, yet sensual. He also loved the look of her at home when he came over the other day. Dressed in gear as she’d just come from shooting practice. She was just fascinating.

Aria, noticing his distraction, plucked the cigarette from his lips with a swift, practiced move, with mischief dancing in her eyes. She took a long drag, the smoke swirling around her like a seductive veil. Leaning back against the bench, she exhaled slowly, enjoying the sensation of the smoke and the calming effect it had on her nerves. She missed this, she thought, as she took another drag. Grandmother and Aunt Maria would kill her if they found out she was out smoking, but meh, who was gonna tell?

Beatrice, noting Finn’s intense focus on Aria and feeling a twinge of jealousy, moved closer to him. This..this was why she never wanted to be around Aria. She f*****g loved that woman, I mean, it was impossible to hate Aria, but she just always felt..less around her. Felt like a shadow in her presence. Even now, with Finn's gaze lingering on Aria, the old feelings of inadequacy resurfaced with a sting. She leaned even closer to Finn, trying to make her presence felt, her hand resting possessively on his arm.

“So, Aria,” Beatrice said with a forced cheerfulness, “What have you been up to lately? Anything exciting?”

Aria took another drag of the cigarette, her gaze drifting between Beatrice’s strained smile and Finn’s distracted expression. She could sense the tension, but she chose to respond with a calm, measured tone. “Oh, haven’t been up to much lately. Just worked on myself lately, and the occasional travel. But everyone seems to think I was abroad for some exciting new business venture.” She added with a chuckle.

“Yeah, you definitely worked on yourself..” Finn commented with a smirk, his eyes straying to her fit shoulders and toned arms. “It’s good to see you so… relaxed.”

Her gaze shifted to Finn, who was watching her with an intensity that made her wonder, “Relaxed huh.. I can imagine why you think that.” She chuckled..with Henri..she didn’t even want to think about the person she was with Henri. She didn’t want to say she wasn’t herself, because you are always yourself, a different version perhaps, but it’s still just you. But the version of her when she was with Henri, was one that was far from relaxed.

Beatrice’s smile tightened at their exchange, though she tried to keep her tone light, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. “Ah, yes..” She spoke up, “I heard a few rumors about you being involved in something grand. Sounds… intriguing.” But she didn’t look at all intrigued.

Aria took another drag, the smoke swirling around her, and watched as Beatrice’s smile wavered. The undercurrent of tension between them was palpable. What the hell was her problem? Shouldn’t Aria be the one acting all tense and upset, considering what they did to her, or rather what they did not do for her. But oh well, it’s about time she went anyway. She wasn’t just here to catch up with friends, she couldn’t be distracted from her agenda.

But first, I’m going to finish this blunt. She thought, about to take another drag, when it was deftly plucked off her fingers. Finn took a slow drag of it, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched Aria's reaction. He let out a stream of smoke, laughing softly at the way she tried to suppress her smile. “Here, before I end up found mysteriously dead in my penthouse,” he teased, holding the cigarette out to her.

Aria shook her head with a playful grin. “Thanks, but I should get back inside. It’s been nice, but I’ve got something to do.”

Derek, who had been relatively quiet until now, suddenly spoke up with an unexpected urgency. “Wait, don’t go yet! You just got here!”

His outburst caught everyone off guard, and the group burst into laughter. Aria raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Derek, are you trying to hold me hostage?”

“No, I—” Derek stammered, his cheeks flushing a deep red. “I just meant… it’s too soon for you to leave.”

Beatrice and Leah, sensing an opportunity to bridge the gap, offered to accompany Aria back inside. “Why don’t we all go back?” Beatrice suggested, trying to sound casual. “We can catch up more inside.” She wanted to make things right with her again. Just..anywhere far from Finn.

“Sounds good to me,” Aria agreed, appreciative of the company. She stood, giving Finn a warm smile. “Thanks for the smoke and the company, Finn. And Derek, we’ll catch up later.” She winked playfully at him, laughing when his face flushed again. Cute.

Finn nodded, a bit disappointed to see her go but masking it with a casual shrug. “Anytime, Aria. Have fun.” She nodded, and waved casually as the three girls languidly walked back. All of them stunning, but it was only Aria that the guys seemed to watch. She just had that kind of effect.

“No, no don’t go!!” Liam, Lionel and Lee as though they’d rehearsed squawked, and the whole group immediately burst out in hysterical laughter as they teased Derek.

“Sh-shut up!” The poor guy stuttered, cursing himself for having asshole friends.