While they were on the way Arien asked, “Why’s this banquet for?”
“It is of great importance for my friend. It is his mother’s birthday.” Devian answered.
“Then they must have arranged it in a grand way.” Arien felt a little excited hearing mother.
“Not really. His mother died giving birth to his younger sister, when he was only 8” Devian said
Arien’s heart sank. She didn’t know what else she could say.
“Don’t think too much. He keeps it for celebrating his mother’s birthday, he would not prefer crying and grief on this day.” Devian’s heart ached when he saw the sadness in her eyes.
“Oh… I understand” Arien replied.
But deep down she knew that it would have been though for them who had lost their parents, especially mother.
They reached the place. It was an open area beautifully decorated with flowers.
Arien was spellbound seeing the beautiful venue.
They walked in and, as expected, all the eyes were fixed on them. Both Devian and Arien complemented each other so well.
“You’re here?” They heard a voice from behind.
“Mr Wayne” Devian greeted coldly.
“Director Lyle” Louis gave Devian a glance and then turned to Arien.
“This must be Mrs Lyle” he smiled.
“Mr Wayne, nice to meet you” Arien had no idea how he was here.
“Enjoy yourself to the fullest” he said.
Devian nodded to him and then then both talked for a while.
Arien was still deep in her thoughts when Louis said, “Mrs Lyle, how can you stay with this cold director!”
“Ahh…” Arien was out of words.
“He’s the friend I was taking about.” Devian interrupted whispering to her.
“Ohh…” Now she know. It turns out that it was Mr Wayne. He was indeed Devian’s friend.
Arien sat there while Devian was called by Dean to attend some guests.
Arien noticed that all the guests were form high business families carefully invited. All the people were from way higher classes.
“How’s he possibly able to come.” Arien thought “he could be friends with Mr Wayne, the person who was chosen by Ace Corporation’s president for taking care of matters in California. How come…”
“Arien” she was thinking it through when she heard Devian calling her.
“Yes.” She walked over to him.
“This is Mr Edvard Wayne, Louis’s father.” He introduced.
“Nice to meet you” Arien greeted politely with a beautiful smile.
“Same here Mrs Lyle” although Edvard was older, he still had to be presentable in front of Devian.
“Well well…” Louis came over. “How about some dance?” He asked.
“You can help yourself, we won’t join this time” Devian politely turned him down.
“But Devian. My mother will feel bad if you don’t join. Since today, first time ever you have a partner that too your wife, how can you still say no?” Louis still had a chance.
“You should go.” Arien said.
“Mrs Lyle, you both have to join.” Louis corrected.
“Me? No no.. I’m not a good dancer.” Arien didn’t wanted to join so she lied.
“Ugh!” Just as she completed she heard Devian coughing. “White lie.” He whispered.
“Shut up!” Arien secretly pinched him.
“Okay okay… But Louis won’t let you go.”
As Devian had already said Louis didn’t let both of them escape and finally they had to dance.
Just like the last time, they were the stars.
But they didn’t notice a pair of sharp eyes glaring at Arien all the while she was dancing with him.
After a while they stopped and stepped down. Devian bought her some drink.
They were sitting there with Louis when someone called, “Brother.”
Louis looked around and saw Emily coming to them. Another lady followed her. It was Julien.
Devian had also treated Emily as his little sister.
“This is my sister, Emily Wayne.” Louis introduced her to Arien.
“Hello miss Wayne” Arien greeted.
Emily was a 21 years, pretty girl who looked adorable and had a good front. As she was from a noble family, she knew how to present herself.
“Hello.” Emily said casually.
But why couldn’t Arien feel her greetings to be friendly. Why is she sensing envy in her voice?
Arien thought it to be her imagination and she gave a smile to Emily.
But she got a cold response. Emily turned to Devian, “Big brother Leo, who’s this lady?” She asked innocently.
“She’s Arien, my wife” Devian answered.
“Wife?” Emily exclaimed, “You can’t marry!”
“What’s the matter?” Louis was surprised with her sudden change in behavior.
“No, brother, I thought he didn’t want to marry!” She changed her expression back to normal.
Arien was not sure why Emily reacted such hearing about Devian’s marriage.
Anyway maybe her thoughts were just her illusions. She didn’t want to think about it anymore.
Julien was also there. She stood straight with a red face and said nothing until Louis called her.
Arien could guess that her prince charming was actually Louis Wayne.
“Devian, we wanted to talk to you about something.” Louis stated while Julien was still silently standing there with a red face.
“Hmm…” Devian was quiet aware of what he wanted to say but he was waiting for him to say it out.
“I like Julien. You’re her brother so I wanted to ask your permission for taking her as my bride. I know you’re younger but you probably take most of the decision of the family. So I thought it to be convenient to talk to you about it first.” Louis said every word serenely.
She had guessed it right. Arien could feel his every word very sincere but she couldn’t interfere in this matter, so she decided to keep quiet until Devian says something.
“I’ve already known.” Devian said.
“What?” Both Julien and Arien exclaimed.
But Louis stood there with the same expression and a smile on his face.
Seems like someone underestimated his abilities!
Louis smiled and said, “I knew it. How could you not know about your own sister when you can know about the people you’ve never even met!”
It was true. If Devian wanted he could know anything anytime not to mention the whereabouts of his own sister.
He has known about them from the very beginning but he was waiting for them to say it out which happened today.
After such long years of good friendship between them how could he deny Louis’s proposal knowing that he could be perfect match for his sister.
“You could guess my answer, isn’t it?” Devian asked.
But… Both the girls looked at them blankly.
“Is it business? Why are they talking about it like something really serious?” Julien was tensed.
“Don’t think so much. I know he wouldn’t say no!” Arien assured her.
Suddenly “Of course!” Louis laughed. His happiness could be seen in his eyes.
Julien guessed that everything was fine. She could only blush. And Arien stood there smiling brightly.
But there was someone who was not so happy.