The night was in full bloom, bustling with new opportunities and hope. As Aurelia stepped into the sophisticated ambiance of Vintage Oasis, Ezekiel’s new wine bar, she felt the evening’s magic envelop her.
Soft golden lighting cast a warm glow on the polished mahogany walls, adorned with wine-inspired artwork. The air vibrated with refined chatter and the clinking of crystal glasses.
Before her, a sea of dignitaries mingled, sipping on exquisite wines and savoring hors d’oeuvres crafted by the city’s top chefs. Tuxedo-clad gentlemen and elegantly gowned ladies moved with poise, exchanging smiles and handshakes.
The atmosphere pulsed with sophistication as if the very essence of luxury had been distilled into this singular event.
Aurelia straightened her shoulders, refusing to be intimated. But she couldn’t deny that she felt out of place, like a goldfish among sharks.
The air felt rich with personalities, suffocating her. A waitress offers a glass of wine off a silver tray and she takes it with a stiff smile, her fingers trembling slightly. The heavy weight of expectation settled on her shoulders.
God, she was nervous, too nervous to register the taste of the wine as she brought it to her lips. Her cursory gaze wandered about the room, settling on a mirror decorating the wall beside her.
Aurelia’s gaze lingered on her reflection, admiring the elegant dress she had designed herself. The ivory gown was a beautiful ensemble of silk and lace, hugging her curves in all the right places.
Her fiery ginger curls tumbled down her back in loose, bouncy waves, secured by a slender silver clip. Around her neck, a delicate silver necklace with a miniature crystal pendant sparkled, complemented by Chandelier earrings that added a touch of sophistication.
Despite her stunning appearance, Aurelia’s insecurities whispered, What was she doing here? Why did she easily agree to come?
These questions gnawed at her fragile ego, and soon her reflection distorted, her chest heaving as her grip on the glass tightened.
Ezekiel had yet to make his appearance, and although the faces here were familiar; high-profile actors and actresses alike, none of them acknowledged her presence. So she stood alone, glancing at the ticking clock each passing minute.
This position used to be her dream-mingling with the elite society. It was why she became a designer, but each time she was given the chance to do so. She always cowered away. It was pathetic. A part of her-the part she’d always neglected, always felt unworthy of her achievements.
Aurelia heaved out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping as she raised her gaze, filtering through the crowd once more. Her brows furrowed as she spotted a familiar woman Veronica Montague.
Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, Aurelia’s composure faltered. Veronica’s piercing green eyes sparkled with interest, and she navigated through the throng with purpose.
Aurelia’s shoulders stiffened, her instincts taking caution. She hadn’t forgotten their last encounter, where Veronica’s words had left her feeling uneasy. Still, she maintained a polite smile as Veronica approached.
“Aurelia, lovely to see you again,” Veronica said, her voice husky and confident. She thoughtfully eyed Aurelia from head to toe, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “You look stunning tonight.”
Aurelia’s response was gracious, though guarded. “Thank you, Veronica. You’re looking well yourself.”
Veronica looked down at herself and laughed, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, this?” She gestured towards her dress, a custom-made red gown that seemed to shimmer like flames in the soft light, resembling a fiery waterfall.
“It was personally designed by Luke himself.” She added with a smug expression.
On hearing his name, Aurelia felt her chest throb painfully, but her smile never wavered. Instead, she brought her cup to her lips, washing off the pang of jealousy on her tongue with a sip of wine.
“It’s beautiful.”
She hadn’t seen or spoken to the CEO since the wedding, neither had he bothered to call for her. She didn’t care though, not after what he did. She didn’t want to care.
Veronica’s gaze lingered on Aurelia’s face as if searching for something beneath the surface. “I must say, I’m intrigued by your presence here. Are you an oenophile?”
Aurelia shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I was invited by a good friend.”
Veronica’s smile hinted at skepticism. “I see. Who is this friend if I may ask? Only the owner of the bar issued out invites if I remember correctly .”
Aurelia suddenly felt smug for some reason. Her smile widened, her free hand moving to smooth her curls. “Exactly. Mr Sterling invited me himself.”
Veronica nodded, seemingly unaffected by the revelation. “That’s interesting, I never knew my cousin had friends outside of Hollywood.”
Aurelia almost choked on her drink, and Veronica chuckled at her expense.
“Cousin?” She blurted out in disbelief. “You’re related to Ezekiel?”
Veronica rolled her eyes, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Unfortunately so.”
Aurelia fell into silence, her mind churning. It was a real shock, and it also brought more questions. If Ezekiel was related to Veronica, and since she’s a close friend of Luke, then she could know what transpired between them.
“Can I ask you a question?” She dared to ask, her curiosity taking over.
Veronica arched a brow but gestured for her to go on.
“Do you know what happened between the CEO and Mr Sterling? What relationship do they share.” Aurelia didn’t know where this sudden boldness came from, but it worked in her favor.
She knew it wasn’t her place to ask, but she had somehow entangled herself between both men. Ever since Ezekiel appeared, Luke had been more on the edge. And for Ezekiel, his interest in her was as alarming as it was confusing. Aurelia couldn’t help but think it was all connected.
Veronica regarded Aurelia in silence, her expression giving nothing away. But Aurelia stood her ground, patiently waiting for a reply. Then after a few seconds, Veronica nodded, calling for a waitress. The waitress brought her a glass of wine, and she finished it in one gulp, her red lipstick leaving a mark on the crystal glass.
“What a curious cat you are.” She smirked, taking an intimidating step forward. “But you know what happens to curious cats right?”
Aurelia tipped her chin higher, her gaze sharpening. “Yes, I do. But cats have nine lives, don’t they?”
On hearing this, Veronica burst into laughter, and Aurelia clicked her tongue in annoyance. She turned on her heels, seeing that there was no use prying for too long, but Veronica stopped her, her long arms slithering around Aurelia’s waist.
Aurelia stiffened, her eyes rounding. “What-”
“To answer your question.” Veronica leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “They were best friends, but after the incident, their relationship turned sour, leaving bittersweet memories and resentment towards one another.”
With that, Veronica straightened up and walked away, waving Aurelia goodbye without turning back.
Aurelia watched her go, unsure of how to feel. Her answer was vague but efficient, and it also made room for more questions.
What incident made them hate each other? And does Aurelia have any right to probe any further than she already has?
Just when her thought spiraled into a whirling tornado, Ezekiel arrived, making his grand appearance.
Ezekiel greeted his guests warmly, but his eyes scanned the crowd for one person, and when he spotted her, his lips split into an exciting grin. In the corner of the room, Veronica took note of this, looking between Ezekiel and Aurelia. She shook her head, leaning into her seat with a bored expression.
“They say you only repeat mistakes from a forgotten past.” She said to no one in particular, going forward to pour herself another glass of wine.
“But I guess it’s different when you have nothing to lose cousin.” Veronica pulled out her phone, staring long at the screen.
“Should I also have some fun then?” Her sinister grin reflected on the device, overshadowing the name on display.
It read; CONTACTS; ARROYAL.