2. Too late
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Scanning the room, I quickly saw my spouse with none other than my bestfriend Ariel. From afar, you can observe that they are such a great pair. of Leeches.
Devon, as always, looks dashing in his three piece black Armani suit. He's such a good looking man in my eyes even up to now. No one can compare to him. His firm body and cold aura added to his oozing appeal.
Clinging on his left arm is Ariel who wore a white evening gown in contrast to her dark alter ego. I smirked at the sight. They didn't even wait for me
Busy, busy, busy, are we Ariel?
Victoria is on his right side and smiling like a goof to please everyone her husband and son were talking to. On my mother-in-law's right side is Euro who was talking with other business tycoons.
I looked past them and finally saw the apples of my eyes. The Zimmer family.
Making my way to them, my father already saw me.
"Little monster, I've missed you." Daniel, my dear father, uttered while hugging me tightly. I've missed him so much. My mother was no more of this world but I've never felt incomplete having him as a parent.
"Piglet!" A brunette Adonis-like man joined the family hug. He's my big brother, Jake, a bachelor but not a womanizer. He's a one-woman man just like my father.
"You're skinny. Are you eating?" Jake voiced out, scanning me from head to toe.
"And you're nearing your thirties, when can I have a niece or nephew? Don't worry I'm on a diet." I said in one breath and winked. My brother zipped his mouth with my first argument.
"Where's Devon?" My father asked, changing the topic. I just shrugged and got a drink from one of the walking servers.
"That scum!" Jake hissed looking beyond me. I don't need to see who was at the receiving end of his cold stares.
The leeches.
I just smiled full of warmth. By the boost of the alcohol drink that traveled through my throat, I felt a little bit courageous for the good show later.
"I don't mind." I flatly said to them. My father looked at me knowingly and seemed to understand what I was communicating.
You're absolutely right father. I already came to my senses.
Devon and I had an arranged marriage. My father planned it because of my big infatuation with my husband. The Yushkova unfortunately agreed to the arrangement since my family's company is such a big catch.
We have a technology and systems company. Currently, we are at the top and hoping for the years to come, too.
Sadly, I didn't know any hacking techniques since I was on the artsy side of the spectrum. I wasn't able to study the intricacies of systems and hardwares because my emotions clouded my sober mind three years ago.
A clink of glasses could be heard and I made my way to my dear husband.
Standing before him, I felt nothing. I didn't spare him a look and impartially listened to the barbie who's giving the toast.
I wasn't paying attention because my mind floats to what I've prepared for later. I suddenly felt an arm encircling my fragile waist and was forced to look at the man I once loved.
I was taken aback when his lips crushed into mine. It was warm and loving.
Our kiss lasted longer than I had expected. I responded thinking I should act the part of a loving wife for this one last time.
His kiss was pleading and had a sense of longing but to no avail, my heart never faltered and was cold. He licked my lower lip to ask for an entrance which I didn't grant.
When the kiss ended, I tried to strengthen my legs, facing the crowd and bowed my head. I never looked at him during the process.
For the audience, I looked like a demure wife after the magical moment which they accepted without any suspicion.
'Happy anniversary!' All of them greeted at the same time. I gave my best smile and planned to stay away from my husband for the rest of the night.
He tightened his grip on my waist.
"Stay....Please...." Devon said. I looked at him and saw longing in his eyes. Oh, how much I've waited for that kind of look all these years.
Too late.
I leaned forward and whispered to his ear, "Ariel is looking." He loosened his arm that was clinging to my waist. I turned away and headed to the portable bar the party supplier had prepared.
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I saw her descending from the stairs. My lovely wife. She's a sight to behold with the black evening gown that accentuated her body In the right places. I felt warm looking at her and I can feel my lips curving upwards.
She looked my way and I gasped expecting she would come to me. She then averted her eyes to somewhere else in my dismay.
"Mr. Yushkova, Mr. Wei of Cruise International." My assistant interrupted, which made me snapped back and discussed brief business matters with the senior capitalist.
I unconsciously averted my eyes from the man and scanned the hall for my wife.
I was transfixed with her smile, laughs and hugs while conversing with Daniel and Jake. How I wished I was the one receiving those precious reactions.
Bored with the discussions around me, I have decided to approach her and my second family. My mother stopped my tracks.
"Where are you going?" She whispered to me.
"Going to Natalia." My wife.
"There are more important things at hand here. These capitalists are rare to be seen and hard to interact with. We must make a good and lasting impression." My mother reminded me that she purposely invited all these money makers at the expense of our anniversary. I sighed. My father gave his nod in agreement, too.
I stared again to my wife from afar. Maybe after this, we will have our own time.
After quite a while, to my relief, Ariel Zippi let go of my arm and proposed a toast for Natalia and I. I don't want to make a scene and give face to the Zippi family.
Then I saw my wife gracefully walk towards me holding her head high. Her long dark hair was bouncing on every step and her hips mildly swayed as she stride forward. She is and will always be the phoenix in my eyes. No one can compare to her.
I know I have been busy with our company expanding it to what it is today. Now, I have the luxury to spend more time with my wife.
Standing beside me, Natalia never looked my way. I felt something's wrong. I instinctively put my one arm around her waist.
Look at me. I silently pleaded.
At last, she spared me her eyes but they were void of any expression. Flashes of bitter memories of her being laughed at and bullied crossed my mind.
No. My mind shouted knowing what that look means.
Without waiting for the start of the actual toast, I crushed my lips to hers. To my surprise, Natalia responded with my kiss.
After that sweet moment, I looked at her, hopeful that she felt the same emotions that I have. A warm one. But it didn't come. She avoided my gaze once again and bowed her head. My heart became heavy. Throbbing.
As I looked at her side, I tried to imprint her elegant face, her smile and her frame in my mind as if it would be the last time. I tightened my arm around her not wanting to let go. I pleaded with her the second time.
'Stay...Please...' by my side forever. I will make it up to you.
My heart skipped when she tiptoed and leaned towards the left side of my face.
'Ariel is looking', she whispered. I was stunned by her words. Then she took the liberty to turn around and walked away.
My world was crushed before me. Turn around. Come back to me. Please.
But she never did.
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