Seraphina blinked. Venessa discreetly elbowed her. Rafael was now facing them, and she realized he had been staring directly at her.
Her eyes quickly scanned him. He was tall, lean but muscular, with thick brows, long lashes, and lips that looked naturally red. His nose was sharp and symmetrical, like it was carved with intention. In short, he was undeniably handsome. Too handsome. The kind of man who probably had ten girlfriends... and ten kids from ten different women. Nope, not her type.
"Hello, sir Rafael," Venessa greeted.
"Hi," Rafael replied with a short nod.
Seraphina crossed her arms. She already felt annoyed. He kept glancing at her chest. Wow. What a gentleman, she thought.
"Come on, Bess. Let's sit," Venessa said, dragging her away toward their reserved table, each marked with name tags.
Seraphina took one last look back, only to feel mildly disappointed. Rafael was no longer standing beside the aunt.
"Looking for someone?" a deep voice whispered close to her ear.
She spun around slightly. Rafael was suddenly behind her, now seated at the table next to theirs. She forced a smile and rolled her eyes. Rafael just chuckled in response.
"Bess," Venessa whispered, leaning closer. "Mr. CEO is totally into you."
"Shush, Bess! He looks like trouble. Besides, I am still married!"
"Hmp. Sign the papers already. This one's hotter, and looks like he's packing!"
Seraphina burst into quiet laughter. "You are insane, Venessa."
"Oh please. Just look at him. Hot. Rich. Mysterious. Bet you a hundred bucks he's got abs of steel and a yacht."
"Stop it, Venessa," Seraphina giggled again. "You are making it worse."
"Uuuuy. Look at her. She's flustered! I swear, that man is…wait for it, well-endowed," Venessa whispered dramatically.
Seraphina turned, curious despite herself. Rafael was standing again, talking to another man across the room. Her eyes naturally dropped to his fitted black pants... and she immediately regretted it.
"Oh my God," she muttered, blinking rapidly.
"Confirmed, Bess?" Venessa asked, raising her brows.
Seraphina just nodded slowly. "You are unbelievable, Venessa."
They both laughed quietly, until a voice made them freeze.
"Are you done checking me out, ladies?"
Seraphina and Venessa turned to see Rafael looking right at them, a smirk playing on his lips.
They could not say a word. Instead, they kicked each other under the table in pure embarrassment.
Rafael chuckled again. "By the way, this is my friend, Josh. Mind if we join you?"
Venessa recovered quickly. "Not at all! Feel free!"
As the evening program began, the crowd hushed. There were birthday wishes, a video montage, and even performances from the celebrant's grandchildren. After the buffet dinner, the lights dimmed and the dancefloor opened up. Couples started to sway under soft romantic music and flashing colored lights.
"I'll just go to the restroom, Bess," Seraphina whispered and stood up.
As soon as she stepped out of the restroom, Arielle froze on the spot.
Right there on the dance floor, her husband was dancing with Tessa. His hands were resting on Tessa's waist, and Tessa, acting all sweet and innocent. Her head resting on his chest, eyes closed like she was in some kind of fairytale dream.
Arielle felt her skin crawl. It was as if horns suddenly sprouted from her head, just like Maleficent. Her blood boiled. If looks could hurt, Tessa would be on the floor. If not for her own self-control, only Tessa's tongue would be left untouched after the beating she deserved.
She was just about to storm toward them when someone grabbed her arm.
"Hmm, miss… that look you're giving the couple is dangerous," said a man beside her.
"Couple?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowing.
"Yes," he answered. "Mr. Elias Cassian Valenciaga and Mrs. Tessa Valenciaga. I know them. Mr. Valenciaga recently invested in my company. They came to one of my meetings together."
Arielle's heart dropped.
"Why do you look so upset with them? Are you his girlfriend or something?" the man asked casually.
"Girlfriend?" she repeated, followed by a bitter, sarcastic laugh.
"Hey bess!" Venessa's voice called from behind. "I've been looking all over for you and here you are with Mr. Well endowed..oops, I mean Mr. Rafael!"
Arielle chuckled at her best friend's slip.
"Mr. Well endowed? What does that mean?" Rafael asked, looking confused.
"Well endowed... um, it means.... You know, like 'Great'. As in, the Great CEO," Venessa quickly covered up.
Rafael grinned. "Ohhh! I like that."
They both laughed.
Rafael then turned to Arielle. "Well, Miss Arielle Seraphina, may I have this dance?"
She almost burst into laughter. Why not? The two traitors already had the dance floor. She might as well take what was left of her dignity and dance with Rafael.
While they swayed to the music, Rafael leaned closer. "I want to know more about you," he said, his hand resting lightly on her waist. Her arms circled his neck, and she caught a whiff of his expensive perfume mixed with his warm breath.
"You'll be bored," she replied playfully.
"You're trouble," he teased. "I like you."
"Well, I don't like you," she shot back. "I am sure you'll hate me once you get to know me."
He smirked. "Is that a challenge?"
"No. I just don't like you. You look like the kind of guy with ten girlfriends and probably ten kids too, and I bet they're all your firstborn."
To her surprise, Rafael laughed loudly.
"I want to kiss you, baby," he said suddenly.
"Try it, and you'll be kissing the floor next," she warned.
"I'm just kidding," he chuckled. "But seriously… I really like you."
She ignored his last line and gently leaned her head against his chest. Not because she wanted to, she just could not bear to look in the direction of her husband and Tessa again. The lights were dim, colours danced across the hall, and she could barely make out faces anymore. But when she turned back to check, there they were kissing. Right there. In public and in front of everyone.
It was one thing to hear he had moved on… but seeing it with her own eyes, that was something else entirely. Like a knife to the heart. If betrayal had a face, it would be this moment.
"Do you really like me, Rafael?" she asked suddenly, blinking back the tears forming in her eyes.
"Yes, Arielle," he said sincerely.
Before he could say more, she kissed him.
To hell with everything. Right now, she just wanted to forget. His lips were soft, his response eager. He bit her lower lip gently, making her tremble. He was good, really good. Her arms tightened around his neck as the kiss deepened, becoming more intense, more passionate. For a moment, all her pain melted into the heat of that kiss. Everything else, her husband, Tessa, the betrayal, all faded away.
They were completely lost in each other… until someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.
She gasped as she was pulled away from Rafael, rushed out of the hall and shoved into a car.