Aveliene's pov:

I could feel the rising tension in the atmosphere as both Dimitri and Vaughn stare at each other with intense gaze.

Unable to face this sudden change of moods, I decided to break the awkward silence.

"Do you both know eachother?",as the question slipped from my mouth both Dimitri and Vaughn turned towards me with the same intense look and I gulped. But soon Dimitri eyes went back to amusement while Vaughn's to his as usual ,expressionless.

"We have known each other since childhood, right Rodriguez?", Dimitri said in a slight teasing tone. While glancing at Vaughn.

"We just went to the same school and are now business acquaintances nothing more", Vaughn said in a bored tone without even looking at Dimitri.

"Oh" I replied as unable to say further.

"By the way, thanks for inviting me Vaughn" Dimitri said still amusement fills in his eyes with a mocking tone.

"Don't think it will change anything between us, Martinez. Take it as a business courtesy", Vaughn replied in bored tone while looking here and there.

Dimitri frowned but then quickly changed his mood and smiled.

"Well I was talking to your wife, you are lucky she is so beautiful" Dimitri said and I blushed and glanced at Vaughn for his reaction.

"Well you know, I always gets the best that's why I am at the top on success ladder unlike some people" Vaughn said in a prideful mocking tone while giving emphasis on some.

Dimitri glared at him but then thought better and smiled.

"By the way how do you both know eachother?" Vaughn asked looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"We just met at Ash- ,I mean my friend's party who is also Dimitri's cousin." I said trying to sound calm under Vaughn's intense gaze.

He stared at me for a while then nodded. I turned towards Dimitri and spoke-

"So how long are you going to stay here this time?" I asked while remembering his business trips.

"Well, usually I stay a week but this time I am thinking to stay longer." Dimitri said in mocking tone while looking at me then to Vaughn.

Vaughn clenched his fists. Instantly Dimitri's phone rang.

"Sorry, I have to take this, by the way Congratulations to you both" He said while smirking.

He then looked at me and spoke.

"See you soon ,Aveliene" , to which I nodded and he left.

I turned and looked at Vaughn who was still clenching his fist. Looking in the direction where Dimitri went.

What's with his sudden change moods? I wonder.

He noticed my stare and looked at me.

"Do you know he is my biggest business rival." He paused and took a deep breath trying to calm himself and spoke again "You are not going to meet him again, he is the last person I want you to hang out with. He is a bad news.",he said in stern and angery tone.

"Bu-but why? He seems a nice guy?" I said while stuttering. Why am I stuttering?

"Don't get into his charms. His sugar coated talks are just his perks of being a playboy. You can get hurt. So you will stay away from him." He said. But I was confused, do he cares about me.

As if reading my thoughts he spoke-"Don't be delusional that I care about you. I just don't want you to be hurt by him. Because only I can do that." He said in threatening tone which caused shivers pass down my spine.

He looked at my scared expression and smirked. Then went away to greet his business companions.

I was still scared of what happened just now. I then went back to the table to conclude what just happen.

I thought he cares for me but no, Mr. Rude is selfish and he cares only about himself.

And who gave him the right to order me and tell me to who should I meet and who to not.

I was busy with my thoughts when I heard a voice beside me. I turned and saw Alex sitting there and looking nervous, thats something new.

"Alex are you alright?" I asked with concern.

"Aveliene, actually can I ask you something?" He said in a hesitant voice. To which I nodded.

"Just for curiosity, If you liked someone then how should we express that person our feelings?" He looked cute when he is nervous. I laughed at him and he gave me a confused expression.

"Alex, I still can't believe you are a friend of Vaughn. No offense but look he is such authoritative, self-centered, rude. And you are nice and caring. I don't know how you two become friends and that also besties." I asked him, as look how nice he is, and his friend is quite the opposite.

Alex laughed and spoke-

"Well he is not that rude, he is a good person, it will take time for you but you will come to know. For now you can say he is......complexed."

"I think it will take a long time." I sighed.

"By the way so who is the lucky girl" I asked in a teasing tone.

"Wh-what girl are you talking about?" He defended himself but failed.

I laughed at his cute nervousness.

"Alex you can tell me, I know you are talking about some girl, just tell me"

He sighed and spoke" There is this girl, we haven't talked personally and we hardly saw eachother maybe only once. But I liked her. I just don't know how to tell her." He said while looking at the floor then looked up to me for an answer.

"Well, Alex I think you should approach her and express your feelings to her. You are so nice . I am sure she will say yes." I said with encouragement.

"But what if she says no" ,he asked in a low voice. To which I smiled and replied-"I don't think so that will happen because you are a very charming person, it's her fault if she lose you" I said while assuring him.

He smiled and spoke-" I think you are right, Aveliene. Thanks for the advice. I will give it try."

He then left before giving me a last smile. To which I returned back assuring him.

It was now time to cut the wedding cake. So I went back to Vaughn who was already standing there with our parents.

The cook rolled the table with our wedding cake toward the center. It was white, had six tiers and was decorated with pink flowers. Vaughn and I cut it under a another round of applause, and put the first piece onto our plate. Vaughn picked up a fork and fed me a bit as a sign that he'd provide for me, and then I fed him a piece as a sign that I'd take care of him as a good wife was supposed to.

After that our parents fed us some cake as a sign of congrats and blessings.

Followed by my friends.

Cassie was talking with me but my attention was caught by Vaughn and Veronica. She was feeding him a piece but not with a fork but with her thin fingers. Vaughn took a small bite and then went to Alex. Veronica then looked at me with a evil smirk and licked her fingers which has the left over cake in a mocking manner.

I averted my gaze.

Then Dimitri came to fed me a piece, I could feel Vaughn's eyes on me. But if he could take a piece from the person I hate, then why I can't.

I gladly fed from Dimitri with a fork unlike Veronica. He whispered in my ear," Congrats again and I hope we will meet again Aveliene." To which I smiled and nodded.

After that Vaughn stood beside me. And once we were out of earshot of Dimitri Martinez, Vaughn looked down at me. "What did Martinez want?"

"Congratulate me on the festivities ", I said the half truth.

Vaughn gave me a look that made it clear he didn't believe me. There was a hint of mistrust in his expression.

Mr Rodriguez clapped his hands ,silencing the guests and spoke-"Its time to throw the bouquet and garter."

The guests gathered around the dance floor to watch the show. A few even stood on chairs and held up their kids so everyone can get a good look.

I turned back, as all the bachelor ladies gathered , I took a deep breath and threw the bouquet among the eagerly waiting ladies. I turned and saw the bouquet in Stacey's hand while Emily and Veronica were throwing daggers at her.

I smiled at her which she happily returned.

Now it was Vaughn's turn to throw the garter. Vaughn knelt before me under the cheers of our guests. I lifted my gown upto my knees. Vaughn slid his hands up my calves ,then to my knees. I stilled completely at the feel of his fingers on my naked skin. Goose-bumps erupted all over my body. The touch was light and not uncomfortable, and yet it terrified me.

Vaughn's eyes were intent as they watched my face. His fingers brushed my skin under the garter. I sucked in a deep breath but tried to keep my face in a happy-bride mood.

He pulled the garter down my legs until it landed in a heap at my white high heels. I raised my foot so he could pick the piece of lace up.

He straightened and presented the garter to the applauding crowd. I forced a smile and clapped as well. The only person who was not smiling was Veronica.

"Bachelors", Vaughn called in his deep voice. "Gather around maybe you will be the lucky one to marry next!" , he said in a fake cheering tone. I think he is also not liking this like me.

Even the youngest kids stepped forward.

Vaughn raised his arm, the garter in his fist before he thrust it into the cluster of waiting men.

Tyler was going to catch it but before that Alex snatched it out of the air with an impressive lunge. He smirked at Tyler who just had frown on his face.

Cheering and laughter sounded from the guests.

I saw that Stacey and Alex eyes met but couldn't read their expressions as there was a good distance among us.

Everyone went back to their chatting.

Vaughn was greeting me with his business associates while I just faked a smile.

Then a man in his late thirties came to greet us. He was Mr. Sanderson, I recognized him because her only daughter Veronica was also with him and a huge evil smile was plastered on her face.

"Congratulations Mr.and Mrs.Rodriguez!",Mr. Sanderson said in cheering tone. I felt a different feeling when he addressed me as Mrs. Rodriguez. But I kept a happy fake smile on my face.

While Veronica suddenly hugged me and literally crushed my bones and spoke in fake sweet voice" Congrates Aveliene, I am so happy for you." She dug her nails into my back. I felt the pain but didn't let it show on my face and replied her with a "thank you" She backed away with her same evil smile while giving me a look "Wait and watch" while gesturing towards Vaughn.

"Mr. Rodriguez I know it is your wedding but still if you don't mind I want to talk to you about the business project" Mr. Sanderson said in a hesitant voice. I can see even though Vaughn is younger than him but still he has such a powerful and dominating aura that everyone respects him and is scared of him including me.

I looked at Vaughn while he nodded Mr. Sanderson to continue.

"Well I just want to ask you if you don't mind but I want my lovely daughter, Veronica to advertise for the project as the model." His tone filled with pride while gesturing towards Veronica.

Now, I understood why she was evilly smiling at me. She wants to stay near Vaughn. The nerve of this girl.

I looked at Vaughn secretly pleading him to say no, he glanced at me then turned towards Mr. Sanderson and spoke-

"Well I don't have any objections if it's your wish that your daughter should advertise for the project", he then turned towards me and smirked. He did that intentionally.

I looked at Veronica who was beaming with happiness as she has won a competition. She looked at me and mouthed " I warned you before" and smirked.

Right now it was taking all my patience to not slap her. But what could I do when my very own dear husband is enjoying my irritated state.

I took my leave and went for another drink I really need it right now.

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