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Cameras flashing, white flashes, and glitters strewn about.

As the rich scent of expensive perfumes invaded my nostrils, laughter and melodious giggles danced in the environment.

Women in gowns and men in suits were holding soft drinks in their hands.

The atmosphere was grandiose and magnificent, with golden and white lights and plastic golden walls. Mirrors on each wall allow you to see your own reflection.

Everything here screamed that it was the night everyone had been talking about and had been anticipating for a long time, the night of the gala.

I wore a thin off-the-shoulder peach gown and a simple silver chain with a pearl on it. I wore my hair open and straightened before letting it fall over my shoulders.

Jen, who was standing right next to me, was admiring the decorations just as much as I was. She was dressed in an indigo gown with thin silver straps.

"Hello, ladies! Don't you both look stunning?" Greta exclaimed, placing one hand on each of my and Jen's shoulders.

She looked absolutely breathtaking in a midnight gown.

I acknowledged her with a smile.

"Says the gorgeous one herself," I replied, a grin on my face.

"I'm sure your husband can't wait to undress you," Jen smirked. Greta laughed and I blushed.

The situation's irony.

"Oh, so he can't wait," Greta retorted with a smirk.

"Okayyy" I emphasized, "Can we stop talking about how your husband wants to undress you?" I muttered, my cheeks flushing.

I rolled my eyes as they both giggled.

Greta left after we had talked for a while, but not before we exchanged phone numbers.

"Feel free to call me if you guys need anything."

"Will do," Jen exclaims, motioning with her thumbs up.

I took in my surroundings, soft music played in the background, and the evening's main hosts had yet to arrive.

"Where has Mave gone?" I inquired, taking another look around. We were driving together in the venue before he abruptly vanished.

Jen rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, he's probably banging the girl he was flirting with earlier."

"Already? The evening had not even begun "I muttered something under my breath.

"Do you think he cares? He does not."

I gave a nod. As much as I adore Mave, there are some aspects of his life that I wish were different. I wish he'd quit hooking up with girls as much as he does now. According to Jen, Mave has been doing this far too frequently. I just hope he comes to his senses and finds happiness in someone. The pain he experienced may still be too raw, and I have no right to judge him; everyone has their own method of coping with pain.

Someone squealed, and all the cameras surrounded the entrance.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to the entrance, and I realized why: the Hendersons and Greysons had arrived.

My Grizelle's face was the first to appear in my vision; she was dressed in a black long-sleeved gown with jewels covering her neck, ears, and hands. Garette stood beside her, handsomely dressed in a matte black suit. His arms were wrapped around her waist. And when I looked around the other family members, I noticed that everyone was dressed in black. They looked stunningly classic. Terry and Tasha both looked stunning, Tahsa wore a black gown adorned with golden sparkles, while Terry wore a black three-piece suit. My gaze was drawn to Luke, the boy standing right beside them. He looks just as good as ever, his hair gelled back and he trimmed the stubble that had grown, and I noticed he was wearing the same suit as his father's.

My eyes searched for a specific ocean blue eyes, but he was not in my line of sight; however, my eyes did see a pair of ocean blue eyes and my breath caught in my throat; I felt like I saw a very older version of Sebastian, delicate features with a sharp jaw and no lady on his hands, his facial structure was stoic, devoid of any emotion, reminding me of Sebastian, yet his eyes held sorrow, too much pain if you searched for it. With his straight face, he stared ahead, not at anyone in particular. He was also dressed in the same outfit as the rest of his family's men.

When the line in front of me cleared, I noticed him. Dressed in the same black three-piece suit that hugged his chest and accentuated the structure of his abs, it's no surprise that his mere presence drew the attention of every female in the room. His hair was unruly as usual, whilr he held a very calm and bored expression on his face.

My heart was racing as giddiness filled my stomach.

What was the matter with me?

I despise feeling like this.

But the feeling faded as soon as I saw a lady in his arms, the same lady from the seminar, the same lady from the dinner, and now, the gala.

What did she mean to him?

Jealousy had never picked my veins before. I was hurt. I'm not sure why. I have no right to be hurt or upset because he is not mine.

But it didn't make it any less painful.

She was stunning. Too elegant. She was dressed in a black floral gown that accentuated her perfect curves. She was flawless in every way. Her smile was unwavering as she stood firm with the Hendersons and Greysons.

She leaned into him, a smile on her face, and whispered something in his ears that drew Sebastain's lips up.

I felt as if I'd been stabbed with a dagger. Pain pierced through me like a knife, killing all of my butterflies.

I have no reason to be envious. And it's possible they're just friends. But it is this realization that brings me to the realization that there is no future for us. There will never be a 'we.'

"I think they're going to marry," Jen predicted.

That's exactly what I needed right now.

"Who?" I inquired calmly. My fists were clenched on both sides.

"You know who I'm talking about," she smirked. I clenched my teeth.

She knew exactly how to get under my skin, I swear to God.

"No, I don't. Are you talking about Sebastian and that lady?" I wondered, tilting my head, as if unfazed by her words.

"She's so stubborn," she muttered to herself.

"Don't you think so, and yes Sebastian and that lady?" She inquired, a phony smile on her face.

"No, I believe the lady deserves better."

That's right.

"Do you believe that?" She gave a smirk.

Ugh-

Nonetheless, I nodded, a phony smile plastered on my own face.

"Seriously though, why do you think that?" After a while, I inquired softly.

Jen's expression softened.

"Because rich families are like that, they like to keep forming alliances within each other, and the best way to do so is to get the generations married."

I nodded, taking in as much reality as I could.

We stood there in silence until the new people we met at the Seminar approached us and spoke with us, and by then Mave had joined us. His suit was neatly ironed, but his swollen lips and unruly hair had told it all.

I glared at him as he stood in front of us; despite feeling my piercing glare, he ignored me and put both hands in his pants pockets.

I was distracted the entire time I was talking to the them because my thoughts were on the beautiful couple who were all smiling and talking to other guests.

Stop.

Right.

There.

What is it that makes me think of him so much?

Why am I sulking when he appears to enjoy his company? I'm going to stop now. I have to. I'm not going to think about him all night.

That's all.

And everything I'd just said flew out the window the moment his ocean eyes met mine.

He stood a few steps away from us, that girl was still right next to him, softly chuckling at something said by the guest. His gaze remained fixed on me, and his pupils darkened as he scanned me from head to toe. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Ells, this is John, we went to the same College," Jen said, putting a hand on my arm and drawing my attention to them.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I got distracted," I chuckled softly, "Hey, John, it's so nice to meet you," I smiled.

"My name is Arabella," I introduced myself, extending my hand for a handshake.

"The pleasure is entirely mine," John winked at me.

John was attractive, averagely build, and taller than me but not taller than Seb-

Nope. Not going there.

Jen walked away bored ever since I started to talk to him for quite a while. It surprised me how instantly we had clicked. I found out he worked for Greyson's and that he had recently joined. I enjoyed his sense of humour. He was hilarious in every way and made my night. I kept talking to him despite the fact that I could feel a familiar gaze on me at all times, but I ignored it and kept talking to him. That is, until someone called him and we had to cut our conversation short.

"Could I please have your phone number, Ms. Arabella?" He gave a pleasant smile.

I mean, he's funny, and he'd be a good friend to have if he's up for it.

Someone had placed their hand on my back before I could ask if he was willing to be just my friend.

"No, you may not"