Party

CHAPTER Nineteen

A grand celebration was attended by Ariella and Anton today. This is a very special occasion that they must attend. In fact, Ariella convinced Anton to go because they knew that his grandmother would be upset with him.

"Am I looking good, honey butter?" Ariella asked while busy with what she was doing. She kept looking at the mirror in front of her, and feels that her looks are not perfect.

"Look at me," said Anton, which she immediately did.

He watched Ariella's face before looking up and down.

A smile appeared on his lips for a few moments before he walked away.

"Wait! You haven't answered my question yet!"

Up to this moment, there is still a smile on his lips as he walks. Ariella followed him, running, and was struggling because of her heels.

"Am I not looking good? Tell me!" she grumbled. Anton still didn't answer her question.

Her face was already frowning, and was annoyed with Anton, so she stopped and remained standing. Her face was disfigured, and just watched him walking. Maybe he hadn't noticed that Ariella hadn't followed him anymore.

A few moments passed before Anton noticed that Ariella was no longer teasing him.

He turned and saw Ariella just standing there, and also noticed her frowning face.

Chuckles, he asked, "What's wrong my pretty wife?"

Annoyed, Ariella says, "I am not looking good, am I?  Why didn't you tell me?!" she still grinned afterwards.

Anton approached her as if he was a sullen child who felt she had not been given what she wanted.

She met his gaze and tried to read the contents of his mind. After a while, she noticed a smile on Anton's lips which made her feel a little different from him.

She looked down and stuttered, "What is the meaning of that? Huh?"

Anton brought his face closer to her ear, and softly whispered, "Don't pout your mouth, my wife."

She frowned, and asks, "Why?"

He whispered in her ear again, "I might kiss you." After he said that, he held her hand so they could leave.

Ariella couldn't keep silent even though she still wanted to ask if she was beautiful. In fact, even if she didn't ask, she was just beautiful because the beauty she possessed was natural. That was one of the reasons why Anton was so fascinated by her.

They were transported in a luxurious Lamborghini driven by Anton himself. He did not hire a driver because he wanted to drive for his wife himself.

It took more than half an hour before they arrived. The number of people invited was more than they expected. Most of them are business partners and friends of his grandmother.

Anton got out of the car first and opened the door for Ariella. He was dependent on her.

The other guests greeted them, but most of them didn't know Ariella yet and they even asked who he was with. Whenever someone asked who was with him, Ariella just looked at him. He does not deny his wife and repeatedly says that she is his wife.

Kurt, his younger brother, greeted them and offered them wine. They both refused because they knew the wine was too strong.

"Oh, I'm so glad to see you again, Anton," said his aunt happily.

"Me too, auntie," he replied.

"Where is Cindy?" he asked and turned his gaze to Ariella.

Anton and Ariella looked at each other, and Anton was speechless. "It's been a long time since I saw her. Are you two staying together?" she asked more.

Maybe his aunt didn't notice Ariella since her hand was hanging on Anton's arm.

Or maybe she did it on purpose?

Because of her question, Anton did not know how to answer. Many words wanted to escape from his mouth but he simply could not speak.

Maybe he didn't want to talk about Cindy especially whenever he was with Ariella.

Meanwhile, Ariella turned her attention to something else. He knows who Cindy is, something Anton doesn't know.

Instead of answering her question, he said, "Auntie, meet Ariella."

Upon hearing this, Ariella suddenly looked at him, then turned her gaze to his auntie.

"Oh, nice to meet you, beautiful young lady," she said happily.

Ariella smiled, saying, "Nice to meet you too."

"It was my first time to see you," she said, then she looked back at Anton. "Is she your secretary?"

The momentary smile on Ariella's lips was withdrawn again when she heard her question. She glanced at Anton without emotion.

There was a smile on Anton's lips before answering. "She's the only woman I want to be with. The only woman to be a mother of my children."

She raised her brows and it wasn't long before she understood what Anton meant.

She laughed a little. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know she was your wife." She looked at Ariella for a moment from her face to her feet. "Forgive me, Ariella. I didn't know, and it's not obvious," she added.

Ariella didn't say a word even though she was slightly insulted by what she said.

It was as if she felt that she wanted to leave that place immediately because she had a hunch that his other relatives and guests would think the same about her.

All of a sudden, she felt the sudden tightening of Anton's grip on her hand as if it was indicating something to him.

They continued walking. Many greet them whenever they meet someone. Even the vice president of the country of Moscow congratulated them. He even remarked that his chosen wife was very beautiful. He also seems kind.

Because of that, Ariella somehow smiled.

"What a surprise, my dear grandson," said Madam Victoria, and greeted Anton with a hug and kiss.

"Happy birthday, grandma," he greeted. Ariella also greeted her, and it was as if an angel whispered to Madam Victoria to smile on Ariella.

"It was highly appreciated to see you both here." She smiled at Anton for a moment and glanced at Ariella for a moment. He smiled even though it was forced.

"Happy birthday, grand-" he was interrupted when Madam Victoria immediately turned her back. "-ma," he whispered.

"You are not my granddaughter," whispered Madam Victoria they heard.

They both just shrugged their shoulders until the party started.

They didn't drink much because they both didn't want to get drunk especially tonight.

Ariella just looked around and tried to console herself with the people she met. He didn't even drink the wine he was holding.

Anton noticed that Ariella was not satisfied so he held her hand tightly.

He turned

his gaze to Anton when he held his hand.

"I am here to hold you tight, my wife," he whispered and kissed her cheek.