Chapter 213: One Last Evening
[Music recommendation: Tanerélle - Mama Saturn’s Galactica]
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The night went by in a blur, and so did the rest of the following day.
The Vanderbilt mansion was as alive as it could possibly be. Impeccably dressed staff members moved with the speed of the wind to prepare the estate for the evening’s festivities, while the kitchen operated in full swing, preparing various world-class delicacies for the impending arrival of the guests.
In a large room in the upper section of the mansion, Aliana sat adorned in a beautiful, white minimalist mermaid gown crafted from luxurious crepe. It featured a daring, plunging halter neckline with an open back that hugged her figure perfectly before flaring gracefully below the knees into soft, cascading ruffles. It made her look exactly like the bride she was soon to become. Pearl drop diamond earrings shimmered under the warm light of her dressing room, while a large solitaire diamond pendant sat right above her collarbone.
As the styling team helping her get dressed gushed about how beautiful she looked, Aliana remained silent. Her light grey eyes remained fixed on her actual wedding gown, which had been placed safely in the corner of her room for tomorrow.
"Miss Aliana, you look absolutely gorgeous! Just like a true bride-to-be!" Alan clapped his hands in excitement, admiring how perfectly the dress sat on her form, while the makeup artists agreed in a chorus of praise.
"Aw, look at her, she cannot keep her eyes off her wedding dress for tomorrow! But that magic is for tomorrow. I insist that you look at yourself in the mirror and see this look I have worked so hard on," Alan whined playfully, while the others encouraged her to look.
Aliana turned her attention to her designer. Alan, sporting vibrant purple hair and pink glasses, gave her an enthusiastic nod, gesturing toward the mirror.
But looking at her own reflection was the one thing she had been actively avoiding ever since Aria.
Seeing all of their expectant eyes, she let out a soft, nervous sigh and finally turned her head toward the mirror in front of her.
Yet, she instinctively closed her eyes right before looking, earning a couple of fond chuckles from the styling crew.
"Aw, now you are just teasing us! You will need your beautiful eyes open to see yourself, girl," Alan said sassily.
Aliana knew Alan always liked his clients to give their approval after inspecting his work with their own eyes, no matter how many times he had done it throughout his career.
In the past, she had never had any issue doing that, but right now, dread sat heavily in her heart.
Instead of complying, she rose from her seat, turned to the people around her, and offered a soft smile.
"I know you all have done a wonderful job, but tonight, I think I will let my... future husband have the first say."
A string of teasing laughter chorused through the room before Alan chimed in. "Oh my, how romantic! Fine, I will not insist then. Only for you will I make an exception this time."
Alan backed off, and Aliana could only sigh in relief.
As Alan stepped back, Aliana released a quiet sigh of relief.
She could not risk looking at her own reflection just to appease the people around her. At least for tonight, she wanted the dinner to go smoothly before she finally mustered the courage to confess everything.
Her eyes moved back to her beautiful wedding gown once again, and she wondered if she would even get the chance to wear it tomorrow.
Just then, a knock echoed from outside, and the maid entered before informing her, "Madam, the guests have arrived. You have been called downstairs whenever you’re ready."
Suppressing the painful ache tightening around her heart, Aliana drew a deep breath and whispered to herself, ’Don’t be a coward.’
With that, she gracefully stepped forward to face the evening that awaited her.
Her white pumps clicked softly against the marble floor before she rested her hand against the polished railing, slowly descending the grand staircase of the mansion.
Warmly lit chandeliers illuminated the space above a plush red carpet. Crystal candelabras held multiple glowing candles. While red roses intertwined with delicate white blooms had been tastefully arranged throughout the space.
Their sweet fragrance lingered in the air, creating an atmosphere perfect for an intimate gathering.
Her eyes moved across the foyer to see the familiar faces of her cousins, extended family members, Jade, Cillian, and her parents.
Then, her gaze locked onto the man who stole her breath away.
He wore a flawless three-piece suit, his hair styled with a strand or two falling over his forehead, just above those alluring, icy blue eyes. Those eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that always set her body on fire.
One single day without him had felt unbearably long.
It was as though a piece of her heart had been left behind the moment he drove away, leaving only an emptiness she hadn’t known how to fill.
She had barely slept without him by her side, and now, merely seeing him again was enough to make every part of her come alive.
Unable to tear her gaze away from him as she continued to descend, Gavriel moved like a magnet toward the base of the stairs, as if even the tiniest distance between them was hell.
Just like Aliana, he had not slept at all.
In fact, unknown to her, he had waited in the shadows outside her room, watching until she finally closed her eyes at dawn, only then daring to move closer just to watch her sleep.
Even after placing the strongest barrier around the entire property before he had dropped her off, he found himself unable to stay away.
Unlike the past two days, when she had avoided meeting his gaze, she didn’t avert her eyes from him now, and a quiet sense of fulfilment washed over him.
As she took the final step to the bottom of the staircase, she extended her hand towards him of her own accord, and a small smile curled at his lips as he took it before gently pulling her closer.
His calming scent washed over her, and she closed her eyes when she felt him lean over to brush his lips against her cheek. Slowly dragging his lips close to her ear, he whispered, "So beautiful."
Warmth colored her cheeks, and instinctively, her grip tightened around his hand in response.
This... this was exactly what she had been missing.
Just for a couple of hours, she would not think of anything else.
She would simply live in this feeling that only he was ever able to provide and hold onto it tightly until.... she finally came clean.