Rivals In Love

CHAPTER 9

I was super annoyed today, frustrated even. I had a charity event to attend along with my family but the damned traffic just had to block all possible routes to the venue right when I was in a rush. I was already in the worst mood possible, I just watched my subordinate/friend get set on fire by the rival family's heir a few days ago and was NOT in a mood to do anything other than give him . But unfortunately, I was the heir to a major family and needed to be a part of this shitty 'god knows for what fucking reason it exists' charity event mandatorily.

After forty-five minutes of real intense struggle on the road, I finally reached the venue. I walked in just in time to see the D'Angelo family approaching my parents. I swiftly approached the two couples who were dressed extravagantly but elegantly and talking in an animated manner. "sorry I'm late, the traffic was horrible" I apologized the moment reached them.

"And who is this fine young man?" Mr. D'Angelo asked with a friendly smile as he extended his hand to me. I bowed my head slightly out of respect.

"My name is Rainier Romanoff, sir," I said while shaking his hand.

"He's my heir," my father said proudly. All I could do to avoid sneering at his comment was turning my gaze onto Mrs. D'Angelo who had kept a steady gaze on me since I joined their party. I smiled as I extended my hand towards her. She raised her eyebrow intimadingly. She gave a small smirk that blended into a smile that's so radiantly friendly yet threatening in some way. Why did she dislike me? I had never met her before in my life. I raised her hand to my mouth and gave it a small kiss.

"He's mannered too," she finally spoke. Her voice was so melodic it almost sounded like she was singing instead. I smiled up at her as I let go of her hand. She immediately clasped onto her husband as she took on a far away look as if gathering her thoughts or analysing something

"And your son?" My father asked. The other couple looked around as if just realising that their son is missing. How had they gone so long without noticing he was not by their side? I turned away just in time to catch a head of familiar silver-grey hair disappear in the crowd. It couldn't be him, right? I thought back to Cassian and realised that I had not seen him around after I rejected his offer to go to the party with him. Wait, had he been referring to this gala? The thought crossed my mind of its own volition and now I was stuck wondering. Could it be? I sighed. I needed to get some fresh air. The cocktail of perfumes and colognes was getting to be suffocating. It was a pity I didn't get to see the man I wanted so much to kill. The D'Angelo heir was as good as dead if he showed his face to me ever again.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen..." the auctioneer began. People quieted down and moved to the chairs provided in front of the podium. I couldn't believe how easily I had been convinced to participate in the dumb activity. Apparently I was a hot commodity among the ladies. "... and now, let's begin the auction with our hottest bachelor, the one all ladies have been dying to see tonight. Drum rolls please," the auctioneer said all smiles. "Cassian D'Angelo!" He announced proudly. Loud resounding claps sounded in the great hall but it met... air? Where was he? Was he delaying his auction on purpose? I too looked around and again saw the silver haired being with his back to me. He was talking quite animatedly with someone else who seemed to be blocking his way out. The silver haired guy threw his hands up in what seemed to be frustration before turning around. My eyes went so wide they could give saucers some competition.

Wait, what? Was the first thought that crossed his mind when he saw the very familiar face of Cassian, the kid who follows him around like a puppy. Only this time, he did not look anywhere remotely close to being some campus kid. He looked much more mature and refined. His facial expression was not the cheerful optimistic kid he knew. He was scowling with what could only be annoyance. His grey eyes carried the chill of the arctic with it as he scanned the room with disgust. Before his eyes could reach where Rainier stood stork still, he looked down then looked up in the direction of the podium. Rainier followed his gaze to see the auctioneer who was still calling out to the D'Angelo's kid.

"No way," he said to himself as he turned back to see Cassian walking towards the stage. "No," he said as he shook his head. How? How is it possible that his Cassian is also the D'Angelo's kid? It can't be. There has to be a mistake. He froze. Did he just refer to Cassian as his? He did a double take. If it's the same one, then Cassian killed his best friend? He was confused not knowing whether to be sad or angry.