Drowning

Chapter Forty-Four

People started showing up early like always. There are some people who always show up fashionably late, my favorite type of people. But there are always the ones who show up early. I said a quick hello, and started making small talk, the incredible perks of being the host. Yay. Aiden has stuck by my side since he got here. From going to the kitchen to talk about the courses of tonight, and being there when Amanda talked to the waiters about how and when to serve each plate, (I know I don't need to be this involved, but for things to turn out perfect I'm not above anything), Aiden was always there standing, looming beside me. I didn't say anything because I honestly think it's cute. He showed up early because he thought I needed company and I guess letting him follow me around is the least I could let him do, no matter how much I insisted on him staying seated, and waiting for me.

Apparently he knows a couple people here, since some have come and talked to us, and greeted us mainly talking to Aiden about the firm. Not surprising though, as he is the son of one of the partners in the most well-known firm in New York. Aiden is talking to someone beside me, handset on my hip like when others have come near us to talk and suddenly my phone starts blowing up with texts.

I quickly look down and see all the notifications from Mariana. Aiden notices it and looks at me with a question evident in his eyes.

"It's Mariana, I should go," I whisper to him, and he gives me a firm nod.

"Excuse me for a minute," I tell Aiden and the man in front of him, not bothering to stay from a response from the man.

I walk to a table, and see all the texts from Mariana.

Mariana: I'm here

Mariana: Meet us outside

Mariana: Helloooooo

Mariana: Valentina come outside, I need your help.

I don't bother reading the rest of the texts as I make my way to the entrance of the gallery. Mariana is there with Luke grabbing her hand and Mark leaning down in front of her. I instantly started to worry, did she sprain her ankle? Is her heel broken?

"What happened?" I say hurrying to them, and looking down at Mark just clasping her heel. You must be fucking kidding me.

"Good, you're here," Mariana says, smiling at me.

"Why didn't you just walk inside," I rolled my eyes annoyed. I thought something happened.

"I know you need a final approval, so here we are," I do like having the final approval on outfits before going to an event. Mariana looks stunning with a white silk maxi dress and Jimmy Choo pumps, and Mark with a blue suit and open white button up. They look great.

"You both look amazing, now come one, people are waiting,"

They walk towards the entrance, and Luke holds out his arm for me, which I take. I wouldn't ask him myself to stay, because he would've been too stubborn on being intrusive, but Luke has been a constant in my life. Always picking me up from school and giving me advice, or showing me around my grandparents office, and keeping me company, picking me up from Wharton every weekend to come back to New York, saying yes the instant I asked him to come work for me in my company. He has always been there for me and I assume he has taken the same role in Marianas life.

We dropped off the coats and people started crowding around Mariana and Mark. Luke and I seemed to slip out of that situation and he had to go to the bathroom, leaving me to look around the room. I look towards Damon who is talking away with some man. We were left with company duties tonight as our partners should be celebrating. I know he's not happy about this, he's a firm believer in enjoying events, but he cares for Mark so together we agreed on taking off the complete burden for them. I keep looking and find Aiden looking at me, leaning against a high table with whiskey in hand.

I walked towards him, "Here I thought I couldn't get jealous of anything, but like always you love to prove me wrong," he said while I took a sip of his drink.

"And who would invoke this jealousy," I say looking from the drink in my hand to his eyes.

He moves from leaning to the table to stand in front of me, "Any man, who has you in their arms and isn't me," gives him a small smirk not giving him the satisfaction of a full one.

"A little proprietorial don't you think?"

"I told you every action has its consequences, and being proprietorial is the effect of you invading my mind to the level that even seeing you with an old man makes me want to drive my fist through a wall," For the first time in my life, I find myself speechless. How do I respond to that? And Aiden clearly notices this, taking me being struck dumbfounded and grabbing my hand, "Come on, I should greet the happy couple,"