Drowning

Chapter Forty-Six

When it was almost two in the morning the room finally emptied. Mariana and Mark insisted on staying until everyone left claiming they were their guests and needed to see everyone out but I know it was because Mariana didn't want to leave me alone to handle everyone. Mark and Aiden were sipping whiskey on one high table while Mariana and I were drinking martinis together on a couch.

"You liked it? I know it was mainly business but,"

"I wanted it that way, V. It's our lives, and I loved it." I smile at her. I know it's our lives, but now Mariana is going to have a life with Mark. I hope she realizes that, that it doesn't always have to be her life. "Everything was perfect, and I got to share it with you, Damon, Lidia, Alice and Sam. I didn't want anything more," Maybe I can make something more intimate for them when we get nearer to the date of the wedding.

"I'm glad you liked it"

"Thank you, Val," she sighs, giving me a side hug.

"You know I appreciate this and everything you do for me, I'm so grateful I met you,"

"Ok I think you've had enough to drink," I say, breaking the hug, and moving her martini from in front of her. She rolls her eyes at me.

"Oh, please. I can handle my alcohol better than you, give me my drink back," Perks of being Spaniard. "You know you two are good together more than you think," she says, nudging her head towards where Mark and Aiden are chuckling together.

"Yeah," I say, still looking at him. His emerald eyes catch me staring and he gives me a smile, and turns to talk to Mark again.

"Have you talked about what you are? He was pretty possessive over you when we were talking to Mr. Blade, which by the way you didn't tell me you met,"

"I didn't exactly know it was him," I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"How could you not know," Mariana said to me, surprised that I didn't. I was exactly as surprised at me not knowing too, "the lighting at the club was pretty shitty,"

"Ok anyways, back to topic. You and Aiden?" Mariana keeps pushing.

"Maybe," I say, not really wanting to talk about it, it's her engagement party. I don't really want to discuss this with her tonight. Maybe tomorrow. "Now tell me, have you decided on a date?" I start trying to stir her away from talking about me. She gives me a glare but complies starting to talk about how she wants a spring wedding.

After a long, tired conversation about the wedding, I have my head back on the couch. I love Mariana but I realized I'm so done with planning, I was trying so hard not to daze off. Mark and Aiden walk towards us. Thank God. I need another topic than wedding.

Mark stands in front of Mariana and Aiden is in front of me when I look up at them and ask,"What were you guys talking about?"

"Nothing, everything," Aiden says, looking down at me with a smirk. He's trying to piss me off and I'm not appreciating it. From beside Aiden I see Mark mouthing, "I like him," and moving his head towards Aiden. A smile threatens to show on my lips. It means a lot to me that Mariana and Mark like him, they're basically the only family I have. Mark extends a hand for Mariana which she takes and stands up.

"What did you talk about?" I say now narrowing my eyes at Mark, if Aiden won't tell me Mark should right?

"Nothing to worry about, ice queen," Mark looks at Aiden. There's something they won't tell me, I'm going to show him really ice if he doesn't start talking.

"Mariana may be your soon to be wife now, that doesn't mean there aren't other ways I can get rid of you." I tell Mark pointedly. He smirks at me and then adds,"Wait, actually he told me he likes basketball, he should invite him to one of our game nights?"