His Identity

25

|Aveline's POV|

Dresses have never been my thing. If it was up to me, I'd wear my kind of outfit everywhere but unfortunately I give a shit about what people think of me.

So here I am, my arm locked around Zale's we step inside Nat's house for the anniversary party.

We're greeted by the sight of soaring marble columns adorned with cascading vines and lush greenery. The air is filled with the fragrant aroma of fresh flowers and scented candles, giving the room an ethereal atmosphere. The lighting is soft and warm, casting a cozy glow over every corner of the room.

As we make our way through the crowd, the faint sound of a live orchestra playing in the background reaches my ears. The music is soft and soothing, setting the perfect tone for an evening of love and celebration.

It's no surprise that Nat's parents went nuts this year as well. Their wedding is something they've always cherished. That kind of love somewhat gives me hope that maybe— just maybe there's someone out there for me. I scoff at the thought. I doubt that.

"Do you see Rhys?" Zale asks as I turn to take a good look at him. He's wearing a suit that likely made of high-quality, lightweight wool material, which provides a comfortable yet sharp look. The jacket has a modern, slim fit and features notch lapels, which are tailored to accentuate the shoulders and chest. The trousers are also slim-fit, with a tapering leg and a straight hemline that falls just above his shoes.

The suit is paired with a crisp white dress shirt, which complements the dark grey color of the suit perfectly. His shoes are black, polished to a high shine.

Zale looks confident and incredibly hot and he knows it. He hates wearing suits just as much as I despise wearing dresses. But Nat can be very convincing.

As for me, my rose gold colored dress, which stops just above my knees, is the perfect choice for a wedding anniversary. It's both elegant and stylish, with a flattering cut that accentuates my figure. The belt paired with it is a thin, delicate chain belt in a complementary rose gold color. It sits snugly around my waist, adding a touch of sparkle that enhances the overall look of my outfit.

"Nope," I reply after a moment of looking around. "He's probably in one of the rooms upstairs." My eyes catch sight of the couple of the night and a smile automatically reaches my lips.

In the center of the room, the happy couple is surrounded by their guests. They are seated at an ornate table, which is decorated with shimmering silver accents and delicate floral arrangements.

The guests are dressed in their finest attire, sipping on champagne and enjoying the delicious hors d'oeuvres being passed around. The whole event is screaming money.

Apparently, Zale notices them as well since he ushers, "come on, let's make our presence known so they won't go all granny and grandpa on our ass later on."

I involuntarily tighten my grip around Zale's arm as we near the group. He doesn't say anything and I'm glad.

"There they are!" Matilda notices us as we approach, a bright smile stretches upon her lips. Desmond mirrors her expression before excusing themselves from the guests.

Matilda places a hand on the side of my face, her eyes filled with an unfamiliar emotion, "you look absolutely stunning, honey." She's like the mother that never gave a fuck about me and I love her for it.