DLD.

Chapter Eight.

"Make sure you're smiling, baby." Alaric murmured, gripping my waist firmly. "We need to make sure they're capturing all the right angles too. Maybe we should switch so they could get more of my good side. I think we should do that."

Cursing inwardly, I counted to ten and exhaled. Patience was going to be my best friend in this instant, as I couldn't  afford to lose my shit while posing for photos on this red carpet with Alaric. The Benjamins were out on the town tonight supporting a mutual friend's gala, and I was actually ecstatic to be here celebrating the cause. As usual, Alaric had a lot riding on this, which meant I had to put my devoted wife hat on and act like this man wasn't working my very last nerve. Keeping up appearances with this man was going to be a job in itself, because it seems as though my husband was committed to being a complete pain in the ass.

Thankfully, this gala was taking my mind off things in regard to Clarissa and Ace. Business was still flowing like it always does, regardless of what transpired we didn't skip a beat. However, it felt like we were walking on eggshells around each other in a sense, and I've been desperate to get Ace alone to speak to him about this weird, tense mess he put us in.

Opportunities to chat with Ace seem like they were slim to none, as wifely duties were hitting me left and right when I returned from my meeting with Clarissa. Alaric was taking up all of my time, so much so that I haven't had time to place focus back on my actual, legit business. Amaya and Johnathan were stepping up greatly and tearing each other down simultaneously, but my business was still striving and honestly that's all that really mattered.

My husband and I were taking turns smiling, waving and strategically answering invasive questions about our relationship when Alaric's publicist swooped in at the nick of time to lead us off the red carpet. I was convinced that nobody worked harder than Alaric's publicist Kimberley, as I listened to her craftily coaching Alaric while I followed closely behind. Kimberley ushered us to our assigned seats for this evening's gala, where we patiently waited with other guests for the start of 'The Creators, Dreamers & Innovators' gala event.

Considering the title of this event, one would think that an occasion like this would be less underwhelming than it actually was. My party planning senses were literally screaming on the inside as my husband and I sat through such a bland function, it was so bad I wanted to find the coordinator and slap him/her myself. All parties involved needed to be fired, but it was no surprise when I peeked over at my husband through yet another boring rendition to find him having the time of his life. Alaric was truly eating up this weak ass shit and was so smitten by the performance that he didn't even realize when I tiptoed out of the building and onto the balcony to catch a break from this lousy, tasteless production they were calling a gala.

Although taking a pause from this awful show might've been a good idea, I surely had bad timing. It was absolutely freezing when I stepped onto the platform but strangely enough it was more tolerable than going back inside. My Tom Ford heels were doing me a grand disservice at this period of the night, however I still found myself travelling towards a curious figure who stood in the center of the balcony overlooking the beautiful, enchanting sky.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you." I spoke warmly as I approached the man, keeping my tone level so I wouldn't startle him.

"I hope you are." the gentleman returned with a rich accent, turning slightly to greet me with a mesmerizing smile. "The name's Sebastian. Sebastian De Luca."

Sebastian De Luca was fully facing me now with an extended hand and an inviting gaze, remembering Alaric even existed was indeed a struggle. Nevertheless, as a contentedly taken woman I gave a polite smile and introduced myself as marriedly as I could to the Italian native.