Bound By Fate

Engagement Party; II

Zara stood in the middle of the lavish engagement party, trying to steady her breathing and keep her composure. She could still feel the weight of everyone's stares, the whispers that followed the dramatic scene with Eva. Olivia and Mia flanked her sides, their presence a small comfort.

"Don't let her ruin your night," Olivia whispered, squeezing Zara's hand. "You deserve to enjoy this."

Zara nodded, her fake smile wavering. "It's hard not to think about it."

Mia gave her a reassuring look. "Just focus on us, on the people here to support you. Aaron will handle Eva."

Zara forced a deep breath. "You're right. Let's make the most of it."

The trio moved through the crowd, engaging in light conversation with the guests. Zara exchanged pleasantries, complimenting outfits and thanking people for coming, though her mind was elsewhere.

A guest approached, a smile plastered on her face. "Zara, you look absolutely stunning. That dress is a masterpiece."

"Thank you," Zara replied, trying to sound cheerful. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Olivia handed Zara another glass of champagne. "Here, this will help."

Zara took a sip, feeling the bubbles tickle her throat. She glanced around the room, noticing Theo engaged in a deep conversation with a group of business associates. She couldn't help but wonder what Aaron and Eva were discussing outside.

"Do you think he'll be long?" Zara asked, unable to hide her worry.

"Knowing Aaron, he'll deal with it quickly," Mia said. "Try not to think about it."

Nearly an hour passed before Aaron reappeared. Zara saw him out of the corner of her eye, his expression hard and unreadable. He walked towards her with purpose, his fake smile firmly in place.

"Zara," he said smoothly, taking her hand. "I'm so sorry about earlier. Eva shouldn't have come."

Zara's smile was tight as she replied, "How could you embarrass me like that?"

Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly. "How did I embarrass you?"

"Having your ex come to the engagement party, acting all crazy, and then you acting like you didn't invite her here," Zara said, her voice trembling with barely controlled anger.

Aaron's eyes darkened. "I didn't invite her. Are you seriously accusing me of that?"

"Of course I am," Zara shot back. "It's obvious you asked her to come here so you two could sneak outside and do your thing, leaving me alone."

"You're unbelievable," Aaron said, shaking his head.

"How am I unbelievable? You humiliated me!" Zara's voice rose, catching the attention of nearby guests.

The volume of their argument began to draw more stares, the buzz of conversation around them dwindling to silence. Zara noticed the quiet and saw the eyes of their guests fixed on them. Her face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Aaron noticed too, his jaw tightening. "I don't have time for this shit, I'm leaving. I'll be at Archer Corporations if you need me." He turned to Theo. "Take care of things here."

Theo tried to stop him. "Aaron, you'll embarrass Zara even more if you leave now."

Aaron shot Theo a glare. "I don't care." He gave Zara one last, disdainful look and muttered, "Unbelievable."

As he tried to walk away, Zara grabbed hold of his arm. "Don't go," she hissed, her glare fierce and desperate. "You'll embarrass me even more."

Aaron looked down at her hand gripping his arm, then back at her face. He rubbed his arm free of her grip, rolling his eyes before walking away.

Theo sighed and turned to Zara. "I'm sorry about him."

Zara nodded, her anger slowly giving way to despair. "Thanks, Theo."

Theo stayed for a while, trying to salvage the evening. But soon, he too had to leave. Feeling the weight of the night bearing down on her, Zara decided to drown her sorrows in champagne. She, Olivia, and Mia took over the dance floor, determined to have a good time despite everything. Their mothers soon joined in, followed by other guests, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.

As the night wore on, Luca approached Zara and asked her to dance. Tipsy and eager to forget her troubles, she agreed. The media had already left, so she didn't worry about Aaron finding out.

They danced closely, Zara losing herself in the music and Luca's comforting presence.

"You're a really bad dancer, you know?" Zara told Luca with a small laugh.

"Really? You need to teach me some moves then." Luca said matching Zara's laugh.

"So, you're marrying into the Archer family?" Luca asked with a hint of sadness evident in his tone.

"Yes. They're a lovely family." Zara says.

Some guests took pictures, and before long, Olivia and Mia noticed the situation. They hurried over to Zara and Luca, interrupting their intimate dance.

"Zara, you can't be dancing with other men at your engagement party," Mia said lightly, but with a hint of concern.

Olivia laughed, handing Zara a glass of water. "Drink this. Let's sober up a bit."

The night dragged on, and eventually, Zara bid everyone goodnight. One of Aaron's drivers took her, Victoria, and Mia home.

---

The next morning, Zara woke up with a pounding headache.

She groaned and reached for her phone, which was buzzing incessantly with notifications. Squinting at the screen, she saw it was only 7 AM.

Aaron had called three times, leaving a terse message: "When you wake up, call me immediately!"

Olivia had called twice, leaving a cheerful message: "Last night was so fun!🤭, we should go out again, real soon!"

But it was Mia's calls that caught her attention. Mia had called twenty times and forwarded an article with a headline and a picture of Luca and Zara dancing, all from different angles.

With a sinking feeling, Zara dialed Aaron's number. He picked up immediately.

"Good morning," Zara muttered.

"This is not a good morning," Aaron snapped. "You embarrassed me last night! Don't forget I can get any girl in NYC. I chose you to help with your mother's financial bills."

Zara felt a chill of fear. "You don't have to throw it back into my face every time."

"Well, I think I have to if you keep on acting like an immature teenage bitch, and stay away from Luca." Aaron retorted.

Zara's voice shook with anger. "Who do you think you're calling a bitch? Also you can't decide who I meet up with and who my friends are."

Aaron's tone was icy. "If you don't stay away from Luca and I see you with him again, you'll both regret it."

Knowing Aaron's influence and power, Zara sighed in resignation. "Fine. I'll stay away from him."

She ended the call and sighed, replying to her friends' messages and getting ready for the day. She had to take her mother for her monthly check-up, and she needed to clear her mind of last night's chaos.

---