"So, that's what happened."
Beth remarked, nibbling on a celery stick. Beth, a stunning platinum blonde with a petite frame, usually drew attention wherever she went. She was the life of the party, the kind of person everyone wanted to know. On the other hand, Kenz had a captivating, dusky complexion and long, lustrous black hair. Her athletic build spoke volumes about her dedication to swimming.Beth wanted more than Ria's explanation. After the exam, Ria caught up with her friends and filled them in on all the details, carefully skimming over the uncomfortable parts of Henry's chapter.
"Yup!" Ria replied to Beth. Beth raised an eyebrow and said,
"You do know you don't sound convincing, right?" Ria rolled her eyes at Beth.
"I told you everything. It happened so fast, and I needed time to comprehend all this." Ria said forcefully. She did need some time to adjust to her fate and certainly with Henry. He dropped her off that morning and told her he would pick her up after the exam. Ria suddenly longed to see Henry, go home, and ask Agatha to make the best-ever hot chocolate.
"RIA!" Beth yelled, making nearby walkers turn and stare at them. At that moment, Ria saw Henry looking around, searching for her.
"Oh! Henry is here."
"Wait," Beth continued with an awe expression, "So, that Areine bitch eloped, and your father made you marry to THAT." Henry looked ravishing in his black suit. Black always suited him. Ria sighed.
"He looks delicious. Bitch, I envy you for that." Beth smiled as she spoke. Kenz rolled her eyes but asked Ria,
"Whatever. Tell me this, Ri, is he treating you well? I mean, this marriage sounded to me as arranged and instant." Ria took her time to answer it while staring at Henry, and when their gazes met, Henry smiled broadly.
"He is good, Kenz. He is kind." Ria tried to smile and make it convincing, but Kenz was already eyeing her suspiciously.
"If he did anything, let it be anything out of order, just ping me. " Kenz said it more like a warning. She was the mother of the group, so no wonder about that. Henry walked to them. Ria's heart fluttered strangely. Beth grinned like an idiot, and Ria shot an are-you-insane glare at her.
"Your celibacy paid you off, Virgin Mary. You got that delicious Italian dish. I am happy for you." Although she thought she whispered, Beth's voice carried to Henry, who responded with a smile and a faint blush. Ria immediately shushed her and introduced them to Henry.
"This is Beth and Kenz, my friends." She continued, gesturing at him, and said,
"Henry." The name effortlessly slipped off her tongue, and she found herself wanting to repeat it over and over. She quietly chided herself mentally for being a love-struck puppy. They all just nodded at each other and shook their hands like they just closed a deal.Kenz gave a firm handshake with narrow eyes, but Henry responded,
"It's nice meeting you both." Ria hugged her friends goodbye before saying,
"Will meet you on Wednesday. The walk to the car was dead silent but not awkward. He opened the door for her as Ria climbed in.
"There is a party tonight. " Henry said out of nowhere. Asteria nodded and asked,
"At what time will you be back? I can't sleep alone." After realizing what she said, blood rushed to her face. Henry smirked at her.
"We both have to go." Ria looked positively alarmed, and he quickly added,
"Trust me, we will leave the party after 30 mins. They need to know who you are."Ria gulped at his words. She was not an introvert but a shy person. But Henry knew why this soiree was important. The lab returned the dead irises and the envelope, saying there were no prints but the minute soil on the irises showing the river bed elements. Henry's curiosity was piqued, prompting William to gather a sample from their garden and send it to the lab for testing to see if the two were indeed the same. But the result was negative. He started looking into the lake-side and river-side houses. There were not many, and none of them were related to him. In the three years of reassembling the empire and implanting the fear of his name, he made many enemies.However, no one, not even one of his adversaries was alive. He wanted to show Asteria to the world. He also intended to show the 'threatener' what grave mistake he got himself into.
"I do not own any party wear. " Ria remarked, breaking his chain of thoughts. He smiled and said,
"We will fix that now." Ria nodded and looked out. Henry opened a box of biscuits. A great chocolate whiff immediately made Asteria look at them.
"Dad baked them for you."
"Your dad bakes?" Asteria asked with great astonishment and interest. Henry gave an awkward smile and said,
"He recently got into baking. He changes his hobbies every month."Asteria let out a hoot of laughter and nibbled on the chocolate chip cookie. It was delicious. She looked at Henry while eating and said,
"This is really amazing. Please tell your dad that he is a legit baker." And she took another cookie to munch.
"Men who cook and bake are the best. " Asteria said, devouring a third cookie. Henry shook his head with a huge grin on his face.
Will abruptly stopped the car at an esthetic and lavish boutique. Ria noticed three black cars behind and a matte olive green car ahead. Almost 20 bulky men in black suits and micro uzis in their hands surrounded them. Three of them were carrying m17 rifles and packed with gear. She immediately looked at Henry. He just nodded and gestured her inside. She quietly followed his lead. She knew how to study the room and would understand his silence and tiny gestures. It was one of the things of hers that he appreciated.
A tiny guy in a slick black bun stood and hugged Henry. He looked at Asteria with a sense of amazement and joy. Ria smiled at him.
"Oh my! She is a true beau! You got lucky, babe." He said to Henry while still looking at Asteria. Henry smirked and said,
"There is a soiree today, and she needs a dress for it. " Henry said.
"Of course she does", said Renèe with a huge smile and turned to Henny and continued,
"Leave the babydoll here. I will make her shine brighter than the full moon today." Ria blushed at the word babydoll. Henry said,
"I will give you two hours, and these men will stay here". Renè shot a dirty look at the huge men and rolled his eyes.
"Fine, but the vest men should stay outside. Those vests will give me ick." Henry nodded and walked to Asteria. He grabbed her by the waist, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"You will be fine. Renè will take good care of you." He whispered to her. When his hot breath fanned on her face, an unnatural rhythmic beat started inside her. He kissed her again on the ear and left the room. Ria was frozen, her mind reeling like a deer caught in the glare of headlights.
"Here, drink this, chérie. you will need that energy to put up with me." Renè said while handing a hot cup of tea. Ria sipped slowly, pondering how she felt like a Guinea pig in Renè's hands and why she felt so alone after Henry's departure.
After almost one and a half hours of shouting at staff, cursing them, and stressing himself out, Renè finally found an astonishing dress for Asteria. It resembled a peacock dress. She felt beautiful in it. They parted her hair in mid and placed a cute, esthetic peacock blue laced clip on the side of her hair.
"Renè, What did you do?" Ria was stunned as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. The dress accentuated her curves, transforming her into an absolute goddess. Renè grinned at her question while choosing a blue pump. As Henry walked into the room, his eyes immediately locked on her. Ria was completely unaware of his presence as Henry stood there, captivated by her, for a whole minute without breaking his gaze.
"I know, she looks amazing, doesn't she?" Renè asked, standing beside Henry with a smug smile. Ria turned and reddened at the sight of her husband. Once again, he was clad in all black, exuding an irresistible allure.
"Thank You, Renè." Henry pulled out his black credit card and handed it to Renè. Renè gave a funny look and said,
"Babe! First is free.", and winked at Ria. Ria hugged Renè and thanked him.
"Take care of this magnifique lune, babe. " Renè said while giving a side kiss to Ria. They both left the boutique. The icy evening breeze sent shivers down Ria's spine. Henry swiftly pulled her close and led her to the warmth of the car.
Ria found herself, grappling with the unsettling question of why she was drawn to this mesmerizing yet, dangerous man.
YOU ARE READING
Belonged to Him
Romance"DON'T MAKE IT WORSE! You made your cousin run away after she's engaged to me. You made me a fool in front of all the people. Do you think I'll forgive you for that?" He groped her breast while questioning her. A gasp left her mouth but she couldn't...
