Elected To Love

Chapter 14

Aliara was exhausted and bored by the time the party was around 45 minutes old. With everyone chatting and glasses clicking, her mind fogged as she walked up to her mother. 

"Mom, until when are we supposed to be here?" She questioned, smiling gently at her mother, who then whispered, "We just arrived, Aliara." "Oh, Mrs. Sokolov," her mother said, her tone abruptly shifting as she smiled elegantly after her mother.

"I'm delighted to see you again, Mrs. Marinelli." The woman dressed elegantly in a fitting white gown, murmured, the lady's smile making her think of someone.

 "Oh no," she thought in a startled moment as she recognized the woman as Ivan's mother.

She swiftly hurried towards the food stand, avoiding her mother's stare, not wanting to look at Mrs. Sokolov.

She thought, tilting her head to the side, 'Wait, why did I walk away?' as she hurried up to the chocolate fountain, dipping a strawberry in it and shoving it in her mouth while her mind continued to wander about how she would have to meet the woman sooner or later.

Ultimately, there was no way for her to escape; her mother would undoubtedly drag her to her greet. 

Until then, though, it wouldn't hurt to indulge in some sweets for energy, she thought as she moved her hand to another stick and her fingers brushed someone else's, forcing her to apologize while still munching. 

"I-I am s-so-" she said before looking up to see Ivan. Her eyes widened, causing her to choke on her strawberry and start coughing uncontrollably. Ivan was quick to get a tissue and watched her until she calmed down.

"Good evening, Carina. You look stunning." He said, almost making Aliara want to turn around and leave, but before she could, his fingers circled her wrist and he said, "Stay with me."

His voice made her heart race, and when his eyebrows raised in question, she quickly nodded.  

Observing Ivan's hand grip on her wrist, Aliara moved slightly, causing him to swiftly remove his hand. After clearing his throat, he apologized in a barely audible murmur, to which Aliara nodded.

Aliara looked away as the two uncomfortably stood there, but Ivan could not take his eyes off her. Aliara said, "You know it's bad to stare," in a low, joking voice, a few minutes later.

When Ivan heard this, he instantly turned aside and began to rub his temples, which made Aliara chuckle. When their eyes met, they also formed two crescent shapes, and the two of them were now inside their own bubble.

The two were so engrossed in their world that they failed to notice their mothers staring at them from a distance. Mrs. Sokolov smiled softly, much like Mrs. Marinelli, but they were distracted by their husband's arrival on the side.

"Why are both of you grinning?" The woman in white hastily shrugged in response to Mr. Sokolov's question, "Oh we-," but her lips squeezed as she met Mrs. Marinelli's trembling glance. 

Mr. Marinelli then went towards them, his eyes locked on a far-off picture of their son and daughter, a small happy bubble.

"Your son knew my daughter? I had no idea." He questioned in a firm tone, his eyes darting uncomfortably to Mr. Sokolov, who returned the look of understanding.

"They just happen to be friends." Mr. Sokolov remarked, "Marinelli, and—I don't know if you know this, but—they are both the presidents of Windsor Valley School, so they are friends."

"I don't care-" However before his spouse intervened and placed a hand on Mr. Marinelli's shoulder,

The man sighed deeply before becoming silent, and the two women tried to divert Mr. Marinelli's attention by changing the subject of their conversation. Mr. and Mrs. Levi, who were acquainted with both couples, soon joined them.

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The talk continued until Ivan and Aliara made a difficult decision and walked to their parents. They stood next to their mothers, who gave them an introduction to Mrs. Levi.

When Mrs. Levi called on her daughter Karena, who was taken aback to see the two Windsor Valley presidents together, she appeared to be suddenly amused.

 Although she transferred to Spring High last year after previously attending the school, she continued to follow the updates at her former school.

While the other two cast her a questioning glance, her eyes were fixed on them both. She extended her hand to Aliara and Ivan and said, "I was a student at Windsor Valley until last year. Karena here. Nice to meet the best presidential couple."

Her statements caused them both to widen their eyes, and she took back her hand with a skeptical stare, "What aren't you two the best couple, well I am a fan of you both," she remarked, unaware of Mr. Marinelli's irate expression in the back as his wife attempted to settle the situation.

Mrs. Levi hastily responded, "Um- Karena honey, I guess they're not-" But before her mother could say anything more, she interrupted herself, saying, 

"Oh no, I think I saw the hashtags," her voice filled with unsettling mockery while she scrolled, as Ivan abruptly grabbed her phone.

"I apologize for any confusion that may have occurred," he replied, returning it to her. "I hope you won't spread rumors," he said, placing a hand on Aliara's back as she stared down at the ground due to her father's stern stare.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, making everyone look at him. Why do you refuse to accept it? You appear to be her boyfriend," Karena twisted around once more, causing Ivan to glare at her.

"Will you just stop?" He added sharply, not like Karena's scornful tone, "Whether we are a couple or not should not be decided by you so please stop spreading misinformation."

However, Aliara's eyes grew wide at Karena's earlier inquiries, meeting her dad's displeased stare with a quick sideways glance. She peered down into a chasm while Ivan attempted to clarify the situation; she knew her father was not pleased.

Despite everything being removed, Karena's eagerness got bizarre. Not wanting to dram more attention, Mrs. Levi swiftly pulled Karena—who was still objecting—away.

Ivan was left perplexed as Mr. Marinelli and his family walked away, her mother almost dragging Aliara along with them, while Mr. and Mrs. Sokolov's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

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.

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Aliara's father walked out and sighed furiously, asking, "Are you serious? You could have chosen anyone else instead of him." When he questioned, Aliara's eyes narrowed and she said, "Dad, there is nothing," but her mother interrupted her angrily.

"What is the issue with him?" She answered, "Ivan is a nice boy," to which her husband sent her a cold look.

 "Are you siding with Sokolov?!" When he questioned, her mother immediately refuted, saying, "I am not, but what is wrong with Ivan?"

"His father is the problem, not him! He is an arrogant guy! You are fully aware, Mia, that his only thoughts are of himself and his business."

"And you Dad?" In between her parent's angry exchanges, Aliara spit out, "You also think of only your business and your reputation and- and you are no different from Mr. Sokolov."

She didn't even know why her father had said it, when he was no different, or what it was that she was afraid of.

Her dad looked at her in disbelief after her abrupt outburst, and she shook her hand and mumbled, "I-I need fresh air." She then swiftly walked away wanting to find a peaceful place, nearly ignoring her dad's call because she knew her mom would take care of him.

~Maria