𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒. 𝐒𝐘𝐋𝐔𝐒

FIVE

♡˗ˏ*ೃ˚ first event

ᡣ𐭩₊˚.⋆⁺₊

the gentle hum of the engine was the only thing filling the silence between you and sylus. you'd seen him two days ago— when he ordered you to see him in office for a few details and measurements— and now you were sitting in the backseat of his car next to him on your way to a charity gala.

your heart was pounding in your ears, and the fact that you were wearing something you weren't used to definitely didn't help. you wore a black, sleeveless, floor-length gown with a square neckline. your flowing skirt had a ruffled hem that was a little fun to mess with, though you knew kieran and luke would scold you for your fidgeting. finishing the look, your dress had a slit right up one leg, exposing your black heeled toes.

you thought that if sylus was so careful and methodical, he might've picked someone who was more accustomed to this lifestyle. you shot him another glance, but of course he was still wrapped up in his phone, his brows furrowed with mild annoyance and his fingers flying across the keyboard.

for a moment, you thought that maybe you'd overestimated his level of self-perseverance, or that maybe he simply found some amusement in your discomfort. probably the latter.

bringing your eyes back in front of you, you placed your hands in your lap, squeezing them together in a weak attempt to ease the knots curling in your stomach.

"you look tense," sylus commented, a sly smile playing on his lips. you met his gaze, a soft scowl pulling at yours. sylus had finally put his phone down, but it was only to tease you; you were slowly starting to dislike him more and more.

before you could say anything, sylus reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small, velvet box. "here."

your eyes flickered between the box and sylus, worried written all over your face. "what is it?"

sylus scoffed. you acted as if the box was some sort of threat, though he couldn't completely blame you. "well, you won't know if you don't open it," he told you, though he didn't wait for you to take the box. he simply opened it for you, revealing a dark, obsidian necklace with a ruby pendant at its center.

"it's a gift," sylus claimed, carefully pulling the jewelry out. "wear it."

your eyes widened at the sight of your gift— a deep, blood stained gem. it was almost unfathomable. you never once imagine you night ever own something like this, and now sylus was simply gifting it to you.

"okay," you mumbled, carefully taking the necklace from his hand. you brought it up to your neck, hooked it around, then clipped it in place.

you brought your gaze down to the necklace, holding the gem in your palm to get a better look. "this is real?"

sylus let out a small chuckle. "do you really think i would have you wearing fakes?" he quipped, tilting his head.

no, of course he wouldn't. he was sylus. you gently dropped the ruby back against your chest and met his gaze, studying him carefully. you wondered: was he careful, pretentious, or both?

"now we're matching," sylus told you, holding up his right hand and showcasing the black band curled around his ring finger. it had rather simple details, though just like your necklace, there was a deep, glowing ruby in the middle. that definitely took away the simplicity of it.

you eyed the ring carefully, the corners of your lips curling up with a smile. you never imagined sylus would be one to match with someone, though it was somewhat endearing. "that's cute," you murmured, earning an airy laugh. sometimes it didn't matter how pretentious or arrogant sylus may or may not be, there was a certain charm about him that almost made you forget your dislikes.