Jia stood up and embraced Anna once she came closer. "OMG, Anna! Is this you?! You look so beautiful" Jia exclaimed, scanning her up and down.
"Thank you, Jia. You're not bad yourself"
"Oh, this is nothing compared how you look now. Jeez! My friend is so beautiful" Anna couldn't help but smile with the praises. "Oh... Meet Shin woo"
"Hi.." Shin woo waved at her and Arianna bowed slightly.
"Hello. It's nice to finally meet you" she shook hands with him.
"Same here. I've heard a lot about you" Shin woo said and Anna chuckled lightly. She sat with them and steak was served.
Ryan found the party boring, just leisurely watching the people who chatted with a bored gaze. All he did was sip the wine.
"Hello guys" Hayden spoke, holding a glass of wine.
"Oh hi brother" Jia was smiling widely seeing her brother after so long. Anna craned her neck and their eyes met.
"Anna?" Hayden's lips stretched into a smile. He never thought he would actually see her again, that to here.
"Hayden!!" she squealed in excitement, already on her feet and she jumped at him, hugging him tightly like she would never let him go again. He hugged her too, with a wide smile. That moment, Ryan turned,, his eyes catching the scene. His teeth clenched, his gaze darkened as they narrowed.
The duo pulled away, smiling at each other. "I've really missed you" Anna said and Ryan's lips parted in disbelief.
"I've missed you too, Anna" Ryan scoffed at that, turning his face away in anger. "You look beautiful" Hayden told her and Zariel's hand flew to her mouth.
"Oh my god" she said.
"Thank you, Hayden" Arianna was smiling sweetly, her eyes twinkling like stars. Hayden rubbed her and all Leonel could say was... "So intimate"
Hayden sat between Shin woo and Arianna and the two friends greeted. Ryan, on the other hand, had his blood boiling through his veins. His eyes blazed like hellfire as he watched the two. How dare he? Leonel tapped his shoulders gently, "Call down. It's nothing to be angry about" he said and Ryan's eyes almost turned gold with how angry he was.
*...*...*..*
"I heard what happened. Are you fine?" Hayden asked, referring to Anna being a mistress.
"Yes, I am" she replied.
"Is he nice? I hope he's not treating you badly?"
"He's very nice. So don't worry" she gave him an assuring smile.
Ryan had his mouth covered with his hand as he watched them. Why is she laughing with him? He felt angered and extremely insecure, jealousy coursing through him. The music changed into one suitable for a dance. Just when Ryan thought of going to take his girlfriend away from there, someone beat him to it
"May I have this dance?"
They turned to the source. A young handsome-looking man with awestrucking features, had his one hand behind him and the other stretched towards Arianna. Arianna was surprised, and this handsome man just kept smiling warmly. She looked at her friends and they motioned for her to carry on.
"O-okay" she agreed and placed her hand on his, and he kissed her knuckles. Ryan blinked repeatedly, his left leg vibrating while his hand rubbed his lips. The man walked Arianna to the dance floor, he placed her hand on his shoulder and then his other hand went around her waist and he pulled her close. Gazing into her eyes.
Ryan cursed, standing up already but Leonel held his shoulder and pushed him back down.
"Calm down. Don't go do something stupid" he told him. And Ryan could only obey because he could already feel his fangs growing.
*..*..*
"I'm Wang Ivan" the young man introduced himself while they danced "And you are?"
"Lee Arianna. My friends call me Anna" she told him.
"I must say, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen" Ivan said while smiling, showing his perfect teeth.
"Thanks for the compliment" she smiled.
Jia and Shin woo soon joined the dance, leaving Hayden alone on the table. He just smiled and watched them. Ryan on the other side, kept letting out shaky exhales. He was so irked and restless, that his gums itched badly. He held unto his tie and adjusted it, giving more space to breathe but he still felt suffocated. He gulped down hardly.
"Can I call you Annie?" Ivan asked, and Ryan almost choked.
Annie?! Who calls her that?! She would never agree to be called that way.
"You can call me whatever you want" she said, bursting Ryan's bubbles. WTF!!
"Have some water" Zariel passed it to him which he took without wasting time, gulping hastily. But still, he was so hot inside. It hurts that he's just sitting here instead of going to claim his girlfriend.
"Will I ever see you again after this night, Annie?"
"Who knows? Maybe we met for a reason."
"Then, I'll be looking forward to meeting you again"
"Me too"
Ryan scoffed.... This is so bad! It hurts badly!
The music ended and each individual bowed at themselves. Ivan walked Arianna back to her table, and then kissed her knuckles again. Finally, Ryan's heart sank and he buried his face in his palms, clenching his teeth harder than it has already been.
"Goodbye, Annie" Ivan said softly and then he left.
"Whoa!!" the trio exclaimed as Anna took her seat.
"That was awesome" she simply said. Ryan lifted his head and looked at her. She thinks it's awesome? Really?! His eyes were already burning gold and his fangs were out already. Just to show how angered and bloodlust he is right now. He really wanted to tear Ivan apart for daring to hold his woman.
"Take it easy" Zariel told him as she patted his shoulder, but Ryan was still breathing heavily. It was a good thing Leonel brought a dark shaded eyeglass, so he gave it to him. He obliged and wore it to avoid others seeing his eyes. But his fangs, he just have to keep his mouth closed. That moment, Anna turned and waved at them. They waved back, with a smile.
"She just looked so happy" Zariel could only shake her head.
"If only she knew how angered he is, she wouldn't be smiling like that" Leonel said "Only God knows what he would do to her once we get home. She's dead!"