Chapter 145: You Are Mine Now
Under those sharp, icy blue eyes that seemed capable of freezing them right down to their souls, both Jacob and Diaz stiffened as though they had just been caught committing a crime despite doing absolutely nothing.
A small drop of sweat trickled down Jacob’s back, but he stubbornly held his head high, revealing nothing beyond the calm facade he had spent so long perfecting.
Just as Aliana and Gavriel climbed the stairs leading to the entrance, Jacob’s view was abruptly blocked when Portia and Alester stepped between the two couples.
Without hesitation, they pulled the pair into warm embraces, giving Jacob and Diaz the much-needed relief of no longer being subjected to Gavriel’s cold, unyielding stare.
"Ah, you both finally made it!" Portia exclaimed as she wrapped Gavriel in a warm, welcoming embrace.
Meanwhile, Alester pulled Aliana into a hug and murmured, "Your mother and I were getting worried that you wouldn’t be able to make it in time."
Aliana returned her father’s embrace and replied, "I’m sorry. The blame should fall on me since I was the one who took extra time getting ready."
Pulling back, she glanced at Gavriel, who stood as stiff as a statue in her mother’s embrace but politely refrained from escaping until Portia finally released him.
"Gavriel, on the other hand, was ready much earlier than me," she said.
After giving her daughter the same affectionate treatment, Portia stepped back while holding Aliana’s hand. She gave her appearance an approving once-over before nodding in satisfaction.
"As you should, since it’s a big day today. You look so beautiful, my dear."
Her green eyes remained fixed on her daughter’s face as she carefully examined her features. The longer she looked, the more suspicious she appeared to become.
Before anyone could stop her, Portia leaned closer and lowered her voice.
"Oh dear, did you get some work done on your face? You look even more breathtaking than before."
The question threw Aliana off for a moment before she quickly recovered. "Ah, no, Mom. I’m the same."
"Really? I don’t believe that. You have to give your mother your doctor’s number."
Portia continued studying her daughter’s face as she affectionately tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Your features have become sharper, much more refined. I know a change when I see one," she insisted.
A light blush coloured Aliana’s cheeks. "You’re reading too much into it, Mom. I’ve never touched my face, and you know that."
"But-" Portia wanted to inquire further, but her husband smoothly cleared his throat and interrupted.
"The guests are waiting inside, Portia. I think we should all head in now," Alester said.
Before anyone could move, Gavriel wrapped his hand securely around Aliana’s back, pulling her close. "I can assure you, my future wife is all natural," he stated smoothly, stunning everyone within earshot.
Jade, Cillian, and Nigel, who had just caught up to the group at the entrance, overheard the remark.
Cillian grinned, unable to help himself from commenting, "Oh dear, did we just miss an interesting conversation?"
Alester gave the man a warm smile and shook his hand. "Mr. Pierce, I’m glad you could make it."
"Please, call me Cillian, Mr. Vanderbilt. After all, we are all going to be family soon," Cillian replied smoothly.
When Alester’s brows rose in silent question, Aliana stepped in to clear her father’s doubts. "Dad, Cillian here is very close to Gav."
She kept the explanation brief, just enough for her father to understand that Cillian and Gavriel considered each other brothers, so he didn’t press any further.
Giving a light nod, Alester turned back to Cillian, a genuine warmth in his expression. "In that case, I welcome you to the family as well, Cillian."
"Thank you, Mr. Vander-"
"Just call me Alester," the older man offered, extending the same courtesy to Cillian, who graciously accepted it with a charming smile.
Soon after, the group was ushered inside. In the excitement of the arrival, everyone temporarily forgot about the other couple, Jacob and Diaz, who had already slipped quietly into the party while the family was busy conversing.
Later that night in the grand ballroom, which was tastefully decorated with thousands of white roses, Alester clinked his crystal champagne glass, instantly drawing everyone’s attention to the centre stage.
Standing at the front of the hall, he smiled warmly and began.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here with us tonight. Portia and I are absolutely thrilled to welcome you to the commencement of our daughter Aliana’s engagement ceremony to Gavriel.
As a father, you always wonder who your daughter will choose to walk through life with. Aliana has always been fiercely independent and brilliant, a true force to be reckoned with. So it takes a very special, equally strong man to stand by her side. Gavriel, from the moment you entered her life, it was clear you were that man. Seeing the two of you together, it is obvious this is a true partnership, and we could not be more proud to welcome you into our family tonight.
And now, for the moment we have all been waiting for. Gavriel, I will leave it to you."
As the lights dimmed around the grand room, the atmosphere grew quiet. Cillian stepped forward, holding a small tray with a vintage wooden box adorned with intricate golden details of a dragon coiled around a sword, and stopped close enough for Gavriel to reach out.
Aliana’s eyes shifted to the beautiful carving on the box, and a sudden thought flashed through her mind, wondering if she had seen that crest somewhere before.
Before she could dwell on it any further, Gavriel opened the box to reveal the most exquisite ring she had ever laid eyes on.
It wasn’t one of those modern diamond rings found in a typical store, but something ancient that carried a timeless aura around it. A breathtaking, pear-shaped ruby sat at the centre of the piece, its deep crimson facets catching the light like liquid fire trapped within a gemstone. Encircling the ruby was a delicate halo of brilliant diamonds that enhanced its rich color, giving the piece an elegant, regal charm.
The band itself was crafted from warm gold, featuring intricate scrollwork that curled gracefully along both sides of the centre stone, lending the ring a vintage, almost fairytale-like appearance. The combination of the fiery ruby, sparkling diamonds, and ornate gold detailing created a design that felt entirely royal, as though it belonged to a queen or was a treasured heirloom passed down through centuries.
Lifting the small masterpiece between his fingers, Gavriel extended his hand toward her. Aliana, however, was so captivated by the ring that she failed to realise his actions. She felt a strange, magnetic pull in her heart... as if... as if she had seen this exact ring before.
’What is this I am feeling?’ The thought drifted silently through her head. ’Why do I feel like I have... seen it somewhere before?’
Just as the thought crossed her mind, a blurry, negative image of a delicate feminine hand adorned with the exact same ring flashed vividly before her eyes.
The sudden vision struck her like lightning.
For a brief moment, she froze.
So stunned was she that she failed to notice the whispers beginning to spread amongst the guests. All eyes were fixed on her, silently wondering whether the heiress was having second thoughts at the altar.
Before the murmurs could grow any louder, Gavriel’s deep, velvety voice reached her ears.
"Aliana."
The sound of her name on his lips instantly pulled her back to reality.
Her gaze lifted to meet his icy blue eyes, which were staring down at her with a hypnotic intensity that made a sudden heat rush to her cheeks.
A small, genuine smile broke across her lips as she realised that this was it. This right here marked the true beginning of her new life, a shared future between her and Gavriel.
With her heart fluttering wildly in her chest, she never broke eye contact as she lifted her hand and finally placed it in his.
The second their skin met, Gavriel slipped the beautiful ring onto her finger. A literal spark of electricity rushed through her body the moment the cold metal settled against her skin.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Gavriel leaned over, pressed his lips right against the ruby ring in front of the entire crowd, and whispered, "You are mine now."
Aliana’s heart raced at his fierce declaration. A thunderous round of applause broke out across the grand ballroom at the tender display, the audience rejoicing as the city’s most powerful couple took their first official steps toward a lifetime commitment.
But while the crowd celebrated, others watching from the far corners of the room felt their dark hearts pulse with a toxic blend of jealousy, envy, and uncontrollable fury. Their eyes remained locked onto the couple at the center of attention, watching them soak in the cheers and blessings.
Yet, their lips curled with the bitter satisfaction that their treacherous plans had already been set in motion.
Servers began weaving through the crowd, passing around fresh glasses of champagne to the guests, until one particular tray, carrying only two targeted drinks, smoothly made its way toward the happy couple.
