Chapter 75 - 74

Dimitri had gotten an invitation to attend one of the important parties in the business world. A CEO from another company was retiring, and everybody who was important and wanted to be important was going to be in attendance. So Dimitri had to be there as well, it was his chance to connect with his old business associates and make sure the younger ones who will be the future directors and CEOs know who he was as well. 

He hated attending these things before. Coming alone made all single women and their families think that he was fair game. They would try to throw themselves at him whenever they had the chance in hopes of being Mrs. Santoris. 

Now that he had a wife, he wanted to show her off and shut off all the other women's advances.

Aurora knew there would be a lot of gatherings like this, so she couldn't keep on declining, even if she wanted to, she just had to get used to it, and maybe in time, it would be easier for her. Dimitri had used all the sweetness he possessed in his body to beg her to come with him, so how could she say no. 

Before they entered the hall, Aurora clutched at his arm like he was offering her to be slaughtered. "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine," he says as he rubs her hands with his thumb. But when she still had a frown on her face, he kissed her forehead, "Relax, no one will say anything with me by your side."

She gave him a weak smile, the worry she felt had been tamped down, but there was something still lingering in the air, and she could not put her foot on it.

As soon as they entered, all eyes were on them. It was not the first time they saw an Aristocratic heir with a woman, but Dimitri had always shied away from any controversy or women, so it would be the first time they would see him with a woman in his arms.

Men who headed the mafia were never known to be sweet and loving husbands, they were womanizers who used and threw women around like they were a piece of clothing. But Dimitri, on the other hand, had been very cold to women, even cruel, so they never imagined him to get together with anyone.

Women at the party wore different colored evening gowns that sparkled, showing off their svelte figures, and most of them cost more than an arm and a leg. 

Aurora, on the other hand, was a breath of fresh air amidst the crowd, she had the perfect combination of elegance and style. She did not have that innocent look that made her an easy target, nor the look that she had something to hide, just like most of the women around her who were groomed to be ruthless and sly.

She felt tense as she looked around, "Sweetheart, relax they're just curious about you. As soon as someone else enters that door, then everyone's attention will be diverted," He squeezed her hand for reassurance.

They didn't even have to make their rounds, people were naturally drawn to Dimitri. He introduced her to people she'd only seen on tv or in magazines, which made her feel a little uneasy. To cope with the pressure, she thought of them as her patients, who were easier to talk to once you spent a little time with them. 

When people tried to drag the conversion, they walked around, and this together with the tension she felt earlier got Aurora wanting a break. He was talking to a very important business colleague when she whispered in his ear, "I'm going to the restroom, I'll be back." They were talking so much about business that her eyes were glazing over and she was getting sleepy just listening to them drone on and on about this deal and that.

"Let me come with you," he replied. Excusing himself from the people around him.

"No, it's okay. I can manage. I won't be long," she promised.

Dimitri was hesitant to leave her alone, but she looked like she wasn't as tense as when they came in, so he agreed. He could see the restroom from where he was standing, and nobody could harm her with these many people around them.

After she came from the restroom, she noticed the dessert table and decided to get herself some snacks and bring them out to the patio, where they had set out some tables and chairs for people to enjoy their drinks and snacks. 

She was inspecting one of the flower arrangements when she heard a voice behind her. "Mind if I keep you company?" said a man dressed in a black suit. He was giving off a different vibe that made her shudder. 

This man stared at her like he was trying to gaze into her soul. To Aurora, he looked very intimidating, and his tall frame seemed to make him look very dangerous. He was definitely someone she should avoid. 

"No, I don't think so. My husband is probably looking for me. I better leave." she tried to decline politely. 

He pretended not to hear what she said and sat beside her. And when she stood up, he said in a commanding tone, "Sit down Aurora! I want to talk to you."

There was something in his tone that made her follow his command, "How do you know me?" she asked.

"We all know you are Dimitri's woman. I was curious to know what he sees in you," he smirked. That smirk held meaning and Aurora felt very uneasy about it. It felt like he wanted her to know that she had a secret he knew about, and he was going to use it against her.

His entire vibe screamed "bad guy," and the way he was looking at her right now was like a predator waiting in the bushes, observing his prey from afar.

"Well, I can answer that for you now. There is nothing special here to see. I'm just an ordinary person," she stated.

"Oh no, no, no… you are definitely something special, otherwise Dimitri would not have married you. I don't think you know that your husband does not pay close attention to women, but then suddenly, here you are," he chuckled, "Where was he hiding you?"

"You seem to know a lot about me, yet you still haven't told me your name," she countered.