Chapter 25: Aroma of Success
To Love You Again, My Husband
Chapter 25: Aroma of Success
Swallowed by the lights, everything was filled with nothing but the brilliancy of the night. There were the high-end chandeliers, the stairs that screamed luxury and the hefty, distinct food everywhere.
The aroma of success lingered in the air and the people present in the venue had their wide grins plastered on their faces. Rather than boisterous atmosphere, it was cozy and comfortable; everything was just right.
Airina beamed in happiness, clanking goblets with the other guests. Wendy, on the other hand, tugged her mouth into a slight smile, feeling happy for Airina and Evan, especially.
Matthew chuckled, winking at Airina, who was talking to Elisa. After contemplating, he trudged to their direction while wearing a smile.
He asked, “Then, how did Evan persuade you into doing this kind of event?”
Airina shook her head, “He never did. I was willing.”
Elisa chuckled after taking a quick sip from her vodka. “Don’t worry since it seemed that Airina is the kind of sister who’d do anything for her beloved younger brother.”
Airina became sheepish, covering her mouth. This event was solely to celebrate the successful graduation of her younger brother, Evan. At first, Evan grumbled the fact that she’d arrange this scale of celebration just for his graduation. Besides that Evan was awarded as Cum Laude, she was just happy for Evan since his journey was rough. Mostly, he’d spend more time to finish his activities and presentations and it bloomed into such good awards.
Airina didn’t ask for him to have these things but Evan was persistent of proving his self-worth. His older sister was naturally brilliant brain, and for him, who was usually all boisterous and didn’t like the idea of studying, it was a challenge feat for him. In most occasions, he’d think to give up. However, looking back to how his step family treated his older sister as an eyesore didn’t sit right with him.
Airina dismissed Elisa’s words. “Well, this kind of event doesn’t happen every time. In fact, this was the very first time we did this.”
She suddenly feel nostalgic.
She even added, “It was our first time doing this with our money.”
Matthew tilted his head, “Our money? Does Evan have a job?”
Airina nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, well”, she then set her goblet on the table, “He is good at his drawing, and paintings. Things that I am not very good at.”
Elisa then recalled something, “Ah, right!”, She tapped Airina’s shoulder, “My father informed me of your situation. How was it?”
She pursed her lips, “… Fine, I just need to deal with her.”
Elisa offered, “Do it with force.”
Airina almost agreed. “I don’t want to do such a thing.”
Matthew shook his head, adding to her words. His words felt like he had known her for a long time, “Airina is the kind of person who doesn’t take revenge that way. Right?”
Elisa was confused, “Revenge? It does deserve that kind of treatment. Haha.”
Airina smirked, feeling all giddy after remembering the look from Jackson when she asked if being a driver was his second job. It was quite thrilling to joke around him even if it was not her forte.
However, when she was about to tell another thing, Evan tapped her shoulder with a serious look on his face. Airina who was bewildered of his action could only nod at Matthew and Elisa alternatively.
After being left with Elisa, Matthew swallowed her saliva. He is as reminded when Airina teased him with Elisa. Despite the effort she does to forget such a simple thing, Elisa’s past nerdy appearance kept appearing in his mind. Unfortunately, he couldn’t easily erase her from his mind. It felt like her very face was engraved in his mind.
He awkwardly spoke, “S-so, how was life?”
Elisa frowned, “That seems rather abrupt. Why did you suddenly get interested?”
Matthew simply chuckled to remove his shyness. “It wasn’t sudden considering that we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
Elisa folded her arms, pondering of his words. Back when they were college, Matthew was a stoic, yet he also had a tender heart. It wasn’t only once, she mostly sees him feeding cats around the University and somehow these cats became fond of him and always greeted him whenever he comes inside the campus.
Students calls him the cat-person, or thee feeder-cat. He wasn’t also inclined in socializing with fellow students, rather, he spent most of his times feeding the cats and befriending them.
Elisa turned to Matthew with a deep sigh, “Actually, I should be the one asking you that”, She smiled at him, “I could still remember those times when you’d feed the cats and when you’d have no time to study but pet them.”
Matthew was surprised. He was certain that no one was present at those moments. If course, he had no control over what was happening, yet it was still embarrassing to be reminded of something he buried deep in his memory.
He blinked his eyes, “O-oh, right. I thought n-no one saw them. How come?”
Elisa laughed, “What do you mean? Everyone knew you were the owner of those cats.”
Matthew was stunned. All along he though no one knew what he was doing! In embarrassment, he turned around and cleared his throat. If he stay here with her, he’d be but a ripened tomato!
He excuses himself, “I-I still have things to do.”
Elisa chuckled, “Wait, are you not interested of my life? Matthew, wait up!”
Matthew ran away from the clasp of Elisa. It is dangerous, truly risky!
*
Evan smiled at his sister. She seemed to be having a heart-to-heart talk with the other two influential figure, but there was more important issue at hand.
“I’ve see this earlier but I think someone familiar to you will come.”
She was baffled, “Someone familiar? The guests are counted and chosen from”, She folded her arms, “I also reserved this venue for one night and one day. Don’t tell me someone is going to ruin it.”
Evan clicked his tongue, quite irritated by what he discovered. “I share the same sentiments but I feel like something big is going to happen. What do you think it’ll be?”
Airina sighed listlessly. Evan had been mischievous since earlier. Just how much could he go roundabout the talks? She rolled her eyes.
“Who did you see?”
Evan wetted her lower lip, “Starts with N.”
Airina winked, “Nobody?”
Evan suddenly burst into laughter while hiding his stomach. For a guess this was far the most hilarious thing he had ever heard from his older sister. Especially, since Airina didn’t know who he was pertaining to.
He restrained his laughter, “No, not that. Someone, hm, you used to be close with her.”
Airina blinked her eyes, “Oh, a her”, She touched her chin, narrowing her eyes. “How unfortunate, I can’t remember anyone with ‘N’ as her first name.”
Evan shook his head in disbelief. “Well, naturally someone you’re not fond of would be forgotten.”
Airina formed a thin line on her lips, “I mean why would I mind about her when I have other things to attend to? Does that mean she’d destroy everything I had tried hard to plan? If she dares, I’d make her disappointed!”
She the clenched her fist in determination.
“You’re that firm?”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“Hm?”
“Huh?”
The siblings spontaneously looked towards the owner of the voice. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t a her, or a female, but a male. To be frank, it was someone she had least wanted to see in this certain event. Evan automatically hid Airina behind his back.
“Jackson Georgiñia.”
He spoke with emphasis.