Serial's pov
As I grabbed my suit from my car, my mind was flooded with the amount of snobbish people I would have to deal with tonight. People who were desperate to get into partnerships with the Lockhearts and those hoping to shine when that empire crumbles. Guess we'll have to make it all worth their time, at least for the effort. I braced myself for all the fake interactions, hoping that Yna would somehow make it worth it when I see her. I smiled a little at that thought. It was like a lone ray of hope in this desolate function.
But when I finally made it to the foyer, I got the biggest shock of my life. There in all her glory stood Elena, the woman who had nearly become my fiancée. She had her blonde curls on full display and a dress made perfectly for her body. And she was not alone, standing a few inches away was my brother Tray with a few people in a small circle. Same circle from last year's Gala. I took a deep breath as I made my way over with a nonchalant expression pasted across my face. There were surprise and a tinge of annoyance, given the fact that I had no idea he would be here tonight especially with my ex. Tray had a huge smile on his face, almost like he was relieved, maybe even happy to see me.
Finally, I stopped right in front of the circle, a small smile on my face.
"Hey Tray, fancy seeing you here tonight", I said with the fixed smile
He quirked a brow slightly, looking me dead in the eye.
"Siri, man, glad you're here tonight even if it this is not your usual gathering". I noted the subtle jab and before I could respond with a witty one of my own, Elena looked up at me, eyes shining like the little devil she is.
She offered her hand and I grabbed it briefly to land a kiss on the back of it.
"Pleasure to meet you here Elena", I said with a smile. She smiled back
"Hi Siri, I'm so glad you're here tonight". I nodded briefly before turning back to Tray. He and I needed to catch up, especially assuming any of our other brothers were here.
"Did you come with Blaze?",
"No, I had a few reasons to be here tonight. And isn't Blaze supposed to be in Sicily, closing off a deal or something?"
I took a deep breath, feeling a little lost. I knew little about his schedule, but it looks like Dad was keeping all of us busy.
Me potentially closing a deal with Yuriat Furniture through marriage, Bryant doing God knows what to keep his bachelorship while Blaze and Tray had all the bliss and fun. Ungrateful bastards, I thought, huffing at the thought while Tray smirked. I always hated that he somehow knew me better than the others.
Just then, I saw Eli appear by his side. He had two glasses of champagne sitting in both hands. He handed the first glass to me with a smile and then gave the other to Tray before gently kissing him on the cheek. The action revealing a fresh hickey on his neck underneath his white shirt. Obviously, Tray had been busy.
Lucky bastard, I thought.
I was grateful for the wine though. It reminded me of the Cher Mer Gala last year. The first time I had met Eli.
"Cannot believe we literally went from meeting you at Flower Masquerade as Tray's best friend to you becoming his fiancé within a year", I said to Eli with a grin.
Eli blushed a little and Tray gave me a look that could kill. It was also the first time I met Elena again after our breakup 2years ago. And the same year Blaze and Amy got married. The irony of one brother nursing a heartbreak and another finding a love so strong it made him commit to a lifelong partnership. Now that I thought about it, I remember Elena being glued to Tray at the Gala, even though she had been dat. It had been very distasteful to watch and a little sad honestly. Surprisingly, there was no residual hate or jealousy anymore, considering it's been 2years now. Funny how time works. There was also the memory of a blonde woman in a lace mask at the Gala last year. Her face was a sweet blur right now, honestly only remember staring at the entrance when she walked in. It was instant attraction, the way my body reacted to her presence was nothing I'd experienced before except now, with Fynn. Pity, I didn't allow myself to meet her solely because she was blonde. Admittedly, I was a tad bit drunk, had recently nursed a breakup from Elena and wasn't about to break my new code for another blonde woman. Briefly, I wondered if I'd be able to recognize her if I met her tonight. Speaking of blondes, I was yet to see Fynn. Or Amani. The bastard.
At the thought, there was a sudden buzz and then standing at the entrance in a fuchsia gown was the woman I met yesterday. Fynn. She was absolutely ravishing. My body reacted instantly, tensing in response to her presence. She had a smile on and then I finally saw who was by her side. Amani.
I huffed a little, when our eyes finally met. His in challenge.
Oh now he'd done it, I thought as I made my way towards them. I gulped down the remainder of my champagne and grabbed two more glasses from the tray beside me.
When we finally met, I looked directly at Fynn. Her brown orbs were almost amber in the evening lights.
Extending a glass of champagne, I gave her a small smile which she returned. She glanced briefly at Amani before accepting the glass.
"I'm glad you're here, the evening was beginning to get boring", I whispered before lightly kissing the back of her hand.
Amani quirked an eyebrow with what I imagined was a smirk.
Silly bastard, I thought.
"I'm glad I made it tonight, although I didn't have much of a coin the matter"she responded ever so softly with a laugh.
Amani excused himself briefly to greet acquaintances and perhaps also grab a glass of champagne. It didn't matter, I was glad I had some alone time with her.
"So tell me Fynn, how often do you attend these events"
She scrunched her nose a little at the question, which I thought was adorable.
"Not nearly as often as I should be, especially considering the line of business I'm into"
I laughed at the response.
"And what might that be, if I may ask?"
"Constructing and deconstructing. We build stuff, to put it simply"
"Ah, I see", I nodded with an exaggerated smile.
"Tell me Serial Lockheart, I can't imagine you being here solely for the grandmas' fundraising or the auctions"
I laughed, and for the first time, it was a genuine unguarded laughter.
"I do love the Grandmas. Honestly, but no. I'm here because I need to be. Not much choice in the matter"
She nodded briefly before the smile on her face died completely. I trailed her gaze and saw the Yuriats heading our direction.
Guess I'm not the only one with an apparent disdain for them, I thought.
She gulped slightly when they finally stopped infront of us. Denver, a young brunette and another blonde I presumed was his wife?.
"Hi Serial, I did not expect to see you here tonight"
"Denver. I imagined you'd be here tonight. After all we all know this event is a cosplany for attention seekers"
His tongue was sharp and piercing. Denver cleared his throat, and somehow managed a small smile. He looked briefly at Fynn before proceeding.
"Let me introduce you to my family. This is my wife Giana and my daughter, Leighla"
"Pleasure to meet you ladies", I said while gently grabbing their extending hands for a gentleman's kiss, first his wife and then his daughter.
He smiled at the gesture and then turned to look at me.
"Glad you two have at least met", he said again while looking at Fynn.
A confused look immediately flicked across my face, but I hid it with a smile.
"Sarafyna Yuriat, my eldest daughter"