As everyone knows that I'm heartless, but I have a heart and I love myself for being ashamed to show it. Now, It seems like that embarrassment is slowly going away from me. It seems like something inside me is changing. No, It can't be. I don't want to change myself. I don't want to fall in love just to become weak and worthless.

But... Why is this change suddenly occurring inside me? This has never happened to me before. This shitty feeling is growing. The callousness inside me is fading. But why? Is this because of that cocky bastard Elijah?

Why did I accept his being holding my hand yesterday in front of those men? No, I shouldn't have accepted his hand in myself. Ever since he has come into my life, I've changed. I want my old self.

I just want to go back to America after this meeting as soon as possible. The meeting is in two days. Those dumbass investors and organizers are on another trip. They will come to Italy tomorrow. That means I'm stuck in this villa along with Elijah. That's it!

I will try my best to stay away from Elijah.

Yes, I need to stay away from Elijah. He is nothing more than my business partner. Our relationship is strictly professional. I can do this...

“Avery...” Jolting me out of my thoughts, a soft and familiar voice comes from my surrounding. I turn my gaze towards the direction through which that voice was coming from. It was Blair.

“Blair...” I take my steps towards her and calm down myself from my disturbing thoughts.

“What happened? You look a bit pale.” She asks, noticing a small drop of sweat on my forehead.

“Oh, It's nothing. I was just thinking something.” I say, whipping the sweat from my face. “Did you want to tell me something?”

“Yes. Uncle Shane and Lucian are organizing an annual gala in honour of the return of Elijah. That's why women are wearing gowns while men are wearing tuxedos.” She says, giving me a heavy paper bag. “Hermes” was written on it.

“Why are you giving me a dress of this expensive brand, Hermes?” I ask, raising my eyebrows suspiciously.

“Elijah has sent this dress for you to wear during tonight's gala since you wouldn't have brought any gowns on this business trip.” She says leaving me stunned. Elijah sent me this, but why?

“I'm sorry, but I can't accept this dress.” I try to give back that bag, but she refuses it.

“No, please don't return it. Elijah has especially asked Hermes's designers to design this dress for you. It would make him feel bad. Please...” She says, pouting her lips and giving me a puppy eyes look. Shit! I can't resist puppy eyes.

After sighing deeply due to my loss, I say,“ Fine. I accept this dress...” A million dollars smile comes over Blair's face. “But, I have a condition...”

“Anything you want...” She says happily in excitement.

“I want to pay him back for this dress. I don't want to keep his favours to me.” I declare, crossing my hands on my chest.

“No... No... He won't like it. Please just keep it. He doesn't want anything from you in return. He told me that you would say something like this. So, you need to accept this gift only as a business partner. Pretty please...” She says, giving me her puppy eyes again. “Pretty please...”

“Ugh! Fine. I won't pay him back.” I roll my eyes.

“Yay! Thank you so much!” She squeals and pulls me into a tight hug.

*During Evening*

The gala will start in two hours. It means that I've some time to equip myself perfectly. Thinking this, I take off my clothes and go inside the glass shower. I turn on the hot water and let myself relax in the water for a few minutes as I feel the water run down my body. I run my fingers through my scalp and my hair. The hot water relaxes my body. After this hot shower, I wrap the towel around my body and go inside the closet.

I take out the gown from its bag. I stare down at the dark red gown in my hands in dejection and sigh heavily. It seems alright, but let's see how I look into it. I slowly slip into the gown that reaches my feet. It has a deep sweetheart neckline and long slit on the left side, showing my leg, almost to my mid-thigh. The sexy flutter ruffles add some pizzazz and are not tight around my arms. Plus there is the extra fabric that covers the space between my arm and the ruffle, this makes the dress very classy.

(Author's note: Avery's dress pic is attached above in this chapter)

For hairstyling, I brush my hair and let it flow down. Then, I apply foundation with eyeliner and deep red matte. Finally, I look at myself in the mirror. This gown is truly beautiful.

Damn, That cocky nerd has good taste.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Taking my steps towards the door, I sigh in nervousness because I'm a bit unfamiliar with this Villa. I open the door and there I see him. Elijah Veneto.

✭✭✭

Elijah's POV

As soon as I saw a beautiful red gown in Hermes's store, a gorgeous face came to my mind. Avery Bennett. This gown was perfectly made only for her. That's why I purchased it for tonight's gala.

I didn't give her gown on my own into her room because it may make Avery a bit uncomfortable. She might think something else of me, and I can't risk it. That's why I sent Blair a dress into her room.

I knew that Avery might not accept this dress because of her self-respect. That's why I told Blair to tell her that it was just a normal gift from me as her business partner.

Now, I'm grooming myself for tonight's gala in my room. I'm wearing a black three-piece tuxedo with formal shoes. Then, I put on a brooch on my coat which is an heirloom of my great-grandfather. This brooch signifies Mala Del Brenta's pride and honour

I brush my hair and put on perfume. Now, I'm perfectly ready. Now, let's go and see my queen. Smirking at this thought, I go towards Avery's room and knock on the door.

The door opens slightly and then I see her. Fuck! How can someone be this beautiful and sexy at the same time? She is wearing that gown which I bought for her. This gown reaches oot, but there is a side slit on the left side, revealing her creamy leg, almost to her mid-thigh. The way this dress is hugging her gorgeous curves is taking dark red lips are giving me an invitation to kiss the hell out of them. She is truly the beauty of this universe.

“Are you done staring?” She says, rolling her eyes and then crossing her arms on her chest.

“I was not staring. I was just thinking about how you look beautiful in this dress.” I say, scratching my neck awkwardly.

“Thank you for this gift, Elijah. This gown is really beautiful. You have od taste.” She says, giving me a beautiful smile.

“Oh, I know that I have  taste...” I grin mischievously.

“The gala will be held in Mala Del Brenta Grand hall. So, let's go there.” I say, taking out my phone.

*At Mala Del Brenta Grand hall*

We walk into the ballroom and look around our surroundings. Crystal chandeliers spiral down from the arching sky-blue ceiling, illuminating the glimmering golden walls and a floor so polished it looks like an ice-over lake. Men and women are together in couples.

As soon as we step closer, everyone starts staring at us with their broad and wide eyes. Many of them bow their heads in my honour but when their eyes fall on Avery, they start murmuring.

“Silenzio (Silence)!”I shout. After hearing my shout, everyone becomes silent. The murmurs which were coming also stopped.

“Io, Elijah Veneto Figlioo di Blade Veneto, da il benvenuto a tutti all'annuale gala di Mala Del Brenta. Grazie per aver partecipato a questo breve invito. Ora, iniziamo a ballare (I, Elijah Veneto son of Blade Veneto welcomes everyone to the annual gala of Mala Del Brenta. Thank you for coming on this short invitation. Now, let's start dancing)!”

“Avvia la music (Start the music).” Uncle Shane shouts, gesturing to musicians.

“Will you give me the honour to dance with you, Miss Bennett?” I ask, raising my hand towards Avery.

“Sure, Let's go...” She says, holding my hand firmly.

The music begins and we begin to waltz. Spinning and circles and shuffling our feet to the slow, rhythmic music. This is paradise, but even so more when our eyes meet. Her blue eyes are sparkling even more in this dim light, making me lost in them.

Suddenly, the music changes its pace again, this time a very slow and relaxing song. I smirk at her slightly and pull her body closer to mine. Of course, I have done this willingly. I can feel her eyes burning like fire because of my smirk. My smirk only grows bigger. We dance together, our bodies close, with my hand still grasping her. It feels like the song lasts forever, yet I never get tired from it. The sound of the music goes even slower, the lights slowly fading. I drop her hand, and before she has time to frown I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her body even closer to mine.

After what felt like a beautiful eternity with her, The music finally stops. She pulls herself away from me.

“I need water.” Saying this, she goes away from me. She must be nervous. So, she may need some time to be alone.

Then, two thin arms circle my waist from my back. What the fuck!

“Surprise, Darling.” An unpleasant feminine voice enters my ears. I remove her hands from my body harshly. Then, I turned around to see her. Candice Thompson.

Candice is a blond-haired girl with dark eyes. Her face is full of Botox treatment. She is wearing an ugly gown which is too revealing. It's like her fake big boobs will come out of that gown. That dress was barely covering her back, and it was too tight like if she bent down, then the dress would tear in two parts. Just like her looks, Candice is a gold digger whore who is not only mean but also a disgusting human creature. She has always tried to throw herself on me, but I've never given shit to her.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask angrily.

“Darling, You are forgetting that my father is the head of your security system. So, Of course, I got to come here. By the way, I you.” She says in a slow and seducing voice, as she tries to come near me, but I push her away.

“Look, Candice. I have a girlfriend. So, you can gladly fuck off.” I say annoyingly.

“Darling, I know that you don't mean it. By the way, are you talking about that bitch who was with you? Oh come on, she is not even beautiful and sexy like me.” Candice says rolling her eyes.

Did she call my Avery bitch? How dare she!

“How dare you call my woman a bitch! If anyone is bitch, then it's you. You are a gold digger slut. You are talking about your beauty. Right? Then, listen! My woman is no one, but Avery Bennett. She is Miss Universe 2021. That means she is the most beautiful woman on this planet and I love her so much. Now, don't make my boil anymore, or I won't hesitate to shoot you!” I declare, showing her my gun from my pocket angrily.

Her face becomes pale. Fear starts crawling over her face. Then, she runs away.

Now, where is Avery? What is taking her so long in drinking water? I should go towards the dining hall. She must be there.

Thinking this, I go towards the dining hall. As soon as I step inside the dining hall, my eyes become wide in shock. My blood starts to boil. The sight before me is enough to shake my whole body.

Avery was kissing another man.

✭✭✭

Hey my devils,

What the fuck! Avery is kissing another man? What will happen now?

What do you think about Elijah and Avery's moment in the ballroom? Also, What are your thoughts about Candice?

Now, What will happen next?

Keep reading to find out!

*Don't forget to vote, comment and share this story with your Wattpad Friends.*