"No way." Elmara said, eyes wide. There was no way in heaven or hell that she would wear this dress in public.

This was exactly why she hesitated allowing Xirsi to pick her dress style.

"Come on El, you look ravishing in that dress."

"My arms are out!" She cried, panic stricken.

"And so?" Xirsi asked, trying to get her point.

"They're huge Xirsi! I can't wear it. And the material emphasizes my body shape. Don't get me started on the slit! Don't you have something else for me to wear."

"First of all, you look gorgeous El. I'm quite insulted that you don't like my design."

Elmara's eyes widened with alarm.
She took a look at the silk material. It was simple, but elegant. The emerald silk felt like milk and honey on her skin and she'd be quite taken with it if it was the right thing for her to wear.

"It's gorgeous Xirsi. I just don't think I'm the right person to wear it." She said.

"Nonsense El. If we weren't cousins I'd totally be all over you. You look mouth watering, and I'm not even saying this to make you feel good. It's the basic truth.

Elmara bit her lip, she hardly believed Xirsi.

"I see you still don't believe me El. Okay, look at it this way. Do you think Me, Xirsi Reza Pahlavi the owner of Pahlavi style, would allow you debut the first item from a new line if I didn't think you were the right fit for it?
I might be your cousin, but I'm also a CEO sweets. Trust me when I say I know what I'm doing.

Elmara seemed to agree with this explanation better and it made Xirsi sad. Why did someone need to give a detailed, logical explanation for Elmara to believe she looked absolutely, bloody beautiful? Why couldn't she believe that she was a snack?

Xirsi stared at their baby cousin with sad eyes.

"Let's get you all dolled up, sweets."

∘˚˳°∘˚˳°

Elmara looked at the loads of people that gathered in the ballroom. The place even smelt like Capitalism.

She felt awkward. This wasn't her type of circle. Her father had left her, as soon as they arrived, telling her to mingle and build connections.

She stood awkwardly by the wall, when she was thrown off by someone talking to her.
"You feel outta place as well huh?"
Elmara regained her composure, smiling at the familiar face.

"Laszlo ! I didn't know you'd be here." Elmara grinned, grateful for a friend.

"Y'know how it is. Responsibilities." He sighed, his azure eyes looking heavy.

"Definitely. I am glad you're here though. I've probably been looking like an idiot, standing here."

"Nah, only a little." He chuckled teasing Elmara.

"Hey!" She laughed, play-hitting him.

Laszlo's eyes scanned Elmara's body, and Elmara started to feel self conscious. Her tummy was probably bulging out or something.

"You look gorgeous Elmara." He said in a more serious tone, something new in those eyes of his.

Elmara felt the heat rush up to her neck at this compliment.

"Thank you." She said, eyes drilling holes into the ground.

"Care for a dance?" He asked holding his hand out for her, and Elmara nodded gratefully, glad for a distraction from the millions of thoughts in her head."

Alex held his whiskey in his hands, his full concentration on Elmara. He didn't like how touchy feely she seemed to be with the blonde man she was currently  dancing with.

His eyes travelled her body. God, this woman would be his end. The way the emerald silk she wore wrapped itself around all her curves like a second skin left little to the imagination and Alex was almost jealous that everyone else had the chance to worship her beauty, but he consoled himself with the thought that they'd never be able to show her as much devotion as he knew he could.

Alex hated feeling this way. Everything he planned had scattered the day he walked into Elmara's office and found out that the same person he found himself thinking about at night was the daughter of the very man he swore on his mother's grave to take revenge on.

He put on a fake smile as he walked towards the man who had ruined his happiness. Mr Zaoui stood with a other man– one Alex recognized as Santiago Rodriguez, one of the youngest politicians to have a seat in the Senate. He was only a few years older than Alex, somewhere in his mid thirties.

"Ah Mr. Drozdov, you look dashing tonight." Mr Zaoui complimented, sipping on his Chardonnay.

"Thank you. The same goes for all you gentlemen."

"Ah, Mr Drozdov. What party is Dov enterprises standing behind this coming election?"  Mr Santiago slyly asked.

Alex smiled at this, no way he was falling into Santiago's trap.

"Dov enterprises doesn't and will not be getting involved in politics Mr Rodriguez. We plan on staying neutral." Alex hated how tangled up business and politics could get, but he would stay neutral for as long as he could afford to.

Just as Mr Santiago was about to speak, Elmara in all her glory, gracefully walked towards them, her premium edition Louis Vuitton golden glass heels that Xirsi had forced her to wear tonight made gentle clicking sounds as it came in contact with the perfectly polished floor. Alex couldn't help but stare, it was different seeing her up close. She looked ethereal.

"Ah, my daughter. Elmara, this is Mr Santiago, Mr Drozdov."

Elmara's eyes swept across the men. Alex noticed the shock in her eyes when her eyes landed on him, but she maintained her composure.

"Good evening gentlemen." Elmara said in suck a silky voice, Alex thought he would faint.

"Good evening Miss Zaoui. You look splendid."  Mr Santiago said, placing a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Indeed you do." Alex said taking the same hand and placing a kiss, his eyes lingering on hers.
Elmara felt sparks where Alex's soft lips had brushed her hand.

Why did this man suddenly seem to be involved with everything she was?

"Mr. Zaoui, I must commend you. Your genes are exceptional. Elmara is unarguably the most beautiful woman here. Although a little more plump than I like my women, she's gorgeous none the less."

Elmara freezed at the backhanded compliment from the tanned middle aged man, but there was nothing she could do. This man was obviously a friend of her father's.

Alex on the other hand saw red. He clenched his hand around the glass of whiskey that was threatening to break.
He knew it wouldn't speak well if one of the biggest business tycoons socked one of the most popular politicians in the eye at a fundraising event for orphans.

So Alex did the next best thing and turned to the greying man.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't speak of my fiance like she was an object Mr Rodriguez."

Elmara's eyes widened at the words that came out of Alex's mouth.

He was her fiance?

𝐀/𝐍

*Cues drumrolls*

Let the games begin!
What are your theories? Tell me in the comments, and as always don't forget to;

𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞. | 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. | 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞.

Bonus:

𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬!