Chapter 502: Coming Out-2

Ian and Zane arrived at Wayvair on time, which was unusual for either man, but having been reminded to come, Ian was excited and did not want to be late. As people filed in, they noticed him and some were brave enough to start conversation, while others whispered to one another. It was no doubt that they had seen the photos of him and Mina in Bal, and they were likely trying to figure out what sort of relationship the woman had with him.

Zane made small talk with a woman, who Ian would not have minded talking to himself. She was cute, polite, and she did not put on airs. She recognized Zane and she approached him with intention. There was no pretending with the woman, she wanted the man's attention, and Ian found that to be better than the women who pretended not to be interested when it was clear that they were.

Ian was staring at the woman, who was flirtatiously giggling at Zane, when arms wrapped around his waist and he turned to face Lisa, who pressed a kiss to his lips while he was caught off guard. The woman, who was at first upfront, seemed to have lost her nerve while speaking and she excused herself from Zane, clearly unwilling to be as bold.

"You just scared away the first interesting woman I have met in months."

"She will thank me later," Lisa retorted while cuddling up to Ian, who was still shocked to see her.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, and Lisa pouted, making Zane roll his eyes. She shot the man a warning glare before turning back to Ian.

"An invitation was sent to the studio; it did not have a name on it, so I assumed it was for me." Ian figured the invitation was likely sent by Wayvair because they knew Mina was signed under Rouge Entertainment, and they wanted to cover their bases. "Are you not happy to see me?"

"Just surprised. You and Mina-"

"Have settled our differences." Lisa interjected. "She called me herself and told me exactly what happened and how. She did not want me to misunderstand you." Ian smiled before looking to Zane, who wore the same expression; Mina was up to something.

The two men kept their thoughts to themselves, deciding to wait for the guest of honor to arrive and question her directly. They were communicating with their eyes that something was very wrong with the situation. Mina's actions over the last four days had not been bothering Ian, but he knew they were bothering Zane, who felt like Mina was being forced into becoming someone she was not.

The MC of the event, which was unusual in itself, because reunion events were usually hosted by a school's chancellor or dean, told a few jokes before introducing Mina. Ian cast his eyes in the direction where the man was pointing and involuntarily stepped forward, slightly pushing Lisa out of his way.

Mina looked gorgeous in the olive-green dress that tightly hugged the curves of her body before flowing out at the bottom like a mermaid's tail. The waist was embellished with a gold metal band that matched the cuffs at Mina's neck and wrists. The dress had long lace sleeves that Ian could see was the same throughout the gown. He was so focused on Mina, that he did not even notice Cylus at her side, or Lisa who was staring up at him in shock.

Seeing Mina smile in the arms of another man was painful to Ian, but he forced himself to look away and walk back to his table, pulling the still staring Lisa along with him. He became aware too late that he was looking at Mina in a way that was sure to cause her trouble, and from the look on Zane's face, he was not the only one who was stunned.

Ian looked around the room and saw that nearly every man, accompanied or not, was staring at Mina, whose curled hair was lazily pinned around her head and decorated with two gold clips. She looked amazing, and Ian found himself happy that she was happy, until he caught sight of Cylus' girlfriend, who was holding onto a wine glass so tightly that he was surprised it did not shatter.

Wanting to make sure the woman did not get ideas, Ian approached the former actress and stood so close to her that their arms touched. She looked up at him and blanched, seeming to have recognized who was beside her.

"Don't do anything stupid," he said with a smile, and Vanya's face contorted in confusion. "She and Cylus are just friends." Ian did not wait for her to respond as he walked away and stood next to Lisa, who was still staring at him.

"Who is she to you?" Lisa asked, curious.

"No one special." Lisa narrowed her eyes. She could not help but to draw similarities between the woman and Mina, even if they were forced, but something about the way the woman looked told Lisa that they were in the same boat. Then, it hit her; the woman was Cylus' girlfriend.

----

Ian was committed to ignoring Mina when he heard Willow West's voice suddenly boom through the room. His attention was pulled the second he heard 'eligible bachelorette' and he looked at Zane who shook his head. They knew that Mina's friends were up to something. Plus, the phrase 'introduced to the world' was only used in coming out parties. He looked toward the front of the room and saw Cylus fill in as Mina's father. He danced with the woman, making her smile before he released her and someone brave enough was already waiting to dance.

Ian could tell by the look on Cylus Rue's face that he was not happy about who came forward, and truthfully neither was Ian. Connor Boyd was the man who had somehow gotten Mina to look past all his negative qualities and Ian was jealous. The man bowed to Mina with his hand outstretched and the look on her face told anyone watching that she was pleased with him. She placed her hand in his and he forcefully pulled, making her twirl in the beautiful gown she was wearing.

Ian could only watch as the man hugged Mina closer than necessary, swaying around the room while whispering things that made her laugh audibly. If Ian could hear, he would have heard Connor cursing Mina for leaving him alone with a gorgeous woman without telling him that she had an ogre for a boyfriend. The tickled look on Mina's face was genuine, but it was not because Connor was wooing her, she was laughing at the man's description of Drax.

"Isn't that your friend?" Lisa said, once again breaking Ian's concentration, and he looked up to see Drax and Mills looking around the room. Mills was the first to spot them, and Ian was shocked with how gorgeous she looked.

"You look like a respectable woman," he teased.

"I should change my clothing then," Mills retorted, and Ian smirked before clasping Drax's wrist.

"I didn't think we would see you here," Drax added.

"I wasn't planning on coming. I found time last minute." The conversation made Lisa's face light up.

"Mina looks beautiful. She goes well with that pretty man." Drax pinched Mills who slapped him. "What? I am just saying the truth. Look how much she is smiling." Ian knew that Mills had a point, but he ignored it.

"Dance with me?" Drax asked Mills, and Lisa looked to Ian wondering if he too would ask her to dance. Zane was already gone from where he stood. Feeling like a third wheel, he made his way to where Mina and Connor were dancing and tapped the man's shoulder. As per the rules of a coming out party, Connor stepped to the side, and allowed Zane to take Mina's hand.

"What are you up to Mina?" He asked.