The Gala

Chapter 7: The Gala

The gala was a sea of lights, glittering jewels, and whispered conversations, a world where smiles were carefully curated and emotions carefully concealed.

Aria stood at the edge of the grand ballroom, watching the dancers glide across the marble floor, their movements fluid and graceful, like living art. The music drifted through the air, soft but insistent, like a pulse Aria couldn't ignore.

She was out of place here.

It had been two weeks since she had moved into Elias's mansion. Two weeks of navigating a life where her only purpose seemed to be to stand at his side, like a trophy, silent and perfect. Tonight, she was once again a showpiece for the Xian name, the bride who said nothing but smiled on command.

But tonight felt different. Something in the air had shifted, a strange tension that she couldn't quite name.

Elias hadn't spoken to her much all evening, just as he always did when they attended events like this. He was the center of attention, as usual—his tall frame towering over everyone else, his sharp features commanding respect even from across the room.

She had learned, over the last couple of weeks, that Elias wasn't just distant—he was impenetrable. Cold.

Aria could see the way women eyed him, some with longing, others with admiration, all of them vying for his attention in subtle, calculated ways. He didn't even notice. He never did.

But there was something unsettling about how often his gaze would flicker in her direction, just for a moment, before he turned his attention elsewhere.

It was as if he was… waiting for something. Watching her.

"Aria."

His voice broke her from her thoughts, and she turned to see Elias standing beside her, his presence towering. She forced a smile, straightening up slightly, feeling the weight of the perfect gown that hugged her body just so. She felt out of place in it, like an actress in a role she wasn't suited for.

He didn't offer his arm, didn't ask her to dance. Instead, he simply nodded toward the crowd, his gaze narrowing as he spoke.

"You'll be expected to mingle," he said, his voice cool, detached. "But remember, no mistakes."

"Of course," she replied, though she wasn't sure what he meant by mistakes.

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't speak too much, Aria. Don't attract attention."

She didn't answer. What was she supposed to say? She was just here to play the part. The perfect wife, standing in silence, while he enjoyed his evening. The boundaries between them were becoming clearer every day, and the longer she stood by his side, the more her sense of self seemed to disappear.

As Elias walked away, mingling with other guests, Aria felt a pang of loneliness so sharp it nearly took her breath away. It was hard to remember that she had once been someone with dreams, desires. Someone who had never imagined she would become the invisible woman in a marriage she hadn't chosen.

And then, in the crowd, she saw him.

Nathaniel.

He was standing across the room, his posture just as impeccable as always, his eyes locked onto her from the distance. There was something about the way he watched her, a curious intensity that made her heart race. He wasn't looking at her the way others did, with polite interest or respectful distance. No, Nathaniel's gaze held a deeper, almost predatory quality, like he was studying her—waiting for her to react.

Aria felt a strange tension knot in her stomach. She didn't know what to make of him. Elias's assistant was always polite, but there was something unsettling in the way he moved around her, as if he knew more than he let on.

When their eyes met, Nathaniel gave a small, knowing smile—an expression that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. It was the same smile he had given her the first time they'd spoken, all those days ago.

But this time, it felt different. There was something in the air, something unspoken.

Aria quickly looked away, her heart pounding. She forced herself to focus on the conversation happening around her—pretend to engage, pretend to smile, pretend to be the perfect wife. But her mind kept drifting back to Nathaniel and his unsettling presence. Why did he look at her like that?

As the evening dragged on, Aria felt like she was drowning beneath layers of silk and silence.

She smiled when required, answered questions with practiced poise, and avoided saying anything that might draw attention. The crowd blurred around her—too many faces, too many empty conversations. This world, full of gloss and power, was not hers.

And yet she was trapped in it.

An older woman approached, a delicate flute of champagne in hand and a surgically perfect smile on her face. "You're Mrs. Xian, aren't you?"

"Yes," Aria said politely, inclining her head.

"I thought so," the woman replied. "You're quite… quiet. Not like his last companion."

Aria's fingers curled slightly at her side. "His last companion?"

"Oh, dear. You mustn't mind me," the woman laughed lightly, tapping Aria's arm. "Just old gossip. But between us, Elias used to attend these galas with a very different woman on his arm. Loud. Charming. Impossible to ignore."

Aria swallowed. "I see."

The woman leaned closer. "And now, you. Much more discreet. Much safer. I imagine that's the appeal."

With a wink, she disappeared into the crowd, leaving Aria chilled to her bones.

Elias had never mentioned another woman. Then again, Elias never mentioned anything unless it served a purpose.

Aria stepped away, needing air. She slipped out the side doors of the ballroom and into the garden, where moonlight shimmered over the still water of a narrow reflecting pool. For a moment, she let herself breathe.

Then came the voice—smooth, low, and unmistakable.

"You shouldn't wander off. Someone might think you're trying to escape."

She turned sharply.

Nathaniel.

He stood in the shadows near the hedges, his hands in his pockets, looking far too comfortable for a man who was supposed to blend into the background.

"I needed air," Aria said, forcing her voice to remain steady.

"Understandable," he said, stepping forward. "It's suffocating in there."

Aria didn't answer. Her eyes flicked toward the ballroom doors, unsure if she should return.

Nathaniel's gaze followed hers. "Don't worry. Elias is far too busy charming investors to notice you're gone."

She stiffened. "Is that why I'm here? To make him look more palatable to investors?"

His smirk was almost sympathetic. "Among other things."

She looked at him then, truly looked. "Why do you talk to me like this?"

He stepped closer, his voice quiet. "Because no one else does. And because you're not what I expected."

"What did you expect?" she asked, heart thudding.

"Someone weak. Someone desperate enough to cling to comfort without asking questions." His eyes searched hers. "But you… you watch everything. You're thinking even when you're silent."

Aria felt exposed under his gaze. "You don't know me."

"Not yet," he said softly. "But I'm curious."

She took a step back. "Curiosity can be dangerous."

Nathaniel chuckled. "So can pretending to be someone you're not."

Before she could answer, the doors behind them creaked open, and Elias emerged into the garden. His eyes found Aria immediately. They flicked once to Nathaniel, and something in his jaw tightened.

"Aria," he said, voice low but firm. "I've been looking for you."

Her breath caught. Was that irritation in his voice? Or something else?

"I was just getting some air," she replied.

Elias's gaze settled on Nathaniel. "I can take it from here."

Nathaniel gave a shallow bow. "Of course."

Without another word, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Aria standing alone with the man she was married to—but didn't know at all.

Elias stepped closer, his face unreadable. "Stay by my side for the rest of the night. Understood?"

She met his eyes. "Yes."

But inside, something had changed. The more she lived in this world, the more she realized—

Elias Xian had secrets.

And not all of them were locked behind that door in the east wing.