Aveliene's pov:

Currently I am standing near the balcony of our room, I've shifted in Vaughn's room after we return from our honeymoon as he said that he can't stay away from me.

I put my empty mug of coffee near the bed and extended my hand out to touch the rain drops as it is raining outside. It is evening but it appears like night as the dark clouds cover the sky.

I heard the room's door being opened and turned around and saw Vaughn. He threw his coat on the couch and made his way towards me. There was mischief in his eyes. As I remember our last meeting in his cabin.

I decided to play with him, a little.

"You are home early, I wonder why?", I said and acted oblivious.

To which he came closer.

"Oh really, Well then let me remind you that you left me in the middle of our heated make out session", he said casually but I didn't miss the mischievous glint in his eyes. And I could feel my knees getting weak at his statement.

"And you said to wait till home so here I am to complete it", he said and tried to kiss me but I instantly stood aside and stepped away from him, while he groan.

"Well I dont remember saying such a thing" I said while tring hard not to laugh at his annoyed expression.

Suddenly!!

A loud sound of thunder roared outside and I squealed and hugged the very next thing.

"I hate thunder" I muttered in a low voice.

I heard Vaughn chuckling as his chest vibrated under me.

"Well I love thunder", he said in a teasing tone, and I quickly pulled away muttering Mr Rude.

"Mr rude, huh?", he said with amusement and instantly holded my arm and pulled me back as my face hit his chest.

I tried to push him but his hold tighten. I sighed and let him hold me. A question instantly popped in my mind.

"Why do you address me with my surname before?" I asked.

"Aveliene leave it-" He began but I cut him off.

"No tell me why you don't call my name?" I said stubbornly. He sighed.

"I didn't address you by your name because, because it's too innocent just like you. If I would have used it then it would only distracts me from my aim to take revenge. So I used your surname because it reminds me that you are a daughter of Lawrence, who destroyed my family. And it would make things easier for me. But......these are all past things, the only thing matters now is that you are in my arms and I am not letting you go away." He said and kissed me on my forehead. And I smiled sweetly.

We stood there in a comfortable silent while looking at the rain through the balcony.

"Wanna dance?" Vaughn whispered as I looked up.

"Without music?" I said amusingly.

"Yes, if you want", he replied.

I stared in his eyes and nodded.

Soon, we're slowly dancing, the sound of the rain drops outside making the atmosphere more soothing, more intimate.

I lay my head against his chest, enjoying his intoxicated signature cologne. Although he has just got back from work and is in his office attire but still he always smells so nice.

I sighed with contentment.

Suddenly!!

Vaughn's phone rang, he sighed and went to answer his phone.

"Hello- Yes- What!- But- How- Okay Fine!", Vaughn's snapped in frustration his entire happy mood changed.

"Damn it",He muttered and threw the phone on the bed and ran his fingers across his hairs.

I went near him.

"What happened?", I asked with worry.

He looked at me with such an odd manner. It was either intense, serious, introspective, or all. Like he wanted to say something but decided not to. I wonder what?

Turning his face into a frown. He walked away from me, outside the room. Well that was something........odd.

He is really a strange person. Maybe it's just a 'Vaughn thing'. I shrugged.

Taking a deep breath. I tried to concentrate on the rain outside, just to relax. But oddly, I wasn't able to.

After having an inner battle, I decide to talk to him. I made my way towards his study. The door was half opened. So I pushed it and went inside.

Vaughn was standing near his desk with his eyes closed. His shirt's sleeves were rolled upto his elbows and his look was full of frustration.

My eyes soften as I stood near him.

"What happened?", I said softly, as his eyes opened quickly. He looked at me and sighed.

"Mr Smith has canceled the deal", he said in a low voice but I didn't miss the anger in his tone.

"What?! But why? I thought he likes your designs", I said with confusion.

"I thought that too but he said that we are putting a heavy budget margin and-" He paused and ran his fingers through his silky chocolate hairs.

"And?", I asked. To which he sighed.

"-And he said that some other company is providing him the same designs within a little low budget." He said.

"Wait, but you said that you and your company have worked on those designs then how could someone else have the same?" I asked with confusion.

"That's the thing! I have prepared them under my strict supervision. They were authentic. There was no chance of them being copied." He scoffed and looked straight.

"Is there anyone who can do this?" I asked.

"No, only very few people know about them and there was no other copy of them except the ones I have, and when the designs were completed, I myself had kept them in my studies, only if somone have taken them out from there-" He said and turned to me.

"Wait! Are you thinking that I have-" I said but he paused me.

"What? No! I am not accusing you, I am saying is there anyone else you gave the folder while coming to the office?" He asked.

I focused on my mind while replaying that time, before going to his office.

"No, the folder was with me all the time" I said while remembering.

"Think hard Aveliene, maybe you gave it to someone, maybe you kept it somewhere." , he insisted.

"I didn't gave it to somone-" I said and instantly realization dawned upon me.

"Yes I kept it on the table when you called me to tell that I have to meet you in the meeting room", I said as I remembered keeping it on the table.

"Tell me everything." Vaughn said.

"It was the only time when I left the file alone but-" I stopped as realization struck me. The folder was not alone because Dimitri was also present in there. But I don't believe that he can do such a low thing. But should I tell Vaughn? But what if he accused him and it turned out wrong? I mean I don't have any proof and neither I think Dimitri could do such a thing.

"But what Aveliene?" Vaughn snapped me out from my thoughts.

I met his blue eyes filled with seriousness.

"No, No its nothing, I was alone all the time, and the designs were with me as I came straight to your office" I said and Vaughn sighed with frustration.

"I need to find out who did this?" He said through gritted teeth.

While I stood there silently, I lied to him because I want to confirm my own suspicion before telling him.

That means.....I have to meet Dimitri.

.

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