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"𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧"

The car came to a complete stop just in front of the glowing mansion.

My gaze swept over the open doors and the dozen guards stationed at each entrance.

Men and women were gilding both inside and outside the residence and were all dressed elegantly.

I dragged my gaze away from the structure as the vehicle doors opened. Nicolo motioned for me to take the lead and I did so.

I thanked the driver and stood to the side once I was out. I kept an eye on the cars as they arrived at the scene, exactly as we did.

Nicolo placed his hand on the small of my back and led us to the entrance, where a few people were passing through.

I looked back to check if my parents and Uncle had arrived yet, only to see their car approaching through the gates.

We both stood outside the entranceway, waiting for them. The guards gave us a suspicious look, and I just smiled innocently, hoping they wouldn't question us.

My mother stepped out of the car first, followed by my father, who wrapped his arm around her waist. Andre stood behind them and shook hands with the driver then, following my parents towards us.

"Are you guys okay?" Mum asked as she arrived in front of us. Nicolo and I both nodded in sync causing me to eye him suspiciously.

When we were younger, used to do a lot of things at the same time. I used to believe he could read my thoughts. Uncle Eliot had told us stories about ancient twins who could read minds, and I was instantly terrified and convinced that Nicolo could do exactly that.

Even though the story was made up, I still was always unsure.

Uncle Dre stood behind us while Nicolo and I stood behind our parents. When the guards saw my father, they automatically let us through, which made me roll my eyes.

I felt my mouth part in astonishment as we walked inside.

The mansion was glistening with gold, with a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling while other crystal-like lights floated around to keep the space lit.

The room included a set of wide, carpeted stairs in the centre, which were covered in a navy blue and silver material.

The entire mansion appeared to be straight out of a Disney film.

Individuals dressed in suits and gorgeous dresses walked around the floor, holding champagne or rosé glasses.

My parents were greeted by various people as we walked through, while Andre stayed with Nicolo and me.

"I think we need a drink before we start this night," He mumbled while peering around the area.

Nodding in agreement, Andre dashed off to get us both some drinks.

"Bella!"

I turned towards the voice, Kara was walking in with Aydan by her side. I grinned and placed my arms around her neck almost immediately.

"Hi," I murmured, and she laughed and stepped back.

"You look hot," I added as I scanned her from head to toe; she laughed and said the same thing.

Then I hugged Aydan, who wrapped his strong arms around me in a comforting embrace.

I drew back and locked my gaze on Mr and Mrs Ventello. I smiled at them both and shook their hands.

Mrs Ventello looked over at me, "Good to see you, Arabella," and then turned to my brother, "You as well, Nicolo."

After a few greetings, Andre returned with some drinks, bringing Nicolo and me two half glasses of champagne.

The four of us all talked as a group, Kara and I gossiping like our regular selves. I couldn't help but scan the room again, my gaze unconsciously searching for a particular person.

"I haven't seen him yet," Kara mentioned, breaking my gaze away from the room.

In return, I raised an eyebrow and sipped my champagne, casually.

"Who?"

"You know who," She smirked.

I averted my gaze from her, biting my lower lip as my mind registered who she was referring to.

Admittedly, a small sigh escaped through my lips and I surveyed the area once more, but this time it was merely to get away from Kara's smug expression.

After about ten minutes, it was announced that everyone was to proceed towards the main room, namely the ballroom.

I made my way into the room with the rest of the guests.

The chandelier hung from the ceiling above us, which always made me nervous since my mind liked to play 'imagine what would happen' and I was always afraid that the chandeliers would fall and kill us all.

I stood at my father's side, as Kara and Aydan returned to their own family.

"What's going on?" I asked him, he gives me a quick glance before returning his attention to the front.

"They're just announcing Lucian's retirement and introducing his replacement," He replied flatly, looking at his watch.

"Roman?" I declared, having already determined the answer.

He hummed while his eyes scanned the room. I purse my lips and do the same up until the Agnello's arrived at the bottom of the staircase, their figures towering above everyone.

Lucian Agnello stood in the centre, accompanied by the same banana-haired woman who had accompanied him the night they came for dinner. And to Lucian's other side was, Roman.

My gaze was drawn to his lean, strong form, which was dressed in a regular suit.

His black blazer jacket was draped over his left arm, and his white button-down shirt was neatly placed on his frame, the white shirt doing little to embellish his enormous biceps, which practically ripped through the white sleeves.

His shirt's top three buttons were undone, and his collar was open and exposed. His sleeve cuffs were perfectly rolled back, just past his wrists, allowing his silver watch to be seen.

His legs were equipped with plain black slacks and a belt that my hands wanted to just rip o-

OK, that's enough now.

I shifted my eyes away from that area and transferred it straight up to his features. The stoic, cold expression set in its place. His full lips were in a line, and the light above him gleamed on his high prominent cheekbones.

Fewer raven curls fell into his eyes as his piercing stare swiped the room with a dark, deceitful look.

"Welcome everyone,"

Lucian's gruff voice broke the silence in the room, and everyone's gaze was drawn to them.

"We appreciate your time and effort, and we thank you all for coming."

Some men at the front cheered which made the man speaking, smirk and chuckle at them.

"Tonight's celebration is for my retirement, but it is also for my son Roman, who will now be taking over the empire,"

The room erupted in applause, and everyone was cheering and gazing at Roman with smiles.

With the same cold look in his eyes, Roman scanned the room with them, looking over everyone until he came to a halt when he landed on me.

When our eyes locked, I swear, it felt as if the world around us had ground to a stop.

Even though we were far apart, I couldn't help but notice something flicker across his features.

But then his gaze shifted away, and he resumed to scan the rest of the room.

I shifted my gaze away from him and towards my shoes, completely oblivious to the fact that my heart was pounding in my chest.

"Please everyone, enjoy the rest of the night." Lucian smiled and walked off of the ramp and down the stairs with the blonde woman.

Everyone cheered and clapped once again, bodies beginning to exit the room and return to the main section. I viewed Roman walk down the stairs, fewer people seemed to have waited around for him, I assumed to talk with him.

Lucian had approached us and shook hands with my father before turning to face me.

"Hello Arabella, Nicolo."

"Good evening, Lucian," I said, smiling and shaking his hand, Nico following after.

They got into a conversation, and I did my typical spacing out.

I re-captured Roman from across the room. Only this time, his gaze was drawn to the individuals in front of him, and one of them happened to be the same blonde girl who was always a little too touchy with him.

I had no issues with the girl and had nothing against her. She was a beautiful blonde girl, innocent blue eyes, a petite figure, and gracious posture.

That didn't mean I could trust her, though. She really does seem like a sweet girl and she might just have a little crush on Roman, which is completely fin-

My mouth fell open as I noticed her hand gliding over his shoulder; she appeared to be laughing at something, and her hand was coming all up and close to his chest.

Nevermind. It's not a small crush; in fact, it's a very enormous crush.

Suddenly, the glass in my hand was on the brink of shattering owing to my tightening grip.

I drew my lips together in a tight smile and turned to face the adults in front of me.

"I'm going to congratulate Roman," I claim, and Lucian smiles at me, while my mother nods beside my father, who merely glances at me, almost sceptically.

I noticed Andre's small smirk and, ignoring it, I turned on my heels and started walking over to Roman. My heels clicked against the floors, I ignored the stares I was receiving as I went past recognisable men and women.

As I approached the two, Haley's eyes went directly to me, the smile on her lips fading, and I reciprocated with a smile of my own.

I stood beside Roman and gave them both a soft smile before retreating to Roman.

"Roman," I called, his focus was instantly turned to me, his piercing stare meeting mine.

I angled my neck to get a better look at him, and his gaze seemed to sweep over my body, causing an unidentified sensation to go through me that scorched to my core.

"Congratulations," I smiled, elevating my arms and curling them around his neck.

My own hands ran over his shoulders and towards his shoulder blades, the smooth fabric of his shirt warming my palms as he brought me into his embrace, his hands tenderly moving to my lower back.

My gaze met Haley's, and the somewhat firm grasp on her glass had me smirking inwardly.

Call me petty or whatever but, this man was mine.

The unexpected possessiveness that came over me surprised me to my core; I'd never been possessive over someone before, however, this has seemed to have changed.

We pulled away, and I gave Haley one of my charming smiles.

"Hi, Haley."

She returned the smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"It's great to see you, Arabella."

"Likewise," I replied.

Before anyone else could say anything else, an older man appeared behind Haley, smiling at Roman and me before turning towards his daughter, which I assumed she was. The similarities sort of gave it away.

"Haley, come with me. Lucian needs to speak to us."

She nodded and turned to Roman, softly smiling at him, "Enjoy the rest of your night," he nodded once in response, and the two walked away with one more faked smile towards me.

I shifted slightly in front of Roman as I turned away from their moving forms. His eyes were already on me, and I repositioned slightly so I could stand in front of him completely.

Under his heavy scrutiny, I held his stare and tilted my head to the side, smiling with a specified look in my eyes that I wasn't sure what, but I knew it had something to do with the ache between my thighs.

"How's your night going?" My voice came out significantly quieter as I questioned him.

He nodded and held my eyes, "Fine, yours?"

His emotionless tone sent shivers down my spine and made something inside me uneasy.

"Fine," I responded, holding his gaze.

Our gazes remained locked on one other, the tension between us undoubtedly high at the moment. It seemed as if we were tearing each other's clothes off with our eyes, and my heat wasn't helping.

He was the first to look away, attractively his tongue pushed against the side of his cheek and his eyes averted to the side.

"Arabella,"

I quickly turned around to the voice, finding my brother waving towards the other room.

"Dad's asking for you."

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute," I said with a nod.

He turned around and walked out of the room, and I turned to Roman and looked directly at his throat.

"I'll see you later," I said quietly, my voice dry.

His gaze fell on me, our height disparity striking me yet again.

He only gave me a nod, so I walked away and exhaled a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding in, but it then hitched again when he called my name.

"Ella."

I spun around, my gaze falling on him.

He approached me, brushing his arm across mine as he moved in front of my frame. His eyes trailed over my body once more, his lips quirking into a faint smirk as he returned his gaze to mine.

He leant in close to my neck, his smirking lips caressing across my skin and towards my ear.

"You look beautiful." He spoke softly, his accent husky and clear, leading my mouth to partially open.

If I was breathing before, I surely wasn't now. As he simply turned and passed by me into the room behind me, my heartbeat raced wildly.

The heat between my thighs, as well as the ache that ran through me, were both very uncomfortable.

I returned to the room and stood with my family, and the desire for Roman conceding right through me.