Arielle Immortal Seduction (17 page)

“Is that good enough proof?” He laughed.

“How can you do this?” she said incredulously. “How can you look so fabulous all the time?”

“I guess that is the same question I have for you, Arielle,” he said, smiling.

As they walked through the hotel lobby holding hands and smiling at each other, eyes followed them to the exit. Arielle was sure it was because of him. She certainly wasn’t used to being the center of attention the way she was when she was with Sebastian. It made her feel like someone very special.

Chapter 14

T
he party was in full swing when they arrived. Arielle hadn’t realized that her mother had invited so many people. As they walked in, the band was playing some of the old sixties music that her parents loved. Many turned and looked at Sebastian with amazement. Arielle wasn’t surprised. By now, she was getting used to that kind of reaction.

As they entered the room, her mother approached them and gave both of them a hug. As usual, she looked absolutely beautiful.

“Congratulations!” she exclaimed. “Arielle, I couldn’t be any happier and more proud of you than I am right now,” she added, her face shining with delight. “Let me see that ring.” She reached out and took Arielle’s left hand. “Oh, my. It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, and hugged them both again.

“You look so beautiful, Mrs. Lloyd,” Sebastian said, kissing her cheek and, chuckling. He bowed.

“Why, thank you, Sebastian,” she replied, clearly pleased.

“Please, wait here for just a second?” They both nodded amused. She excused herself politely and quickly walked off to find Arielle’s father. Sebastian and Arielle stood patiently looking at each other, waiting for her mother to come back. It wasn’t long until she reappeared holding Mr. Lloyd’s hand, pulling him softly toward their direction.

“Hi, Daddy,” Arielle called out warmly. They embraced lovingly. Her father tightened his hold on her and planted a huge kiss on her cheek.

“Your mother told me the good news,” he murmured against her ear. “Are you happy?” His eyes were quizzical.

“Oh yes, Daddy, I’m
very
happy.” Her father gave her a reassuring smile. He kept one arm around her waist and turned to face Sebastian.

“My boy, congratulations. I couldn’t ask for a better man for my daughter.” He extended his hand with a wide smile on his face. Sebastian took his proffered hand and shook it warmly.

“Thank you, sir.”

Then, her parents stood on either side of Sebastian and Arielle and her father called everyone’s attention. “Friends,” Mr. Lloyd said, excitement in his voice. “My wife and I are very pleased to make a special announcement this evening. Our daughter, Arielle, has accepted Mr. Sebastian Gaulle’s proposal in marriage. Please join us in wishing both of them a long and happy life together.”

A loud round of applause and happy cheers followed his sincere words, making Arielle blush and Sebastian smile blissfully. “Lets all drink to their happiness,” her father called again. Everyone raised their glasses.

Sebastian pulled Arielle in his arms and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Grinning ecstatically, they walked around to speak with all their friends and her parent’s guests. Sebastian had met most of them at Arielle’s birthday party. They fell easily into conversation.

Sebastian received smiles of acceptance from the men, who shook his hand warmly, and he mesmerized the women, who couldn’t stop staring at him.

“Why am I not surprised?” Arielle, murmured to herself, amused. Then, as soon as she could do it gracefully, she pulled him across the room to where Eva was standing with Ian. They congratulated Sebastian and Arielle on their engagement and they exchanged warm greetings.

Before long Gabrielle and Troy walked in. Troy too was breathtaking, and many of the women turned around to stare at his immortal beauty as he entered the room. Troy and Sebastian exchanged warm smiles and it looked like they said something to each other, but Arielle couldn’t hear what they were saying. Troy hugged Arielle and congratulated her. He gave her a happy smile. Gabrielle looked stunning and more in love tonight than she ever had before. Arielle was so happy that the six of them were getting along so well. The house looked magnificent, and she couldn’t stop smiling. Sebastian had his arm around her waist at all times. He hummed every song the band played.

“Do you like sixties music?” she asked.

“Some of my favorites,” he said, smiling.

“What other music do you like?”

“Oh, my taste is pretty diverse,” he said gazing at her warmly. “I mostly like classical music, but then the fifties and the sixties were pretty great too,” he drawled.

“Yes, they were pretty great.” Arielle found herself nodding back. “My parents love the fifties and sixties,” she said joyfully.

“Don’t promise a dance to anyone, because you’ll be dancing all of them with me.” He pulled her closer.

“Well, I hope we don’t have an unexpected guest tonight,” she said, and the thought made her stomach clench.

“Unexpected guest?” he said, gazing at her quizzically. Arielle looked up and their gaze locked, emerald and sapphire, as stunning blend.

“You know… I mean someone like Savanna,” she said, and winced fretfully.

Sebastian looked deep into her eyes. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you. Tonight I’m not leaving your side,” he said, and hugged her to him tighter.

“That’s fine with me, but don’t make any promises you might not be able to keep,” she said.

Sebastian’s brows furrowed. Arielle quickly explained, “You do know that you can’t say no to my father.” Sebastian smiled and nodded in agreement. “You’re right. But if that happens, I’ll get Troy to keep an eye on you.”

Ever since she met Sebastian, Arielle’s life had drastically changed. She didn’t know what the next blow would be, who was going to deliver it, and when? So, she just resigned to that fact and sighed deeply.

“Stop worrying,” Sebastian said, and bending down he kissed her on the tip of her nose.

Soon after, Paul came in with a date, which made Arielle very happy. He looked handsome in his gray suit with a blue shirt and a gray tie. As usual he looked very stylish, but because he was with a date he looked even more stunning than usual. He introduced the girl as Marian Walker, the daughter of a family friend. She was very pretty, with blond hair and green eyes, and very friendly.

“Paul, Marian, Sebastian, and I have special news to announce,” Arielle said. “We’re engaged.”

“Arielle, that’s wonderful,” Paul said, and shaking Sebastian’s hand he added, “You are perfect for each other, and I’m happy for you.”

Arielle could see that Paul wasn’t quite himself, but she knew that tonight wasn’t the time to say anything. She was sure that it had everything to do with his parents. Once again, the newspapers had splashed dirty details about his father’s affairs with other women. This had to be awfully hard for Paul. “I’ve a Christmas gift for you,” she said, and gave him a hug.

“Oh, thank you,” he said, “I’ve one for you too. It’s in the car. I’ll bring it to the flat tomorrow.”

Arielle turned to face Sebastian and froze in place. “What in bloody hell is he doing here,” she hissed, a little louder than she intended to. Richard Chevaller was among the guests, and that infuriated her.

He’s the last bloody person I wanted to see tonight, she thought. “He’s sure to ruin my good mood.” Gabrielle and Eva walked over to her and teased her, giggling. They knew how Arielle felt about Richard. He didn’t seem to understand that when their parents had talked about the two of them getting together, they were only five years old. He was handsome, yes, but he was also one of the most annoying, arrogant, and snobbish people around. Arielle disliked him immensely. Gabrielle and Eva each took Sebastian by the hand, laughing, and gave him the short version of Arielle and Richard’s prickly relationship.

“Come stand back here and enjoy,” Gabrielle said. “This is an annual tradition between those two.”

Sebastian did as he was told and stood between Eva and Gabrielle as they watched Richard and Arielle with curiosity. He didn’t have long to wait. Soon, Richard approached Arielle with a wide, stupid smile on his arrogant face.

“Hey, pretty face! How’s my girl?” he exclaimed and reached out as if to take Arielle in his arms. She put her hands up defiantly, keeping him away from her and stepped back, hissing in a low voice.

“Richard, please keep your voice down.”

“Hello, Richard.” Arielle heard a musical sound coming from behind and turning, saw Gabrielle and Eva giggling. She glared at them. Sebastian was standing there watching her and she could hear his low laughter, along with that of Ian and Troy. They were enjoying her frustration while Arielle was getting angrier.

“‘Richard, keep your voice down,’” Richard said, mimicking Arielle’s voice, “Is that all you have to say?”

“Richard, why do you keep doing this to yourself? Don’t you get it? I want you to stay away from me. How hard is that for you to understand?”

His eyes bored into hers and his expression turned cross. “Listen, Arielle, I told you, I’m not giving up. We are meant to be together.”

“You must be either stupid or hearing impaired,” Arielle said with exasperation. She turned her back to him and began to walk away. Now he grabbed her hand and said, “Please, Arielle, don’t do this. Give me a chance. I’ve been a jerk and I know it but…”

Arielle span around, furious, and raised her finger in warning to stop him from finishing his sentence. “Richard, please, keep your voice down before I really get mad. Don’t ever say that again. I told you before I can’t stand it. Leave me alone,” she said, emphasizing the last three words.

“I think I love you,” he said in clear desperation.

Arielle threw her hands up in the air and sighed. She looked at Sebastian with a pleading look, and he came right over to her side and put his arm around her waist. Looking at Richard, she introduced the two to each other.

“Richard, this is my fiancé, Sebastian. Sebastian, this is Richard Chevaller.”

Richard frowned and glanced at Sebastian with a shocked look on his face. He mumbled something, and turning swiftly around he walked away, not even bothering to shake Sebastian’s hand.

“He is out of his mind,” Eva was saying to Ian. “He has been after Arielle since they were five years old.” She laughed out loud.

“Five years old?” said Sebastian “Oh, that poor soul really is in love.”

“He’s a jerk,” Arielle insisted, in an aggravated voice, and they all laughed. Just then Arielle’s father came back, a big smile on his face.

“Sebastian, can you spare a moment my boy? I want you to meet some of my associates that just arrived, some people you didn’t get a chance to meet the last time.”

Sebastian nodded in agreement, and pressing Arielle’s hand softly he leaned closer, “Stay close to Troy. And miss me,” he whispered. Then, with a smile, he walked away.

Arielle and her friends went to get something to eat, and as they were coming back from the table, they noticed that everyone in the room was staring at the entrance incredulously.

Arielle followed their gaze and saw that Loren and her three guests were entering the room. They really did look incredibly beautiful—four very attractive people with perfect bodies and flawless features. It was a stunning sight.

Gabrielle, Eva, and Arielle walked up to them and warmly welcomed them to the party.

“Happy Christmas!” Loren said, handing Arielle a huge bouquet of flowers. “Let me see the ring one more time,” she added. “Sebastian called Mother before he gave it to you, and Mother said to tell you that she is very happy for both of you. She can’t wait to meet you.”

Arielle just smiled, pleased.

She was a bit surprised when Loren introduced Daniel Boelliere as a friend, not her boyfriend, but she tried not to show it. Loren then introduced Marcus, Daniel’s brother, and Jeanette Grullon, Marcus’s girlfriend.

Arielle noticed that her friends looked a little dazed as she made the introductions. She smiled, knowing the reaction they were having to the breathtaking good looks of the immortals. The men in the room could not take their eyes away from Loren and Jeanette, and the women could not stop staring at Daniel, Marcus, and Troy. They were all charming, and all very friendly. They entered easily into conversation with Ian, Troy, and Paul as if they had known them all their lives.

Arielle and her friends moved towards the ballroom to watch the band, which was playing a mixture of incredible music, from the early sixties up to the latest tunes. People were dancing, and having a wonderful time. Arielle introduced Loren and her friends to her mother and her friends, and everyone welcomed them with warm smiles. She whispered something to Loren about Troy, and Loren gave him an understanding glance, which Troy understood. He smiled back at her warmly.