"You don’t say, I thought I disgusted you that’s why you acted the way you did," he was baffled and his heart swelled.

"No, you didn’t. I acted that way because I didn’t want to feel what you evoked inside me," she replied lowering her gaze and staring into her lap.

"Seems like your bond chose me from the very first moment we met," he raised her face with his index finger so she would fall into those sultry eyes of his. None of them could peel their eyes off each other.

The car had stopped moving, announcing they had arrived. "Mask," he finally whispered to her tracing her beautiful face with his knuckles, breaking the trance between them and she was finally able to look away from him.

Extracting the mask from her clutch she placed it on her face and turned her back to him and requested:

"Xiran, tie it," he took the thin ribbons and knotted them below her neck, and adjusted her mask.

"Here, don’t take it off until I say so, stay close to me at all times," she nodded at his instructions as he took out a white mask from his pocket and covered the upper half of his face as well.

Aselia extracted a tiny vial from her clutch as well, which she had placed in it earlier. She drank the contents, it was a potion to mask her scent.

Xiran taped the glass and Carios instantly opened the door, stepping out he offered Aselia his hand and helped her as well. Glancing around Aselia found it was another underground parking lot and a huge number of empty luxury cars were being brought in by valets and drivers.

Xiran led her inside through a metallic backdoor, he had intertwined the lithe finger of his right hand with her slender ones. Passing through the different dimly lit corridors and backstairs, they encountered numerous people. But all of them were busy rushing to their destinations. Xiran arrived with her in a room with a gold-painted door.

Extracting a slim gold key from his pocket he slid it into the keyhole and turned, the door opened with a click and Xiran guided her inside.

Aselia observed the round gold lights that shimmered from the roof illuminating the room with three walls and a gigantic one-way mirror in front which acted as the fourth wall.

A whole world lay beside that mirror. One storey down a long runway has been set up with hundreds of chairs on either side of the runway which was strewn with guests, cameramen, crew, media, journalists and reporters.

Runway was lit by several stage lights from above and below and a large well-lit stage had been set up behind the runway. The area down below was a hub of activity as people shuffled over, while new ones arrived and took their seats.

Xiran guided Aselia to the massive gold-clothed loungers in the middle of the room and they both sat down. It was so huge and comfy that one would want to snuggle in it and go to sleep.

A round glass table with numerous refreshments, a rectangular box of chocolates and a bottle of red wine with two glasses made up the contents of the table.

"Woah! This is a whole new world," Aselia exclaimed as she stared outside with wide eyes and recognized several popular celebrities.

"Yes, this is Rivan’s world. His brand attracts celebrities from all over the world belonging to all parts of life, including movie stars, singers, fashion designers, athletes, sportsmen, journalists, artists, and so on. They adore his clothes. His Winter Gala and Summer Gala are events of the year for his brand."

Xiran explained as he reached over and untied Aselia’s mask and placed it on the table.

"Yes, now that I have started following fashion news as well, he is indeed very famous," Aselia replied while keeping her curious gaze on the glass and what lay beyond it.

"Go on, observe the events from close, it’s a one-way mirror, no one can see you. Do as you please," Xiran understood her curiosity and propelled her forward, excitement filled her orbs as she got up and made her way to the glass and began to watch the activities below.

The huge circular hall had almost filled up. She craned her neck to see along the level they were on and saw the similar glass rooms all along. Those must be reserved for other VIP guests, she assumed.

She turned her attention back to the hall where an elite world lay bare for her eyes to observe. Men were clad in the latest fashion trends while women adorned gowns, maxis, skirts, palazzos, peplums and a whole lot of different attire in various colours and sizes. It was an ocean of rich, fancy and extravagance.

They wore plastic smiles and fake affections while greeting each other. Cameras flashed to their poses and pouts, as they sipped champagne and wine.

Aselia placed her hand on the cold glass surface when she felt Xiran’s warm hands hold her waist and nibble on her ear before whispering: "Anything interesting you find?"

"Yes, it seems like I have stepped inside a fake world. Their smiles don’t touch their eyes," Aselia replied calmly while leaning back on Xiran.

"No doubt, they lack warmth and empathy. Most of them are very self-centred," Xiran confided in her as they both watched the world below.

"Can you recognize which species they belong to?" Aselia questioned placing her hands on his.

"Mostly I can, from the way they smell and appear. Rarely happens when I can’t place someone, like Yurian. I know he is not human but I can’t place what species he belongs to," Aselia smiled at Xiran’s predicament.

"He is such a mystery..." Aselia was interrupted by the announcement that the event was about to start and everyone should take their seats. Models would present the winter attire of RX Fashion.

"Come, let’s settle down and watch it with ease," Xiran guided her back to the lounger. Once they were settled, Xiran uncorked the bottle of red wine and poured it for Aselia and himself. Handing her the glass they clinked them together as the lights dimmed in the hall and the show started.