"I...just wanted to thank you for saving my life that day. I had given up the hope that someone would come to rescue me. I know I should have thanked you earlier but mustering up enough courage to talk with you was not easy," she was fidgeting with nervousness, her hands holding the sides of her dress as she tried to stop herself from shaking.

Xiran had to close his eyes for a second to hide the anger and resentment he was experiencing. No one deserved this, and nothing could atone for the treatment she had been through.

"I am just glad you are safe now. Sorry it took us so long and you don’t have to thank me or force yourself to talk to me. I understand," he reassuringly answered her in the gentlest of his tones. But inside he was a raging mess at his father’s treatment of an innocent girl.

"I just wanted you to know I don’t hold you responsible. But my body automatically reacts when someone close to him...," the rest of her words were left incomplete, her heartbeat had sped up abnormally and she tried to take deep breaths.

"It’s ok, it alright. You are safe, I will never hurt you or let anyone else do it," Xiran instinctively began to utter whatever comforting words came to his mind and she slowly nodded her head, as tears streaked down her cheeks.

"I... it’s just Zir t...told me your love story and how brave you both are. I w...want to be brave like you and her. N...not miserable," more tears followed and Xiran’s heart did a double dive at the reminder of Aselia. He clenched his teeth, the muscles in his set jaw were itching so badly.

"Yes! Our love is going through the toughest of tests right now and I am not even sure if I will ever have her back. And you are one strong girl who was brave enough to stand through everything. I want you to appreciate yourself for it," waves of agony were crashing against his heart like splinters. Rage was building up inside his pit and he wanted to punch it all out.

"I will t...try. Thank you! I can see why Zir keeps you in such high regard," she wiped her tears with the back of her hand and lifted her head to slightly smile at him. He did the same and prayed one day the scars will at least fade and that she would be able to live a happy life.

Zirius made his way towards them with drinks in his hands and a boisterous grin on his face. He handed one to Xiran and the other to Arimie.

"Come, don’t you want to see my sexy dance moves," he teased her and the glumness dissipated from her face to be replaced by a bright smile. She took his arm and replied:

"I surely do," before they started walking towards the dance floor, Zir reverently nodded at Xiran who stood there bruised and damaged, tsunami of emotions reined free under that calmness of his. He took a small sip of his drink and tried to bring himself to enjoy the party, but his heart was not in it. Xiran was so lost that he failed to notice when Irlana approached him and linked her arm with his.

"Come dance with me big brother," she avidly asked, eyes bubbling with excitement, her cheeks flushed from dancing. He cast her a side glance and although his heart was in pain, he couldn’t refuse her.

"Of course," he answered and placing his drink on the table nearby they moved to the dance floor.

Xiran affectionately held her as they slowly danced. Zir and Arimie were dancing nearby, lost in each other’s eyes.

Rivan had brought Elrine on the dance floor and they were laughing at some joke Elrine shared with him. While Frila and Rumail were dancing on the other side, having fun.

"You doing alright? You missing Aselia?" Irlana quietly asked, keeping her eyes focused on Xiran’s face. He sighed:

"That obvious?"

"Hmm!" she nodded with a pout. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Irlana was about to say something when the door opened and someone stepped inside. Since all the invited guests were already there, it was odd for someone else to enter.

It was a very tall girl followed by two of Xiran’s vampire guards, who were apologetically staring in Xiran’s direction.

The joy in the air seemed to have sucked dry as Xiran’s eyes landed on her and he narrowed them, his head then swivelled in Rivan’s direction, he was staring straight at her with a mixture of disbelief and bewilderment. Rivan’s lips formed a straight line and he was gnashing his teeth. It would be an understatement to say he was not pleased.

The girl’s eyes were locked on him as she pretentiously smiled and flipped back her straight copperish hair back, clad in a beige dress she advanced towards Rivan on her long legs.

Irlana was staring between the girl and Rivan. Xiran let Irlana go and asked her to wait before he blocked the girl’s advances towards Rivan by wedging himself between them.

"Why are you here Layna?" he asked in a serious tone, not understanding why she would barge into their lives now.

"Ah! Xiran. I am here to meet Rivan. It has been a while. I knew he will be at your hotel because he wasn’t at his office," her voice was like a beautiful melody, sweet and delicious to the ears.

"It’s my party and I don’t remember inviting you. Leave," his stern tone and furrowed forehead had her stopping in her tracks and she peeped over his shoulder at Rivan; who was staring at her with a blank expression.

"Why such hostility? I just want to talk," she pleaded.

"Xiran!" Rivan finally stepped out of his stupor, "I will handle her," with a clenched jaw he moved closer to Layna and she slightly giggled before taking his arm as if it was nothing.

"Make it quick, Rivan," Xiran called after them as Rivan led her out of there with an unreadable face and everyone watched them go with confused faces.

"How does Rivan know Layna?" Irlana asked in a trembling voice as she came to a halt near Xiran. Layna was a famous singer so everyone knew about her identity.

"She is his ex," Xiran wrapped an assuring arm around his sister and planted a kiss on her temple, he wanted to keep her steady in case she crumpled.