Chapter 15: The Diamond

Desiree's POV

Tonight's the night of the party. To be honest, I'm not even sure what the party is for. Hikaru told me that it's important that I attend since Aizen and the Chairman are there. The theme was Midnight Masquerade. I heard there was an auction tonight too for raising funds to help orphanages. 

Aizen's whistle cut through the bustling room, drawing my attention. "My wife looks stunning," Aizen's admiration brought a blush to my cheeks as his hands found their place on my thigh. His kiss was both tender and possessive, igniting a spark within me. Gently turning me around, he adorned me with a dazzling necklace adorned with diamonds and pearls, a symbol of opulence fit for the Princess of the Nara Empire. "A beautiful adornment for the Princess of the Nara Empire," he declared with a proud smile."

"It's beautiful, Aizen," I gasped, delicately tracing the intricate design with my fingertips. The necklace was indeed a marvel of luxury and craftsmanship. The weight of the necklace felt like a crown upon my neck, a reminder of the world of luxury I now inhabited. 

His lips found my neck, sending shivers down my spine as his arms enveloped me. "I can't wait to show you off tonight, Princess," he murmured, his words sending a rush of excitement.

Despite his confidence, I couldn't shake the nerves that tinged my anticipation. "I'm nervous," I confessed, my teeth finding purchase on my bottom lip. 

With gentle encouragement, he brushed his thumb over my lip, his reassuring touch grounding me. "Don't be," he reassured, his voice a soothing melody. "You'll do great."

As we stepped into the party, the air buzzed with anticipation, mingling with the faint scent of expensive perfume and the murmur of hushed conversations. My heart quickened beneath the elegant mask that hid my features, the anticipation of the evening sending shivers down my spine. 

Beside me, Aizen cut a striking figure, his presence commanding attention like a shadowy monarch of old. With his mask concealing his identity, he seemed to embody the allure of a dark prince or perhaps a seductive devil, his aura a potent blend of mystery and danger. Every step he took was a mesmerizing dance, drawing the eyes of all who crossed our path. 

The room pulsed with life, a kaleidoscope of opulence and ambition. Powerful figures from the corporate world mingled in a delicate dance of influence and intrigue, their masks concealing their true intentions as skillfully as our own. It was a world where power was currency, and tonight, we held the keys to the kingdom. 

As I moved to follow Aizen's lead, a sudden grip on my wrist halted my steps. I turned to face the masked figure, whose curly blonde locks peeked out from beneath the disguise, framing his chiseled features like a crown of gold. His green eyes gleamed with a mixture of allure and danger, drawing me into their depths with an irresistible magnetism. 

"What a beautiful woman," he murmured, his voice smooth as velvet, as he planted a kiss on my hand with a gallant flourish. 

Instinctively, I stepped back, seeking refuge in the imposing presence of Aizen. His tall, princely frame enveloped me protectively, a silent declaration of ownership. 

"Aleksandr Sokolov Chernov," Aizen's voice cut through the tension, his tone as cold and unwavering as a winter's night. His hand found its place on my waist, holding me close, as he introduced me with a subtle edge of warning in his tone. "This is my wife, Desiree," he declared, his gaze locked in a silent battle with Aleksandr's, each man staking his claim in the intricate dance of power and possession. 

As Aleksandr removed his mask, revealing his striking features, I couldn't help but stare, my breath catching in my throat. He looked every bit the embodiment of a young god, his features sculpted with an otherworldly beauty that seemed to defy reality. A smirk played at his lips as his gaze roamed over me, his eyes tracing every curve with a boldness that sent a flush creeping up my neck. 

"Your wife is beautiful," he remarked, his voice smooth and honeyed, though there was a predatory glint in his eyes as they lingered on me, their intensity unsettling. "Now I get why you decided to marry young." His gaze dipped lower, lingering on the swell of my cleavage, and a shiver ran down my spine as his tongue darted out to moisten his lips. 

Aizen's grip on my waist tightened, a subtle but unmistakable warning, and a pang of discomfort shot through me. "You should find a wife of your own," Aizen retorted, his tone frigid and devoid of emotion, though beneath the surface, I could sense the simmering tension, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air. 

Aleksandr's question hung in the air like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over the already tense atmosphere. Aizen's expression tightened, his steely gaze fixed on Aleksandr with a mixture of disbelief and thinly veiled anger. "Will she be partaking in the auction?" Aleksandr's words dripped with curiosity, his tone almost too casual given the gravity of the situation. 

Aizen's brow arched in incredulity. "Excuse me?" His voice was cold, a warning simmering beneath the surface.

Aleksandr gestured toward a nearby board, a devilish glint in his eye. "Her name seems to be on that list," he explained, his words laced with a twisted amusement. "The Chairman mentioned how captivating his daughter-in-law's beauty is. He boasted about the fortune she could raise for the orphanage."

Aizen's hands formed into fists, still keeping his cool demeanor. 

A surge of panic clawed at my chest, threatening to overwhelm me. "What?" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with fear. "Father is selling me?" 

A bitter laugh escaped Aleksandr's lips as he waved a dismissive hand. "No, Desiree," he clarified, though his laughter held an edge of cruelty. "Each year at this party, there's a fundraiser for charity. The ladies or wives are often auctioned off for companionship throughout the evening. It's like a dance or spending time together, nothing more than a friendly date, if you will."

Relief flooded through me at his explanation, though the realization that my fate had been momentarily held in the balance left a bitter taste in my mouth.

As the tension thickened in the room, a new player entered the scene, his presence commanding attention like a king stepping onto his throne. The Chairman's arrival was greeted with deference, his mere presence enough to shift the dynamics of the conversation. "Ah, Aleksandr," the Chairman's voice boomed, his handshake firm and authoritative as he greeted the man before him. 

"Chairman," Aleksandr responded with a nod of respect. His eyes flickered in my direction, a glimmer of mischief dancing within their depths. "Your daughter-in-law is quite beautiful. I thought you were just exaggerating."

The Chairman chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing through the room like a peal of thunder. "Of course she's beautiful," he replied, his tone indulgent. "You can have a date with her tonight if you bid."

With a graceful bow, Aleksandr acknowledged the Chairman before casting a final glance in my direction. There was a knowing gleam in his eyes as he nodded at both Aizen and me, his intentions clear before he turned and sauntered away, leaving behind an air of intrigue and uncertainty in his wake. 

As Aleksandr's figure receded into the crowd, the weight of Aizen's grip on my wrist intensified, his fingers digging into my skin with a possessiveness that bordered on pain. I winced, feeling the pressure building like a storm within him. 

I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I placed my hand atop his in a futile attempt to alleviate the pressure. The tension between us crackled like electricity, each moment hanging heavy with the unspoken threat of what lay beneath his controlled facade. 

In that moment, I couldn't help but be reminded of a time long ago, when we were just children navigating the complexities of friendship and loyalty. But now, as Aizen's jealousy and possessiveness reared their heads with a ferocity that sent a chill down my spine, I couldn't shake the feeling that the consequences of his actions were far more perilous than they had ever been before.

With a sense of relief flooding through me as Aizen finally released his grip, I exhaled a shaky breath, the tension in my body slowly dissipating. Yet, as his gaze bore into his father with an intensity that seemed to sear through the air, a knot of apprehension tightened in the pit of my stomach. "Why did you list Desiree's name?" Aizen's voice was a low growl, his tone heavy with anger and indignation.

His father's response was calm, almost dismissive, in contrast to the storm brewing within Aizen. "Your mother did the same when she was your age," the Chairman reasoned, his words carrying the weight of tradition and expectation. "Lighten up, Aizen," he added with a nonchalant wave of his hand as if the matter were of little consequence.

But the fire in Aizen's eyes remained unquenched, his jaw clenched with barely contained fury. At that moment, it was as if the delicate balance between duty and desire had been tipped, and the repercussions threatened to unravel the very fabric of our carefully constructed world.

As I reached for Aizen's hand, his gaze bore down on me with a mix of intensity and turmoil, his emotions swirling beneath the surface like a tempest waiting to break free. "It's tradition, Aizen," I offered, my voice soft but firm, a gentle plea for understanding. "It's fine."

But Aizen's response was immediate, his hand withdrawing from mine as if scorched by the mere suggestion. "No, it's not," he countered, his tone sharp with frustration and defiance. "Someone else would be holding you... touching you and talking to you..." His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, thick with possessiveness and jealousy. The intensity in his eyes was almost frightening, a glimpse into the depths of his turmoil. 

Desperate to quell the storm raging within him, I wrapped my arms around him, seeking solace in the warmth of his embrace. "Please calm down," I implored, my voice barely above a whisper as I held him close. "Of course, I don't want that, Aizen." My gaze met his, the intensity of his stare sending a rush of heat to my cheeks. "You're the only one I want to hold and talk to," I confessed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "This is just an auction, okay? We both know I'm yours, anyway." 

As my hand found its place on his cheek, I felt the tension drain from his body, his eyes closing briefly as a sigh escaped his lips. The anger that had consumed him moments before began to ebb away, replaced by a warmth that washed over us like a gentle tide. "I'm yours," I reiterated, burying my face against his chest as I clung to him with all the strength I possessed. At that moment, his arms enveloped me in a tender embrace. 

The sound of applause shattered the fragile cocoon of intimacy that had enveloped us, causing me to jump in surprise. I had almost forgotten that the Chairman was standing right there, observing our exchange with a mixture of amusement and affection. His smile was warm and genuine as he looked down at us, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

"Young love," he exclaimed, his voice carrying a note of fondness. "It appears your relationship has grown quite a lot, huh?" His expression radiated happiness as he spoke, a sense of pride evident in his words. "I'm glad."

Aizen shifted uncomfortably beside me, his fingers fidgeting nervously as he glanced up at his father with a hint of apprehension. "So," he began tentatively, his voice betraying a touch of uncertainty. "Will you erase her name then?"

The Chairman's smile widened almost approvingly before he delivered his answer with a decisive shake of his head. "No!"

A flicker of frustration flashed across Aizen's features, his grip on me tightening as he pulled me closer to him. His demeanor shifted, his usual confidence giving way to a vulnerability that was both endearing and unexpected. "This is the first and last time you're doing this, Father," he declared, his voice tinged with a hint of petulance. "I don't want Desiree dancing with other men." His words hung in the air like a solemn vow, a testament to the depth of his devotion and possessiveness. 

With a dismissive wave of his hand, the Chairman seemed unfazed by Aizen's outburst. "Whatever," he replied nonchalantly, his tone bordering on indifference. "Enjoy your evening." And with that, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd, leaving us alone once more. 

Aizen's touch was tender yet conflicted as he cupped my face, his gaze searching mine for reassurance amidst the turmoil swirling within him. "Let's go home," he suggested, his voice a mixture of longing and uncertainty. 

But I shook my head in gentle defiance, squeezing his hand in reassurance as I planted a kiss on his cheek. "You're the heir to the Nara Empire," I reminded him, my tone laced with encouragement. "What happened to duty and honor?"

His response was immediate, his words tinged with a vulnerability that tugged at my heartstrings. "Duty and honor mean nothing if my wife is with another man," he confessed, his voice almost childlike in its earnestness. With a heavy sigh, he continued, "Do you even know what you're getting into? They're going to ask you to go backstage and change into a weird costume, and everyone is going to bid on you.."

Curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but ask, "Whose idea was that?" 

Aizen scratched his head in embarrassment, a sheepish grin spreading across his features. "Mine," he admitted, though his embarrassment was overshadowed by his concern for my well-being. "But that's not the point."

I couldn't resist teasing him, a playful smile dancing on my lips. "So, you're the idiot who came up with that," I teased, reaching up to tiptoe higher as my hands sought his face, drawing him into a passionate kiss. "Just calm down, Aizen. I can handle it, alright? And once the party ends, we get to be together again."

Despite his lingering objections, Aizen nodded in reluctant agreement, his gaze softening as he pressed his lips to my neck, teeth sinking in, leaving a mark that elicited a soft moan from my lips. "That should keep them from getting any ideas," he remarked with a grin. "You're mine, right?"

I laughed in response, the sound echoing through the air like a melody of affection and amusement. "Idiot," I teased affectionately, nodding in confirmation. 

I'm yours, Aizen…