REPLACEMENT AT THE LAST MOMENT

Stepping out of the hotel room, wordlessly, Vilian followed the handsome devil who was styled fully in a black gothic suit. His vintage metal rose cross skeleton necklace hung out above his vintage bolo tie. He looked nothing but fictional. Vilian found herself gobsmacked at his gorgeousness. But to make everything worse, her mind took a toll to preoccupy with the earlier incident.

She feared he might question regarding the scar, but thankfully the man seemed unconcerned about the issue. So, for the time being, she felt relaxed about the issue. But the question here was where were they heading to? The question was eating her up internally. Date. Party. Fancy cocktail dress and whatnot? Why can't he clarify it more clearly?

Walking a little further in through the well-designed hallways of the hotel, they stepped into the same elevator they came up from earlier and were lifted to the third floor. As the elevator door swished open with a ting sound, they were welcomed by two men who stood out from either side. They were dressed fully in black and white fancy suits. They were the guides.

"Good evening, Mr. Watson. Please..." said the man who stood by his side as he showed them the way. Astrel stopped him before the man could lead them the way. After all, the way to wherever they were heading was pretty obvious. Just follow the red carpet, or that was what she thought as she walked beside the devil.

For some reason, Vilian felt her palms turn clammy. The closer they got the more nervous she felt. She stopped when she heard no footsteps beside her and glanced back. Astrel stood back as he glanced at his mobile. She saw his lips quirk up at whatever he glanced over his phone.

"What? Changed your route at the last minute, Mr. House fly?" she questioned bitchily and saw him glance at her with a broadened smirk.

"House fly? Oh, little thief-" he emphasized the word 'thief' louder enough to embarrass her with the weird gazes given by passersby and the guards who stood in front of them, "You've got no idea how much of a quality reason have I got than I had earlier. Guess I won't regret bringing you along with me to the party," he said as he took her hand and hooked into his elbow.

"Two can play," whispered into her ears. The guards opened the gigantic translucent door while greeting the two warmly. Her eyes turned starstruck at the towering foyer that seemed to reach wider than her eye level. She waltzes through the shiny floor hooking her hands around Astrels elbow. Her curious little eyes wandered and observed everything that caught her eye.

What hitched her breath was the most monumental of chandeliers lit in the girth of a giant golden bumblebee alight with electric flames. It was suspended ten feet approximately above her head, greeting the visitors.

"Everyone's gathered down at the hall sir," informed a man who was dressed similarly to the men who stood out near the elevator.

Astrel nodded his head as he took her with him. They walked through the open wide corridor and descended a golden white staircase taking away her breath. She felt her soul taken away at the decors of the hall. She could see the fairly vast hall lit in gold bulbs, sparkling her eyes.

"Well... Well, Isn't that Mr. Watson I see?" a gruff voice interrupted her little observation as they reached the last step. A man with ash blonde walked toward them. His remark caught the crowd's attention, causing them to glance at the couple who just descended the golden stairs. It's not that they've caught it before him. It's just that now they've got a reason they had no problem ogling at them as they gossiped into one another.

People were visibly entranced by the two who look nothing less than a couple.

"What's Watson doing with a girl like her?" a woman in a baby pink elegant empire waist off-shoulder dress questioned her manager who stood beside her. Frowning lines impaired her forehead as she enviously glanced at Vilian who had her hands hooked around Astrel's arm. Seething her anger she glanced up at the girl's face. For some strange reason, she felt the girl quite familiar. She tried to rummage in through her memory but was of no use.

"I'm afraid, the girl's never seen in the socialite circle, boss," said the young manager as she tried to get the information about the girl who caught the attention of everyone, including her bitchy boss. Her voice broke at the end. Daria sent a glare as she placed her hands on her hips, highlighting her newly manicured pink and white floral nails.

"Isn't that obvious?" she spat, sending another glaring dagger toward the manager. The poor manager's eyes would have been gouged out of their sockets if possible. She stepped back in fear as she held the Ipad with her trembling hands, "Find her information before the party ends, do-"

"Well... that won't be necessary, Daria," She was interrupted. She was sure her voice was down, but who did dare to interrupt her, thought Daria as she gritted her teeth.

"Who'd dare inter-" she turned about furiously as she held her cold gaze. But not colder enough to compete with the devil's cold blue eyes that gazed down at her, "A- Aster?" Fear crept through her skin at his intimidating figure.

Wasn't she used to it? So why was she feeling so scared?

"Curious of who she might be?" he questioned as he circled his hand over Vilian's shoulder. Vilian played the way the devil just said so. She smiled carefreely as she greeted some who stood in front of her. Daria felt her blood boil but acted composedly as if she wasn't affected by any of his actions.

Sensing a drama conspiring the crowd started to gather and increase in number. But got enthralled by the beauty who stood beside Astrel. Her dazzling smile dazed everyone. Astrel who had no problem till then, felt his nerves tick. This kitty, his little kitty, was attracting dirty scavengers thought Astrel as he felt the men ogle her with their lust eyes.

When you are the kind of girl Vilian is, accessories make little difference. How can you put a bow on perfection? Her presence was one of elevating spirit and empathy, the kind of person who glows as a warm hearth in winter. None could take their eyes off her

The more the seconds ticked, Vilian felt the atmosphere turn colder than it already was and she knew where it emitted from. How could she not when was standing right beside very reason?

"Well... aren't you gonna introduce the clinging beauty to us, Mr. Watson?" questioned one of the ladies who stood not too far from them, "Or are you gonna keep her all yourself?" she remarked and heard the little burst of chuckles left by the crowd.

'Clinging?!! Whose clinging?!' Vilian felt her nerves pop out. She fisted her palm and gritted her teeth. 'How dare they!' she tried to get away from the devil's clutch but could not budge away.

"Shh!!!" Astrel leaned forward as he slid his hands down and held her by her waist, closing their gap more than they had already. Vilian punched him from behind. Thankfully none were behind them to witness their little bickerings. A chuckle escaped Astrel's lips.

"You wouldn't want them to satisfy them with that little kitty play now, do you?" he rubbed her waist as he winked and glanced back at Daria, who was flaring hot like a dragon. His gestures strangely calmed Vilian against her will.

How dare her body! Weren't they going against her will? She shouldn't be falling for his traps! Her body was betraying her. Such a traitor! She cursed. But the firm and slow pats calmed her down like a kitty cat. The only thing that was left was for her to purr. Nothing other than that and she be an exact little kitty. Just the way the devil used to call her.

As you all know, we are about to launch our winter collection very soon, there are slight changes to be done. The date would be the same but as the lead model, little- I mean, Ms. Vilian here would play the part-"

"WHAT!!!" Two voices reverberated in unison in the middle of the hall, startling everyone.