Roses, Wine, And Deception

The Celestine Pavilion glowed with quiet opulence, Jazz music floated softly through the ballroom as servers weaved expertly through the crowd, balancing crystal flutes and silver trays with hors d’oeuvres flown in from Les Sables, the finest culinary district in Virelia.

Arla-Rosa stood at the center of it all, laughter bubbling in her chest as she toasted another well-wisher, one of Seth’s business allies from Luminaries Corp. Her smile was genuine, cheeks flushed with joy and fine wine, and tonight, her world felt untouched by shadows. A dream made real.

Her hand was tucked safely in Seth’s, warm, possessive, admired. She’d greeted professors, mentors, fellow medical interns, and even a few celebrities from Brilliant City's elite circle. But none mattered more than this moment. I did it, she thought, glass brushing against her lips. I finally made it. A degree, a fiance, a future...

As the string quartet switched to a lilting love ballad, Arla-Rosa caught sight of her reflection in the mirrored pillars lining the ballroom. Her ivory dress hugged her perfectly. Her eyes sparkled. Her hair, swept to one side, revealed the diamond earrings Seth had gifted her just last week.

You’re happy. Let yourself be happy. For years, she'd clung to her promise to only give her body on her wedding night. But as her gaze slid over to Seth, chatting with a pair of board members, she felt the thought shift inside her. She wasn't a child anymore. Tonight, everything was perfect. She was his. He was hers. Why wait?

As the thought solidified, she moved closer to Seth. He turned instantly, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You look like you have a secret," he murmured into her ear. She blushed. “Maybe I do.” His brow arched. “I was just thinking... maybe I don’t need to wait for the wedding night,” she whispered, in a barely barely audible voice over the music. “Maybe I’m ready tonight.”

For the briefest second, something flickered in Seth’s eyes, triumph, too quick to name. Then he smiled, slow and smug, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to hear that.” And she didn’t. She had no idea she had just offered herself to a man who was leading her to ruin.

Minutes later, after toasting with another business investor, Seth’s phone buzzed in his jacket. He checked the screen. “Excuse me, darling,” he whispered smoothly, kissing her knuckles. “It’s just a supplier calling about the next phase of expansion. I’ll be back before you miss me.” She laughed, light and trusting. “Hurry back. We haven’t toasted us yet.” Seth nodded with a devil-may-care grin, turning on his heel and exiting through the side door.

Just beyond the stone corridor, Aretha was waiting in a slinky emerald gown, her eyes sharp and eager. She handed him a folded tablet screen, already loaded with street footage. On it were five men in black hoodies, stationed near a back alley, right outside the Pavilion’s west exit.

“Everything’s ready,” she said in a low voice. “They’re waiting for the signal. Room 809 has already been cleared.” Seth didn’t smile, but his expression was one of dark satisfaction. “Good.” Then Aretha reached into her beaded clutch and drew out a tiny vial, no larger than her pinky. Inside was a scarlet liquid that shimmered like molten rubies.

She uncorked it with practiced ease and poured the contents into Seth’s wine glass. “A mild paralytic, cum-aphrodisiac” she explained. “Just enough to make her slow... compliant. Won’t even remember what happens clearly. You’ll still have control.” Seth nodded. “Perfect.”

He adjusted his cufflinks, glanced once back at her with a silent warning to stay out of view, and returned to the ballroom with confident steps. Arla-Rosa lit up the moment she saw him. He strode toward her, slipped one hand around her waist, and kissed her, a full, possessive kiss that left a few guests applauding in amusement.

Then he drew back, tilting his head like he’d just remembered something. “You know, sweetheart...we’ve toasted everyone, your mentors, our guests, business partners, even the chef. But we haven’t toasted each other.” Arla-Rosa’s face flamed, but her eyes softened. “You’re right,” she said. “To us.”

She lifted her glass, but Seth stopped her with a chuckle, gently hooking his hand around hers. “No, no. This one’s special,” he said. “Let’s switch glasses. You drink from mine, and I’ll drink from yours. It’s more intimate that way.” Without a second thought, Arla-Rosa nodded. They exchanged glasses, hers slightly lighter in hue, his slightly richer and darker. She raised it with a bashful smile. “To love. To trust. To forever.” Their glasses clinked. And she drank.