CHAPTER 62: – FERNANDO’S ANNOUNCEMENT –

Everyone was staring, equally surprised and curious. They all knew Serena even though Viviana was more famous with a higher profile. After all, Serena was Amadeo Di-grassi’s stepdaughter.

But what was she doping with Fernando Stolov, her sister’s ex-fiancé?

Fernando, who’d greeted a few guests, locked eyes with Viviana. He slowly smiled at her and affectionately took Serena’s arms as he moved forward.

At first, he disregarded Nikolas, lowering his gaze to thoroughly scrutinize Vivaian from head to toe. Then back up. His lips curved longer, smile taunting. "Despite our... personal war, I must admit you are stunning tonight. As stunning as ever, Viviana."

Viviana regarded him with a deliberate, lazy stare. She flicked her gaze toward Serena, who shot her a venomous glare. She stepped closer to Fernando, as if to make her mad, and looped her arm through his, holding him like he belonged to her.

Viviana cocked a brow, amused by the ridiculous show she was putting on.

Was Serena trying to spite her?

If so, then she was failing miserably.

Viviana felt no shred of attraction nor affection for Fernando. How could something as stupid as this affect her. The only thing she desired was his downfall, nothing more.

Therefore, this was nothing short of a losing game for Serena.

"You’re in good health, Fernando," she said evenly.

Serena’s smug expression faltered. Viviana treated her as though she was not even there.

Fernando frowned. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

Viviana shrugged.

He grinned at her. "Well, this is meant to be a celebratory evening. Let’s not have a dispute here, alright?" Reaching, he tried to take her hand to plant a polite kiss, fingers however, wrapped around his wrist, stopping him before he could.

He glanced up to find nikolas staring at him, eyes blank yet piercing.

"Don’t touch my wife," Nikolas said. But it sounded more like a threat than mere words. And Fernando knew, because he could feel the sudden terror that creeped into his chest against his will.

His throat bounced as he swallowed subconsciously, forcing himself to hold Nikolas’s gaze. His body was frozen, yet trembling just enough not to be noticed.

What was this feeling?

Fear?

Could this man truly kill him if given the chance? Had Antonio been telling the truth when he said this man wasn’t human? That he was...

...A vampire?

Fernando’s mind raced.

He’d thought it over and over again. Countless times since that day. And to put it simply, it was hard to bring himself to believe it. This was reality, not some fictional books. How could something like that truly exist? Alive, breathing and living among them like any normal human.

He quickly pulled his hand back, took a step away and without another word, turned and led Serena away toward Aceto.

Viviana’s eyes followed him. She slowly turned and looked at Nikolas.

Nikolas met her gaze. She was about to ask questions, he could tell, watching as her hand snaked up his arm to wrap around his neck.

"What are you doing?" he asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"That paper," she said. "Did you throw it away?"

Nikolas blinked rapidly. "Oh."

"Did you?"

"I..."

Viviana suddenly yanked him closer and stuck her hand into the pocket of his suit pants. Never once did she look away, not even as she took the paper out of his pocket to dangle it in his face. "Why are you keeping it, Nikolas?"

"Viviana–"

"Do you like her?" she asked with that insinuating touch in her tone. "Are blondies your type, huh?"

Nikolas did not resist. He let her yank him down to her height and watched apologetically as her face twisted, eyes narrowed like she could kick him in the balls right then and there.

"Go ahead. Tell me, Nikolas. Is she your type?"

His Adam’s apple bobbed beneath her thumb. He frowned at her. "You really think that?" His eyes dropped to her lips. "After everything I just said to you a few minutes ago? You have little to no trust in your husband, it seems."

He snatched the paper from her grasp and tossed it to the floor. "Better?"

Viviana held his gaze a moment longer before huffing and turning, letting her back reset against him.

Nikolas grinned, chuckling slowly to himself. He closed the little gap left between them, his large frame occupying behind her. And he never left that position, not even once.

Viviana tilted her head backward to look at him. "Do you really intend to stand behind me all night?"

"Why?" Nikolas asked, lowering his head to meet her eyes. "Is there a problem?"

She said, "People are staring. Why are you behind me and glaring at everyone?"

"Last I checked, I can stand behind my wife, beside her and in front of her. I can hug her, kiss her however the fuck I want and it’d be nobody’s business," he bit out those words, arms clasped behind his back.

Viviana sighed out softly. "You must have spent a lot on this dress and that suit of yours. How broke are you now?"

Nikolas leaned in. "Flat broke."

"Irresponsible." She shook her head helplessly while rubbing her temple.

His lips curled. "I may not be rich, wife, but I’m not that low on funds. I can spend on you however I want."

"I didn’t ask you to."

"Well, I didn’t need you to."

"You’re being insufferable tonight, Nikola," she gritted out while keeping a smile on her face.

Nikolas shrugged. "Am I?"

Before she could respond, an announcement carried through the hall.

"Please! Let’s give it up for Mr. Fernando Stolov, who made this event possible," the comparé announced.

Applause erupted as all the lights dimmed out. One spotlight found Fernando on the high platform, confident and smiling.

Tapping the microphone, he cleared his throat and began, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."

Guests clapped, smiles plastered on some faces. His parents were present. But Amadeo Di-grassi was nowhere to be seen even though an invitation had been sent to him.

Did he deem the event unworthy of his attention?

"As you all know, tonight is meant to be a celebration of a new beginning for a man like me," he said, grinning as he meaningfully glanced toward Viviana. "Of fresh partnerships, both professionally..." he paused. "...and personally."

The audience nodded their heads.

Viviana folded her arms, watching with quiet interest.

"I know many of you came expecting news of my business venture with Aceto," Fernando continued, smile deepening. "But before that, I’d like to make a more intimate announcement."

Intimate announcement?

Viviana lifted a brow.

Fernando turned to the crowd, clearing his voice. He began, "Sometimes, the person you’re meant to be with is not always who you expected. And as sad as it is, that was the case with me."

She frowned at the sudden look he threw her way. What the hell was he up to now?

"Tonight, I want to announce that I’ve finally found that person who brings me peace, loyalty and love. And I’m proud to say, we’re officially together." Straightening up, Fernando turned to his side, spreading an arm out to the person who’d walked up the stairs into the high platform to approach him.