The yellow bright light fell on his puzzled face illuminating his handsome flawless face. 

But if anyone noticed his green phoenix eyes carefully, there was a flicker of genuine happiness in those flabbergasted gaze. The hard book in his grip loosened and with a thud sound on the marble floor, it fell on the ground causing her come back to the reality from her haze state. 

Esme’s world around her was spinning like wheel as her heart stopped beating almost.The noises, piano music nothing reached in her ears as the memories of past started playing in front of her vision and she bit her lips together tightly. 

She frowned at his way in pain and found that he hadn’t changed so much in this years.His face was still handsome and aloof except his brown hairs grew longer than before.His face still hold the mysterious aura which she couldn’t invade ever. 

Her mind came back to usual state when Aaron called him out widening his bare arms, 

” Ron, my dearest brother is here everyone.” 

He said and the crowed mocked on his words! 

Before Ron could say something and regain his sense,Aaron pulled him into a warm hug. He also hugged him back absentmindedly but his eyes never left the girl who was stood aside in a daze as if she would vanish soon if he looked away. 

Aaron spoke patting his back, 

” It’s good to see you brother. Long time huh. I thought you were going to be a monk.”

Ron forced a smile on his pale face and replied freeing himself from his hug,

” It’s.. It’s good to see you Aaron.”

Aaron smiled brightly and Esme invented that they shared a close bond than others.The way, Aaron smiled and treated him lovingly, it never occurred to anyone in front of her eyes.Her mind started getting panicked when Aaron pushed Ron forward hardly saying,

” Come, let me introduce you to your sister-in-law.”

Esme’s face sank into the depth of the ocean as she wished that she could melt into the ground here. 

Ron gulped glancing at her face slightly and it was no doubt that Aaron was referring to Esme. His foot were glued there but Aaron dragged him towards her forcefully.

Esme’s breathing hitched when they two appeared in front of her holding each others like a bare buddy. She glanced at Ron deeply who was also staring at her back. 

Her face flashed in guilt as she quickly lowered her head avoiding his questioning gaze. Aaron didn’t pay attention to their awkwardness. He was rather happy to introduce Esme with Ron as Ron was his closest friend and favourite brother among all.Their thoughts and personality matched too well that Aaron loved to spend time with him more than anyone. 

Aaron spoke smiling at Esme,

” Esme, this is Ron Warren. My dearest friend and the owner of this villa.”

Esme lifted up her gaze nervously. Ron pursued his lips to speak and noticed Esme’s fear flashed in her eyes.

He smiled bitterly and replied in a low voice,

” Hello, sister-in-law. “

Esme smiled awkwardly and bit down her bottom lips hard. She couldn’t express how much she was feeling grieved inside.

Just then another female voice echoed in her ears,

” Hello Ron. Look I’m here too.”

Aaron frowned as they all turned back and found Vanessa approaching them swinging her gown seductively. 

Ron frowned slightly at her appearance and looked back at Aaron meaningfully. Aaron just rolled his eyes and Ron caught the meaning that Vanessa somehow started intruding his personal life.

As soon as Vanessa came near them, Aaron excused himself and pulled Esme with him intending to grab some snacks. Disappointed flashed on Vanessa’s eyes as she stomped on her foot and reluctantly started chatting with Ron.

Since their childhood, Aaron, Ron and Vanessa were close friends and grew up together. They used to join the academy together and later parted apart due to their own status. Aaron ascended the throne whereas Ron was appointed as a minister to take care of the West Kingdom.

On the other side, Aaron led Esme towards the food corner where a maid was serving the foods quietly. As soon as Aaron made his appearance, the maid shivered and bowed before asking cautiously, 

” Welcome to our villa, My Lord. Do you need something? Please have your seat. I will serve the food there.” 

Aaron waved his hand nonchalantly making the maid to shut up frantically. Esme stood beside his side obediently as she saw him picking foods for her carefully. 

He explained in a matter of fact, 

” There are a lot of foods which aren’t your cup of tea.Some foods contain liver or fresh blood. You might vomit later if I don’t pick it up for yourself.” 

Esme didn’t respond at his explanation and remained quite gazing around. Her eyes caught the sight of Ron who was sipping the wine at a corner. Vanessa and their other brothers were chatting casually but he responded occasionally keeping his eyes guled on her way deeply. 

Esme shifted uncomfortably and prayed that Ron won’t open his mouth here until she found a spare time to chat with him. 

But looking at Aaron’s back, she doubted that this man would let her go out of his sight for a second at least. No matter what, she must seize an opportunity to talk with Ron alone. 

Aaron turned away after picking the foods and handed her over speaking affectionately,

” You must be hungry. Have some food. It will be almost midnight when we will return. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” 

Esme took the plate and shook her head replying briefly,

” No.. I’m okay..”

The others saw their interaction and Dennis whistled laughing hysterically,

” Oh ho.. don’t feed us so much dog food brother. Come here and join us.You are forgetting your brothers slowly after getting married.”

Aaron shook his head and pulled Esme with her saying,

” Let’s sit there.”

Esme hesitated inwardly when he dragged her towards the next empty couch beside Ron who put on a poker face.

After they settled down on the couch, the brothers started chatting randomly and sometimes teased Aaron for being so loving to Esme. 

Esme watched Ron from the corner of her eyes while stuffing the food absentmindedly. Ron paid no attention to the crowd and kept on putting a cold face sipping the wine from his hand.He forced a smile occasionally when the crowd spoke something funny. 

As she was having food without consent, suddenly she choked on her food and started coughing vigorously.

Subconsciously Ron reacted first and reached out his hand to grab the glass of water. But Aaron acted fast and offered her the water patting her back soothingly.

His face turned concerned as he patted her back and tugged her long hairs behind affectionately. 

Ron’s fist clenched underneath the goal table tightly and took back his hand outside forcefully. But his face also flashed with concern at the sight of her pale face coughing constantly.

Aaron threw a harsh glare on Dennis who was cracking jokes all the while and scolded,

” Keep your mouth shut for a while, idiot. You made the crowd laugh without a break.”

Dennis wanted to protest his innocence but didn’t dare when Aaron gave him another cold glance.

Esme waved her hands dismissively and scolded, 

” Stop being unreasonable. It’s not his fault. I was having the foods fast and it got stuck in my tongue somehow.”

Aaron pursued his lips together but couldn’t retaliate. This girl was becoming too expert to defend others.

Dennis pouted and laughed triumphantly when he saw Aaron’s helpless look.

The brothers glanced at each others meaningfully and joined in laughing.

It looks like someone has the power to tame the beast. It will be so fun to see.

On the other side, Vanessa was fuming in anger sitting beside Ron. She had been trying to steal the spotlight but all the while, the brothers kept admiring Esme’s beautiful and elegant appearance. Even Ron wasn’t attentive on her and was in dense silence.

What’s wrong with this people? Can’t they figure out that who looks better beside Aaron?

She couldn’t help but cursed inwardly especially Dennis who was shipping them together every time.

She huffed and got up to grab some foods thus no one paid attention on her. 

Later Fenic suggested to play some game as they all met after a long period of time and didn’t want to waste it. Considering over the fact that it will take at least few hours to finish their game, Aaron suggested Esme to rest in a room upstairs. 

Esme agreed and hoped that Ron would appear there once at least. She needed to explain herself to him. 

Shortly after, Ron ordered a maid to prepare a room for Esme and told the maid to guide her in. 

After Esme’s departure, they all thought of playing cards and Vanessa could only sit back in a corner doing nothing. 

On the other side, a maid took Esme inside a guest room and offered some juice to spend her leisure time. Esme sat down on the bed sipping the juice slowly and glanced on the door occasionally. 

Her mind told that Ron will appear here! 

After an unknown amout of time, Esme almost lost the hope that Ron will come to meet her. 

She got up and went beside the window watching the scenario outside in daze. 

Soon after, the door was pushed open as she turned around instantly finding the cold green eyes on her blankly. 

Her words got stuck on her tongue and couldn’t come out no matter how much she persisted. Those eyes of hatred were piercing through her heart viciously. 

She stood there quietly waiting for him to speak first and broke the awkwardness. 

Two slow steps… 

Ron took forward and asked like a whisper keeping his eyes locked into her, 

” I never imagined the person that I had been waiting to meet for so long, each day I waited for her in this 7 years will appear in my house with my dearest friend.” 

He continued faking a smile, 

” Serena, you played too well.”