Placing the glass on the bar counter, I heaved a sigh. Cool air kissed my arms, raising goosebumps across my skin. While rubbing my arms to provide some warmth, my eyes fell on the bracelet on my wrist. Those tiny emeralds and diamonds sparkled under the light.

An involuntary smile touched my lips as I ran my thumb softly over it. After acknowledging he was the one who gave it to me, it felt closer to my heart than ever. As if it was one of my limbs I couldn’t even imagine losing. I didn’t even put it off while taking showers.

Where is he, anyway?

My eyes went to my left when I heard footsteps approaching. And to my great displeasure, it was Arthur.

Approaching the group, he flashed everyone with one of his fake polite smiles and shared hugs with Tess and Caleb. Both seemed quite happy with his presence.

“I’m glad you could make out some time for the dinner, Arthur. I hope you didn’t have to cancel too many of your meetings?” Tess asked, grinning ear to ear.

Unfortunately, he handled most of the important deals of Valencian Corp. Due to Ace’s trust in him, he saw if everything was going smoothly for those projects to get them completed on time and without any hurdles. Not to forget, he managed Ace’s many side businesses.

“Oh, no! Not at all. Nothing is more important than family,” he said, fishing a small rectangular velvety box out from his pants pocket. “Here, I got something for you. I hope you like it.”

Tess’s eyes shone with excitement as she took the box from his hand and opened it. The perfectly arched brows of her rose to her hairline. A pair of sparkling diamond earrings sat inside.

“Oh my! This is beautiful, Arthur! Thank you so much! You really didn’t have to buy me such an expensive gift, though.” She wrapped her arms around him once again, which he returned with a pat on her back.

Pulling away, he shook his head. “Nothing is as expensive as the smile I got to see on my future daughter-in-law’s face.”

Her eyes filled with moisture as Caleb pulled her into his arms, starting a conversation with Arthur.

“Who can say this man could be dangerous for someone?” Warner’s voice spoke beside me.

“This mask of his will be revealed soon.” My eyes didn’t move away from him. Something glowed inside his pocket. His phone. Moments later, it went off as he ignored it.

“By the way, did you talk to your cousin?” I turned to look at him. With a formal white button-down shirt and dark slacks, he had a glass of orange juice in his hand.