The days had rolled by quickly and the next day was Avery's and Sloane's engagement party.
Ian had suggested they hold a small celebration in the evening for the upcoming engagement party, Avery hadn't been sure but Arianna had insisted it was a good idea to have a little fun before the big day.
Avery wasn't too keen on the party owing to his health— he could walk without the wheelchair now, but there were times he would still become confused.
But perhaps Arianna was right, a little bit of fun wouldn't hurt anyone, and Ian had already planned the party; it wouldn't seem nice to tell him to cancel.
*********
"Arianna isn't this a bit too revealing." Avery found himself feeling insecure in his outfit — not for the first time tonight— he was used to wearing suits and the occasion shirt and jeans, not this — a cream-coloured crop top that stopped above his belly button and black leather shorts that clung tightly to his skin. Arianna had thrown in some eyeliner and styled his hair into a complicated but gorgeous braid.
"For the love of everything lovable, you look great Aves." Arianna rolled her eyes. "Relax and live a little out of those constricting suits of yours." She smiled.
Arianna wore a strapless pink floor sweeping elegant dress. The dress was transparent— the only parts of the dress that was non-transperent were the parts around her breasts and butt— the back was a crisscross of thin chains that stopped at the waist, it was split thigh high in both sides. She had styled her hair into gorgeous waves, and wore light makeup.
Natalie and Vivianne hadn't been able to come to the party because they had personal issues to sort.
"Grab onto my arm, we are already royally late for a party thrown in your honour." Avery smiled as he held her arm, trusting himself not to slip and fall with her help.
The party was in full swing when they came in— drinks, food and loud music. Most people were sitting on couches chatting amongst themselves. All eyes turned to them and Avery was sure they were looking at Arianna.
"Avery?" Ian arched a skeptical brow as he approached the pair who were now sitting on a couch away from the crowd.
"Hi Ian." Avery smiled.
"You look....." Ian scanned his outfit from head to toe. "Different." He finished.
"I believe the word you're looking for sweetheart is stunning." Arianna smiled at Ian.
"And you are—" Ian asked skeptically.
"Arianna, Avery's friend." She said. "I am also a marketer at SparkDigital." She added.
"I am Ian, nice to meet you." Ian smiled.
"Avery." A loud voice shrieked. A girl dressed in a skimpy dress followed by Emilia and a gang of others swarmed them.
"Long time no see." She laughed. "You stopped hanging out with us and ignored all our texts to meet up." She pouted.
"I have been busy." Avery said. He didn't have the energy to deal with the former soul's fake friends. He remembered this one seemed to be called Lisa
"Well it's nice that Ian set up the party, let's chat." Lisa tried to pull Avery along but noticed his tight grip on Arianna's arm.
"Avery don't tell me you left us to hang out with the likes of this." Lisa waved a hand in Arianna's direction.
"And what's wrong with her?" Avery frowned.
"Don't tell me you can't see she's wearing a counterfeit Elevé dress." Lisa laughed, her gaggle of friends laughing along
"She's giving vibes of poverty and trying to fit in with people who are not her class." Lisa smirked. "The likes of her should be serving drinks and cleaning toilets, you should stay away from her Avery she's probably onto you so she can eat the scraps that fall from your fingers."
"Just like you've been doing, clinging to me and leeching off my money and now that I have kicked you out you're jealous." Avery said.
"And the purse you're clinging to so tightly is counterfeit Platinum purse." Arianna said. "It takes one to know one, and you aren't some fashion brand agent yet you're able to recognize fake from real, it's probably because you have been dipping your hands is counterfeits yourself." Lisa's face turned ugly.
"You people can't actually believe her." Lisa cowered under the scrutinizing gaze of her friends. "I have a keen eye for fake goods." She said.
"But Lisa your father's company isn't doing well, were could you find the money to afford such an expensive purse." Someone said.
"That's enough." Ian spoke loudly. "This is not some fashion show, we are here to celebrate Avery's upcoming engagement."
"Big congratulations to you Avery.", Emilia laughed. "I wish you and Sloane all the happiness in the world."
"Sloane?" Someone gasped. "Like Sloane Delaney?" Emilia nodded. "But isn't he crippled and super ugly."
"I also hear he just lost his company to the Russell family."
"Avery you could have done better."
"At least it's good he's no longer stuck up on Dylan, that was so embarrassing." A boy laughed. "Trying to seduce your brother's boyfriend, geez that's low."
"But at least his grandmother has money, so they will be set for life."
"As long as there's money, it doesn't matter if he's ugly or crippled or whatever."
"All of you just shut up." Avery yelled. "Ian is this the kind of party you threw in my honour?" He scoffed. "One were I am to be insulted and judged by a couple of lowlifes who think their opinion on who I am with matters."
"Avery I didn't expect them to be like this." Ian said. "I am sorry." He apologized.
"You shouldn't be the one apologizing, not that I need their apologies." Avery scoffed.
"Avery we were just con—"
"One more word out of that gutter of yours and I swear to God I will lose my palm on your ugly face." Arianna glared at Lisa.
"All of you should lose my number, and if you dare come to my engagement party I will have security throw you out, so spare yourselves the embarrassment." Avery glared at them. "Enjoy your party Ian, I am leaving."
"Avery wait." Ian sighed in frustration.
"And by the way Emi darling, Lisa is sleeping with your boyfriend." Avery smirked.
"You ugly bitch." Emilia yelled. "I knew there was something awfully familiar about the earrings I found in his car."
"Emi you can't actually believe him." Lisa took a few steps back.
"I am going to kill you, backstabber." Emilia slapped her.
"Let's go." Avery and Vivianne left while a catfight started between the girls and the party ended up as a mess.