Everyone looks dashing in their own unique attire tonight, each outfit shimmering with touches of gold and diamonds, which is the theme for this grand evening. The elegance in the air is palpable, and the guests are all sparkling in their own right. I spotted Uno, flanked by Tres and Six, walking down the red carpet with such poise. Their confidence and grace were undeniable, and the sight of them effortlessly gliding along the sparkling carpet immediately drew everyone's eyes.
Uno, as one of the most prominent businessmen in Asia, is no stranger to the spotlight. His presence alone commands attention, and sure enough, the media couldn't get enough of him. Camera flashes went off like a constant stream of lightning, capturing every angle of his powerful stride.
But Tres and Six weren't left behind. Both are no strangers to the world of modeling, their faces gracing the covers of magazines and billboards worldwide. Their striking features and runway-perfect presence captivated the crowd and media alike. It wasn't just Uno's fame that turned heads; Tres and Six together added an air of mystery, and the media was certainly intrigued by the sight of them walking as a trio. They hadn't even noticed us yet, though. They hadn't seen the whole picture—what it would mean once all of us were in the spotlight together.
Then, there's Pryce—Seven. He made the decision to walk the red carpet alone, and it was almost as if the atmosphere grew colder the moment he stepped into view. His aloof, stoic expression and icy aura drew stares, but it didn't seem to faze him one bit. His indifference to the attention only made him stand out more, making the crowd and cameras just as mesmerized by his cool detachment.
Inside the hotel, Lucien and Kaiser had already arrived, with Dos trailing behind. Dos, ever the reserved one, seemed to want to avoid the attention, preferring the safety of the quieter spaces. Lucien, on the other hand, would've preferred to be in the spotlight—just like Uno—but fate, it seemed, had other plans for him tonight. Though he's a magnet for attention, tonight he walked in somewhat quietly, his presence more subdued than he would've liked. But I could see it in his eyes; he wanted it all, just like Uno, but maybe, just maybe, this wasn't his time.
"Are you ready?" Fifth asked, his voice cutting through the buzz of excitement in the air.
I glanced at him and gave him a bright smile, trying to mask the jittery nerves building in my chest.
"Yes, how can I not be ready?" I answered, the words leaving my mouth before I even had the chance to think. I was still smiling—probably like an idiot.
Stupid, me. How can I not be ready? Really, Severa Gabrielle Brinth? How could I ask such a question when every nerve in my body was on fire, ready to explode with the weight of this moment? This wasn't just any night—it was everything. And yet here I was, pretending like it wasn't.
But no, I had to keep my composure. I had to be ready.
Seriously, I don't feel like I'm ready for this kind of party, especially knowing that tonight is the revelation night. But honestly, it feels more like a judgment day than a celebration. The weight of it all is suffocating, the anticipation hanging heavy in the air. The idea of what's about to happen… it's frightening. It freaks me out.
I heard Fifth chuckle, and for some reason, that sound made me pout as I looked at him. "You've grown up so well, Nine."
"Eh?" I blinked, a bit taken aback. Fifth was handsome, no doubt about it. They all were. But I think, for the first time today, it hit me. They're all so handsome. But I had been so young back then—too young to care about how they looked. I cared about something deeper—about how they treated me. They were my brothers. They were my family. They never saw me as anything less than one of their own, and I treated them the same.
Fifth's words lingered in the air, his smile carrying a touch of nostalgia. "I didn't just expect that you'd grow up so fast without us noticing. We thought you were just playing around, but look at you now—married."
I stared at him in silence, processing his words. I had no idea that this was what he had been thinking about me all this time—that they saw me as this little sister who had grown up so quickly, without them even realizing. It was a strange realization. I had always seen them as my big brothers, guiding me, protecting me, and now… now, I was stepping into a whole new life, and it felt like I was leaving behind that innocent version of myself that they'd known.
I couldn't blame him. I'd always been the playful one whenever I was with them. It was easy to slip into that carefree persona around them, to forget about everything else for a while. But with Calyx? It was different. With him, I didn't have to hide any part of me. He didn't have to deal with the other side of my life—the side filled with expectations, responsibilities, and the pressure of living up to a certain image. Calyx... he made me feel human. He made me feel like I could be vulnerable, that I could let my guard down without fear of judgment.
But being vulnerable with him—letting myself truly feel—came at a cost. It made my heart slowly tear to pieces, and I could feel it happening, piece by piece, with every passing moment. It was painful. It was suffocating.
Argh. Why does this have to happen to me?
I thought that Calyx was my savior. I thought he pulled me out of the mess Uncle Brian created, saving me from the suffocating control that seemed to hover over me after that tragedy. In a way, I guess he did. But now, as I stood on the brink of this marriage, I could feel that there was more to it than just saving me from my past. There was more to his role in my life than I could understand. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, couldn't make sense of why things felt so complicated, even though I'd tried. But the truth was, I was drowning in my own emotions, and it was starting to suffocate me. And that sucked.
"We will always be there for you, Nine. Until you find yourself again and solve this issue by yourself," Fifth's voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts, his words filled with reassurance.
I looked at him, and despite the confusion swirling inside me, I smiled. It was a small smile, but it was real. "Thank you, guys. I'll try to find my old self again. And I'll solve this marriage by myself."
It wasn't going to be easy. But I had to do it. I had to face the mess I had found myself in and find my way out—on my own.
--
I heaved a deep sigh of relief when Fifth and I finally made it inside the hotel, successfully slipping past the media's watchful eyes. The last thing I wanted was to be the center of their attention just yet. Fifth, sensing my tension, flashed me a reassuring smile and tightened his grip on my hand, silently assuring me that everything would be fine. I smiled back, grateful for his support, even if it didn't fully calm the storm inside me.
Our initial plan had been to lure the attention of the media and other guests as we entered the hotel, making a grand entrance that would catch everyone's eye. And, with a little help from Uno, Tres, and Six, we had pulled it off. Their presence alone had been enough to stir the crowd, drawing all the eyes to them as we slipped inside, unnoticed for the moment. It was the perfect distraction.
But now, inside, the weight of everything felt heavier. The calm before the storm, I suppose.
No one knows—aside from my close friends and the trusted people around Calyx—that I am married to Calyxander Lockhorst. To everyone else, I am simply known as a Trexler. And in Australia, that name carries weight.
If the Lockhorst family is famous, being a Trexler is something else entirely. The Trexler name is legendary, an empire built on decades of influence, power, and wealth. It's a name that commands respect, and, if I'm honest, a little fear. People are wary of it, careful with their words and actions whenever they find themselves in our presence. It's not something I ever asked for, but it's part of me now.
The difference is, while the Lockhorsts may be known for their wealth and connections, the Trexlers are known for something much darker—our reach, our control, and the stories that come with our legacy. It's a legacy I never asked to be a part of, and yet here I am, tangled in it, hidden in plain sight. And now, here at this Gala, I have to balance the weight of both families' names. My marriage to Calyx is a secret, but the Trexler name? It's impossible to escape.
Fifth and I decided to head directly inside the ballroom where the Gala was being held. The grand space was filled with the who's who of the business world—some of the biggest names in the industry, and not just businessmen. Models and actors were also scattered around the room, dressed to perfection, each of them trying to outshine the other. The atmosphere was a blend of excitement and tension, everyone trying to look their best, each of them hoping to make an impression.
I scanned the room, my eyes searching for any sign of Calyx—or even Jillian. But they were nowhere to be found. It was like they had vanished into thin air. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease, the need to know where they were, if they had already arrived, or if they were still on their way.
I told myself I shouldn't care—that it was none of my business and that I should just enjoy the evening. But that was a lie. The more I told myself to not care, the more it consumed me. I failed miserably at pushing aside the thought of them, especially Calyx. My heart couldn't let it go. The absence of his presence here, tonight, felt... off.
"Nine." Fifth's voice was barely a whisper, but it carried a tension that immediately caught my attention. I looked at him, and his face had gone pale, his body stiff with what seemed like barely contained apprehension. My brow creased in confusion, something in the air shifting.
My instincts kicked in, telling me there was something I didn't want to know. Something that was about to hit me like a freight train, and I wasn't ready for it. I turned to glance around the room, trying to make sense of what was making Fifth so uneasy.
And then, I heard them. Two voices I had hoped to never hear here, not tonight, not in this place. They were so familiar, so unmistakable. My body trembled, a shiver running through me as I realized exactly who it was.
Damn. I can't believe my two brothers are here.
"Severa!" The eldest called my name, his voice cutting through the noise of the ballroom. I turned to face them, my heart sinking in my chest. I had no choice but to mask my reaction, so I forced a smile, though it felt like it was stretching the limits of my face.
"Sebastian, Steven," I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips as I fought to keep my composure. The flood of memories and emotions hit me in waves, but I couldn't let them see that. Not here. Not now.
"Where's the word, Kuya?" Steven asked, taking a step closer to me. His presence felt suffocating, like a weight pressing down on my chest. Without thinking, I gripped Fifth's hand tighter, as if holding on to him would somehow anchor me in this moment. The tension between us was palpable, neither of us knowing how to react.
We hadn't expected them to be here—not at all. In fact, we hadn't been told anything about their presence tonight. Not a word, not even a hint. I knew Sebastian had visited me here once before, but they weren't the type to attend events like this. They didn't care for the glitz and glamour of it all. The Lockhorst Annual Gala was exactly the kind of thing they would avoid.
Yet, here they were, standing right in front of me, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
But why? Why are they here? My mind raced with questions, none of which had an answer.
As I tried to process everything, I noticed Dos walking toward us, a confused expression etched on his face. He recognized my brothers, of course, but not as my brothers. To Dos, they were just the bosses. They were known figures in their world—powerful, influential, untouchable. To him, they were business associates, nothing more.
And yet, here they were, standing in the same space as us, blurring the lines between professional and personal in a way that felt too jarring, too surreal. I couldn't help but feel the weight of their presence pressing down on me even more. How was I supposed to navigate this?