Blending Fragrance

Ashina positioned herself before the mirror in her room, fixing the intricate lace neckline of her dress. She had her dark hair elegantly twisted up, with a few loose curls framing her face.

She examined her reflection closely, looking for any indication of vulnerability or uncertainty. Tonight, just like every evening when they were out in public, she had to appear flawless, embodying the ideal image of a devoted wife.

She was drawn to the gentle sound of the door opening. Lobo entered the room. He had a dominant presence, with his tall figure adorned in a sleek black suit that emphasized his air of authority. He reached out his hand towards her, signaling more of a command than a voluntary act.
"Are you ready?" he inquired, his voice resonates deeply with a touch of restlessness.

Ashina responded by placing her hand in his. He held her with a strong, almost dominating grip as he guided her out of the room. Silently, they descended the grand staircase and crossed the spacious foyer of their estate, the sound of their footsteps reverberating on the marble floors.

Outside, they were met with a sleek black car. The driver, a quiet person in a fresh outfit, opened the door, then Lobo assisted Ashina in getting inside before sitting next to her. Acting like the perfect husband in the world.

As the vehicle moved away from the residence, she felt the familiar knot of anxiety intensify in her stomach. The lights of the city flickered and cast fleeting shadows on their faces as they passed by the tinted windows.

Ashina gazed directly in front of her, her thoughts and emotions swirling around in a whirlwind. She was filled with fear about the upcoming night, knowing she would have to pretend to be a loving wife for hours on end. However, a deep-seated anger was bubbling underneath the fear.

Feeling furious towards Lobo for his heartlessness, for his manipulation of her actions, and furious at herself for permitting it.
The quietness inside the vehicle was heavy and suffocating.

Having Lobo by her side served as a continuous reminder of the facade she needed to uphold. Her fingers tightened in her lap, her nails piercing her palms. The bodily ache provided a distraction from the inner chaos she was feeling.

After what seemed like forever, the car arrived in front of a luxurious event venue. The driver unlocked the door, and Lobo stepped out first, extending his hand to Ashina. Her expression showed no emotion as she accepted it and walked outside, trailing behind him up the majestic staircase.

In the hall, there were a large number of sparkling dresses and fitted suits. The atmosphere was filled with conversation and merriment, with the aroma of costly fragrances blending together in the air. Lobo escorted her through the crowd, keeping a firm grip on her lower back, effortlessly guiding her.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ashwood, it's great to see you," an elderly man said while approaching them. Lobo was greeted with pleasantness, his charming smile easy and natural. Ashina also smiled, but it seemed more like a grimace.

As they moved from one introduction to the next, minutes stretched into hours. Ashina's face hurt from smiling, and she had a parched throat from the courteous talk. Throughout the entire time, she remained cautious and observant of Lobo, looking out for any indication of his mood.

Suddenly, Lobo made an excuse to leave the conversation and exited the hall, disappearing into a dimly lit hallway. Ashina's heart raced with worry as suspicion consumed her. Looking around, she saw the faces surrounding her blend together into a vague blur.

What was the reason for his abrupt departure? What was he doing?

After inhaling deeply, she politely left the conversation with the small group and walked towards the hallway. The polished floor echoed with the soft clicks of her heels in the empty space. Moving swiftly, she scanned the dim hallway ahead with her eyes.

Upon arriving at the end of the hallway, she spotted Lobo conversing quietly with a mysterious, tall figure next to a door. Ashina leaned against the wall, trying hard to catch their conversation. A mixture of fear and curiosity drove her as her heart raced in her chest.

The conversation was too soft to hear clearly, but Lobo's body language clearly displayed tension. A short time later, the mysterious figure gave something to Lobo and then disappeared into the darkness.

Lobo gazed at the item in his hand before tucking it into his pocket. Ashina swiftly moved away, withdrawing down the corridor to avoid being seen by him. Returning to the hall, her thoughts were filled with a flurry of questions.

What had just happened? What did it symbolize for her?
Upon returning to the group, Lobo's expression was impossible to interpret. Ashina returned to his side, embodying the role of a devoted wife perfectly. However, internally, her determination strengthened. She was determined to uncover his secret, regardless of the expense. The deception could not last indefinitely.

While they remained there, Ashina did not have a choice but to keep smiling and playing the dutiful wife. She hated it so much but she was perfect at her role.

She remained on the same spot and had her eyes on her not so perfect husband who had the eyes of young women on him. They wouldn't stop staring and lusting, making her wonder what they saw in him.

Her eyes traded every movement of his body and when he picked out his phone from his pocket to use, she kept keeping a close eye on him.

“Is everything okay with you?” Lobo asked her in a firm voice when he noticed what she was up to.

“Definitely, everything's fine. Why are you asking?” Ashina asked.

“You're acting weird, it's only natural that i want to ensure everything is okay.” He replied.

Ashina smiled at how ignorant he acted, pretending not to secretly meet up with someone and then ask if she's fine.