Chapter 66
Alaia
“What’s going on?” Cedric asked near my ear.
“I don’t know,” I replied, looking at Tino and my cousin.
“I didn’t invite them,” Ash raised her hands.
“Well, I saw the guest list and the company of those hunks was on it, but I only made sure they were invited, you know, I didn’t want their demonic grandfather here,” said Tino.
“Damn it, Tino, for crying out loud,” Ash scolded him.
“Maybe I like to watch the world burn, darling.” He smiled, and I massaged my forehead impatiently.
I saw my children stop playing with Cedric and go to their father, who received them delightedly. Nick looked at me before the organizer led them to one of the tables.
The moment arrived for me to speak and thank everyone for being here, so I stood up and said a few words. I finished my thank–you speech, and that was when Cedric clinked his glass and attracted everyone’s attention.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he began, and I looked at him. We had agreed that he would be the one to give the news after confirming the divorce. “I want to take this moment to make our engagement official. Soon, Alaia and I will unite our lives, and it will be an honor for us if you join us on our wedding day.” He raised his glass, and my eyes went to Nick, whose jaw was tense. He and his cousin were the only ones not raising their glasses. The father of my children just watched me. A kiss on my cheek distracted me, and I reflexively returned Cedric’s smile.
“I need a drink,” I said, getting up from the chair to go to the bar.
“I’ll join you,” said Ash, and I shook my head.
I reached the bar and ordered a double drink, which I drank. My face contorted as it burned down my throat. “What is happening to me p>
The music started playing, and the organizer asked me to open the night, so I walked by her side to get Cedric. At that moment, someone pulled me onto the dance floor, my chest colliding with Nick’s chiseled body. He grabbed my waist and pressed me against him while everyone watched us.
“What are you doing?” I looked into his eyes, and he had a crooked smile on his lips. From the corner of my eye, I saw Cedric stand up furiously and try to come towards us, but Ash and Tino made him sit back down. I watched as he threw a napkin onto the table.
Nick started moving to the rhythm of the soft melody that fills the room, while the guests watched us with curiosity. I imagine it was because we just announced my engagement to
Cedric, and now I’m dancing with another man.
“Starting your birthday the way it should be,” he said seriously.
“You’re crazy,” I said and smiled at the people watching us.
“I lost my mind two years ago.” He looks into my eyes.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I said as I felt him pressing my body closer to his.
“You were on my birthday; I had to be on yours,” he whispered in my ear, and my body responded by shivering from head to toe, my n s hardening under the corset.
“What the hell p>
My hand pressed against his arm, and I turned jelly. Nick looked down and smiled.
“Your body hasn’t forgotten me.” His lips brushed my cheek, and I opened my mouth to take a breath.
“I feel uncomfortable,” I said the first thing that came to mind, trying to pull away from him, but all I achieved was more contact between our bodies.
Nick looked at me in that way that made me…
His hand traveled down my back, and I swallowed hard.
“Stop this, Nick,” I said, placing my hand on his chest.
“Why would I? Our kids seem to enjoy it.” He looked in the direction where they were, and the little ones were jumping on the chairs and clapping happily as they watched us dance. What could those little traitorous minds be thinking?
“That’s not what I mean.” My children made me smile. “I mean you insist on competing with Cedric p>
“To hell with Cedric, I want you, Alaia… I want you to love me once more.” His voice sounded hoarse.
“That’s not going to happen.” I controlled the tremor in my body and avoided looking into his eyes.
“I’ll believe it when your body agrees with your words,” he said, and people started clapping as the song ended. Nick smiled at them and kissed my hand before going to his table.
Cedric approached me and glared at Nick, and Nick returned the look in kind.
I started dancing another piece with Cedric while Nick talked to his cousin and looked at me.
“I’m not going to ruin your night by talking about that i***t,” Cedric whispered, and I nodded, not wanting to touch the subject.
I found a waiter carrying several drinks on a tray, so I took one and took it down completely.
“Oh my God, what a night, and it’s only just beginning.” Tino walked towards me with Ash.
“Darling, you should have seen yourself dancing with Nick and Cedric, the difference is abysmal, the way that hunk looks at you.” He placed a hand on his chest. “How he touches you?” He touched himself. “It seems the ashes are starting to turn into flames, and Cedric, my dear, you two look like siblings p>
“Tino, you’re not helping at all.” Ash looked at me while I bit my lip.
“Okay, I’ll shut up, I’ll shut up.” He sealed his lips with his fingers.
Suddenly, Tino let out a scream that startled us.
“Gavin has arrived.” He pointed without any subtlety.
“Darling, for God’s sake,” I said.
“Shhh, he’s going to the bar where Loli is alone.” The three of us paid special attention to what was happening.
We saw him greet her, and I could feel the tension among the three of us as we held hands.
Gavin orders two drinks.
“I’m dying; he invited her for a drink! “Tino shouts.
Only two seconds passed before Gavin took both glasses and walked away. We watched in disbelief as he headed to a table where he offered the drink to a blonde girl who must be his age.
“Mother of God, what a failure.” Tino placed a hand on his forehead while Ash and I held him. We turned to see Loli, who took a drink and walked towards us.
“I’m so sorry, sunshine.” Tino ran to hug her.
“Screw you all, bitches!” our friend shouted, still holding Loli in his arms.
“Robin is flirting with some chick.” He pointed and looked at Ash, who looked like an elegant boy with a short wig and all.
“Why are you looking at me? I couldn’t care less what that fuckboy does.” Tino and I looked at her curiously. We knew her so well that we knew something was going on.
“Come on, Loli, screw Gavi.” My cousin took several glasses from the table and offered them to us.
“She’s up to something,” Tino whispered in my ear and drank from his glass “But come on, what is this?” He made a face of disgust at the drink “I’ll go get some champagne,” he said, returning the glass to the table.
The room fell silent, and the stage lights turned on. We all looked in that direction, having no idea what was happening. The four of us waited in silence until the curtains opened. My heart raced and we took a few steps closer.
“Is that Coldplay?” Ash asked, open–mouthed, and I gaped, unable to believe one of my favorite bands was on that stage.
“Yes, darling, it’s Coldplay!” Chris Martin and his band members smiled, barely hearing the applause and excited exclamations from everyone.
“Alaia, Mr. Nick Granett hired Coldplay for you tonight. Mr. Darius approved their arrival; I can’t tell you, it was a surprise,” the organizer commented and quickly walked away.
“Damn it all, darling, he brought you Coldplay!” Tino shouted, “Look, with all the money they have, no one else thought of it p>
And that was when I remember playing my playlist with all their songs while doing something in our apartment. Nick would just smile, listening to me sing them at the top of my lungs.