Chapter 101 Chapter 101
Violet
“Its quite a messy history to be honest dear and the founding families didn’t want to let the coming generations know of the betrayal. Hence, they kept it a tight knit secret within the group.”
I tried to recall all the history lessons from school, they only mentioned how our civilization came to be, the hierarchy and power dynamics etc but I couldn’t remember much about it.
We were busy talking when a loud voice called us.
“Ladies, the bride needs your opinion please.”
Matilda asked us to sit on a plush velvety couch in front of a circular raised dais. And then Nicole walked out dramatically wearing a fuschia pink strapless dress with a thigh high slit and cleavage that almost left nothing for imagination.
The aunts gushed about the dress but I checked my mailbox again and almost dropped my phone when I saw an email waiting for me.
I hastily read through it where Mirella didn’t quite like me being absent days before from an important launch but asked me to send the soft copies of the designs I had shown earlier.
But, I didn’t have them on my phone. I had saved them on my laptop and now I couldn’t wait to get to my room fast enough.
“Enjoy your shopping ladies. I got an important email to answer.”
Cassie got up as well. “I will join you too”
But Nicole didn’t want to gloat just in front of the aunts it seemed.
“No! Both of you stay here! I have so many dresses to choose from!!”
Did she really think I would give honest advice?
“Or what? Will you tell your dad again? I bet he would love so much that his daughter who is about to be wed and adult enough cant even do anything without running to him for every little thing.”
The aunts exchanged a glance and Nicole pouted.
“Oh come on! You are also going to get any dress of your choice from here. Do you know how costly their collection is?”
As if a stupid dress would entice me.
“Unlike you, I don’t have daddy’s money to splurge so please let me go to work. Or go grumble to your dad. I don’t care!”
I shot back, grabbed my purse and headed straight outside with Cassie hot on my heels.
“Damn that was fire. Even the staff went silent. I bet Nicole must be busy doing damage control right now.”
I shook my head. “I have to get home to answer my boss asap. Or she will fire me.”
But only when I reached outside did I see a whole lot of crowd waiting with cameras and mikes.
The entire street was jampacked with news reporters.
They immediately rushed forward upon seeing me.
“Hi, are you with the bride of the century? Can we get exclusive details of all the behind the scene preparations of the grand wedding for our exclusive readers and fans?”
Apparently, news of the lavish wedding had spread through the town like fire.
I nudged Cassie forward. “She will answer you”
They all swarmed around her like bees while I escaped the crowd and looked around, berating myself for being stupid enough to not save the designs on my phone or cloud storage.
There was no cab around because security had blocked the area to ensure the high profile bride stayed safe.
Automatically, I gave a call to Elijah and he answered immediately.
“Hi, are you busy? Sorry for disturbing you.”
“Whats up?”
“I was dragged to this place named Glitz boutique somewhere in east Westbrook but I wanted to return back to the manor.”
While I was talking to him, Nate appeared out of nowhere.
“Great that I found you alone. Can we go to a nearby cafe?”
“I asked you to stay away from me! Go be with your fiance!” I shouted at him and Elijah spoke in an alarmed voice from the other end on the phone.
“What is that bastard doing with you? Where are you? I am coming right away!”
I heard his footsteps hurrying as he pushed his chair to get to his car.
Nate meanwhile advanced further and stood directly in front of me.
“Come on, Nicole and the aunts are busy shopping. They won’t even notice me gone. Besides, I have a deal for you.”
“What deal?”
I shouldn’t have asked that question because that made him think that I was interested in his deal.
Nate gave me a wide smile as I backed off to put as much distance between him and me as possible.
“There are people on the other street. Press and all the reporters. I will cause a scene if you come any near.”
That made him frown.
“Oh come on, violet. I am not going to harm you. You have lived with me for years. Did I ever raise my hand or even voice at you?”
“You hurt me in the worst way possible! By taking advantage of my innocence while flirting around with all the girls back in high school.”
His brows furrowed together tightly.
“Yes I know how you ran behind every girl in high school and college while pretending to be my boyfriend. You tried to sleep with as many girls as possible while keeping me around as the stupid, idiotic slave who would study for you just so that you passed your exams, work hard for the pack while you chased Nicole.”
A flicker of irritation appeared on his face but he smoothed his features into calmness and replied.
“The past is in the past and I can’t change it but I can change your future.”
I jutted my chin out and replied defiantly.
“The only good thing you did in your life was to leave me. I really dont understand why you both are so hellbent on making me watch you get married? You want to see me cry? Not going to happen. I am over you, Nate. Over. Done!!”
It felt oddly liberating to say that out loud and directly to his face. I had been a docile and timid girl but not anymore.
He pulled out a paper from his pockets and handed it over to me.
“What is this?”
“Read for yourself”
I opened it and saw a xerox copy of the last page of some kind of agreement. The signatures were that of Mr William Stratford and Nate.
“I don't understand”
Nate smiled. “I just signed a deal with your new employer. A trade agreement that can bring me huge profits. Big enough for me to not care about it because now I know this marriage alone will make Alpha Deveraux shower us with gifts and maybe a handful of packs if I demand.”
“What do you mean?”