Chapter 12 A Night Designed.

Chapter 12 A Night Designed.
NOELLE

My hands were trembling, my lips were jittering and it felt like the world was spinning at my feet.

“You know what? Tell him we need to reschedule.” Tasha didn't need to ask. She is indeed a good assistant.

I picked up my bag, my laptop and strode out. I need to go home. I got to the parking lot, got into my car and turned the ignition on. I was about to drive out when another tinted car came to a screeching halt right in front of me.

“Where are you in a hurry to, Princess? You almost killed me. Again.” The familiarity of the voice sent several holes into my chest as my hands remained on the steering wheel.

“You’ll live, Dominic. Didn't expect to run into you here.” I stuttered.

No, that's not right. That shouldn't be my line. This is my private office. I should be asking him what he is doing here.

“Sure you didn't, I came to pick you up.” He got out of his car and slammed the door, walking over to my window and I rolled the window down.

“Pick me up? It's been 4 years and you're saying you came to pick me up like that's what you do everyday? A lot doesn't change in 4 years indeed. You're still really weird.” I mouthed and he chuckled.

“I got us tickets — Actually, three tickets but who's counting?— One, a ticket to a closed door author signing, first editions, you won't find them anywhere else. And icing on the cake, it's by author Raven.” I bit my lips.

That's juicy. Why did he get ‘us’ tickets? You know what? That isn't important right now. What is important is that Author Raven has a freaking new book and I'm going for a closed door signing.

“Second, tickets to the Blum acoustic set, performance is tonight and it's not even far off from the signing event. And lastly, tickets to the Virelli Art Collection. It’s open only tonight. After tonight? It's gone.”

These were all the things I loved. I was already salivating just from the sound of that. Oh dear heavens, it sure looks like a definite honey trap and I was walking right into it.

Dominic used to be Alistair's friend and we kind of grew apart when Alistair's Parents orchestrated my parents death. I only saw him last when I was about to marry Carter and he kicked against it profusely, openly pursuing me.

I hadn't seen him since then. And suddenly he's here, with all of these planned out. TRAP!

“And yes, you're wondering why I have all these planned out? To celebrate your divorce of course.” He winked and I sighed.

Words get around pretty fast, huh? How did he even hear of that?

“You're out of luck,” I smirked, “Carter hadn't signed the divorce papers yet.” I watched his face fall and lit up in the same second.

“Well, these tickets can't go to waste, now can they?” He waved them in front of me and I swallowed hard.

It's just going to be one fun night out. Just one.

And I'll be quite aware of my surroundings too. I'm always security conscious. Besides, Dominic would never hurt—

Now slow down there, Noelle Valencia Easton! I had trusted Carter like that and what did I get in return? Full blown plotting! I'm not about to trust another man but these events? I'm surely going. I needed to clear my head anyway.

“Well then, these dresses are nothing near what I should use to attend any of these so we can meet up in an hour so I could get dressed?” He placed his arms on my car, leaning into the car window a bit.

“I have that covered. Just come with me.” I got out of my seat belt immediately and followed him into his car.

You know what? I know lots of people who would willingly get kidnapped to go to these events. I'm not the worst.

Our car suddenly came to a halt in front of a fashion house and I looked out the window.

“Umm, Dom? This doesn't look like a book signing event.” I stated and he nodded, getting out of the car and running directly to my side of the door to open it, “we're here to get the dresses you'd need for the event.”

Is it me or is he lovebombing me?

Weird.

I followed him into the fashion house and the next few minutes were a hassle, styling, fitting, trying our dresses and we ended up buying 3 evening gowns for each of the events.

He sure has gotten a lot more fun and richer if I might add, since the last time we met. I totally feel like someone at his level could call any other person a gold digger. How did that line of thought get into this? I feel like I'm going crazy as the days go by.

In about half an hour, we were at the book signing.

It was everything I expected it to be and more. Decorum, book talks and having to talk to my favourite author of all time for a good amount of time while Dominic just carried my purse and followed me everywhere.

“You're such a lovely couple.” Author Raven commented as she signed on one the exclusive copies of the evening, newly released!

Hold on! Lovely couple? Dominic and I?

“Ugh, No. He’s really not my—” I was saying when Dominic cut in almost immediately.

“Thank you very much.” He leaned in closer to my ears and whispered, “Loads of people waiting to meet her as well, there's really no need to elaborate. I quite bet she might never meet us again and even if she does, she probably wouldn't recognize us.” I glanced at him and shrugged.

He was right.

But I knew what he was up to anyways. Once we were done with the book signing, we went off to the acoustic event and if I was being honest, this enlightened my entire mood. We didn't waste much time there before getting to the Verrilli art collection event and just as though we were in luck, there was an auction going on.

“Do I hear fifty thousand for this piece?” We quietly took our seats as the auction began and the bidding got more and more ridiculous.

Loads of men trying to impress their plus ones while Dominic kept his eyes fixated on something. Suddenly I felt chills run down my spine and I turned immediately to a set of eyes staring daggers at me.