35. Scandal

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Nicole's POV

Everything including time seemed to have stopped at the sight of the man that broke me, messing up my life. The anger and the pain rushed through me once again and it felt like it was choking me. It was impossible to think clearly when all I could see was red. I was about to turn around and walk away when his hand settled on my exposed shoulder. For a single stroke of a second, I couldn't breathe. The touch that once scared me, sent shivers of anticipation down my spine. Then he leaned forward and I fucking hated how his touch made me feel breathless. My heart rammed pretty fast against my chest. I almost thought it would tear right through the thickness of my skin. What I didn't expect was him puking all over my Gucci dress, staining it with the disgusting stench of alcohol. Fucks sake! I just bought this dress yesterday. Suddenly all the anger came rushing back into my system. Pushing him aside, I walked towards the back entrance afraid if I stayed a second longer I would be doing more than just slapping him.

"Nicole wait," I heard him call in his drunken stupor but I ignored him, walking towards the elevator through the back entrance.

The moment I got up in the top floor office I realized a shaky breath. I hated being thjis mad all over again but considering I had just met the man who had made hell out of my life, then that was anticipated.

"Jesus Love! What happened to you?" William questioned, whirling around in that swivel chair to take a quick sweep at me.

"I’m fine. I just ran into my husband and William please don't ever call me love again," I warned walking into the office suite, straight into the washroom. Discarding the ruined dress into the cloth basket, I grimaced. Well, I’ll have the cleaners take it to the laundry tomorrow early in the morning.

After taking a shower, I wore an evening gown before walking back to the main office where William was still sitting.

"Damn! You look…beautiful," His gaze sauntered over the curves of my dress against my body and were it some other man, I would have probably blushed but when It came to William, my anger for him was no less than that I held for Dominic.

"What are you even doing here William?" I questioned, my gaze resting on his face.

"Trying to coax you so I could take you out for dinner. You look like you could use one of those and in that dress, you could turn heads, Nicole,"

"William just stop, Okay? First off I don’t want Dominic getting wind of where I’m and second you know I'd never go on a date with you. As much as we are in talking terms it doesn't mean I have forgotten the past, “I stated as a matter of factly.

"I know,” He sighed,” You have no idea how I wish I could change the past and take all that I did to you. I was young, stupid, and naïve. Fuck! “He replied softly but unfortunately for him, no matter how sorry he seemed, I would never believe him. He had put me through an ordeal that had required a few too many counseling sessions and a lot of writing to put me back to at least what I could call normal.

"That's the thing William, we can't change what happened but we can change the current and future. Which is why I won’t be taking any chances with you ever again," I said.

"I’m really sorry Nicole,” He paused, standing up, “Anyway I have a meeting early tomorrow morning so I’m just going back to my house. And by the way on Friday. I’m meeting up with Dominic. That guy is still persistent about buying my chain of restaurants in Miami and Virginia," he shrugged lightly.

That piqued my interest. Dominic was still interested in buying over William's hotel company? This was going to be really fun.

It's time that sick bastard gets what is coming. Not only was I going to save the lives of the two people I loved but also could use this to get back at him for what he did to me without even questioning me for the truth first.

Friday was three days away. Smiling, I poured myself a glass of wine. From outside my office, I could watch the bar section of the club down below through the glass wall but of course, no one could see me. It was easy to spot Dominic with his hair looking all messy. He seemed to be arguing with Andre about something and even though I had a clue of what it could be, I still wanted to hear.

"Raj, “I called my tech guy through my phone.

"Yes ma'am,"

"Connect speaker thirty two to my phone right now,"

"On it,"

In less than thirty seconds Dominic's slurred speech became clear to my ears.

"I’m telling you that I met Nicole on the terrace and you are telling me I’m going crazy? Her scent, her hair, her curves. It was her dude. Nicole is in this club and I have to find her," He burped.

Eww. Disgusting.

"Look Dominic we are both drunk. You must be imagining things. And besides, you have been talking about her the whole night. What if this is just an illusion in your head?"

"No Andre. This is not a fucking illusion. I’m going to find Nicole and prove to you that I’m right because I know what I saw," He argued.

Oh you poor bastard.

"Brian," I called through my intercom to my favorite guard by the door.

"Yes Ma'am,"

"It's time to kick him out and tell Josh to get some good pictures or even better, a press-worthy video,” I ordered.

"Yes ma'am,"

How I would have loved to watch him fight around with the guards. But I still had more plans to perfect. Entering my suite, I made myself comfortable on the couch. In exactly ten minutes there was a knock on my door. Josh got in his face masked with dire excitement.

"How did you know there was going to be a press-worthy scandal?"

"Oh I didn't know Josh but I know Dominic too well. He has a thing for causing trouble," I replied, finding it irresistible to let a victorious smile linger on my lips. Getting back at him made me feel a tiny bit happy. He had no idea what it was like to have your reputation tarnished before the people you love but soon he was going to have that same exact taste.

"Well, check it out," He handed me the tablet.

At first, it was Dominic pushing down a guard while shouting my name. Well, for a drunk man he sure was strong. I'd give him that. Even as he got dragged out, he kept on resisting while calling my name.

This was going to make one hell of a bloody scandal.

"Thank you, Josh," a smirk consequently worked its way up my lips.

I dialed the one number of the person who would be interested.

"Nicole?" Clara's voice came through the phone speakers.

"I got something juicier for you, Clara. It's an exclusive so you better be fully awake because I’m going to send you a video and some instructions on what exactly I want you to write. Trust me, this one is going to hit the headlines more than the one I gave you earlier about the harassment of the poor lady in the traffic jam,"