143

143
Chapter 143
The Banquet; Meet My Wife

2 YEARS LATER….

“Where’s my Andrea?!” Nikolas asked as I walked up to him in the sitting room.

“You mean ours?!” I said with a smile as I leaned down to kiss him. “Katy is bringing him. He messed up his dress again,” I added, shaking my head slightly.

Nikolas chuckled softly and leaned back on the sofa, watching me in that quiet, admiring way he always did. 

His sleeves were rolled up, his tie loose, and that look in his eyes said he wasn’t thinking about work anymore.

“What?!” I asked, pretending not to notice his stare.

He smiled faintly. “Thank you for the precious gift…” he said slowly.

My heart softened immediately. I smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek. “You mean Andrea?”

He nodded. “And you too…”

I laughed, brushing my hand over his chest. “You’re becoming too soft these days,” I teased.

“Only with you,” he said, pulling me close enough that our noses almost touched.

Before I could say anything, Katy’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Excuse me! Someone’s very impatient to see his daddy!”

We both turned as Katy walked in, holding Andrea by the hand. His little white shirt had a chocolate stain on it, and he had that mischievous grin that always melted my heart.

“Come, my boy!” Nikolas said as he stretched out his arms.

Andrea squealed and ran straight into his father’s embrace. Nikolas lifted him effortlessly and placed him on his lap.

“Daddy… Aunt Katy said you’ll get my ice cream!” Andrea said in his tiny, serious voice.

We both laughed.

“Yes, my boy, I will,” Nikolas said, tickling him a little.

Andrea giggled loudly, wiggling in his father’s arms. “Now?” he asked.

Nikolas shook his head. “After dinner. We have to get ready for the banquet first.”

Andrea pouted. “But Daddy…”

“No buts,” I said, smiling as I brushed Andrea’s hair back. “You’ll have more ice cream than you can finish when we get back.”

“Promise?” he asked with wide eyes.

“Promise,” I said, raising my hand.

He grinned and leaned against Nikolas.

“Babe, tonight is the DeSantos banquet… are you ready?” Nikolas asked, still bouncing Andrea on his knee.

I rolled my eyes playfully. “You’ve asked me that three times already. Yes, I’m ready. I even picked out your tie.”

Nikolas smirked. “I knew I should’ve hidden my wardrobe from you.”

“Oh please,” I said, nudging him lightly. “Without me, you’d still be wearing black every day like you’re going to a funeral.”

Katy burst into laughter at that, quickly covering her mouth. 

Nikolas shook his head. “You’re getting too comfortable, Katy.”

She smiled shyly. “You made it easy, sir.”

Just then, the sound of heels clicking echoed through the hallway. Mar’s voice filled the air, strong and cheerful as always.

“Where’s my great grandson!!” she said, laughing heartily as she entered.

Andrea immediately jumped off Nikolas’s lap. “Great Grandmama!!” he shouted, running toward her.

Mar knelt down slightly to scoop him into her arms. “Oh, my little sunshine! Come here! I have lots of gifts for you!”

Andrea’s eyes widened. “Really?!”

“Of course,” Mar said proudly. “Toys, books, candies, everything a little gentleman needs.”

“Yay!!” Andrea said, hugging her tight.

“Let’s go see them right now,” Mar said, taking his tiny hand.

As they left, I turned to Nikolas, smiling. “She spoils him too much.”

“She spoils everyone too much,” Nikolas replied with a grin.

We both laughed softly as the sound of Andrea’s laughter faded down the hallway.

“I love moments like this,” I said quietly.

Nikolas nodded. “Me too. Sometimes I forget everything else when I see you and him together.”

I leaned closer to him. “And that’s how it should be.”

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re right.”

Then he leaned in and kissed me.

“Let's get ready…” he said standing on his feet.

“Sure. Katy…” I called as I walked towards the room.

___

THAT NIGHT- THE BANQUET HALL

The hall was alive with lights and music. 

The guests were already gathering, clinking glasses, exchanging smiles, and admiring one another’s outfits.

Mar had gone ahead with Andrea to keep him company in a separate lounge while Nikolas and I got ready.

When I finally stepped out of our room, Nikolas froze.

“Wow…” he whispered. “You’re breathtaking.”

I smiled, blushing. “You think so?”

“Think so?” He walked toward me, adjusting his cufflinks as his eyes traveled from my golden dress down to my heels. “Cassy, you look like a dream. I might just cancel the banquet and keep you all to myself.”

I laughed, touching his cheek. “Too late, husband. You already promised Mar we’d show up.”

He sighed dramatically. “I see…”

As we entered the ballroom, heads began to turn. 

The gold dress shimmered under the light, hugging me perfectly, and I could feel the eyes of the guests following as we walked hand in hand.

“You’re stealing the spotlight,” Nikolas whispered teasingly.

“Not my fault,” I said, glancing up at him. “You married trouble.”

He smirked. “And I’d do it again.”

Mar waved from across the room, looking proud as ever. “You look stunning, Cassy,” she said when we reached her.

“Thank you, Grandma,” I said warmly, hugging her gently.

The waiters passed by with glasses of champagne.

After a few moments, Nikolas excused himself and went toward the small podium that had been set for the speeches. 

He tapped the microphone lightly, and the room grew quiet almost instantly.

“Good evening, everyone,” he began, his voice deep and confident. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It’s an honor to have you here. Y'all have been a part of our lives and our business for a long time, and tonight, we celebrate not just partnership, but family.”

The guests clapped politely.

Nikolas continued, “But before we proceed with the rest of the night, I have someone special I’d like to introduce.”

He looked straight at me, and for a moment, my heart stopped. 

His gaze was soft.

“I have someone who has changed my life completely,” he said. “Someone who’s brought light where there was once only darkness. Someone who reminds me every day of what it means to love and to live fully. Ladies and gentlemen…” he paused, smiling at me, “please meet my lovely wife, Cassandra.”

The room erupted into applause. 

People turned toward me, smiling and clapping, and for a moment, I felt my cheeks heat up.

Mar winked proudly at me from her seat.

I took a slow breath and walked toward the podium, the hem of my gold dress gliding gracefully along the floor. 

As I reached him, Nikolas extended his hand toward me, and I took it.

When I got close enough, he whispered, “You’re the most beautiful woman in this room.”

I laughed softly under my breath. “You shouldn’t say that in front of them.”

“Let them hear,” he said with a grin, wrapping his arm around my waist.

The crowd continued clapping, some even cheering.

Then, without warning, Nikolas leaned in and kissed me right there on the podium. 

It wasn’t rushed or staged, it was slow, real, and filled with everything words couldn’t express.

The guests clapped louder, and someone shouted, “To Mr. and Mrs. DeSantos!”

I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as he pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against mine.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” I said, smiling.

Mar had tears in her eyes when we looked her way. 

She raised her glass toward us, and everyone followed her lead.

“To Nikolas and Cassandra!” she said proudly.

“To love and happiness!” the crowd echoed.

Nikolas held my hand tighter as we stepped down from the podium. 

The night carried on beautifully, the laughter, the toasts, the music. 

But all I could feel was his hand in mine, and his quiet glances that said everything he didn’t say out loud.

Later, as the party thinned and the music softened, we stood by the balcony overlooking the city lights.

Nikolas wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned close. “You handled the spotlight better than I expected.”

I smiled, resting my head on his shoulder. “I learned from the best.”

He chuckled quietly. “You were nervous, weren’t you?”

“Maybe a little,” I admitted. “But seeing you up there made everything else fade away.”

He turned to face me fully, brushing his thumb across my jaw. “You know, I meant what I said. You’re my light, Cassy.”

I looked at him, my eyes soft. “And you’re my everything, Nikolas.”

He smiled gently, leaning down to kiss me again.

For the first time that night, I realized something, it wasn’t just about the banquet.

It was about us. 

The man who once struggled to open his heart now held it in the open, for me, for our son, for the life we were building together.

And as we stood there, lost in each other, the world below sparkled like a sea of stars.

He whispered, “Let’s go home soon. Andrea’s waiting.”

I smiled softly, nodding. “Home sounds perfect.”