CHAPTER 23

NICOLE’S POV

“Everything smells incredible, mom.” I smiled at my mother as I pulled the chair out to sit just like the others. Everyone was seated down including Alexander.

At first when we had moved in their home, they didn’t want to have dinner with us but now they did. So far as my mom put the food on the table, the mood was light and I was actually enjoying myself, but still I had my mind far away. I was thinking about the way everything changed. From Herrera my ex boyfriend to the contract marriage. It was still unbelievable to me.

Everyone knew what had gone on with Herrera, and me being attacked, and I was thankful no one brought it up whenever we had dinner.

Together.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Mum bearded, setting a few other platters of food on the table. My mouth was water it all looked so incredible. She had practically made us an Italian feast, complete with seafood linguine and all the marinara and garlic bread you could dream of.

“It really does, Lorraine .” Jason smiled at his lady, my mum, settling into the seat on the other side of me, and then nudgied me with his elbow.

“Let me hope, she taught you everything because next time I want you to cook better than her?”, He murmured. I turned to him with a fake smile on my face. I wasn’t interested in to his conversation but I had nothing to do.

“I don’t doubt it.” My mum grinned ear to ear, finally taking her seat next to her man. “I did teach her everything she knows. In the kitchen department and I believe she can do it better than me”,

I smiled at my mum’s words while taking a sip of my wine. “You did. I’ll never forget all the hours we spent in the kitchen, especially the day you tried to teach me how to make the homemade pasta. We were both completely covered in flour and exhausted by the end of it.”

“But you figured it out!” She smiled sweetly at me.

“I figured out it was way more work than I ever wanted to go through.” I teased, realizing I hadn’t even attempted it since that afternoon. Maybe I’d have to try again one day soon, since I was revisiting my roots and all.

“Huh! Nicole I saw you with Alexander at St. Regis , What were you guys doing there?” Blair out of the blue intervened in the conversation, a slight smirk on his face as he poked the bear. Blair was the only one who knew that Alexander and I were married by contract and he was definitely egging him on. Alexander shot him a harsh glare.

“Just wanted to try it out.” I shrugged my shoulders. “We used to watch the firework show at the park all the time when we were younger and Alexander took me up there to see it finally. It was really sweet.”

“How adorable.”, My mum rolled her eyes, smirking. “I’d love to meet the sweet side of Alexander you speak of, Nicole. Normally, all we get is the uptight, brooding side.”, My mum added.

“Uhmmm , I doubt if it was the reason.” Blair pushed on the subject.

I ingored his words, then went on with eating my food.

The food tasted as amazing as it smelled, but my stomach was in knots at the idea of having to tell everyone we were married, and also having to talk to my mum.

“What exactly happened at St Regis, Alexander?”, Jason brought up the same topic with his eyes on Alexander. He was fully interested in knowing the truth.

When Alexander cleared his throat in response, every muscle in my body immediately tightened. It was finally the time.

“Nicole and I actually have some news.” He started, glancing towards me. “We got married yesterday.” Well, he certainly didn’t beat around the bush about it. I pressed my lips into a firm line, ready for the tornado that was about to be unleashed.

My mom’s eyes i’mmediately widened in a mix of shock and horror and she dropped her fork, sending it clamouring against her plate. “You what?”

“Well, congratulations!” Blair hugged me tightly. “I can’t say I’m surprised, good for you guys!

I honestly didn’t know what was really wrong with him but he had a smile on his face as he watched everything unfold.

“Are you out of your mind?” Jason stared straight at Alexander, completely unreadable.

“What do you mean you got married?” My mom asked with all her attention on me.

“You all know Nicole’s issues with Herrera. So well, we went to the court house and signed a marriage license. This way neither one of us will have to testify against each other in court if it comes to that. It’s called spousal immunity.” Alexander explained.

My mum immediately let out a sharp laugh. “Spousal immunity?.”

“Yeah, it’s so husbands and wives don’t have to incriminate...” I started to explain.

“I know what it means.” She hissed, glaring between me and Alexander. “Alexander can your father and I see you in the kitchen, please?” She stood up without another word and Alexander and Jason both followed reluctantly.

When the door shut behind them, I was left with Blair. I didn’t know what to really say to him.

“I have simplified everything”, He smiled and I shook my head in disbelief.

I stood up quickly, throwing my napkin onto the table. “I think I need some air.” I spoke and walked towards the swimming pool. At some point that son of a bitch was right.

I stayed outside for a pretty good time until I heard footsteps behind me.

“It’s fine Nicole, after listening to Alexander’s point of view, we have no problem with it”, It was my mother’s voice. “Yes, I had no choice in this”, I turned to her and she gave me a hug.

“Thanks mum”, I whispered.