Chapter 13 SHE'S THE ONE
She's the one
"I still don't get you, Dash. Why do you always have something to say whenever I ask you about this? you are always promising me things each time, but you haven't fulfilled them!" She accused me. "Them? What promises did I make that I didn't fulfil?" I frowned, wondering what she was talking about. I couldn't recall ever making promises to her without fulfilling them. I always did. "You promised to marry me, Dash. You gave me your words five years ago, but haven't fulfilled any!"
"That's -"
"Is it because of that bitch??? Are you still thinking about her even after she left with another man??? Is that why we haven't tied the knot? Do you think she would return after all these years?" "Nova has nothing to do with this." I rubbed my left cheek. "There are things we need to consider. You know I'm still married to her by law. Unless we divorce, my family wouldn't see you as the main wife. You will always be a mistress to them." I tried to make her understand that I was only doing this for her. I knew what I promised her, and was willing to fulfil them if she gave me some time. "I don't bloody care, Dash. I just want to be with you," she argued. "Why would you care about what others think?"
"Because I respect you." I got up from the couch and enveloped her in a hug. "I admire you so much that I'm willing to do everything to fulfil my vows. I just need to find Nova. After that, every other thing will fall into place." I placed a kiss on the top of her hair.
She peered up at me with misty eyes, telling me things she couldn't say with her lips. I knew how much she had sacrificed for me, and how willing she was to be with me, but I felt something was missing.
I believe it has to do with Nova. Meeting her would bring closure to everything. Then, I can finally be with Lils, and fulfill everything I promised her.
It took a lot of convincing for Lilith to leave that day. She wanted to stay with me, but I knew I had to let her go if I wanted to do anything. She was a distraction I didn't need, and at the moment, all I could think about was meeting the designer, to be certain she wasn't Nova.
Sighing, I relaxed on the chair, not bothering to exchange pleasantries with those sitting on both sides.
Tonight was the exhibition. I never planned on attending but had to do with the thoughts of the jeweller being my long-lost wife. I had to show up, for my mind to be at peace.
I got restless throughout the introductions. I even had my director say my speech because I was feeling nervous. I wanted to know if the woman was Nova. Could she be the same as the Snow White Lilith mentioned???
An hour later, I held my breath when I heard them call the jeweller to the stage. My palms were sweaty, and I could barely hold my emotions at the thought of what I might discover tonight.
Boos and screams came from the audience as she climbed onto the podium, radiating beauty and elegance. I watched each step she took, my eyes trailing her movements. Fuck! That was Nova???? I sat up on my chair, my gaze locked on the familiar face of the woman who left me five years ago.
Nova looked like an angel that descended from heaven. Her smiles were enthralling, and her eyes seemed to sparkle more than the chandelier on the stage.
My breath hitched in my throat as my eyes took her in. For the first time in five years, my heart stirred. Frowning, I placed my palm over my heart, wondering what was going on with it. Was I sick? I bet that was the reason my heart seemed like it was about to leap out of my chest.
Could it be because of how elegant she looked? The Nova standing on the stage wasn't the same as the woman I wedded years ago. She looked more mature. There was a hardness in her gaze that wasn't there when I got married to her. She was like a different person compared to the timid Nova who always did what I wanted.
As I watched her, her eyes landed on me. It was as if she could feel my stare on her. The moment she saw me, I smiled, hoping to see any recognition in her gaze, but nothing. She still kept the same smile as she looked around, acting like she didn't notice me. But I could swear she did. There was no way she didn't see me. Not only was I sitting in the front seat, but her eyes lingered for a few seconds.
Frowning as different thoughts went through my mind, I watched her as she gave her speech. Her soothing voice reminded me of those nights ago, her whimpers each time we got intimate, and the way she always whispered words she didn't know I could hear.
I was restless throughout her address, eager to climb the stage and demand she tell me what she had been up to these past few years. How did she get to where she is now? What of our babies? Why did she leave those years ago? What about the man she left with? Was he the one that caused this tremendous change in her???
Different thoughts went through my mind as I watched her, and I couldn't be more happy when I saw her stepping down. The moment she went backstage, I got up from my seat and hurried after her. I needed answers to my inner questions, and fast.