13. Pregnant
1448 Words
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
NICOLE’S POV
This was crazy. All of this was just f*****g crazy. I’m not married, I can't be married. I fiddled with my wedding ring, its bright sparkle hitting my face. f**k! I had woken up this morning thinking that this entire ordeal had been just a bad dream my over imaginative mind had concocted in my sleep but just to my utter horror, the reality had slapped me rather harshly. Tears bridled at the slit ends of my eyes, a few drops rolling down my cheeks. This wasn't happening to me.
"...Blue," I caught the last words of the lady standing before me. How many minutes has she been standing there? Ten? Fifteen maybe?
"I’m sorry what?" I blinked several times sniffing aloud.
"Mr. Valiente said I should help you choose a dress from this collection but it has to be blue because that is the theme color of the ball," She repeated without making any effort to hide her impatience as she pointed at the fashion display before me.
"And who are you again?" I probed taking in the elegant white chiffon mid-thigh length dress that fell off her right shoulder perfectly. She would have made one hell of a model that is if she wasn't one already.
"Jade, the Valiente family stylist for special occasions. Your husband asked me to help you choose a gown for tonight's ball," She explained impatiently. What a prestigious family indeed! They even have their own stylist.
"So shall I begin or do you have any more tears to shed first?" Her rude remark caught me off guard. If she knew what the hell this family was putting me through, then she would know she had no right to speak to me like that.
"Oh, I’m sorry, are you going somewhere?" Sarcasm was one of my strong forte.
"I don't mean to be disrespectful but I have an actual job to get to," rolled the snarky reply out of her light pink lipstick coated lips.
"Fine. You can go for all I care. I don’t even remember needing you in the first place," I’m pretty certain my nostrils were flaring.
She had the ounce to flip her blonde hair on my face and stride out of the room. Barely a few seconds later Reed walked in, his face contorted in confusion. Even with that expression he still looked f*****g irresistible. I don't how it was possible for him to pull suck a sexy look with a pair of dark denims coupled with a pair of sneakers and a grey V-necked t-shirt. He was like those bad boy seniors in every college romance that all girls in the entire college that seemed to be head over heels in love with.
"Are you okay?" I readjusted my expression, forcing a smile.
"Of course I’m okay," His gaze had dropped on my legs.
I was still wearing Dominic's shirt from yesterday which meant a big proportion of my thighs were at his exposure. I cleared my throat as his flustered gaze shifted to my face.
"Do you want something to drink? Coffee, juice, water or anything else?" I offered in an effort to lift the awkward mood.
"No, I’m good. So why was Jade looking so upset when she left?" thankfully he diverted the conversation.
"She was being such an ass," I complained full well knowing I was much more of an ass than she had been.
"Really? That's so unlike of her," A light frown drew on his well sculptured forehead.
"Hmm," I grunted tagging back a strand of stray hair.
"Yeah. I mean Jade is one of the sweetest people I know. She wouldn't hurt a fly even if it killed her," An undeniable squeeze raced in my heart at the pride in Reed's voice as he described her.
I was definitely not jealousy
"Well, you never really know a person," I shrugged leaning back, the shirt riding up even higher unintentionally.
I was about to tag it down when I locked gazes with a lust stricken Reed. His eyes were trained on my exposed thighs. My breath hitched, heartbeat racing wildly with lips slightly parted. It was hard to explain the indispensable amount of excitement rushing through me.
"Well, hello," Dominic walked in, a frown enveloping his face at the sight of Reed, whose face was now slightly turned away from me.
"Hello to you too brother. I was just on my way out," Reed stood up, clearly his throat. His voice sounded a little bit hoarse.
"What did you forget this time?" Dominic asked, his deep voice drawn into a tight note of seriousness.
"Nothing. I just came by to talk to you actually," did he just contradict his earlier statement?
"Really? You knew I was in the office today. Why didn't you just come straight there or at least called me?" the note of disbelief in his tone was crystal clear. He was the only man I know who went to work on a Sunday, not that I minded.
"Actually I called him. I wanted to surprise you," I interjected as both men looked at me.
"And now you have spoilt it man," Reed asserted recovering immediately.
The dark look on Dominic's face dissipated in the thin air and in its place a deeply shocked expression. I don't know what had come over me but at that moment I knew I didn't want to see Reed bearing Dominic's wrath or whatever it was he seemed to have against his younger brother. I knew I had no right to interfere in what was wrong between them but I still did anyway. Dominic's gaze shifted downwards, a dark look hovering disapprovingly over my scant dressing. God! How could I have forgotten about that?
"It was nice seeing you too Reed. I'll meet you at the ball later," He spoke dismissively.
Reed nodded once smiling briefly before striding out of the house. Dominic then turned to me, walking over to where I was. A second passed by with his gaze boring right into mine before his right hand caressed the side of my chin. Shivers bubbled all over me, goose bumps enveloping my body.
"You have no idea of the kind of person my younger brother is and wearing something provocative like that, will just lead him on," he whispered. It felt nothing like a mere statement and as a matter of fact, I could have sworn that was a threat.
"Oh by the way I picked your dress for the ball. Jade seemed pretty pissed and if I were you I would make up with her as soon as possible," What was with the brothers and the sweet Jade?
***
It turns out Dominic's taste of clothes wasn't bad after all considering the amount of awes and congratulations I received since I stepped into the ballroom of the Valiente mansion. The corners of my mouth felt as if they would break if I smiled a little more. Taking advantage of Dominic's engagement in some hotel business conversation with his business friends, I strayed off towards the bar. Taking a glass of martini I drowned it closing my eyes briefly. My gaze surveyed the crowd of exquisitely dressed couples and without a doubt I was the odd one out. What did I expect anyway? That I would somehow fit in just right?
"Are you not fitting in?" I raised my eyes to meet Jade's emerald green ones looking back at me.
"Listen -" I began against my better judgment.
"Its okay. I hate these balls too anyway. They are just a waste of time and money. It’s like they are just meeting here to flaunt their newest collections and expensive watches," She shrugged.
A smiled captured my lips as we both surveyed the crowd. Maybe she was really sweet after all.
"I’m sorry about earlier today. We didn't really get off on a good start," I apologized.
"Don't be. I shouldn't have been snappy either. Its just that my boyfriend of two years broke up with me today morning...I’m sorry, I shouldn't bother you with my problems, “a few tears fell rolled down her cheeks.
"No its okay," I replied hastily feeling sorry for her.
"I guess I need to retouch my makeup," She sniffed, wearing a light smile.
"Just go ahead,"
"Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way," She stated walking away.
Wow! Dominic didn't lie to her too, now did he?
"You are pregnant? “I had not seen Reed approach until he spoke.
- Writer
