As someone with a phobia of commitment, I didn't think that Nico would be that excited over our upcoming nuptials.
But he is, he's so eager that he's hired a wedding planner and went ahead to put this huge diamond ring on my finger. It's so big that I think that perseverance rover would have spotted it from mars. And now, from the loud moaning and vigorous banging of the headboard against his bedroom wall, I'd say he's very enthusiastic indeed.
I'm sitting in his living room in front of his grand piano but my eyes are staring out the window. Not much can be seen from where I'm sitting but the skyline and the clear summer. My fingers deftly stroke the keys of the piano without much thought buh somehow familiar melody breaks free..sad and lonely. My muscle memory.
I stop playing when I realize that the moaning have seized. Then I look at the time on my phone and impatiently tap my four inches high heel on the floor. It's almost nine in the morning.
A few minutes later, Nico emerges from the bedroom with a woman and a man trailing behind him.
A smug-looking smile is growing on Nico's lips when he sees me. Well, at least this time his important bits are covered. He has black silk pajama pants on. The woman is wearing a sheer black lingerie while the man is wearing a blue washed jeans.. no shirt, no shoes.
"Good morning darling," he drawls, leaning in to give me a kiss. Ewww.. I don't know where those lips have been, I slide out of the piano bench, out of reach and stand up. Nico chuckles when he reads my expression.
He's been doing that a lot since we've become "engaged"- kissing me and wrapping his arms around me. But I always elude them when I see them coming.
Nico braces his hand on the piano watching me with an amused smile on his face. "You look beautiful this morning.. as always"
"Thank you" I tel him.
I'm going to Alexander Gunther's office this morning to drop off the jewelry, then I'm meeting Ariella and Nico's mom for a bridal dress appointment and lunch.
I don't plan on staying long at the Gunther office building. The last time I was there, they treated me like trash that needed to me taken out. Today, I took an extra effort to look good even though I know that I won't be seeing him in person. It's like wearing armor when facing an enemy.
I'm wearing a white chiffon top with a ruched bodice, it has a wide sweetheart neck and three- quarter flounced sleeves with smoked cuffs. I pair it with a white mini skirt, a bright red velvet belt and a pair of sexy red high heels. My makeup is understated but my lipstick is bright red. I let my whitish blonde hair down in soft waves.
The woman smiles, and wraps her arms around Nico from behind but she and the other man are eyeing me as though I was a prime cut steak or a delectable dessert they can't wait to sink their teeth in. "She's gorgeous," she mutters to Nico licking her lips, "will she be joining us?"
"I'm afraid not, my fiancé thinks she's too good for something like this." Nico says.
"Fiancé?" The other guy raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"What? She doesn't like to have fun?" Says the woman… "what a pity."
I ignored them… "you promised me a ride to the city." I hate driving in the city. Asking Astaroth's driver to drive me isn't a good idea, and I don't want to take the bus or the subway in my four- inches high heel.
"Relax, you're early. You said by nine., my driver would be here on time." He says. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
Nico knows where I'm going and what I'm going to do today, but I'd much rather go by myself. Having two descendants of demons swarming a Nephilim's territory isn't a good idea. Besides, I don't want to take him shopping for a wedding dress.
Nico's driver drop me off right in front of the building. The place still looks the same as I remember it, everything is sterile, shiny and intimidating.
Sitting at the receptionist counter is the woman who called the security on me the last time I was here over a year and a half ago. When I step up to the counter, she looks up and her face hardens.
Though I've grown a bit more, I'm sure that she still remembers me. A face like mine isn't easy to forget.
I have to admit that the past year or so has been more than kind to me. My high cheekbones are more pronounced, and my features are more defined. I've grown taller and have more curves now even though I'm still slender. I know the fact that I've grown even better looking doesn't endear me to her.
"Good morning," she says, even though her snarky tone suggests otherwise. "How may I help you?" Her pleasant smile is as fake as her eyelashes. "I might have to remind you that Mr Alexander is too busy too entertain uninvited visitors," She adds before I could say anything. Yes, she clearly remembers me.
I return her sugary sweet smile with one of my own. "I don't need to see him, I just want to drop things off for him." I tell the woman, pushing a sizable envelope across the counter to her.
"What is this?" She suspiciously asks.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She sounds so wary as though I was dropping off a bomb or body parts or something sinister.
"Stuff" I reply, cocking my hip against the counter, looking at my nails.
"Mr Gunther doesn't accept packages dropped off by Tom, Dick and Harry off the street," she says haughtily, pushing it back to me. "It has to go through security."
"Then put it through security or whatever," I tell her, turning on my heels to leave. I won't let myself end up being escorted out by the security again this time. I won't.
"It could end up in the trash," she warns me.
I take a deep calming breath before I whirl around to look at her, "There a quarter-million-dollar worth of jewelry in there, I'm sure Mr. Gunther wouldn't be too pleased if it ended up in the trash." I have no clue how much the jewelry's actually worth, but a quarter-million sounds like a good number to me.
Her smirk wobbles and her eyebrows furrowed with uncertainty before her expression changes into a look of mistrust again.
"Like I said, whatever." I shrug my shoulders and lift my chin up.
"We need security to clear the package, don't go anywhere," says the woman before she lifts the phone up. I guess as a Nephilim organization with lots of enemies, they need to be careful. Two men in black suit arrive at the desk in an instant as though they've been watching the whole time.
But as I said before, I'm so done. I have no intention to stay and be humiliated again, so I turn to walk away.
In that envelop I put the jewelry set along with the wedding invitation even though I'm positive Alexander Gunther won't be showing up. I also included a note telling him that I'm making arrangements to return his money, and that I want the tracker bracelet off. I don't care how or where but I want it off before my wedding. Then I told him to stuff the jewelry where the sun don't shine. I told him to have a nice life…NOT. And that I'm mighty glad that I don't have to see his ugly mug ever again. Petty and childish? Certainly. But I'm still a little salty. I guess his security guys would be the ones reading that note now.
"Miss, we need you to stay," I hear a man's voice calling but I pretend not to hear him.
My heels make sharp clicking sounds on the shiny stone tiles. The gleaming stainless steel doors are within a few feet away and I hasten my strides.
A few steps before I reach the door, a big figure in black steps right in front of me. "This way Ms. John," he says politely maneuvering me back inside. I shoot him a scowl and refuse to budge, but he just places his hands on my elbows from behind and cleverly walk-carry me back inside. Seriously? Is this really happening right now?
Another man in black, a clone of him is waiting for me at the reception. They make me stand between them while one of them talks on the phone. I tap my foot on the floor after a few minutes., Tap, tap, tap, it sounds irritating and that's exactly why I'm doing it.
"Mr. Gunther would like to see you now," the man informs me after a while.
"Well that's too bad, tell him I don't want to see him! Now let go of my arms!." I give them both a haughty glare and try to tug both my arms free. But they seem immune to glares and their hold on my arms even though it doesn't hurt, is very firm and unbreakable.
The receptionist's eyes are bulging as she stares at me being escorted into a private elevator that only goes to leave 51 and 52.
Unbelievable! Why is it that when I wanted to see him, I was thrown out like garbage but when I want nothing to do with him, he insists on seeing me? No, he's forcing me to see him. What an ass.
I try to break free, but they're very strong. When the doors to the elevator slide close, I become desperate enough that I bat my eyelashes at them… "Do we really have to do this?" I ask one of the men. I slide up to him, walk my fingers across his chest, straighten his tie.. "we could step out and have lunch together… or something" I flash him a naughty smile before I suggestively sink my pearly white teeth into my lower lip.
The man's lip quirk up, just a tiny bit. Though I can feel his admiring gaze linger on my face, I sense that he won't disobey his boss. "I'm sorry miss, we have our orders."
I huff and push myself off him before my arms across my chest crossly.
I've learned to use my beauty to my advantage- seducing men and sometimes women to get what I wanted and I rarely failed. I wield my sexuality like a weapon., failing now puts me in an even worse mood.
We reach the top floors and the doors open to a thickly carpeted floor. Of the lobby downstairs is cold and sterile, this level is warm and luxurious. The walls are covered in warm colors, there are stylish but comfortable looking furnitures, potted plants and big floor to ceiling glass windows.
When they open the door to a room at the end of the hallway, my eyes meet a pair of brilliant hazel eyes that I thought I'd never see again. My heart skips then races, my breathe hitches and my legs almost gave out on me.
"Hello Danica John," he says. His deep velvety voice is like an electric caress down my spine. He's even more good looking and intimidating than I remember him to be.
Clutched tightly in his hands, like he'd like to tear it to pieces and crumble it to dust is my wedding invitation.