Chapter 32: A goddess
Alaia
My phone rang, and I searched the house for it, not remembering where I left it. The sound leads me to the foyer, and I hurry to grab it before missing the call. It was from a private
number, so I answered quickly.
“Good afternoon, Miss Russell. I’m calling from Minister Lander’s office. We need to confirm
your attendance at the dinner this Friday. The invitation was sent last week,” said the
minister’s assistant.
“Dinner, this Friday,” I repeated his words and walked to the study, where my mail was likely to
- be. I sifted through the papers until I found the card I assumed was the invitation from the
minister, of which I had no idea. “Yes, I received it,” I responded, trying not to show that I had
no clue about the invitation.
“Perfect. The minister is interested in getting to know the companies he partners with on a
more personal and familial level. Therefore, this invitation is not related to the project but
rather to get to know you personally. The minister is a firm believer in family values; hence, the
invitation is addressed to you and Mr. Cedric Van Holt, whom we understand is your fiancé.”
I briefly read the details, including the time, place, and dress code, and thought about how
Cedric planned to leave the day before this event. “We will be there. Thank you for the
invitation,” I said warmly.
The assistant gave me some final details and ended the call. I looked at the invitation for a
few seconds, guessing there would likely be people I didn’t want to see there, given the family
theme. Then, I left the study to find my fiancé.
“Ali, Noah won’t let me watch the recording of my class,” said Aidan, and I saw my son by his
side, staring at the screen, his little head blocking the images.
“Honey, I’ve told you to watch your classes in the study and in the mornings when they are
with me or in classes with Loli,” I said, walking towards my son.
“I know, but I don’t like being alone in the study.” He shrugged.
I shook my head and picked up my son. “Come on, little curious one,” I said, tickling him, and
he let out a small laugh that brought me to life.
“Bye, bye,” he said to his uncle, waving his little hand. Aidan waved back and returned his
attention to the screen.
1/5
+3 Point:
Chapter 32: A goddess
I headed to the patio where I saw Cedric earlier. He arrived a few minutes before I received the call from the minister’s office. I found him with his phone pressed to his ear, pacing back and forth.
I waited for him to finish the call while feeling the afternoon breeze and thinking about everything that happened to Nick. I knew I was walking a very fine line; this trip had brought unexpected events and encounters as if fate insisted on putting him in front of me, not just
- me.
I looked at my son, who rested his head on my shoulder while caressing my face. I kissed his
brown hair.
“Princess,” Cedric walked quickly towards us, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“How are you?” I asked as he kissed my forehead and stroked Noah’s hair.
“Good. I visited some friends and an important client of the company,” he mentioned as we entered the house. “Is everything okay?” he asked, looking intently at me.
“Yes,” I responded, not very convincing.
“I know that ‘yes‘ means ‘no‘,” he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Nick knows about the kids,” I explained as we entered the living room and sat on one of the
couches.
Noah climbed off my lap and walked towards some educational books on a side table.
“How could he know?” Cedric asked, puzzled.
“I don’t know. He came to the office today to confront me. He said I left with you two years ago and that my children are yours. He only knows they exist but hasn’t seen them.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Cedric shook his head in disbelief.
“No.” I exhaled.
“What an i***t,” he said incredulously.
“I’ll make him believe they’re yours, for now. I know I’m treading on thin ice, but…” I took his hand.
“I’ll be whatever you need me to be. It would be an honor.” My fiancé smiled and kissed my
hand.
“Since you’re so willing,” I mentioned, remembering the minister’s invitation, “this Friday, there’s a dinner with Minister Lander, and your name is on the invitation,” I told him, and he nodded quickly.
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Chapter 32: A goddess
“I’ll just change the date of my flight. I was planning to stay a few more days anyway. I can review the equipment tests from here during these days.”
I was about to thank him when his phone announced a new call. He looked at the phone and stood up, apologizing before taking the call and heading back to the patio for privacy. I then
picked up my little one to go find my favorite designer; I needed a new dress for this dinner.
“Hello!” I said, opening the door to my cousin’s room.
“Lo,” my son imitated me, and I smiled.
“We speak Spanish,” Ash said from the space that she had set up as her studio.
“You’re so delicate. I think it’s affecting you that you’re not getting any maintenance,” I said,
entering and looking for my little girl, who had escaped with her aunt an hour ago.
“Mommy!” my daughter emerged from a pile of fabrics, and Noah started laughing.
“My god, my angel, you’re going to give Mommy a heart attack,” I said, getting down to her
level and kissing her hair. Noah asked to be put down, and I complied.
“What brings you to my quarters? And I won’t confirm or deny anything about maintenance,”
she said, spinning around in her high chair, “and let’s not talk about that, because someone
here closed the entertainment center years ago,” she looked at me, narrowing her eyes.
“I don’t know why you have a fiancé,” she waves an olive–green fabric in the air.
“We’re giving it time,” I responded, “I need a dress. I will have dinner with the minister this
Friday.”
I explained the details to her.
“It’s in two days! There won’t be time for an exclusive design. We’ll have to check your closet.
Will your ex be there?” She turned quickly.
“Most likely,” I approached a designed mannequin with a beautiful skirt on it.
“My dear… you needed to look drop–dead gorgeous that night,” she said, leading me to my closet with my children following at our heels.
Nick
“Nick.” Barbara’s heels clicked on the floor, and I felt her approaching the door. As soon as I
entered the house, I undone the knot of my tie and handed my things to Marshall.
“Darling, aren’t you going to greet your wife?” She approached and kissed my cheek.
+9 Point
3/5
+8 Points
Chapter 32: A goddess
“Aren’t you supposed to be having dinner with one of your friends?” I said, checking the time. on my watch.
“Yes, but no.” She adjusted her hair. “I need to find a dress for dinner this Friday,” she said, walking beside me, and I didn’t pay much attention to her words.
“Dinner, ladies,” she ordered the women who work in our house.
I washed my hands before heading to the table.
“As I was saying, dear, this invitation arrived.” She placed it next to my plate. I read the
contents and saw that it was addressed to both of us.
“It would be ideal to dine with the minister and his wife. Imagine the headlines the next day:
the Garnetts and the Landers at an intimate dinner. I’ve surrounded myself with actors and
people from our circle, but the minister and his wife are something else,” she said excitedly.
I threw the card back on the table.
“And don’t even think about saying you won’t go or that I won’t go. This time, I’ve been invited,
and I confirmed our attendance today.” She looked at me seriously. I was in no mood for these
kinds of gatherings, although I knew I must go. I couldn’t snob the minister; he represents the
government, and they are an important client for the company.
Barbara continued talking about the dress she’d wear and countless other things. I don’t care
whether she goes or not this time.
*****
I adjusted the black tie to my suit. Tonight, we have dinner with the minister. I checked my appearance to see if it was impeccable and left my room. As I descended the stairs, I heard
Barbara’s heels clicking on the shiny marble behind me.
She reached me, wearing a red dress with a fur coat of some animal, I suppose.
The driver opened the door for both of us, and I waited for her to get in. On the way, Barbara
looked at herself in the mirror a thousand times.
I just stared out the window while the image of Alaia with Cedric and the babies was haunting
- me.
Once we got to the restaurant, we got out of the car, and Barbara took my arm, making me
turn to look at her.
“We need to seem like a happy couple, darling.” She smiled, and I scoffed silently.
“This way,” the hostess guided us to a private table at the back of the restaurant.
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Chapter 32: A goddess
“Nick,” said the minister as soon as he saw me. He stood up.
“Minister,” I said, shaking the hand he offered me.
“Just Bill, this meeting is unofficial,” he said warmly, and I nodded.
“My wife, Hillary,” he introduced me to a blonde woman with a kind smile.
“A pleasure,” I greeted her politely.
“And she must be your wife,” the minister mentioned, looking in Barbara’s direction.
“She is,” I said, omitting that I had forgotten she was even there.
“Barbara Garnett,” she introduced herself, and they both returned her greeting.
“Please, take a seat.” A waiter arranged the chair for Barbara.
We talked a bit about trivial things.
“What are we waiting for to start?” Barbara said after several minutes.
“We’re still waiting for some of our guests,” Bill said, checking his watch before turning towards the entrance, “oh, there they are,” his eyes were on the hallway. We walked down to get here, and we all looked in that direction, where I could see Alaia walking. She looked like a damn goddess.
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