Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 32

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.