The Billionaire's Secret Lover novel Chapter 33

"We are here" Austin deep voice call out to me as I turn to look at him then around my surrounding. I still can't believe that Lilian talked me into coming, left to me alone I wouldn't be here right now. I don't feel like partying anyway.

I walk out of the car and stood beside Austin on the red carpet linking my hand on his arm. Today is the launching party of the Hotel Italia. Yes, the same hotel Michael and I first met ten years ago.

"Are you sure, you really want to do this" Austin said to me, his voice laced with concern? I look up at him and offer him a small smile as I nodded. I feel so guilty for using him right now but I will do anything for me not to be with Michael right now.

"Okay, let's do this" Austin said smiling as we walk into the hotel. I was thankful that there was no one to announce our names just to check our invitation and this was no masquerade ball, just a regular dinner night party but even at that there were still classic cars scattered around the premises.

Immediately, we enter the lobby, I was confronted with the memory of my night with Michael I gulp nervously as I tighten my grip on Austin's arms.

"Are you sure you are okay?" He said still looking at me as his eyes scan the lobby like he was searching for someone. People going to the party, lazy around in the lobby conversing.

"I'm alright" I reply smiling as he walks me into the elevator that will take us to the hall where the party is held. I look around the hotel surprise that a lot has changed, the receptionist has been replaced and the lighting has been upgraded to a chandelier. I smile sadly to myself, I never knew Michael was the owner of this hotel then, it's no wonder we didn't check-in.

We both step out of the elevator to behold all beauties in the world, different ladies were dressed in tight-fitting dress clinging to the arms of their husbands or dates.

Some couples were older than the women, I couldn't care less as we both walk past them into the hall, the sound music greeted me immediately we walk in.

I search around looking for Lilian and Danny but my eyes found Michael, he looks handsome in a white linen suit and blue tie. Deborah was with him holding his hands. Her stomach was starting to show, she was dressed in a white flowing short gown which provided some sort of space for her stomach hiding it perfectly.

My eyes slowly made their way to Michael's face as I drank in the sight of him before I'm caught "I missed you" I whisper as I watch him hungrily.

As if on cue, his eyes found me, his mouth open slightly as he sucks in a breath, his eyes scan my body from my head to my toes as he smiles appreciatively at my outfit which was a long white strapless gown with a nude stiletto heel.

The butterflies in my stomach dances in excitement as I look into his eyes, drowning in their depths, my chest tightens as my eyes darken with desire.

"Danny and Lilian are over there" Austin's voice pulls me out of my trance as I break eye contact with Michael and turn to look at where Austin was pointed to.

Immediately, I  saw Lilian and Danny, I walk over to meet them while Austin excused himself to go to who knows where. I couldn't care less, I'm so happy right now that I've found Lilian and Danny.

Lilian looks at me and gasps when she saw me walking to meet her. I guess she never believed that I will be here, even though she spent a whole day trying to convince me to.

"I'm so glad that you are here, Nina," She said hugging me as soon as I reach them.

"I'm so glad too. How was your trip?” I said hugging her back as I turn to smile at Danny who also greeted me with a hug.

"It was okay though stressful with your niece who was disturbing me in the plane" Lilian smile at me as she lovingly rubs her belly with her hand. I smile back at her as I sat down beside her.

"Nephew. How many times do I have to tell you that it's a boy in there" Danny said as he gazes at Lilian who stuck out her tongue at him playfully. I smile at their antics.

"Whatever, either way, I'm still their godmother," I said excitedly, I couldn't wait to hold little Lilian or Danny with my hands.

They both smile as we all turn to listen to what the emcee was saying. I look at around searching for Austin but he was not yet back from where he went, my eyes automatically went to Michael he was talking lowly on the phone to someone while Deborah was surprisingly not by his side. I break my gaze from him just as he was about to look up at me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, join me as we invite the man of the hour, CEO of Thompson's Empire for a speech" We all claps as Michael quickly hang up and stood up to go the stage.

"Oh my God! He's so cute!!" Some ladies scream at my back as I rolled my eyes at them.

"Cute? No, he's so fucking hot" Another one counter back. I was tempted to shout at them but I hold my breath.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for honoring my invitation to grace our relaunching of hotel Italia" Michael said as he scans the room before his eyes finally rest on mine. Hotel Italia holds a very special place in my heart and I'm very excited to know that it has been renovated to the latest standard"

Everyone claps as he held my eyes “It holds a special place in my heart too" I whisper to myself

"Before we continue, may we rise and toast for successful refurnishing of hotel Italia” We all stood up and raise our glasses as we all murmur"hotel Italia".

Danny, Lilian, and I click our glasses together as we murmur "cheers" before we all drank and sat down.

"Thank you," Michael said getting off the stage just as the manager of the hotel took over again. Deborah was back again by his side smiling up at Michael as he introduced her to everyone he came across on his way to us.