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I reached out, shaking her hand delicately. “Nice to meet you.”
She matched my expression. “Nice to meet you as well, Miss Ayala.”
“Lindsay made a statement about our incident at the restaurant.”
“Oh?” I arched a brow.
“It seems to have smoothed things out for us now.”
Lindsay slightly smiled as if she were trying to be modest, but I could tell she was hanging on to his every word. I had to admit, the thing Noah said was replaying inside my head over and over. At that moment, I decided not to let my nervousness show, as I was feeling nauseated. I grinned more warmly than usual. “Thank you so much.” I then pivoted to Valentino. “Would you please excuse me for a moment?”
“Uh, okay.” He cocked his head.
I hastily scurried through the crowd.
“Miss Ayala!”
I twirled around to see the waiter flagging me down. Beaming, I swooped my glass of water off the tray. I passed people as swiftly as possible who were trying to speak to me and wish me a happy birthday as I dashed outside. Traversing several paths, I headed to the place Valentino took my lace blindfold off and showed me the beautiful garden. Back then, it was just a strange estate. Now, this was my home.
Tarnished
The glow of the lights inside the house sparkled in the distance. The music and dull noise of the guests chatting and laughing made my heart smile. Though I was thankful for all Valentino had done for me, I just needed air and a moment to myself. Parties were fun but overwhelming at the same time. The small things Noah said to me ate at me. Though I was not insecure at all, and confident in Valentino’s love for me, it toyed with my head when Noah said he did not trust her. Then seeing the stunning woman placing her hands on my fiancé just aggravated me.
I took several deep breaths and a few sips of water before I turned away from the house. Suddenly, I felt nauseous and wanted to vomit. Thankfully, after a few moments of calming my nerves and drinking water, I was fine.
A chill set in. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I hugged myself. I looked out across the small pond, listening to the crickets and frogs. Footprints on the path behind me drew away my attention from the noises by the water. I did not turn around.
“What are you doing out here alone, my love?” He placed his palms on my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Your party is back that way.”
“I’m just out here thinking about us.” I sighed and turned around. “And about some other things.”
He pulled me into his body and pressed his lips to my forehead. Placing his finger under my chin, he gently lifted my gaze to meet his. “Care to share?”
“How do you feel about pushing up the wedding a few months?” I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth, bracing myself for his panic. My mouth dried out, and I took another sip of water.
“Bella, I would have probably married you the day I met you.” He chuckled and ran his fingertips slowly up and down my arms.
“You did not want to even get married back then.” I playfully squinted.
“Not that I’m complaining, but why do you want to move it up?” He removed my glass from my hand and took a sip. “Water?” He crinkled his forehead in confusion. “Actually, I haven’t seen you drink alcohol in a while.” Suddenly his face unscrewed, and he became serious. His eyes widened.
I folded my hands in front of my body, sighing. “I have something to tell you.”
“You’repregnant?!” He cocked his head.
I nodded, unsure if I should smile or not. I was terrified he would run for the pond and drown himself. I had read many romance novels and seen the movies. Hot billionaires always threw a fit and acted like children when women told them they were pregnant. Some disappeared for a while, leaving the woman in tears until they returned with a change of heart.
“Isabelle, are you serious?” His lips twisted into a wide grin.
“I am.” I sniffled, my emotions taking a toll on me.
He tossed the glass of water over his head and into the flowerbed behind him. “Holy shit!” He sprung forward, yanking me against him. Instantly easing up on his hold, he placed his hand on my stomach. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to squish him…or her. Wow.” He ran his fingers through his perfectly styled hair.
Laying my hands on his arms, I smiled. “Valentino, it’s okay. Babies are tougher than you think. Please don’t make me live in a bubble because of this.”
“Well, the baby is a Greco, so it’s tough.” He pulled a cigarette out of his jacket pocket and lit it. “And you’re tough too, bella. Shit.” He snatched the cigarette from his mouth and tossed it on the ground at once, rubbing his formal shoe on it. “That’s why—”
“Yes, that’s why,” I giggled, “but I haven’t wanted to be rude or demanding and until recently, I wasn’t even sure yet.”
