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Loved seeing you again. Looking forward to catching up.
Matteo
Why is Matteo sending me flowers? I stare at the card with confusion.
“Nice flowers.” Finn’s tone is clipped. I know he’s read the card. A thunderous expression covers his face. “I didn’t realize you and Matteo were so close.”
“We’re not.”
Finn raises a dubious brow and points to the bouquet.
“I don’t know why he would send me flowers. Maybe because he missed Derek’s funeral.”
Finn’s eyebrow rises even further. He’s not believing that for a second. What else can it be?
“It’s more than that. That man wants you. I saw it the moment he laid eyes on you.” He folds his arms across his chest. “Are you going tocatch up?” His face twists like he’s eaten something bad.
I rise from the chair and step closer to Finn, not caring if my colleagues are watching. I rest my hands on his shoulders. “No. I’m not going tocatch up. I have no reason to. He was an associate of Derek’s. I want to cut every part from that time out of my life.”
Finn’s face softens.
Stepping closer, I place a kiss on his mouth. “Are we okay?”
He nods. “Yeah, we’re good. Although, you’re still going to pay for it tonight.”
For the rest of the day, my co-workers are giving me side glances or whispering to one another behind their hands. In one way, it’s making me a little uncomfortable, and in another, I want to shout about our relationship from the rooftops. Although, there’s one person I don’t want to express my feelings too—Bianca. She hasn’t been trying to hide her baleful glares thrown my way. Well, she’s just going to have to get used to Finn and I being together. Hopefully she’ll get over it and not make my life at Alessi’s harder than she’s already making it.
That afternoon, Finn, Hayden, Lucas, Bianca, and a few other staff are gathered in the boardroom. A huge TV on the wall is tuned onto the Met Gala. We watch celebrities and fashion designers arrive, stopping with journalist to talk about their gowns and who created them. There are many beautiful designs, yet nothing has wowed me as much as seeing Juliette’s gown on Portia. All eyes in the room are glued to the screen, waiting for Portia to arrive. I too am feeling excited. All I did was pack it for Portia’s stylist to pick up, and yet, I feel like I have a little bit to do with the grand moment.
Celebrity after celebrity make their way up the stairs. Then one celebrity makes everyone in the boardroom gasp. A white vision. Layers of glittery fabric with feathers and pearls. Juliette Monet’s gown is a showstopper. The most beautiful creation anyone has seen so far. The media are nudging each other to get a closer look, wanting to be first to snag the interview. The gown and headpiece are so stunning and ethereal, the actor looks like she’s floating on air. The problem is…it’s not Portia Livingstone wearing it. The room grows deathly still as Raquel Addaman speaks to a journalist. Standing next to her is Matteo Blanchett, beaming with pride and boasting about the gown and headpiecehecreated.
Finn explodes from the chair with such force it tips and crashes onto the floor. “What the fuck!” His voice roars through the room. Everyone jumps. Hayden and Lucas both bound to their feet. “How the hell is Raquel Addaman wearing Juliette’s dress?” he yells to no one in particular. With nostrils flaring and eyes bulging with anger as he glares at the TV, he barks, “Bianca, contact Juliette’s team. Stop them from getting on that carpet.”
Bianca picks up her phone from the table and begins dialing.
Hayden sidles up to Finn. “How did this happen?”
“I don’t fucking know. I’m going to kill whoever did this!” Finn says through gritted teeth.
“He was here a few days ago—do you think he somehow got a look at the design?” Lucas asks with eyes still filled with shock.
Finn clenches his jaw so tight I’m worried he’ll crack a couple of teeth. “Maybe.”
“But how can he work so fast?” Lucas asks.
“With a big enough team working day and night, it’s possible,” Finn says.
Making my way to Finn, I place a comforting hand on his arm. “What can I do to help?”
He gives me a brief glance. Instead of answering, he snaps at Bianca, “Have you got ahold of anyone yet?”
Bianca shakes her head. “No.”
“Fuck!” He slaps a hand on the table. “Keep trying. Portia cannot get on that carpet.” Finn shakes my hand off his arm and begins pacing the room. I try not to feel offended by the rebuff. This is a stressful situation. I can’t imagine how he must be feeling.
With his hands on his hips, Finn turns his back to the TV and stares out the window. I want to go to him, wrap my arms around his waist and tell him everything will be okay. Yet, how can it be? A design from Alessi Fashion was stolen. Who could have done such a thing?
After a moment of tense silence, another gasp fills the room. Glancing at the TV, my heart sinks to my stomach. Nothing can make this situation better, but something can make it ten times worse.
