Chapter Twenty-Nine
MONIQUE
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"Hmmm," Monique finally responded to the bomb Cas had just dropped on her. "I guess I should buy him an engagement gift after we leave here. I can give it to him at the gala."
They all stared at her in shock. Apparently, that wasn't the response they'd expected.
"Are you okay?" Meka asked.
Monique smiled. "I'm fine. I still need a dress, though."
"Mo," Toya started. "If all of this is too much, we can go home."
Monique shook her head. "I'm going to see this entire plan through for my own peace of mind. Even if Orazio and I don't end up together, I need to do this so that I don't have any regrets. I still want to go through with the plan."
Toya nodded. "Before we go home, I need to stop at a hardware store and buy an axe."
"No, you don't," Monique laughed. "I'm good, Toya. Honestly, I'm surprised by how good I am. I'm a little sad. But it's not a consuming feeling like it had been before."
"That's not a good sign," Meka pointed out. "When women start feeling like that, it means we're letting go."
Monique blinked back tears. "I know. But he let go first. So, I won't feel bad if I end up letting go also."
Cas sighed. "This isn't how it's supposed to turn out. My brother loves you, Monique."
"Then he better prove it by choosing me. Because if he doesn't, he'll never get another chance. If he regrets it later down the line, he better swallow that regret and stay the hell away from me. I'm giving this man one chance, and then I'm done. Forever."
Before Cas could say more in his brother's defense, a door opened, and the sales clerk Monique had been talking to a few minutes ago reappeared. The woman was pushing a tall rack of dresses. Exquisite dresses. A smile crept across Monique's face as the woman approached her.
"Look at those dresses," Meka whispered.
Monique was already doing that. In fact, Monique couldn't tear her eyes away from them. She found herself drifting over to the rack as if floating on clouds. A different clerk came from the back room also, and she was carrying a silver tray filled with velvet boxes of jewelry that matched the dresses hanging from the rack.
"You said you were looking for a revenge dress," the clerk said, smiling.
"Yes, indeed," Monique drawled.
"We actually have a Revenge Couture line coming next spring. I called my boss and asked if I could show these to you, and she said yes. Caspari told us that you're going to the Cattaneo Gala. Our boss would love to have a dress from her new spring line photographed at the Gala. If you're willing to do a photo shoot for us in the dress before the event, our boss said she'd be willing to gift you with matching jewelry for the event. And we'll do any alterations you may need to the dress here, in-house, for free."
Monique couldn't believe her ears. "Um, I'd... uh..." She was speechless.
"She'd love to," Toya said for her.
Monique nodded, still unable to believe someone wanted her to model their clothing. Monique blinked back tears, temporarily forgetting about Raz's nonsense.
"Can I help you decide on a dress that would scream revenge?" the sales clerk asked.
Monique nodded.
"I'll step out and make a phone call," Cas told them.
"Okay," Meka smiled at him.
Toya couldn't let Cas leave without getting something off her chest.
"If you're stepping out to call Leo, tell him he's not doing his job properly. Raz shouldn't have been allowed to go to lunch with his date's dad. He should've found a way to sabotage it or something."
Cas nodded. "I'll relay the message," he told them before leaving the room.
Monique faced the sales clerk once more. "I'm ready."
And then the fun began. Monique tried on at least six dresses and fell in love with each of them. It took her forever to decide on one. Even after making the decision, her heart was still pulling toward a different dress.
"Which one should I choose?" Monique asked her friends.
"I've never been so torn over a dress," Toya huffed, staring Monique up and down. "They both make you look like THAT bitch."
"Right!" Meka added. "I love them all. I'm sorry. I can't help you decide, Mo. Let's get a man's point of view," Meka suggested. "I'm going to get Cas."
"No!" Monique yelled, hands going to her cleavage to cover her girls.
"Why?" Meka asked.
"I don't want him to see me like this," Monique protested.
Meka cocked her head to the side. "Girl, he's going to see you at the gala and during the kidnapp..." Meka paused and stared around the room to see if anyone had heard her. "At the... canopy," Meka switched up her word choice, causing Toya to burst out laughing.
"That's right," Toya added. "Everyone is going to see your girls at the canopy . Meka, go get Cas so we can get a male's perspective about what Mo should wear to the canopy."
Meka tossed up the middle finger to Toya before rushing from the room despite Monique's protests. Feeling self-conscious, Monique turned and stared at her reflection in the wall-to-wall mirror. She almost couldn't believe she was looking at herself.
She'd never felt so sexy. This dress was everything. But so was the other one. Ugh! How was she to decide? Monique turned to the side. Stomach, where? She looked snatched! The built-in Spanx was sucking everything in.
Yet, the dress was so well-made that you couldn't tell there was Spanx built in. And it was comfortable. It didn't leave her feeling restricted or unable to breathe. Yeah, a woman who understood the concerns of big girls had designed this.
"You good, Mo?" Toya asked, moving to stand next to her.
"No. I really don't know which one to choose."
"I'm talking about that Orazio news."
"Oh."
"It's okay if you're not okay."
Monique faced her friend. "I was married to a man who wasn't right for me. I know what it feels like to be mistreated by someone you care for. This doesn't feel like that. Sure, I'm pissed off and close to saying fuck it. But I believe Raz is hurting, too. So, I'm going to give him one chance to be a man about this. If he keeps playing games, then I'll let another woman raise him. I don't have kids, and I'm not trying to raise a grown-ass man and teach him how to love me."
"I know that's fucking right," Toya told her. "I'd hug you, but you're covered in money, and I can't afford to pay for that dress if I mess it up."
Monique laughed. "Thank you for always making sure I'm okay, Toya."
"No need to thank me. That's what friends are for. And if you decide you want me to behead the don..."
"Girl, stop," Monique laughed.
The door behind them opened, and Monique overheard Meka saying, "Yes, she's fully dressed, and it'll be good to get two males' perspectives."
Two? Who else was Meka bringing into their private room?
Toya turned around and gasped. "Okay. Who is this sexy daddy, and where can I find one?"
Sexy daddy? Feeling nervous, Monique breathed in deeply before turning around slowly. Her gaze landed on the taller gentleman next to Cas. Damn, he's tall. His silver hair hinted at his age, but his handsome face must not have gotten the memo.
So, this was what they meant by a silver fox. His eyes were glued to hers. Monique wanted to look away to ask Cas what he thought of her dress but was too nervous to. Why was this man looking at her so intently?
Did she know him? No. She couldn't know this man. His was a face and a swag she wouldn't forget easily. Growing slightly irritated with being ogled, Monique addressed the gentleman.
"Excuse me, sir. Do I know you?" she asked, managing to sound cordial instead of slightly annoyed.
The man blinked as if emerging from a trance. "Ah, where are my manners?" He cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "My apologies for staring," he said smoothly. "I'm Frederico Miconi. I truly hadn't meant to stare. It's just... I couldn't help but be captivated by how stunning you are.”
Finally! A man's perspective!
"You like this dress?" Monique asked.
"Dress?" Frederico frowned. "I wasn't talking about the dress."
Okay, now she was confused. "What were you talking about then?" Monique asked.
"You," he said, gaze peering into hers, making her feel naked with one stare. "I was only looking at you."
"Oh," Monique whispered. "Ohhhh," she cooed once she realized he was flirting. It was true that he'd been looking at her face the entire time.
"Ohhhh," Toya and Meka drawled, catching on just as late as she had. Of course, Toya had to be Toya.
Striding forward, Toya asked Frederico, "Can you help my friend here decide on the best dress for her? She's having trouble picking one to wear to the Cattaneo Gala."
Monique glared at Toya. Toya winked. Monique's smile remained in place as Frederico stepped forward.
"Is it okay if I give my opinion?" the older man asked Monique.
The fact that he was asking for consent to give his opinion earned him some brownie points in her book. Monique nodded, nervous but eager to hear what he was about to say.
"Both are stunning," he admitted, gaze moving to the dress that was now draped over the mannequin next to her. "But I think this one..." He started, eyes returning to her and the dress that hugged her curves like a second skin, making her feel powerful and alluring.
Monique's breath hitched as his gaze swept over her, taking in every curve of her body that was wrapped in the seductive gown. His eyes lingered on her ample cleavage, which she futilely tried to cover.
"This one has an edge to it," he whispered.
"An edge?" Monique whispered back.
Frederico nodded. "The other one is beautiful and soft. The one you're draped in looks dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Monique whispered.
"It's the type of dress that'll make a man do crazy things for the woman wearing it," he told her, voice low as his gaze seemed to undress her. His eyes returned to hers, and he gave her a sexy grin. "I think it's perfect for the gala, and it'll definitely leave an impression on those present."
She only wanted to leave an impression on one person, and this just may be the dress to do it in.
"You have indeed left an impression on me, Mrs..." he paused, waiting for her to tell him her name.
"My name is Monique. Monique Rose."
"Such a beautiful name. Is there a Mr. Rose?" Frederico asked.
"Oh, uh. No." However, there is a Mr. Cattaneo, for now, Monique thought, preparing to turn the man down if he asked for her number or something.
"Perfect," Frederico smiled, looking devilishly handsome. "Do you have a date to the Cattaneo Gala, Ms. Rose?"
Here comes the rejection. Monique opened her mouth to speak, but Frederico spoke again.
"I'd been prepared to go with my daughter, but she was asked to the event by a gentleman she admires, so I'm left all alone."
Poor guy. But Monique had a mission, and she couldn't let a random man distract her from that mission. She opened her mouth, prepared to tell Frederico that she planned to attend the gala with her friends.
But she paused when she noticed Cas's panicked look. She faced Meka's man. With the way he was widening his eyes, she had a feeling he was trying to get her attention.
Cas cleared his throat and said, "I should've made introductions when we first entered the room. Mr. Miconi, this is Monique, she's my girlfriend's best friend. And Monique, this is Mr. Miconi. He's a family friend. AND his daughter is attending the Gala with my brother, Orazio."
Oh, really? Well, that changes things.
Cas then mouthed, you can't go to the gala with him . That won't be good.
Yeah, Monique read his lips, but her mind was stuck on the fact that this man was the father of her man's date. Plus, she wasn't going to the gala to be good. She was going to be bad. Very bad. Anger boiled through her, but she kept her cool and her smile.
Frederico stretched his hand out to her. "I know this is last minute. But I've been utterly stunned by your presence. And I'd be delighted if you'd do me the honor of letting me escort you to the Gala, Ms. Rose."
Monique's smile brightened as she placed her hand in his, much to Cas's dismay.
"Yes, Mr. Miconi. I'd love to be your date to the Cattaneo Gala," Monique cooed, voice sultry and sweet at the same time.
Mr. Miconi lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand. With Frederico's lips pressed against her hand, Monique's gaze met Cas's. He was slowly shaking his head. Too late. Her decision had been made. Mr. Miconi released her hand and stepped back to take in her dress one more time.
"I think I need to buy a suit that compliments your beauty and this stunning dress you're wearing," Miconi announced. "Let's continue shopping. I'll foot the bill. Buy whatever you like. All of you. Buy what you like. Especially you, Monique Rose."
Both Meka and Toya clapped happily.
Toya leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "That's a boss move, bitch. That's why you're my bestie."
Monique winked at her. She didn't miss the look of panic on Cas's face. She was not going to let his expression change her mind. If Raz didn't want her to attend the gala as his woman, then she'd attend as a potential mother-in-law.
And she'd treat him like he was her son who needed to be taught a lesson. And his Lil' date, who admired him, could call her mother, too. Raz had placed them on this path. But Monique was about to lead them down a dead end.