Chapter Thirty-Three
MONIQUE
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Thanks to the glam squad, Monique felt like a different woman, a new woman who was ready to start living again and stop remaining stagnant. The ladies spent a few more minutes admiring themselves in the mirror before journeying into the next room to begin their photoshoot.
Monique went first. The photographer led her through the process, instructing her on how to pose and what emotions to convey. Monique never knew modeling could be so fun. After about fifteen minutes of taking pictures alone, Toya and Meka joined her, and they were photographed together. Their laughter echoed through the room as they struck each pose.
"That's it, ladies," the photographer encouraged. "Work it. I love those bright smiles. Now, it's time to give me flirty. I want seduction. I want sultry."
Orazio immediately popped into her mind as she gave her most seductive pose and expression.
"Yesss, ladies! Hold it right there," the photographer called out as the camera flashed repeatedly.
Once he was done, he allowed them to view some of the photos he'd taken. Monique and her friends were blown away by how the images turned out.
"I can see this being the cover of our digital magazine," the photographer mused, showing Monique a photo of herself. "This will definitely send women flocking to the online store to search for this line of dresses."
Monique couldn't hold in her grin. When you were happy, it showed. And right now, she felt happy and beautiful.
"If that image is used for the cover, I definitely want to buy a few copies and send them to everyone I know," Toya said, eyes glued to the picture. "Mo, you look stunning."
"Thank you," Monique whispered, tears threatening to fall. She blinked them back, not wanting to mess up her makeup.
"Come over here, let me touch up your makeup, ladies," the makeup artist told them.
Monique sat in the chair so her makeup could be refreshed. While the artist worked, she went over the kidnapping plan again in her head. Nothing could go wrong tonight. Everything had to flow flawlessly.
There was no room for errors. She just hoped she didn't mess things up on her end. It would be devastating if she couldn't manage to lure Raz away from his date. Though they did have a plan B, Monique's heart was hoping plan A worked.
The door creaked open, and a stylist peered inside. "Monique Rose, someone is here to see you," the woman announced.
"See me ?" Monique asked. Who would be looking for her? "Is it Caspari Cattaneo?"
"No. It's a Mr. Frederico Miconi."
Frederico? What was he doing there?
"Oooh," Toya cooed. "He just couldn't stay away. You've got that man's nose wide open."
"Stop playing," Monique drawled, rising from her seat.
Meka frowned. "It's getting late. Cas should be here by now. I'm going to call him to see if everything is okay."
"While you do that, I'm going to step out and see Frederico," Monique told her friends.
"Take your time," Meka told her. "And don't trip and fall in those heels."
"I can walk in these heels," Monique hissed, causing her friends to laugh, which helped lighten her mood and stop her heart from racing.
Her heart shouldn't even be racing. It was just Frederico. He was only a friend. She couldn't even truly classify him as that since she'd just met the man. Still, her heart was pounding.
What would Frederico think when he saw her in this dress? He'd seen it before, but he hadn't witnessed the full effect. She was eager to get a male's perspective on her look. Monique exited their private room and was led to a small area where Frederico was seated on a settee.
He rose when he heard the door open. Her heart thundered in her chest as she waited for him to turn around and face her. As he turned in her direction, she noticed that his attire complemented hers in so many ways.
He was dressed in all black. But his black tie had gold rose designs etched into it. This man had really gotten a tux to match her dress. Would that upset Raz? Probably. Guilt threaded through her, but it melted away a few seconds later.
The look on Frederico's face when his gaze landed on her boosted her self-esteem. He looked awe-struck. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. She couldn't lie, this man was good for her ego.
His gaze roamed over her as he slowly approached her. He closed his mouth, then opened it again, only to close it once more. Monique waited for him to speak. Seconds ticked by, and he still uttered no words. Had she really shocked him speechless?
"Is it that bad?" Monique joked, needing to break the silence that felt like it was stretching into eternity.
His wide-eyed gaze jerked to hers. "No. Not at all."
"Oh. I was wondering since you haven't said anything."
Frederico just continued staring at her.
Monique snapped her fingers. "Say something before you make me feel self-conscious."
His gaze rose to hers again once he was standing almost toe to toe with her. Monique swallowed as a nervous feeling crept over her. This was dangerous territory. She should take a step back. Frederico leaned forward to peer into her eyes.
"There's no way anyone can make you feel self-conscious," he told her. "Not while you've got that look in your eyes."
"What look?" Monique asked.
"You look confident. You look happy," he pointed out. "No one can bring you down when you're confident and happy."
Monique smiled.
"See," he said. "You're smiling. You know you look amazing. That dress looks like it was created just for you."
"I know, right," Monique replied, glancing down at her dress. She froze when Frederico leaned even closer, his proximity making her pulse quicken.
"I'm starting to rethink this whole letting you leave with Orazio tonight idea," Frederico whispered in her ear, voice deep, warm breath caressing her sensitive flesh.
Monique shivered involuntarily, the sensation making her knees weak. Frederico was standing so close to her that he felt her movement and leaned even closer.
"Do that one more time, and I won't be able to let him have you," Frederico whispered, his voice husky.
Monique giggled. She actually giggled. "Keep whispering in my ear like that," she whispered. "And I may not let him have me either."
Her words shocked both her and Frederico. For a second, time stood still as her words hung between them, charged with an electric tension. Frederico leaned back to peer into her eyes. His gaze darkened, and he inched closer to her. Okay, this was starting to feel downright wrong. Monique couldn't allow herself to get caught up in Frederico's dreamy eyes.
"I shouldn't have said that," Monique quickly whispered, her cheeks heating in embarrassment. "The last thing I want to do is lead you on. I guess... I guess I got caught up in the moment. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," he told her, gaze softening but still intense. "Be sure. Be sure of who you want. Be sure of what you want and what you deserve. Listen to your heart and your mind. They won't steer you wrong." He took a step back, giving her some breathing room. "Don't worry. I'll respect whatever decision you make," he assured her.
Behind her, Meka called her name. Monique glanced over her shoulder.
"Cas will be pulling up at any minute," Meka told her. "He said everything is ready, and we can head over now and wait in the private room for others to arrive."
"Okay," Monique replied before facing Frederico.
When she looked forward, she saw that he'd returned to the couch to grab something. Her eyes widened when she saw what he was holding. A dozen roses. There she was, smiling again.
"These are for you," he told her, handing her the gorgeous bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you, Frederico," she said, accepting his gift. Monique frowned when she noticed a rose shaped diamond ring resting on the center rose. "Frederico, what is this?"
"It's a 'let's get to know each other better' ring," he explained. "Put it in your purse. If you're wearing it at the end of the night, I'll know that you're leaving with me and not Orazio Cattaneo."
"But..." Monique started.
"And if you're not wearing it, you can still keep it. Just consider it a gift from someone who thinks you deserve the world. Consider it a gift from a friend."
This man! If Raz didn't already own her heart, she'd be a goner for sure. For now, she placed the ring in her clutch. But this gift was too expensive to keep. Before the night was over, she'd return it to Frederico. He would definitely meet someone worthy of wearing it one day.
Frederico stretched his hand out to her. "Let's go make a grand entrance, my beautiful rose."
Smiling once again, Monique placed her hand in his and allowed Frederico Miconi to escort her to the Cattaneo Gala. If Orazio looked at her in the same way Miconi had, she knew the two of them would be okay.
Soon, she'd be face to face with the man she loved. Soon, she'd know whether or not what they had was true love that could endure any hardships or if it was a love that would crumble the moment a gentle breeze blew.
She prayed it was true love that could endure anything. But if it wasn't, she would be at peace with letting it go. No longer would she fight alone. From now on, she'd only fight for those who were willing to fight for her. She deserved nothing less.