Chapter 9 #2
The sister looks me up and down, and a slow smile fills her face. “You are a stunning young lady. Isn’t she stunning, Ben?” She takes my hand and pulls me in for a hug. Her perfume is fruity and expensive smelling.
“That she is, Darling.” Ben stares at me with a warm smile.
“Sorry,” she says, pulling back from the hug. “I’m a hugger.”
“No problem.” I rake a hand down my black dress pants nervously.
Ben steps forward and takes my hand in a brief handshake. When he’s done, he steps back and immediately returns to his place beside his wife.
“My brother was so adamant about hiring you, Ms. Best. Now I see why.” She winks at Ezra, who turns bright red.
“Lauren,” he warns. “She’s married.”
She chuckles, waving her hand through the air. “Married or not, every woman likes to know that she’s desired. Right, Tiffany?”
Her question catches me off guard.
“Um, sure.” I say, not knowing exactly how to answer that. Ezra’s blue eyes cut to me and soften. I quickly scramble to clean up my words. “But he’s right. I am married.”
“Happily?” Lauren asks.
Again, I freeze. She laughs.
“I’m kidding. Sorry, Ezra will tell you I am the jokester of the family. Used to drive him crazy when we were younger.”
“Still does.” Ezra rakes a hand through his hair nervously.
Lauren was much bubblier than her brother.
You can tell they both are very well off.
Lauren alone is wearing thousands of dollars in clothes and jewelry.
And I’m standing in the foyer of a million-dollar home.
However, they don’t strike me as the type that grew up rich.
In my opinion, you could always tell the people that grew up with wealth.
They held themselves differently, a little stiffer even when they’re friendly.
They always held a bit of that haute nature.
Ezra and his sister are too relaxed, too informal.
“Trust me,” Benjamin says, placing his arm around his wife’s shoulder. “You will get used to her humor.”
I chuckle, easing the tension.
Lauren claps her hands together. “Well, let’s get this show on the road. I can’t wait to hear your ideas. Ezra, why don’t you lead the way?”
Ezra steps up beside me, placing a hand on my lower back, he guides me into the first room off the foyer.
The meeting with Ezra went well. Both Ezra and Lauren were very nice, and they thoroughly enjoyed my visions for the mansion. Benjamin was mostly quiet throughout the visit. I could tell design was not his forte. Lauren was determined to have me stay for dinner, but I kindly refused.
It’s after six when I finally step back into my home.
I greet Gloria as I step through the door.
She takes my coat and work bag. After placing my heels in the mudroom shoe caddy, I head toward the kitchen where I hear my son laughing.
The moment I enter the kitchen, my mouth drops open.
Covering every flat surface are beautiful bouquets of roses in all shades.
There’s a single slice of chocolate cake on the table with the word congrats written in icing.
Noah is holding onto a balloon that also reads congratulations.
“What’s all this?” I ask making my way further into the room.
Nico smiles. “Congratulations. I made some connections and was able to find out that you are a finalist in the Aurelia Award for Interior Design Excellence. You and the others will be notified tomorrow.”
I gasp. “Are you serious?”
When I found out that I was nominated for the AAIDE award, I was shocked. I’ve been following AAIDE for years. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be amongst the cast of designers that have been nominated for the award.
“I’m very serious.”
“Oh my goodness!” I run into him.
Nico wraps his arms around me, and the feeling I get nearly brings tears to my eyes. Just being in this man’s arms felt like home. It felt safe and warm and like old times. But I’m quickly reminded that all of that is an illusion.
Pulling back, I step out of his embrace. The look on his face tells me he’s not happy about the action. His jaw is tense, and his eyes are dark. I move over to Noah in his highchair and place kisses all over his face. Anything to distract from the man in the room with me.
“I still don’t even know how I was nominated.” I pull Noah out of his highchair. He buries his face in my shoulder, letting me know he’s getting sleepy.
“I nominated you.”
My neck nearly snaps from how quickly I turn my attention over to him. I stand frozen, my mouth hanging open. Of all the people I would have thought that nominated me, it would’ve never been him.
“Why?”
“I’m your biggest fan.” He shrugs. “I admit, my intentions weren’t pure when I gave you the job as my designer for North River, but you blew me away with your talent. And not just me, but the panel for this award as well. Out of thousands of nominations, you’re one of five finalists.”
There were many things that I questioned when I found out about Nico’s deception.
Was I qualified for the job he offered was definitely one of them.
However, I knew deep down that I did my absolute best with that hotel.
It’s just shocking to know that he believed in me so much that he nominated me for a prestigious award.
“Thank you,” I say.
He dips his chin. “No need to thank me. You won this fair and square. Trust me, if I could’ve bought you votes I would’ve.”
I laugh because I’m one hundred percent sure he’s serious.
He clears his throat nervously. “The ceremony to announce the winner is next month. They want you to be there.”
He pauses, but I can tell he has more to say.
“I’d love to go with you, but if you’re not comfortable with that, maybe consider inviting Mira. You have two tickets for the event.”
After the words are out of his mouth, he places an envelope down on the kitchen table and slides it toward me. I’m assuming the tickets are inside the envelope.
“I have some things to take care of. Congratulations again, Angel.”
My heart tightens when he calls me by the nickname. He quickly walks out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with Noah.
I stare at the spot where he left. I’m again reminded of all that has changed since that video was sent to me.
So much that I can’t get back. I wish it were different.
I wish I didn’t feel this unsettling feeling of distrust. Even when I try to tell myself to get over it and move on, I remember there is still so much I don’t know about my husband.
Noah’s grip on my earring draws my attention away from the empty doorway and over to my active baby.
“Let’s get out of these clothes so you and Mama can enjoy this chocolate cake.” He coos and I laugh. “You’re right, Mama’s going to enjoy this cake. Not you.”
I head into my bedroom with my son.