Chapter 16 #2
On the other side of Paula is Chad Nickles.
Out of all the candidates, I admired Chad’s work the most. I’ve been following him for a while.
He’s an independent contractor. Although he is an incredible designer, he’s better known for his engineering work.
I know quite a few companies that have hired him to create unique floor plans and eye-catching buildings.
I’m assuming the brunette beside him is his wife.
Sitting across from Chad is Gloria Hampton. Gloria is Chinese- American. Her sleek black bob and high cheekbones gave her a chic look. Gloria was the queen of residential design. Most of her work went into designing homes for the wealthy. Her husband was with her tonight.
I was sitting at the table with the best of the best in the local design world. I felt privileged.
Paula makes eye contact with me, and I feel it’s only right to speak.
“Hi,” I say in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you, Paula.”
The smile on her face immediately drops and turns into a sneer.
“I remember when these awards were so hard to come by. Now, they just let anybody get them,” she says the words so casually, you would think she was talking about the weather and not throwing shade.
A few chuckles go around the table. There is no mistaking the dig is aimed at me.
I literally just sat down and the cattiness started immediately.
Look, it’s not like I didn’t understand how unique it is to be at this table off my first and only job.
Yes, it usually takes years for this type of acknowledgment and recognition.
However, fuck that. I earned this place at the table.
I lift my chin, ignoring her. One person’s opinion of me doesn’t faze me.
“Everybody except you, right? Isn’t this your third nomination without an award?”
Paula’s surgically enhanced face turns bright red. If her eyes could spit fire, I’d be a burned crisp right now. It seems the bitch can throw shade but can’t take it.
Chad and his wife both snicker.
“Now ladies, no need to be catty,” Jason says. “Besides, Paula, we all know who the true talents at this table are.” Jason glances at me and rolls his eyes. Even that movement didn’t cause a wrinkle to cross his forehead.
Paula chuckles as if he’s made some kind of joke. As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with this conversation. I didn’t have to prove shit to these people, and I wasn’t going to let them ruin my night. Instead, I get up and move around the room.
While mixing and mingling, a few people came up to talk to me about my work at North River. Everyone I met had lots of good things to say about the hotel. Most wanted to know when the grand opening would be.
I stop a server with a tray of hors d’oeuvres. Taking an avocado deviled egg off the tray, I pop it into my mouth.
“You really think she doesn’t belong?” a female voice to my right has my attention.
Gloria Hampton is standing with a group of women surrounding her.
Gloria chuckles, placing a hand on her chest. “Her work is cute, but not nearly good enough to be here.”
“I heard she only got here because she’s married to Niccolo Basille.”
The women gasp. “Well, that explains it. He bought her this nomination.”
Feeling disgusted with their conversation, I move away, stopping a server with a tray of champagne. I downed the glass enjoying the bubbly wine. When the next server walks by, I place the empty glass on his tray.
“And she has the audacity to act as if she belongs.”
This time the voice talking shit belongs to Jason. He and Paula are standing among a few of their peers.
“You know how these young designers are. They want everything handed to them without putting in the work,” one of the men in the group says.
“The only work she put in is on her back,” Jason adds.
The group laughs. Although I can get past a lot of bullshit, those words sting. Not because they are true, but because they’re using my marriage to dismiss my talent. Yes, Nico nominated me, but I got this spot fairly.
“Jason, stop,” a female with bad bangs half-heartedly scolds.
“He’s not lying,” Paula says. “You know her husband bought her this nomination. The only reason she is here is because she did his hotel.”
“He probably nominated her.” Jason lifts his glass to his mouth, covering his smirk.
“Of course,” Paula cosigns. “With a large check attached to it.”
Sick of their hateful words and lies, I head in their direction. If they don’t know how to keep my name out of their mouths, I’m going to help them.
After taking two steps, I bump into a hard chest. I look up into the eyes of Chad Nickles.
He looks over his shoulder and then back down at me.
I prepare myself for his bullshit, sure he’s going to add something else to the noise.
I’m too young to be here, haven’t done enough, or maybe he’s going to be like everyone else and say it’s because of Nico.
He leans down to my ear. “Don’t let them pull you out of character. Go to the bathroom, take a deep breath, and when you return, hold your head up and act like you belong.”
With those words, he straightens back up, winks at me and then walks off, leaving me in my spot.
I watch his wide shoulders as they disappear through the crowd.
Looking at the group of gossiping assholes, once again I consider going over and cursing them all out, but Chad is right.
I won’t show my ass at this event. Taking heed of his words, I head toward the bathroom.
When I walk in, I realize I’m the only one here. I go over to the mirror. The woman looking back at me is doubtful. She’s unsure of who she is.
“You did this,” I tell her. “Your talent got you here. Your husband recognized your gift, but you’re the one that made this happen.”
Their words and criticism caused a little chip in my armor, but I would not let them take me out of my spot. I take a deep breath, fix my invisible crown on my head, and slowly let out my breath.
“You got this,” I say to my reflection with much more confidence.
After washing my hands and reapplying my lipstick, I head out of the restroom.
The moment I step out, I gasp. Leaning against the opposite wall, one foot on the wall behind him and the other planted on the floor, holding a single long-stemmed rose, is my husband.
Joy and happiness flood me so quickly, I could float.
“You came,” I say, stating the obvious.
His dark brown eyes take me in from head to toe.
The way his nostrils flare when he looks at me in this dress has my belly fluttering and my thighs tightening.
He slips his bottom lip in between his teeth as he takes my body in.
He’s looking at me like he could eat me off the bone.
And I’m almost crazy enough to let him do it tonight.
Finally, his gaze lifts to my face, and the attraction I read seconds ago evaporates. His brow pinches and his head cocks to the side.
The way he cut off his arousal and transformed it immediately into concern should be studied. What he says next shouldn’t shock me, but I am amazed at how much this man knows me.
“What’s wrong?”