CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
“ wait “ I said as we go to the door
“ What’s wrong?” he asked
“ i- I’m scared “ I said and he immediately held my hands
“ it’s ok if you don’t wanna do this , I can go in alone “ he said with sarcasm
“ yeah right, go in alone and leave me standing here ?” I asked angrily which made him laugh
“ arrrgh ok I got this “
“ you got this “ he reassured
“ Ok let’s go in “ I said then he held the knob of the door
“ wait “
“ what ?” he asked
“ what if … what if everyone is staring at me like I don’t belong or something, I don’t even –“
“ Laura If anyone is staring at you tonight , it’s because of how exquisitely beautiful you look , trust me you have nothing to worry about “ he said before placing a kiss on my forehead which made my stomach roll in knots .
“ Thanks , I really needed that … let’s do this “ I said and he opened the huge doors
We entered the hall and immediately every freaking eyes were on us . I mean every bleeping eyeball was on us , I guess this is what it means to be Mr Harlow’s date .
Uhhh look away people …
Nick held my hand tightly as he led me down the aisle , I felt uncomfortable under so many gazes , I couldn’t help but wonder how Daphne must have felt in Bridgerton .
“ Are you ok ?” Nick whispered in my ear
“ Uhh yeah “
“ Just breathe in and breathe out … you’ll be fine “ he said and I smiled at him
I felt more eyes watching me as we walked to our seat and I could feel Nick’s grip getting stronger by the minute .
I tried my best to keep my head up as I walked , then I heard someone call my name from behind , I looked back and saw Bella in the second gown I designed
“ look who came late , you missed the church wedding “ she said giving me a hug
“ I’m so sorry ,oh my God you look beautiful “ I said
“ It’s all thanks to you Laura , you look beautiful as well , are you trying to steal my shine or something ?” she asked
“ uhh no “ I said nervously
“ Ever person here is staring at you , did you design this too ?” she asked point at my dress
“ yes I did “ I said and she smiled
“ you have to meet My Godmother “
Queen ? Oh my God
“ uhh she’s here ?” I asked
“ Of course she’s here “ she said
“ wow guys I’m here too “ Nick said and we both laughed
“ Sorry I didn’t see you there lover boy”
“ never call me that again “ he said
“ Bella where is your husband ?” I heard a voice asked from the back
“ Great , Queen I want you to meet Laura , the lady who designed my dress “ she said
I looked behind me and saw queen looking beautiful in a straight long flowing gown embroidered with beads , the gown looked so beautiful but queen made it Flawless .
“ h-hi I’m Laura Paley “ I said bringing my hand out for a shake
“ nice to meet you “ she said pulling me in for a hug
Whoa ! I’m hugging Queen
“ is it just me or do both of you look alike or something ?” Bella asked
I know right , we have the same eyes , nose and even lips .
“ I gotta leave now “ Mr Harlow Said
“ I have to meet up with some people real quick , I’ll be back very soon “ he whispered in my ear and I nodded in affirmation
“ Laura I fell in love with your design at first sight , it was so good I almost stole it from the bride “ she said which made me smile
“ Thank you , I watch your show all the time too … I’m like your biggest fan “ I said happily.
She fixed her gaze on me and placed her hand on my face
“ you’ve grown to be a beautiful woman “ she said as tears flowed down her eyes
Uhhh what ?
“ oh my God , you’re crying , is something wrong?” I asked
“ Can I – can I hug you for a minute ?” she asked
That’s kinda weird but … ok
“ umm sure “ I said and immediately she pulled me into her warm embrace .
A tear suddenly escape my eyes as I wrapped my arms around her , everything about her felt so right , I wanted to rest there forever .
“ It’s time to dance “ Bella said cutting us short
I pulled away from her
“ it was nice meeting you “ I said
“ The pleasure is all mine sweetie “she said placing a kiss on my cheek .
Wow that was intense …
I searched round the room for Nick but I couldn’t find him
“ Hey there Laura “ I heard a familiar voice
“ Hey Ariana “ I replied
“ why are you here ? Incase you didn’t know only celebrities are allowed here “ she said
Arrgh this girl is so annoying , I wish Zoey was here , she would have given her a savage comeback.
“ well I came with my boss , Incase you weren’t aware I brought the whole A MIDNIGHT DREAM idea so you can say I orchestrated this whole party “ I said proudly
“ why are you doing this ? Haven’t you done enough ?” she asked
“ What ?”
“ You’ve made my life a living hell ever since I’ve known you and now you want to steal Nick away from me ?” she asked angrily
“ I don’t know what you’re talking about , Nick and I are not in a relationship “
“ oh please that’s what you always say , do you know why I hate you so much , you keep acting innocent but you know what you’re doing , you’re an evil person Laura “ she said
“ Ari I –“
“ You’ve stolen every damn thing from me and now you think you can steal Nick ? “ she asked angrily
I stared at her in surprise
“ I didn’t steal anything from you “ I shot back
“ Oh really ? You know you –“
“ hey there Bella “ An accent laced voice said
I looked back and saw a middle aged man
“ Victor how have you been?” Ari said hugging him
I guess they’re well acquainted
“ Fine thank you and you ?” he asked
“ I’m doing great “
“ What about you Bella ?” he asked while grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on it
“ uhhh I’m doing fine , thanks “
“ And what is your name signorina ?” he asked
“ Laura “
“ The famous Laura Paley ?” he asked
Famous ? Wow
“ I’m not famous “ I said smiling
“ oh please you designed one of the most beautiful wedding gowns in history , you’re more than famous “ he said and we both laughed
“ Victor how about we go out and talk about my sponsorship?” Ariana asked obviously angry at the attention Victor was giving me
“ Give me a minute I have something to discuss with Laura , Bella shall we ? “ he said bringing his hands forth and Aria gave me a scowl which I returned with a cute smile .
I grabbed his hand and followed him to a secluded part of the room .
“ I’m just going to go straight to the point , I loved your design and I was wondering if you could come work for me as my personal fashion designer “ he said as he gave me his complimentary card
Oh My Goodness , this is happening…
“uhhh I – I don’t – can I think about it ?” I asked
“ of course, you have all the time in the world “ he said
“ thanks for the offer “
“ the pleasure is all mine “ he said with a smile .
After an hour of rejecting multiple fashion agencies and celebrities I finally saw Mr Harlow busy on his phone , I wonder who he was texting .
I watched as he ran his hand through his silk midnight hair furiously , he does that whenever he’s annoyed or frustrated .
I admired his sharp jawline that could cut through anything – wait isn’t it weird to stare at him like this ? I better look – suddenly our gazes met and everything else disappeared , it felt like it was just the two of us in the room .
He gave me a megawatt smile as he approached me , the butterflies in my stomach started a festival the moment his cologne flooded my senses .
“ Were you looking for me ?” he asked
“ You intentionally brought me here , didn’t you ?” I asked
“ what’d you mean ?” he asked innocently
“ You knew there would be tons of fashion agencies and designers here , you wanted to hook me up with them “ I said
“ Laura I’m kind of regretting my actions of bringing you here with me “ he said
“ What ? Don’t try to change the topic “
“ Remember when I told you that all you needed was a little push ? You’re talented Laura … I don’t want you to waste that talent , the world deserves a talented person like you “ he said smiling
“ but w-why , I mean you could –“
“Hey boo , Mr Harlow the directors of PHINAL would love to see you “ Luca said waving at me
“ I’ll be back in a sec “ he said giving me a sorry look before leaving with Luca
I looked around for any familiar faces but all I saw was celebrities and their significant others
“ Hey there shawty “ I heard a deep voice call , I looked behind me and saw HUSTY a popular rapper who just got out of jail for molesting a minor , my heart raced as he moved closer to him and all I could see was danger .
“ Uhh hi “ I said
“ I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful you are “ he said
“ ummm yeah thanks “ I said awkwardly looking around for anyone to save me from this guy .
“ Do you wanna get outta here and go somewhere we could actually hear ourselves?” he asked
“ No thanks “ I said walking away immediately but he grabbed my hand and yanked me back .
“ where do you think you’re going shawty ? We ain’t done talking , I said let’s get out of here and have some sex “ he said with gritted teeth
“ No I don’t want to “
“ But I can force you to “ he threatened
“ I’ll scream , I’ll scream so loud that everyone here is gonna know how much of an asshole you are “ I said then he started laughing
“ Fiesty …. I love me a Fiesty woman , I bet you’ll be crazier on bed “ he said
“ I said I’ll scream –“
“ Go ahead and scream “ he said then he raised his shirt a little and a saw a gun neatly tucked in his pants , I almost lost balance as I saw what he was carrying .
Why is this happening to me ?
Tears ran down my face as I looked into his eyes
“ why don’t you go ahead and scream now , not only will I shoot out your brains I’ll kill everyone here too. So now clean those tears off your pretty face and follow me like nothing happened “ he said and I stared at him dumbfoundedly
“ I don’t like to repeat myself “ he said showing me the gun again .
I quickly stood up on my feet and followed him to God knows where , we got outside the hall and went to the huge balcony .
Someone help , someone just help me , where’s Mr Harlow when you need him?
If I survive this I’m never coming to another wedding party or any party at all.
We stopped at a deserted part of the long hallways and he started kissing my neck down to my shoulder , a tear flowed down my face as he continued his assault on my neck .
“ please don’t do this“ I begged
I can’t believe I’m getting raped by a celebrity at a wedding .
“ damn you’re so beautiful “ he said
“ You have such nice lips “ he said again as he proceeded to place his lips on mine .
I closed my eyes to await his disgusting lips on mine , I felt his breath in my face but in a flash it was gone , infact his whole body was flung away by a certain force .
“ Laura are ok ?” I heard Mr Harlow’s voice
Oh my God
“ Nick you came “ I said hugging him tightly
“ are you ok ? Did he do anything to hurt you ? “ he asked but I just cried silently in his warm embrace
“ it’s ok , you’re ok , I’m here … no one can hurt you” he said rubbing comforting circles down my back
I watched as two security guards carried HUSTY’S unconscious body out of the room
“ Is he dead ?” I asked
“ No … unconscious “ he replied
“ you did that ?”
“ Yeah I beat shit out of the guy that tried to touch what was mine , he was going to rape you , I know I shouldn’t have left you alone “ he said angrily
Wait what ?
His?
I’m his ?
“ no this is not your fault , you had meetings to attend , it’s not like you’re my guardian or something “
“ arrgh this is driving me crazy “ he said running his hands through his hair just as he had been doing since we entered this hall .
“ what are you so angry about ?” I asked
“ I’m not angry “ he denied
“ Yeah right , you’re annoyed, what’s going on ? What made you so angry ?” I asked
“ You … I know I shouldn’t have brought you here “
“ Me ? I swear I didn’t do nothing wrong “ I said and he smiled a little
“ There you go again, being cute every damn time to every single guy you meet . And all those stupid men couldn’t take their eyes off you , Damn that annoyed me so much and the way you were dancing with all those men , that made me even more infuriated “ he said all at once and I looked at him with a blank expression
“ what’d you mean ?” I asked
“ You’re driving me crazy Laura “
Ok so …
“ I think I like you …. No I’m sure I like you , I like you so much Laura I can’t get you out of my mind “ he said
Whoa !did he just …
“ you like me ?” I asked
“ Yes I know it’s sounds weird and obviously I’m not the relationship type but I would love to work things out with you “ he said
Oh what do I say ? What do I say ? What do I say ?
“ Lok I don’t want to pressure you or anything I just want you to know how I –“
Then I clashed my lips on his … Now that feels right .