As someone with a phobia of commitment, I didn't think that Nico would be so enthusiastic about our upcoming nuptials.

But he is. He's so eager that he's hired a wedding planner and went ahead and put this huge diamond ring on my finger. It's so big, I think that Perseverance Rover could've spotted it from Mars. And now, from the loud moaning and the vigorous banging of the headboard against his bedroom wall, I'd say he's very enthusiastic indeed.

I'm sitting in his living room in front of his grand piano but my eyes are staring out the window. Not much can be seen from where I'm sitting but the skyline and the clear summer sky. My fingers deftly stroke the keys of the piano without much thought but somehow familiar melody breaks free...sad and lonely. My muscle memory.

I stop playing when I realize that the moanings have ceased. Then I look at the time on my phone and impatiently tap my four inches high heels on the floor. It's almost nine in the morning.

A few minutes later, Nico emerges from his bedroom with a woman and a man trailing behind him.

A smug-looking smile is growing on Nico's lips when he sees me. Well, at least this time, his important bit is covered. He has black silk pajama pants on. The woman is wearing sheer black lingerie while the man has blue wash jeans on. No shirt, no shoes.

"Good morning, darling," he drawls, leaning down to give me a kiss. Ewww...I don't know where those lips had been. I slide out of the piano bench, out of his reach and stand up. Nico chuckles when he reads my expression.

He's been doing that a lot since we've become "engaged"- kissing me and wrapping his arms around me. But I always elude them when I see them coming.

Nico braces his hand on the piano, watching me with an amused smile on his face. "You look beautiful this morning. As always."

"Thank you," I tell him.

I'm going to Alexander Gauthier's office this morning to drop off the jewelry, then I'm meeting Juniper and Nico's mom for a bridal dress appointment and lunch.

I don't plan to stay long at the Gauthier's office building. They treated me like trash that needed to be taken out when I showed up over a year ago. Today, I took an extra effort to look more presentable and sophisticated even though I know I won't be seeing him in person. It's like wearing armor when facing an enemy.

I'm wearing a white chiffon top with a ruched bodice. It has a wide sweetheart neckline and three-quarter flounced sleeves with smocked cuffs. I pair it with a white mini skirt with a bright red velvet belt and a pair of sexy red high heels. My makeup is understated but my lipstick is bright red. I let my whitish blonde hair down in soft waves.

The woman smiles and wraps her arms around Nico from behind but she and the other man are eyeing me as though I was a prime cut steak or a delectable dessert they can't wait to taste. "She's gorgeous," she mutters to Nico, licking her lips. "Will she be joining us?"

"I'm afraid not. My fiance thinks she's too good for something like this," answers Nico.

"Fiance?" The other guy raises an eyebrow in surprise.

"What? She doesn't like to have fun?" says the woman. "A pity."

I ignore them. "You promised me a ride to the city," I tell Nico. I hate driving in the city. Asking Astaroth's driver to drive me isn't a good idea and I don't want to take a bus or a subway in my four-inch high heels.

"Relax, you're early. You said at nine. My driver will be here on time," he says. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

Nico knows where I'm going and what I'm going to do today but I much rather go by myself. Having two descendants of demons swarming a Nephilims' territory isn't a very good idea. Besides, I don't want to take him shopping for a wedding dress.

*****

Nico's driver drops me off right in front of the building. The place still looks the same as I remember it. Everything is sterile, shiny, and intimidating.

Sitting at the reception counter is the same woman who called the security on me over a year and a half ago. When I step up to the counter, she looks up and her face hardens.

Though I've grown a bit more, I'm sure that she still remembers me. A face like mine isn't easy to forget.

I have to admit that the past year or so has been more than kind to me. My high cheekbones are more pronounced and my features are more defined. I've grown taller and have more curves now even though I'm still slender. I know the fact that I've grown even better looking doesn't endear me to her.

"Good morning," she says, though her snarky tone suggests otherwise. "How may I help you?" Her pleasant smile is as fake as her eyelashes. "I might have to remind you that Mr. Alexander Gauthier is too busy to entertain uninvited visitors," she adds before I could say anything. Yes, she clearly remembers me.

I return her sugary sweet smile with my own. "I don't need to see him. I just want to drop things off for him," I tell the woman, pushing a sizeable envelope across the counter to her.

"What is this?" she asks suspiciously.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She sounds so wary as though I was dropping off a bomb or body parts or something as sinister.

"Stuff," I reply, cocking my hip against the counter, looking at my nails.

"Mr. Gauthier doesn't accept packages dropped off by any Tom, Dick, and Harry off the street," she says haughtily, pushing it back to me. "It has to go through security."

"Then put it through security or whatever," I tell her, turning on my heels to leave. I am so done. I won't let myself end up being escorted out by the security again this time. I just won't.

"It could just end up in the trash," she warns me.

I take a deep calming breath before I whirl around to look at her. "There's a quarter-million-dollar worth of jewelry in there. I'm sure Mr. Gauthier wouldn't be too pleased if it ended up in the trash." I have no clue how much the jewelry actually worth, but a quarter-million sounds like a good number to me.

Her smirk wobbles and her eyebrows furrowed with uncertainty before her expression changes into a look of mistrust again.

"Like I said, whatever." I shrug my shoulders and lift my chin up.

"We need the security to clear the package. Don't go anywhere," says the woman before she lifts the phone up. I guess, as a Nephilim organization with lots of enemies, they need to be careful. Two men in black suits arrive at the desk in an instant as though they've been watching the whole time.

But as I said before, I'm so done. I have no intention to stay and be humiliated again, so I turn to walk away.

In that envelope, I put the jewelry set along with the wedding invitation even though I'm positive that Alexander Gauthier won't be showing up at my wedding. I also included a note telling him that I'm making an arrangement to return his money and that I want the tracker bracelet off. I don't care how or where but I want it off before my wedding. Then I told him to stuff the jewelry where the sun don't shine. I told him to have a nice life. NOT. And that I'm mighty glad I don't have to see his ugly mug ever again. Petty and childish? Certainly. But I'm still a little salty. I guess his security guys would be the ones reading that note now.

"Miss, we need you to stay," I hear a man's voice calling out but I pretend not to hear him.

My heels make sharp clicking sounds on the shiny stone tiles. The gleaming stainless steel and glass doors are within a few feet away and I hasten my strides.

A few steps before I reach the door, a big figure in black steps right in front of me. "This way, Ms. Saint," he says politely, maneuvering me back inside. I shoot him a scowl and refuse to budge, but he just places his hands on my elbows from behind and cleverly walk-carry me back. Seriously? Is this really happening right now?

Another man in black, a clone of him is waiting for me at the reception. They make me stand between them while one of them talks on the phone. I tap my foot on the floor after a few minutes. Tap, tap, tap. It sounds irritating and that's exactly why I'm doing it.

"Mr. Gauthier would like to see you now," the man informs me after a while.

"Well, that's too bad. Tell him I don't want to see him! Now let go of my arms!" I give them both a haughty glare and try to tug my arms free. But they seem immune to glares and their hold on my arms, even though it doesn't hurt, is very firm and unbreakable.

The receptionist's eyes are bulging as she stares at me being escorted into a private elevator that only goes to levels 51 and 52.

Unbelievable! Why is it that when I wanted to see him, I was thrown out like garbage but when I want nothing to do with him, he insists on seeing me? No, he's forcing me to see him. What an ass.

I try to break free but they're very strong. When the doors of the elevator slide close, I become desperate enough to bat my eyelashes at them. "Do we really have to do this?" I ask one of the men. I sidle up to him, walk my fingers across his chest, then straighten his tie. "We could step out and have lunch together...or something." I flash him a naughty smile before I suggestively sink my pearly white teeth into my lower lip.

The man's lips quirk up, just a tiny bit. Though I can feel his admiring gaze lingering on my face, I sense that he won't disobey his boss. "I'm sorry, Miss. We have our orders," he says.

I huff and push myself off him before folding my arms across my chest crossly.

I've learned to use my beauty to my advantage- seducing men and sometimes women to get what I want and I rarely failed. I wield my sexuality like a weapon. Failing now puts me in an even worse mood.

We reach the top floor and the doors swish open to a thickly carpeted floor. If the lobby downstairs is cold and sterile, this level is warm and luxurious. The walls are covered with warm colors, there are stylish, but comfortable-looking furniture, potted plants, and big floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

When they open the door to a room at the end of the hallway, my eyes meet a pair of brilliant hazel eyes that I thought I'd never see again. My heart skips then races, my breath hitches, and my legs almost gave out on me.

"Danica Saint," he says. His deep velvety voice is like an electric caress down my spine. He's even more good-looking and intimidating than I remember him to be.

Clutched tightly in his hand like he'd like to tear it to pieces and crumble it to dust is my wedding invitation.

******************************

Hey ya, fellow readers!

My next update is going to be on Friday evening (est). If you want to read three chapters ahead, go to Inkitt: 

https://inkitt.app.link/RA_NicoleRid3y

Have a wonderful day/evening and stay safe!

Much love, 

Nicole♥