Damage Control

Chapter 77

"So, what are we gonna do?" I asked, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside, imagining having him to myself for the next two weeks.

He shrugged. "Anything you want."

"Anything?" I smirked deviously.

"I know I'll regret this later, but yes, my love, anything you want."

I squealed happily and clapped my hands, already thinking of a million things for us to do. "When do we start?"

"Whenever you want."

"Well, if that's the case, we'll be starting tomorrow morning."

"You have something in mind already?" His eyebrows raised in surprise as we pulled into the parking lot where the party was taking place.

"Maybe, but that's a conversation for later, now let's go before Stella has a panic attack."

We walked into the fully decorated barn hand in hand, and I gasped softly, taking in the beautiful scene before me. Colorful lights were hanging from one side of the ceiling to the other, along with white ceiling drapes. In the middle was a long walkway that led to a huge projector screen and gold table that was designated for Stella and Theo. Silver circular tables that seated four people each were littered on either side of the walkway with name tags placed on each chair. Most of the tables were already filled with family and friends chatting away, but as soon as we started walking down the aisle towards our table in the front where Carter and Gabrielle were already seated, all eyes were on us. I immediately started hyperventilating mentally, hating all the attention, but when I looked up at Nathaniel, he seemed unfazed, as if he expected this.

"Why are they looking at us?" I asked lowly so that only he could hear me.

"Because you're beautiful."

"Nathaniel," I squeezed his hand tightly, wanting him to be serious.

He chuckled and gazed down at me lovingly. "I think they're still in shock that I have a girlfriend."

"But didn't they see me at the museum?"

"Not all of them were there."

I nodded slowly and scanned the huge area again, locking eyes with many of Nathaniel's and Stella's family members. So many of them smiled at me, and others waved, clearly happy that Nathaniel had finally found someone. But as we neared our table, I couldn't help but notice a group of women sitting at the table behind us glaring specifically at me.

"Who are they?" I nodded my head in the direction of the females who were still giving me the death stare.

"Anastazi," Nathaniel sighed heavily, tightening his grip on my hand, but before he had time to answer, we had already made it to our table, where Carter and Gabrielle greeted us with huge smiles.

"Of course, you two would be the last to arrive," Carter joked as Nathaniel held the chair out for me to sit in.

"Let's just hope Stella doesn't notice," I laughed.

Seconds later, the entire barn lights dimmed, and a spotlight shined towards the front entrance where Stella and Theo emerged from. The crowd immediately cheered seeing the two lovebirds, and I couldn't help but smile when Theo bowed down.

Stella grabbed the mic that was lying on their table and began her well-prepared speech thanking everyone for coming and how she was so excited to start the celebration. The party started off with a beautiful montage video of the couple that played on the giant projector screen in the front for everyone to see. As soon as it began, Nathaniel slid my chair closer to his and tossed his arm around my shoulder, always needing to be touching me in some way.