AFTER MY HONEYMOON

chapter 40

Mia's anxious eyes scanned the room. Her nervous hands clutched her purse. She felt goosebumps all over maybe because she felt too exposed.

She sucked in a sharp breathe when Richard came closer his hand stretching out and pulling her in and whispering softly only to her hearing.

"You are right on time for the welcoming speech".

He let go and she stepped back looking at everywhere else but him but their small exchange was cut short.

"Can I get everyone's attention please...

A man in black suit climbed the podium his mouth close to the microphone.

Mia looked at him trying to listen to what he was saying but she couldn't.

Richard was standing so close to her. His familiar scent she hadn't smelled in over five years threatened to flay her alive . Her skin was too hot and suddenly she needed a glass a champagne.

Richard wasn't listening either he was too aware of Mia who was standing beside him.

Purple was certainly her color. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she was in her dress... it was like the dress was made for her... it hugged all her curves perfectly and it suited her skin tone very well too making it pop and giving her a very regal and ethereal look. He probably wasn't the only one who thought that way because he could notice a few appreciative glances from other people both men and women.

But instead of complimenting her, he took a glass of Champaign from one of the waiters that walked past them and only began to hear the speaker again, when he heard "Please enjoy the party". The speaker left the stage with a roar of applause accompanying him.

As soon as the speaker stepped down, Mia walked away from Richard and took a glass of champagne from the nearest waiter that walked pass.

It was basically a buffet...there was a lot of food and drinks...the waiters walked around with drinks on their trays. The decorations were immaculately done she could tell. The gold colors and lights added a certain type of shimmer that seemed to make the walls glow from within.

The champagne worked because she felt a little better after one glass. She tried to avoid Richard as much as she could smiling and talking to everyone else.

It almost seemed like she was scared to look into his eyes tonight. Like there was something there calling out to her silently but desperately.

She sat down after her feet started to hurt replying to the messages Emily had sent earlier....she was smiling while replying, when the cool background music changed and that caught her attention.

She didn't realize that they had a dance segment and was a bit surprised to see people walking towards the dance floor their partners beside them. Then suddenly she realized that she hadn't spotted Dominic since she entered and was a bit relieved thinking that perhaps he didn't come.

She went back to typing and smiling deciding to forgo dancing besides her feet were hurting although she was feeling better already.

Emily seemed to be overly excited for someone that didn't even come for the convention, and someone who wasn't present...she expressed how displeased she was with the dress and told her how uncomfortable she felt in it and the fact that the color wasn't what she ordered for... and she asked her to send a picture of the dress which she did but Emily praised the dress Instead...and rolling her eyes she thought...
what was I even expecting.

Emily had even asked her to send a video of the event going on and she told her she wouldn't be sending any videos.

She was still engrossed with typing when she saw an outstretched hand just in front of her face and looking up she was looking into Richard's stormy grey eyes and she turned her phone off. Before she could say anything, he said "Would you like to dance with me?". She looked at him unmoving and a little hesitant for a moment and thought of turning him down but even though she hesitated, she lifted her hand painfully slowly, and placed them in his.