Indebted

Chapter 20

I sip on the glass of champagne, smiling sweetly as he introduced me to a few, very important, very powerful people. Hollywood actors, ceo's and a few others, not remembering any of their names.

The white suited servers moved effortlessly through the crowd with bottles of champagne, topping off my glass regularly. The dull ache within my core became impossible to ignore.

Nickolai kept me close to his side and I am grateful as I kept my eye out for this Isabella character.

He made no attempt to draw me in his conversations and I only spoke at appropriate moments. I don't think I could say anything nice if drawn into a conversation.

"Tell me about this Isabella woman, the one who wants you back, whom you say you are not in love with." as the server moved away tending to the other guests.

He runs his hand through his hair in irritation.

"Not here" taking my hand " Not now Emily."

"Not ever is what you really mean." I muttered, pulling away my hand.

My skin prickles, what if she means more to him than he is allowing me to believe?

When dinner was announced, I followed him into the spacious dinning room that accomodated the three hundred plus guests at the function but I wasn't really paying attention I was too conscious of the icy wall drawn between us, the one that I had bulit to mask my own hurt and anger.

I was seated between Nickolai and Amerigo with Ginana sitting next to him. Umberto and his fiancee sat opposite us, ironically Alley sat next to his fiancee. Jose sat between Alley and Valentina's husband, their father and mother sat at the head of the table along with a few of their cousins.

I admired the white, small place card with my name written in bold letters, praying to god that I don't say anything lame and out of sort to embarrass myself.

"I am sorry about your mother Emily. Please expect our condolences." sapphires dripping from her ears, throat and wrist as she passed along a white unsealed envelope which contained hundreds, no thousands of dollars.

I flush as the undesirable thought of Isabella slithers unwelcomed into my mind again. Had they ever met her before?

"That is just something to help with the funeral services. announced his father, raising his glass lightly.

"Thank you" flashing my award winning smile, tucking the contents in my clutch.

I drank a few glasses of champagne as the waiters served our food, everyone chatting heartly although I didn't pay much attention to the words only the seductive tone of Nickolai's voice.

Nickolai left my side only to give his speech and I couldn't help but admire how much he knows about cancer and the various types of the deadly disease. Every word he spoke commanded attention and respect. His topic hit home, my mind briefly wondered on my mother and how much I was missing her, my tears burned my eyes but I held it back not wanting to draw attention.

When he was finished I stood and applauded, catching him, his family, the guest and me by surprise as I was the first to push to my feet.

How embarrassing

But everyone else quickly joined me, so I didn't feel so bad. It was a very amazing speech and he deserved the compliments.

His family rose from the table heading to the dance floor. Alley was still in the same dark mood as I was and José was too busy putting the moves on one of their cousins who remained at the table.

I was about to grab my clutch and head to the powder room to remove these damn balls when someone spoke behind me.

"You are a fortunate lady."