Chapter 8 Nolan's POV

• “Dude you are even more romantic than the rest of us. Lurane is not going to expect this.”
• I nodded to Paul’s words, my best friend and part business associate. He has a business of his own that he built from ground up, so he’s not what you’ll call a born elite. But to be fair I envy his ease and lack of ‘inheritance’ burden. I wonder who he would have been married off to if he was among the elites. Luckily, he has been spared that unpleasantness by fate. We met in business school. Paul had an uncle that thought he was too smart for regular college and had used all the resources at his disposal to send him to one of the best schools. We attended a debate on Capitalism and Communism, had different views, and became close friends ever since. Even though he is treated as an outcast among the heirs and heiresses of old money, he doesn’t care and he attends whatever events he wants to without being encumbered with scheming mothers and fathers trying to leech off him in the name of marriage. How I envy his life.
• “And the ring! Man, that diamond is huge! I will be surprised if it doesn’t appear in every magazine in town.”
• Once again I nodded. He doesn’t know about the contract. He doesn’t even know about my dad’s company's debt. For all he cares, I met Lurane at an event and we started dating and we became true loves ever since. Well…far from the truth but Douglas Grant’s instruction was clear, no third parties must know about the contract otherwise I will lose my company to him.
• Paul dropped his whiskey glass on the table and leaned forward. I typed away at my keyboard, rejecting business offers, and accepting offers Douglas would like. In a way, I am kind of his lapdog, loyal and tied to him with paper and ink.
• “Are you sure you are excited about tonight?” Paul asked.
• “Of course I am.” Right. When he didn’t respond I glanced at him and raised a brow.
• He shrugged. “You have barely said a word since I started talking and you are not even nervous. Look at you just typing away, confident that Lurane would say yes. I wish I was that confident.”
• Well, what is to worry about when the engagement is already stated in Clause 3 of a contract?
• “Unless you are having cold feet about this.” Paul tapped on my computer until I finally looked at him. “Getting cold feet now? Marriage is a lifetime commitment you know? I won’t blame you if you are getting those.”
• Not unless I want to end up on the street again.
• “I am good,” I said simply.
• “Sure,” he drawled. “You know what? I just had a great idea. Why don’t we go to a bar and have something to drink? You have five hours to rethink this decision,” he laughed. I shook my head. “Come on, a little bit of drink doesn’t hurt!”
• “A little bit of drink to you is like 5 bottles for starters. No.” I chuckled. “Besides, I doubt Chantelle would appreciate me showing up drunk tonight.”
• When he frowned I suddenly realized the slip-up. Fuck. It’s her fault for being in her head all night and day. The image of her in that red dress was still burned in my memory. It kept me awake and hard throughout the night and not even a cold bath could soften the hardness the thought of her provoked.
• “Chantelle?” Paul asked. His eyes narrowed into slits.
• “Lurane. I meant Lurane.”
• “I’m sure you did. I did notice you have been a bit distracted throughout today. So it’s not the party, it’s another woman.”
• Of course, it is another woman. Just the sight of her again and I’m back to being simple Nolan with the huge crush. Suddenly my laptop computer held zero interest. I turned it off and shoved my chair back.
• “There is no other woman ok? You know me long enough to know I won’t do that. It was a mistake nothing more. I have things to do Paul.”
• He didn’t take the cue. Instead, he stood up with his glass still grinning like an idiot. He never thought Lurane and I were a good match anyway and Paul is the kind of silly romantic who breaks hearts here and there.
• “I’m sure you do. Thinking about Chantelle for example. Between C and L there is a long gap, man.” When my only response was to shove my fingers into my hair Paul patted my shoulder. “You need that drink. And while we are drinking you can tell me all about Chantelle.”
• Despite my resistance, I found myself opening the door and joining him down the stairs to the parking lot. All around the luscious and expensive office were workers Douglas had recommended to me. No doubt he sent them to watch everything I do. They can go to hell for all I care. His future son-in-law or not Douglas Grant trusts no one. My first secretary, a young man fresh from college, was Lurane’s choice because she couldn’t trust women around me until I kicked against it and hired a bright young woman called Fiona instead. Honestly, I feel trapped all thanks to my father who is now getting what he deserves in jail. Too bad he has me to keep running his dying business.
• We drove my car to an exclusive bar and got a private space. The last thing I want is one of Lurane’s friends to inform her of my being there. She would barrel through the door with the hell’s fury.
• Paul ordered the drinks. Once they arrived he poured them out and pushed a glass to me, raised his glass, and made a toast.
• “To a fallen man.”
• Yes, I am fallen alright. Chantelle is my forbidden fruit. What was she doing dressed in spicy red lingerie in my dream last night?!
• I tossed my drink back to dispel the image away. Paul was watching me, his eyes mocking my downfall. I ignored him and grabbed the bottle of wine off the table to pour another full glass for myself.
• “So, do you want to tell me who Chantelle is?”
• I gave him an evil eye which he laughed at. “An old flame. Even I can even call her that.” No man tells his friends that he probably lasted a second or two his first time and not with the girl he had the biggest crush on. Leaving out the embarrassing details I told Paul everything from when I first met Chantelle to yesterday when I met her again looking even better and sexier and just…mouthwatering.
• Paul whistled low. “You are a dead man,” he laughed. “You have fucking stars in your eyes. You have never spoken this excitedly about Lurane before.” He lowered his voice and leaned forward even though we were alone in the small soundproof booth. “I don’t have to warn you that a slip-up like this could ruin your opportunity with Lurane and Douglas.”
• “That is the point of this engagement isn’t it?”
• “You know what I’m talking about, I know you will not tell me the details and I will not push it but be careful, dude.” He relaxed in the velvet seat again and flashed a mischievous grin. “Besides, I can help you get this Miss Chantelle out if you will introduce me to her.”
• “Not a chance,” I was quick to say. Paul laughed it off. I’ll rather trade Lurane while I try to win Chantelle’s heart again but with my reaction to her apology the other day I doubt I will get any response better than a punch in the gut from her. I don’t blame her. But intend to get back into her life which is why I sent that invitation through Penny, thankfully for once Penny didn’t ask any questions. With any luck, she will accept the invitation.
• Paul was talking about some new investment his company was making. The waitress came in with another bottle of wine and he winked at her as she left. Drunk. But if I know Paul well enough he will be drinking a lot more tonight.
• Tonight. My suit was waiting in its plastic covering so was the white dress Lurane ordered. The plan was I arrive first, make sure everyone sees me without her, and then she comes in an hour later then I make the big proposal for everyone to see. There would be enough press to make sure the engagement of the year was printed and broadcast in every media.
• When evening came I was more relaxed. Excited even as Paul and I left the bar. He took a taxi and left while I drove in the opposite direction to the condo. Lurane was already there. She sat on the arm of the couch in a silk dressing robe, one long leg crossed over the other.
• “Can I call you back, Roxie?” Tossing the phone aside she stood up and strolled towards me with a seductive smile. Once I thought she was beautiful until I saw the ugliness beneath the blonde hair, blue-eyed and full-figured beauty. She locked her arms behind my neck and rose to kiss my lips. Frowning she leaned back. “You’ve been drinking.”
• There was no question just straight accusation.
• “I’m nervous,” I lied.
• Her frown disappeared, replaced with a satisfied, mischievous smile. “Oh baby, there’s no need to be. I should be nervous, I hope everyone comes! You remembered the press didn’t you?” when I nodded she carried on. “Good because it’s not news unless it’s hot news. Baby.” She pressed her full breasts against my chest and leaned in. “Daddy would be so proud of you.” Her robe dropped to the floor.
• “How was your date with Roger?”
• “I stood him up. I’m getting engaged tonight. Why do you care?” her hands slipped down to undo the fly and button of my pants, soon warm fingers were curving around my cock. “I want you before you leave.”
• My body was responding but not fast enough for her. She pushed my pants down, pumping my cock with her other hand. When I leaned down to suck her nipples into my mouth she stopped and pushed me back. “It will ruin my dress, Nolan.” She took my hand and led me to the couch, bending over so that her ass was pushed against my pelvis. This is unusual. Lurane always hated getting on her knees for sex, it made her powerless she claimed. The invitation was tempting but my cock was not cooperating. I woke up painfully hard this morning now I can barely get it to rise.
• “What’s wrong?”
• “I can’t,” I confessed feeling like a fool. Pulling my pants to my waist I stepped away from her. “No now.”
• She looked disappointed but she smiled and kissed my lips again. “Okay, you really are nervous. But tonight, you are all mine. I might even try giving you a blowjob.” She winked. “Okay, go get ready now.”
• This person used to be friends with Chantelle? I remember her differently. I vaguely recall her rebuffing the guys who came to hang around the court with them but that’s all I know about her. Cruel fate eh?
• It was 8: 12 pm when I knotted the bowtie on my neck. Checking my reflection in the mirror I snorted. Nolan Pierce, the most eligible bachelor of the season. Who knew that this distinguished gentleman staring back at me used to be the laughingstock at every social gathering? What a joke.
• Lurane kissed me before I left but not before reminding me of my lines for the night. Once she was sure it was perfect she waved me off and went back on the phone.
• Finally alone since the day began I opened the glove compartment and retrieved a cigar. An old habit I picked at business school. Lurane hates the smell so I save it for when I’m alone. After a couple of drags, I was finally ready to face the crowd and be the man Lurane wanted.
• The Emerald Elites was lit and beautiful as ever. Posh cars drove in and out of the expansive, luxurious hotel. How many of those belong to invited guests?
• I found the hall Lurane requested and oh boy Penelope did a good job of arranging the whole thing. The lights, the balloons, the lamps, everything was just as Lurane wanted. The cake in front of the hall manned by hired servers was huge enough to feed a whole village. There were streamers and the huge screen above that read; Happy Birthday Lurane!
• The place was over-illuminated with pink lights, Lurane’s favorite color. Hundreds of guests talked, laughed, and clinked glasses.
• “Ah, there he is.”
• I turned. Douglas Grant was ambling toward me. He held a champagne flute in one hand and a half-eaten canapé in another. Mrs. Grant, dressed elegantly in a pale yellow ankle-length gown was beside him with the brightest smile on her face.
• “You made it at last.” Grant’s voice was intentionally loud. It was all an act to get everyone to pay attention to us, to make sure they saw I arrived alone. “Getting nervous?”
• “A little,” I forced myself to say with a false nervous laugh. Douglas slapped my shoulder playfully.
• “You will get over it. Come, let me introduce you to Noel Greer.”
• I went with them to their group of friends, businessmen who made their living buying and selling stock, getting their hands dirty with their rivals' tears and blood.
• While Douglas talked I couldn’t stop myself from drifting off, waiting for the one familiar face I was hoping to see to show up among the sea of people dancing to the slow music that floated through the hall but there was no sign of her.
• She did not reject my invitation, did she?