Chapter 19: Surprise

The car ride she remained silent because I was on a conference call. Something in her eyes was different after her visit. Was it relief?

Whatever it was, she seemed to be happy, and that benefited me. Because that means I have her eating out of the palm of my hand. There’s nothing she won’t do for me after that grand gesture.

The limo came to a stop, and we both exited the vehicle at the luxury home of my good friend Celeste de la Fuente.

“I thought we were going shopping to get me something to wear?” she says while holding my hand exiting the limo.

“We are Seraphina, trust me.” I said as we headed toward the double doors that await us with two gloved men.

“Welcome Dimitri, and guest.” Celeste says greeting us from the top of the staircase.

I looked down at Seraphina who I can tell recognized the woman. She had the look of pure amazement in her eyes.

“Dimitri, there’s no way we are standing in front of Celeste de la Fuente?”

“We are, and I believe she prefers to be called Celeste.” I replied as we waited for her to descend.

“Dimitri, it’s been too long.” she answered as she took her time strutting down the stairs. “And might this be our special guest?”

“I’m Seraphina Fulton and please let me just tell you what an honor it is, no what a privilege it is to be in your presence. You’re an icon.”

“That I am darling.” she says before inspecting Seraphina.

“She needs a gown for the Valor luncheon, which so falls on my special day.” I turn to Seraphina as I say my next words. “I need this special young lady in an exceptional dress. After all, she is my fiancée and I will announce our engagement at this event.”

“Oh my, my, for once the rumors are true. Dimitri has decided to settle down.” she declares before interlocking their arms and heading back up the stairs. “Darling, I don’t have to tell you how lucky you are, do I?”

“No, you don’t. I feel like I’ve entered some alternate reality and I’m questioning what’s real.”

Seraphina says before she’s out of my eyesight. The gloved men lead me to a living room and offer me a chill glass of champagne. Just as they leave my phone rings.

The number flashes unknown and I can guess who it will be on the other end of the phone once I answer.

“Blocking your calls won’t stop you, then what will?” I growl into the phone.

“Engaged Dimitri!” she screams into the phone. “Who the fuck is this woman and why am I reading about her online?”

“She’s my fiancée, just as the headline states Nicolette.”
“What did I do wrong, Dimitri?”

“What we had was just fun. We had a good time and now it’s over, now do us both a favor and find someone else.”

“You think you can treat me like some concubine! A dirty secret you can just cover up? We will see how long you stay engaged after I’m through with you!”

The line goes dead and I get a feeling in my gut that I can’t explain, but I know it’s not good.

Nicolette Burton is a vindictive woman and also one of the few female architects in the business. Her beauty and her determination attracted me to her, but that same determination is why I ended things with her.

She wanted more than I can give. I could have merged with her and her company to become the world's largest architecture merger in over a century. But I have my reasons for not going down that path.

I shoot a quick text to Thomas to be on high alert for Nicolette. I put my phone on silent and stick it into the breast pocket of my blazer as I sip champagne and wait for Seraphina.

Seconds turn to minutes and minutes turn into four hours. I’m starving and waiting to see what beauty will await me.

“Enjoying the view?” Seraphina coos from over my shoulder.

I looked up to find her eyes dazzling as she stared into mine. With her so close, I could observe every freckle and beauty mark that adorned her unique beauty. She moves in closer. So close our lips brush together, but I hold back building anticipation.

“You’re exquisite.” she didn’t falter or even pull back from my heated tone.

“Thank you but you haven’t seen my dress yet.” she says, placing a deep kiss onto my wanting lips.

“Hours of waiting and I get to see nothing?”

“Don’t pout, it’s adorable on you.”

“And I told her she should wait until the big day to reveal herself to you.” Celeste says from the doorway.

“Are we all set?” I say standing.

“Yes you are and I will send the dress with all the alterations to your home.”

“Thank you again Celeste, this has been a complete dream.” Seraphina says hugging Celeste before we all say our last goodbyes.

“Remember, you promised me the honor of designing your wedding gown.”

“The honor is mine.”

We exit the home with a picturesque view of the sunset.

“Today has been an absolute dream Dimitri!”

“I’m glad everything was to your liking. What would you like for dinner?”

“You can choose I don’t have a preference.”

“Even I know better than to fall for that trick.”

“I’m hungry but not sure what I’d like to eat but I would love to eat.”

This is why I am a bachelor.