My fingers slid into my mothers as we sat in the car on our way. I just witnessed my mother get obsessed over by hairdressers and makeup artists and she struggled to not feel totally overwhelmed by it all. My father sat opposite us and stared at us both like he was incredibly lucky and I guess when you consider where we were going you would say that he was quite lucky.
” You look beautiful Selly, are you truly my daughter?” Dad said as he leant back. I watched that glimmering look take over his features.
” Unfortunately I am” I mumbled but he heard it. I even felt mom pinch my arm.
When I woke up this morning I felt incredibly lucky as I was in the arms of Nick. Over the week we spent many nights together. We made sure to do a lot more talking and learn a lot more about each other. It was refreshing and weirdly it was like we were just getting to know each other.
Nick made sure to join me for breakfast at a local breakfast restaurant, he brought Hana and James which made it a lot more enjoyable. Hana was eager to get back and start getting ready. This award shows need a lot of preparing needed. I knew that first hand but I had help of course.
Ben finally pulled up to venue. He opened the door for us, he helped me out with my long dress. I smiled up at him and kissed his cheek. ” after you pick up Justine come find us inside” I said to him.
There was no way that Ben wasn’t joining me tonight but first he had to go pick up his very nervous girlfriend who begged me not to come in the car when I first arrived.
“Of course, be careful in there Selene,” He said as he stepped back into the car. I closed the door for him as I felt my fathers rough hand grab onto my arm. Nick wanted to be here, next to me but it would turn this into a frenzy. He would be joining us after picking up Olly and his father.
I let my parent’s escort me inside. When we reached the main entrance I quickly called over Jack. ” I will need to do press first, please make sure my parents get to their seats safely,” I said to him. Molly stood beside him in a beautiful Black dress. ” of course Selene, if we don’t see you before well good luck” she says kissing my cheek.
Jack wishes me luck as well before leaving with my parents.
I slowly made my way through to the carpet where all the press were. I gripped my dress as I made my entrance. As expected the camera’s moved to me.
” Selene, Selene over here. Congratulations on your nomination” I heard someone call out to me. I turned and found a woman with a camera guy walk up to me.
I smiled at them, giving them the green light to come and speak to me.
” Thank you, I’m honoured to be here,” I said kindly. I wasn’t quite sure but she looked relieved at my words.
” This is a big night for business, tell us did you ever imagine that you would be here as a nominee no less,” she asks me.
I shift a little on my feet. ” well you can already imagine how crazy it is for me to be here as a nominee but I am thankful for the board to even consider me and hopefully I leave tonight a winner in some way or another” I said. I wanted to sound confident but also not too cocky because that would just brand me in a way that I didn’t want to be known as.
” We hope so too Selene, well we wish you the best of luck tonight and look forward to your next launch” I watched her lean in for a cheek kiss which I responded to. I was relieved that the interview was very quick so that I could get myself ready.
As I settled into my seat with Jack after speaking with the other nominees I started to wonder about Nick. Everyone was here including Olly and his father but still no sign of Nick.
” Olly just told me that Nick had to check on something for work but he should be on his way now,” Jack said as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I blew out a breath as I thought about what sort of work could be important right now. Minutes before the show starts.
” This is stupid” I vent out as I lean back in my chair.
As the minutes grew closer I became even more nervous and all I needed was to see that handsome face of his just to calm me down.
I couldn’t think about it any longer as the host walked out on the huge stage. The venue we were in was as big as the huge arenas in England. Being in France, this felt surreal.
I found myself typing away on my phone, sending a message to Nick but Jack brought my attention back to the stage.
” This is your nomination” he whispered at the exact same time the name of my award came upon the large screen.
My hands instantly felt sweaty.
The last time I was this nervous was the time where I was giving a speech. I couldn’t possibly forget that day since it was the day I met Nick. The day he walked out on that stage and made me want him like I had never wanted any other man before.
Which is why the next few minutes made an even bigger deal.
” did you know?” Hannah whispered to my right, her fingers tightening around my own fingers.
I shook my head. ” No, but it explains why he’s been ignoring my calls,” I say with a light chuckle.
I could feel many eyes turn to me as Nick walked out on that stage. Wearing a form-fitting designer suit with a tie to match the striking colour of my dress.
” Good evening everyone. As some of you will know. I won this award a few years back when I was starting out. The award for young business person of the year is about someone who brings a high degree of entrepreneurship through creativity and their vision for the future of their industry. I personally was alighted to be asked to present this award so I won’t leave you waiting any longer. ” I watch as Nick pauses and very subtly searches the crown until he finds me.
That look he is giving me is a silent word. A good luck which only I could read.
” The award for the young business person on the year for 2020 goes to…”
Nick pov
My finger pierced through the envelope calmly even though my heart was racing.
Not only was my girlfriend one of the nominees but the way that beautiful woman was staring up at me right now was making me extremely eager to take that small waist and pull her to me.
I wasn’t told anything when I was asked to present this award. It makes it even tenser knowing that maybe just maybe my Selene could win.
I slowly flipped over the card and read the name. My lips curved up as I realised who had won.
“The award for the young business person of the year for 2020 goes to” Selene Edwards” I called out my eyes finding her surprised brown ones as everyone around her screamed and cheered for her.
I watched that beauty stand from her seat and get escorted by Ben who seemed as surprised as her.
I knew that I was supposed to stay put but I couldn’t help myself. I reached her at the bottom of the steps. When I took her arm with mine a chorus of laughter could be heard when she lightly slapped me.
” I’m going to kill you later” she mumbled under her breath as walked up the steps.
I completely dismissed her comment” fuck baby, you won I really didn’t know until I opened it” I told her. She cast me a brief look but her eyes softened.
If I had known, there is no doubt that I could pretend that I didn’t know but somehow this makes this moment even more special.
I watched her step up onto the stage. She seemed nervous but also confident which made me smile knowing how strong she is and how deserving she was of this win.
I stood to the side as she prepared to speak.
” well, this is honestly unexpected. A few years ago I can picture myself sitting on the floor of my partner’s garage making the first business plan for what we thought was this small venture. I never thought we would get to this point which is why I must thank my friend Jake Holden for this crazy yet amazing career.” I moved my eyes to Jake who was sitting with the biggest grin.
” I also want to thank my parents for being the most supportive people especially with how much I risked. I couldn’t be more thankful. To my creators, managers and assistants, thank you for dealing with me at times where I wanted to scream in frustration. Your patience is something I respect.”
From the light shaking of her leg, I could tell that she was running out of her confidence as everyone stared at her. Some were probably waiting for her to slip up but I knew that she wouldn’t.
“Lastly, I suppose I should thank this man to my left” my eyes shot over to hers. I didn’t expect a mention but I’m not mad.
” Thank you for presenting this award and thank you for being supportive of me even with how crazy both our lives are, thank you, Nick,” she said grinning over at me.
I bit my lip, I needed to keep my mouth shut. This was her moment and I should be honoured that she was thanking me this publicly.
As the audience erupted in applause I stepped forward and wrapped my arm around her waist. As we walked off the stage and we were finally out of curious eyes. Selene grabbed my neck and pulled me to meet her lips.
” distract me, Nick, I think I’m going to cry” she mumbles against my lips. Her hand wondering my body in search of something.
I groaned against her lips, there was nothing I wanted more than to distract her but we weren’t completely in privacy.
” then cry, Selene. You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Not tonight not ever” I say to her. Holding her face in my hands.
She leans back but not far enough to pull away.
” I can’t believe that I actually won, this seems impossible to me right now,” she says leaning into me.
I grabbed onto her tightly, loving the way her body sunk into mine. Her warm eyes, her soft skin and that beautiful forest green dress.
” Nothing about what you’ve achieved seems impossible Selene. You deserved this” I tell her. I wouldn’t want anyone or anything making her think that she deserved anything less.
” you’re a real cute did you know that,” She says, going as far as tapping my nose.
I find myself growling in my head at her calling me cute.
Her little squeal was enough to have me grinning down at her. ” I’ll show you exactly what I am baby and it’s anything but cute,” I say gripping her thigh that was revealed by her sexy dress that I’m still trying to figure out which way is the quickest of getting her out of it.
” Rawr” she growls to me. ” so scary and sexy Nick, I don’t know whether to walk away or jump on you”
I don’t know about her but I would much like the second option but I had to maintain professionalism even with how beautiful she looks tonight. Did I really get that lucky?
” just come with me, feisty little thing, let’s go celebrate before I decide to keep you all to myself,” I say wrapping my arm around her waist again and slowly leading her through the doors.
Compared to earlier she sank into my side and seemed at ease now.
When we entered the room where everyone was hanging out I felt Selene tug at my tie. I peered down at her. To see her brown eyes staring back up at me.
Selene didn’t say anything. I watched as her tongue darted out and wet her lips before leaning into me fully.
Her lips brushed mine as my fingers instantly wrapped around her hair. I completely forgot about the people around us, all I could think about was Selene’s lips on mine.
” what was that for” I whispered when she pulled back for a breath.
She lifted her finger to her lips and swiped. ” Just wanted to make my claim for those ladies in the back. Their eyes look like they want to eat you” she huffs still styling close to me.
I couldn’t help but smirk at her for being adorable.
” well I am delicious aren’t I Selene” I whispered placing my lips against her soft neck, sucking on her skin.
I felt her throat vibrate as she groaned. ” I wish you never knew about that,” she said quietly, only loud enough for me to hear.
Even if she was glaring at me for the next hour, I was just thankful that we were finally back to how we were. Teasing each other like we used to.
The desire we had for each other was strong and I wanted a lot more. I wasn’t going to break what we had again, I wouldn’t allow it.
The End