I
Davina
Nickolas pulled me in closer swaying me to the beat of the music. His hand rested on my lower back, my feet on his as he tried to guide me. “Your turn.”
He gently placed me on my own two feet and began slow dancing again. I held onto his shoulder tighter as it became a bit harder to keep up. I stepped on his toe and he yelped softly. I pulled back and away from him, “This is ridiculous.”
He pulled me back to him, “You’re thinking too hard.” Nickolas intertwined my hand with his and put my hand on his shoulder, “Just relax Davi.”
I took a deep breath and began to try and follow his movements again. I looked down at our feet trying to keep up with his and keep mines out of the way. Nickolas lifted my head by my chin and I melted under his gaze. “If I don’t look down, I’ll assault your foot.”
He chuckled and spun me around, our chest colliding when I was facing him again. “You’re getting better.”
As if he jinxed it, I stepped on his foot again and this time he pulled back. “This is pointless!” I took a deep breath, “I’m taking his hand tonight Nick, there’s no possible way that I can learn to two step in an hour.”
Nickolas walked over and shut off the music, leaning on the desk. He took a deep breath, ”Ven acá.” I trudged over to him and he pulled me in closer by my waist, “You rather shoot a bow instead?”
Archery was one of my strong suits, “There’s a lower chance of me shooting you in the foot, so yeah.” My Dad spent his last years making sure I could shoot an accurate arrow even if my eyes were closed. “Can I?”
His hand came down on my ass, “No.” I frowned and he gave me a light kiss, “I don’t make the rules.” Nickolas started up the music again and pulled me back into him. He put my feet on his and led me out to the dance floor, “Come on, one more time baby.”
I hated that I wasn’t going to marry Nickolas, that his face wasn’t going to be the one I woke up to. What started as a crush on the new bodyguard turned into something the both of us couldn’t control. We were drawn to each other so strongly. He didn’t express his opinion about me having to marry the head of the Moretti clan, but I knew he hated it. “I’ll miss you.”
A part of me wanted him to stand up to my Mother and declare his undying love for me. But a stronger part of me knew that if he did, he’d be dead within the second. “I’ll miss you more my love.”
He placed me on my feet and we danced together, me picking up the rhythm. I pulled myself closer to him, knowing that our time would soon be up. “Nickolas..” He looked down at me and I inched my lips closer to his, ”Lo quiero.”
“I love you more Davi.” And with that, he pressed his lips against my own. I could feel tears form in my eyes and I kissed him harder. I didn’t want to leave. The light classical music seemed to become a harder melody, the composer hitting the keys harshly. Nickolas lifted me in the air and spun me around, the intensity of the song matching our dance.
I held his shoulders, the atmosphere feeling thick as my throat ached with tears. He suddenly stopped and slowly let me down, dipping me towards the ground. I gripped the back of his neck with the same force that he held onto my waist, “Don’t let me go Nick.”
The door opened and he dropped me, “Ms. Davina?” I groaned softly shooting Nickolas a cold look as I sat up. He smiled sheepishly and slowly walked over to the table pausing the music. I rolled my eyes and turned to the door, it was one of the maids. “Your Mother would like to see you in her office immediately, then we start preparations for tonight in your room.”
“Great.” I mumbled and got up, “Thanks for the lessons Nickolas.” I began to walk away and I looked back, “And another big thank you for dropping me.”
He shouted his remorse and I closed the door heading down the stairs towards my Mother’s office. I gave it a light knock and she granted me access. I sat down in one of the chairs and she looked up, “You look a mess, you get married in under twelve hours girl.”
I shrugged, “Isn’t he like sixty something, I don’t think he’d notice if we’re being entirely honest.”
“Have some respect for a dead man.” She growled and my blood went cold.
The room seemed to tip, and I grabbed onto the arms of the chair. I stared at her wide eyed, “What?”
She exhaled, her eyes falling to the documents in front of her. “That’s why I sent for you, I just received word.” She clicked her tongue, “My heart aches for him.”
I flinched at that statement, memories of the past cascading into my head. Memories of his death. “Then what happens now, who am I marrying?” She made it obvious that I was still getting married, but to who?
“His son, all the plans for the evening are still in motion, the union of the Ramos and the Moretti clan will happen tonight.” She stood, “Now go get ready.”
I stumbled a bit towards the door, still in a state of shock. I had only met the former leader of the Moretti clan once, I was six and he had stop by for a trade. I waltzed into the office in hopes for a bedtime story and there he was. I couldn’t have known that fourteen years later we’d be fixed to marry and he would die.
I pushed open my room door getting a shocked gasp from the maids as I sprawled out on the bed. I could feel the material of the different dresses that were laid out underneath me. “Ms. Davina, are you alright?”
I lifted my head, “I want a black dress please.”
I looked in the mirror one more time before heading out to the cars on the ground floor. My hair was straightened and hovered above my waist, that was snatched by the black dress that I chose. It lacked sleeves and the back of the dress dipped down to the top of my butt, the ends of the dress reaching the floor. My face makeup was light but the glossiness of my lips made it all the more better. “Ms. Davina we have to leave now.”
I nodded and we left the room, heading downstairs towards the cars. Nickolas was holding the door open and my breath hitched when I met his gaze. It was dark, and full of desire. “You look beautiful.” He mumbled as I came closer, “So beautiful.”
“Get in.” My mother called from inside of the car and I gave Nickolas one last longing look before I did. I sat down and the door closed after me, the vehicle moving forward after a quick second.
I looked out of the window on my left, seeing the gate pass by as we left the manor. “You answer no questions.” My gaze fell to my Mother, “You show no feelings, and you keep quiet when you’re with Corbin.”
Corbin.
I didn’t even know he had a son.
——
End of Chapter One.
