Eighty-One

|Chapter 81|

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"I know I said you are staying with me but what do you want to do?" he asks.

"I'm definitely not gonna look like your eye candy, so I'll roam around on my own for a bit."

"Promise you won't wander far from me, baby."

"I won't, Seb. Now come on, I'm walking in with you because it needs to be known that you're taken."

"Same with you," he smirks. He steps out of the limo, onto the carpet and he helps me out.

"Thank you, lovey."

"You're welcome."

"Wow, there's a lot of people. I'm surprised nobody's taking pictures of us," I whisper. We're surrounded by a crowd of hungry paparazzi.

"I made some arrangements to prevent that because I knew you would be uncomfortable."

"Oh, good," I say as I put on a smile for everyone. I'm sure at least one of them is sneaking a picture. This is Emilian Moldovan we're talking about.

Halfway to the entrance, he removes his hand from mine and places it on my lower back. He greets a few gentlemen as we walk in and he ignores a few girls.

"I'll take you to the table and give me 10 minutes to chat with a few important clients."

"More like 30 minutes," I say. "It's fine though, I'll be doing my own thing."

We arrive at the table and his whole family, except Carson is sitting there. I greet everyone and they all greet me in return then Eugene, Dana, and little Leona go off to somewhere.

"I won't be far," he tells me.

"I know."

"Call me if you need anything," he says but doesn't move.

"Mhm."

"Can I have a little kiss?" he whispers.

"No," I smile. "Later."

"Baby, you're killing me," he groans.

"Even if I wanted to, I'm too short and I'm sure you want them to see that I'm kissing you and not you kissing me."

"Woman, I'm not kissing you for show," he chuckles. "Ok, I'm leaving for real now because you're distracting me." I let go of his hands and he walks away.

"Watching you guys is so repulsing, yet adorable," I hear Elvira.

"You sure it's not jealousy?"

"Nope, my man is here," she flips her hair. "I just can't be seen with him."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know and I don't want to know because he's going to know I'm sad and try to comfort me."

I look around and find him near the crowded bar, looking at her longingly. "I think you guys might be leaving early."

"What? Why?"

"Because that man will not take his eyes off you. Smile so he knows you're ok."

"Look at me, so I'm not just randomly smiling at nothing."

I giggle, "Fine."

She smiles a bit and she asks, "Is he still looking?"

"Yup and now he's smiling too."

"Oh my gosh," she blushes. "I'm going to text him because he's gonna blow our cover."

"Girl, he already did."

Elvira looks around briefly and says, "Damn girl, you've got a lot of men staring this way."

I glance up and notice that she's right. "Ugh, I kinda feel uncomfortable now."

"Don't worry, they will mind their business soon."

"I was actually going to walk around and greet some people, but I guess not."

"No, it's much more fun to watch them stare than eventually, someone will approach you."

"That's totally not fun," I roll my eyes. My anxiety is through the roof right now. "I really hope nobody approaches me."

"Oh look, we've got a contender!"

"What? What do you mean-."

"Hi, madam, I'm Donovan Berkeley." I groan internally but put on a smile.

"Oh, hello. I know exactly who you are! Nice to meet you." I wave.

"Nice to meet you too," he grins. "I recognized your face from the bar area, and I'm shocked that I'm finally meeting you."

I just nod.

"So, how was your trip to Bucharest? I tried to get in touch with you at your location in New York but you weren't there."

"It was good, for the most part," I respond vaguely. "What were you trying to contact me about?"

"This isn't the best setting, but we can talk later,"

he tells me.

"Oh, ok."

"Good evening, Mr. Berkeley," Seb's deep voice speaks from behind me. "May I borrow my wife for a second?"

"Yeah, I was just leaving," he laughs nervously and walks away.

"Is there somewhere private around here, baby? Like an office."

"Yeah, but you have your speech soon, lovey. And oh my gosh, I hate that people are staring."

"I can tell them to stop."

"Do not cause a scene, Emilian. I can ignore it... for now."

"I'll tell Isa to have everyone be seated now. Is that ok?"

"No, it's fine."

"Well, I'm not leaving you again to let another man think he can approach you," he pulls out a chair and sits down. He sits beside me and pulls my chair unbelievably close to him, placing his hands on my thigh.

"Seb, it was one person," I roll my eyes.

"One person, too many."

"That dude was totally about to ask her out. You came in perfect timing," Elvira speaks.

"He was not," I say. At least I don't think so.

"It doesn't matter. Do you ladies want anything to drink?" Seb asks.

"A glass of wine would be perfect," Elvira replies.

"I'm good."

"I'm going to kiss you," Seb whispers.

"Mhm."

He places his soft lips on my cheek for a few seconds before I blush and turn to him. "Really, Seb?"

"What?"

"That's going to attract more attention."

"Actually, it did the opposite," I observe where everyone is looking and what they're doing and he's right.

"I actually would like to see their reaction if I actually kiss you."

"I don't mind being your test subject," he leans closer.

"Maybe after your speech."

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Emilian is on stage and doing amazing so far. Everyone is sitting comfortably at their respective tables, listening to him.

"With that said, I would like to thank my fiancé and my family for making this event possible. And I also would like to thank you, the audience in advance for your substantial donations. Please enjoy your meals and have a wonderful evening," he exits the stage confidently. He also greets some of the guests as he passes by their tables.

Eventually, he's sat next to me, taking my hand in his. "That was so good, baby," I kiss his cheek.

"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I don't remember you writing fiancé down in your speech."

"I didn't but, it felt so natural. It just rolls right off the tongue."

"Well, it shouldn't because I want to be called wife."

He smiles and speaks into my ear, "I hear you." He then kisses my forehead and turns to talk to his mother.

"Fiancé?" I hear Eliza say as she sits in the empty chair beside me.

"Y'all are so late," I tell her.

"I know but Lucian didn't want to stand around talking to people for an hour and neither did I."

"Babygirl, do you want a drink?" Luci asks her

"A lemonade please."

"Alright."

"Where were you guys?" I ask her.

"It's one of your business," she replies, flipping her hair.

"Rude."

"Do y'all wanna take pictures?" Elvira asks me and Liza.

"Not now because I'm hungry," I tell her.

"Y'all are always trying to eat," she rolls her eyes. "No fun."

"Lorenzo needs to check you and this attitude," I mumble.

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We are done eating and everyone's doing more chatting and socializing. There are some people dancing and others are drinking their life away. As for me, I'm sitting with Emilian and Dana.

"We might visit for Christmas, but that depends on how Elara feels."

"I'm sure I'll be up to it, but we're definitely going to be buying a small little house to stay at. I love your home Dana, but it's really overwhelming."

"Oh, I know. It took me all of 10 years to get used to it."

"Elara, come dance with us," Liza takes my hand and pulls me along with her.

"I'll be back," I tell Emilian and Dana.

"Ok we have a plan," Eliza whispers and Elvira looks at me mischievously.

"Oh no, what are y'all doing?"

"Lucian is not giving me the attention I need right now and he's not having fun. So, we were thinking of dancing like the sexy women we are and invited you because you looked bored."

"And Lorenzo has been scared as hell to be seen with me, so I'm also bored."

"Well I'm sorry my man is attached to me," I fold my arms. "Y'all are gonna get me snatched up."

"The most Emmy would do is cut the music off and pull you off the dance floor."

"Yeah, that's still embarrassing," I respond.

"Please, Lara? I wanna have fun with my sister," she tells me as she moves her hips to the soft music and Elvira does the same.

"Fine."

I slowly start to dance, feeling the rhythm, and swaying my hips. I feel sexy and I love it.

"Damn, Lara, you have these men eying you down."

"Let them," I shrug them off.

We're dancing together and having a fun time until familiar arms smoothly wrap around my waist.

"Hi, love. Not to alarm you but you literally have everyone in the room's eyes in your direction."

I finally look up to observe the room clearly, and damn are these husbands going to be in trouble.

"This is exhausting," I turn and tell him softly.

"So, I can't have a dance with you?"

"Maybe later."

"Do you want to get out of here now?" he asks and kisses my cheek.

"Already, baby?"

"Yes, I'm tired of all these people watching us. I need time with you... alone."

"Alright, let's say our goodbyes to the others."

"That's fine, we'll see them later."

"No, we won't, Seb. Aren't we going on that little date you planned then home?"

"They wanted to come over later just for a bit but you'll probably be tired so I will tell them."

We walk towards the exit and I see a familiar set of guards begin to follow us.

"Can we take our car?"

"How do you know it's here?" he smirks.

"I just know you," I smile.

"Yeah, we can. I knew it would make you comfortable."

"Yay!" I clap excitedly. "Can you tell me where we're going?"

"On a romantic walk."

"I like the sound of that, but I have heels on, lovey."

"You don't think I wouldn't consider that, baby?"

Someone pulls up in our car and Seb opens the passenger door for me. He tips the other dude and climbs into the driver seat beside me.

Almost immediately, he leans over and presses his lips onto mine. He grabs my chin and deepens the kiss, as he groans loudly. Oh my gosh.

I slowly remove my lips from his and place a few soft kisses along his cheek. "I know you've been waiting patiently, but baby you have to chill," I smile.

"I miss clinging onto my woman."

"And how many hours has it been?" I take his free hand in mine.

"Too damn many," he kisses my hand.

I giggle, "Baby, don't be dramatic."

"You think I'm playing with you, woman," he moves my dress back slightly and places his hand on my thigh.

"Seb, your hand is unbelievably cold," I flinch and hold onto his arm. Now I kinda wish we went in the limo because I want to be in his arms.

"It'll warm up soon."

"Fine." I look up at his face and tell him, "I love you."

"I love you too, baby." He looks down at me lovingly and I blush.

"Now, let's go before I get unwanted calls."

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"Baby, these shoes are really comfy, but how long are we going to be walking for," I ask as I put on the soft, purple, fuzzy slippers he bought for me.

"Our destination is not that far, come on, princess," he tells me and takes my hands in his.

"Wait, I need to see if my makeup is still good or if I need to take it off."

"Elara, I'm the only one who's looking at you."

"I know and I want to make sure I don't look crazy in front of my man."

"Baby, you look beautiful," he smiles and pecks my lips.

"Wait I-."

"Do you need my jacket?"

"Yes, please," I responded innocently. The patience this man has for me is insane.

"Here you go, baby," he wraps the jacket around my shoulders. "Are we ready now?"

"Yes, we are," I tell him and lean onto his arm, hugging his arm as we walk down a stone path surrounded by trees.

"How'd you find this place?" I question.

"I own the property," he answers.

"Of course you do. You own too many places, Seb."

"I know. I even own the hotel we went to on the first day we met."

"Yes, I knew that."

"Do you remember what your first impression of me was?"

"I remember you looking like the sexiest man alive and that made me super nervous."

"Just like how you are right now?"

"Mhmm," I hold onto him tighter. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What was your first impression of me?"

"You looked undeniably attractive without trying and your soft personality intrigued me, but I did not know I was going to be dealing with a feisty one," he turns and places his hands on my lower back.

"Seb, I looked like a mess and I did embarrassing things."

"No, I thought you were cute and had a little crush on me but didn't want to admit it."

"Emilian, I promise I found you attractive, but I did not have a crush on you immediately."

"Ouch," he places a hand on his chest. "That hurt, baby."

"I didn't mean it in a bad way, Seb. I grew to love you and appreciate you as the man that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

"Nice save," he chuckles and bites his lip. "Lips."

I peck his lips twice and he grabs a handful of my butt.

"You're going to cause my dress to lift and expose my goods."

"I'm sorry, baby. Can I put a blindfold on you for a second?"

"But I'm enjoying the view," I pout.

"Just for a minute, princess, I promise."

"Fine, but don't mess with the hair."

"I won't, baby."

He places and secures a blindfold on my eyes then holds onto my waist to guide me.

"Seb, if I fall," I threaten and tighten my hold on his arm.

We take a few more steps and he guides me up a few stairs. He lets go of me briefly and I immediately tense up.

"Love, I'm right here." He's now in front of me and removing the blindfold. "Before you look around, I want you to look at me first."

"Okay?" I open my eyes and just focus on his face.

"When can I look?"

"Kiss me first. Not too much though."

He leans down and I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer. I press my lips onto his and they linger for a few seconds before I peck his cheek.

"Surprise, baby," he whispers into my ear and steps to the side. Oh my gosh.

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So sorry for the late upload. I hope you enjoy!!🤍