not happening...

5

Nicholas

Today is the big gala and both he and Peter have to go. Everyone who is anyone will be there. Nicholas has brought his sister along so he has someone to accompany him. Nicole begged him to take Serena, but since the whole incident, Nicholas has become cold and distant. Nicholas and Peter get out of the car. No one offers Nicole their hand, but she doesn't expect it anymore. She quickly gets out and looks around. In front of her is a magnificent red carpet, and they are almost at the entrance when a commotion causes them to turn around. A black limousine with special license plates has pulled up, and Nicole's eyes widen when Cole Grand, the Cole Grand, gets out. She has never met him before, but after one look at him, she knows that this is the man she wants to marry. Not only is he incredibly handsome with black hair, finely chiseled features, and amber eyes—no, he is also immeasurably rich. He has never appeared anywhere with a female companion before. Her eyes are fixed on him as he steps out of his suit. Then he turns around and a collective sigh is heard as he extends his hand. A delicate, slender, small hand rests in his, and a perfectly shaped leg with a dark blue high heel and diamonds around the dainty ankles appears. Then a beautiful goddess steps out of the car. Cole puts his hand in the crook of her arm and smiles gently at the petite young woman. After her, a man and another young woman get out of the car. “Mischa!!!! We love you!” Mischa walks over to the young woman and whispers something in her ear. Then she takes her other arm and hooks it through hers and her husband's. Together they walk across the red carpet. Nicholas watches the young woman closely. Leila! Everything in him cries out to go to her and apologize, but when he sees her hand in Cole's crook, he feels his heart contract. He turns around and, together with Nicole and Peter, they enter the hall. He takes a whiskey glass and drinks it in one gulp. Then he takes several deep breaths. Peter whispers, “Isn't that Leila?” Nicholas nods. Peter replies, “You worried for nothing. She's fine and she's got the next fish on the hook.” Peter tries to distract him, knowing full well that Leila wasn't a gold digger. After all, she didn't take anything with her. Nicholas growls, “Watch your words.” As they enter the hall, Nicole catches her first good look at the young woman and exclaims, “That's Leila!” The cry attracts the attention of the people just entering, and Mischa whispers to Leila, “Is that one of the ones who hit you?” Leila nods, and Cole, Mischa, and Lewis, her husband, shoot the other group looks full of contempt. Torben, the lawyer, has seen her and offers Leila his hand: “A dance?” Leila nods and apologizes to the others. Then she follows the lawyer onto the dance floor, and together they move to the music. Torben: “Were there any more problems?” Leila shakes her head and smiles, “Thank you so much, Uncle Torben. I'm so relieved that it's over.” Torben nods and leads her back to Cole when the dance is over. Nicholas doesn't take his eyes off the couple on the dance floor, his eyes practically glued to her figure. Why had he never noticed how beautiful she is and how gracefully she can dance? Why has he never danced with her? How does she know Cole? After the lawyer has brought her back, he slowly strolls over to the group, with Nicole and Peter in tow. He greets Cole: “Hello, Mr. Grand, nice to see you.” Then he turns to Mischa: “Compliments on your new film.” Mischa just nods at him, but doesn't take his hand. Cole, on the other hand, shakes his hand in a businesslike manner. Nicole smiles at him and greets him: “Hello, Mr. Grand. I've always wanted to meet you. Why don't you leave that trash and dance with me?” Grand ignores her and turns to Nicholas instead: “What exactly do you mean by trash?” Nicholas opens his mouth, but Nicole interrupts and points to Leila. “That's trash.” Cole turns to Leila, smiles at her, and says, “I saw someone back there I'd like to introduce you to.” With that, everyone leaves Nicholas, Peter, and Nicole standing there. Nicholas turns to Peter: “Take my sister to the car. She should wait there until the event is over.” Peter tries to pull Nicole away, but she stamps her foot. “I don't want to go yet. I want to stay here.” Nicholas says in a very cold tone, “This is a public event, and if I hear those words again, I'll destroy your tickets.” Nicole opens her mouth but quickly closes it again and nods. Then she turns around and goes looking for Cole. She quickly finds him but doesn't notice that Nicholas is following her. She is about to say something when she sees Leila apologizing. Nicholas, who originally wanted to keep an eye on Nicole, starts following Leila. She goes into the ladies' room and Nicholas waits outside. When she comes out, he takes a step toward her: “Hello, Leila.” He sees her freeze, then she turns around and he sees her violet-blue eyes. Such beautiful eyes, he could drown in them. “Mr. Anderson? What can I do for you?” He tears his gaze away from her eyes and says, “I want to apologize.” Leila makes a face: “Want to or will? Either way, it's all in the past.” With that, she turns around and starts to walk away, but his hand grabs her arm: “Leila...” She looks at him: “I prefer Smith, thank you.” Nicholas: “Leila, we were married. Can I please talk to you?