The Billionaire's Plaything

Chapter Thirteen: Grand Entry

ELENA

After an hour of sitting still and letting Sophie and Lona do their magic, I was finally ready to go and the chime from my phone that was specially for Carlo allowed me to know I had been just right on time.

“You guys really killed this dress”, Sophie gushed, and the whole team stared at their work in awe. Since I decided to put on the collection at the last minute, Kyle had gotten the glam department to set up a makeshift studio there for me to take some shots and I genuinely hoped that I wasn’t too exhausted by the time I got there.

After taking one last shot, I walked out carefully with Kyle, who insisted on using his car to follow us to the event location.

“I need to help you get down in this dress. Your red carpet statement can’t be any blemish.” He had insisted until I finally agreed.

Lucio opened the car door and I was glad that he had changed the car for his Rolls Royce. At least, I got more space for my dress that was so long and full.

My heart lurched in my heart the moment I saw Carlo. He was in a two-piece white suit that Stella had definitely not held back on.

With the neck slightly lower than other suits, allowing his attractive collarbones and slight chest hair to show, giving him a kind of rugged look. I felt like I was meeting him all over and the car suddenly felt hotter.

I felt self-conscious when I saw his eyebrows crinkle at my outfit and his fists clenched slightly.

“You look really good.” I said sincerely, forgetting whatever squabble we had together.

“I wouldn’t expect less. Stella has her way with design.” He said bluntly and as much as the rational part of me agreed with that, my emotional part wasn’t.

He didn’t think I did a good job?

To avoid making my mood the worst, I turned away from him, looking at the scenery outside as the car sped past before I could really take anything in.

We were thirty minutes late, which was fine since they would still be on the red carpet. I met Lucio’s eyes like twice through the rearview mirror and it felt like I saw pity in there, which made me wince.

I didn’t like to be looked at with pity.

When the car parked in front of La Forte, I looked at Carlo with suspicion. This was one of his largest hotel chains and he had managed to take it internationally.

How could an event be held in his hotel and he would only inform me about it today? I had a feeling that he and Stella had prepared his outfit previously. Had he just been playing with me again?

The moment our car stopped, Kyle opened my side of the door as he and his assistant helped me get down slowly.

We were late and there were barely any people on the red carpet anymore, which was fine since it would give me all the attention I wanted.

Carlo scowled as he took in how Kyle was fussing over me and, for a minute, I felt like his feelings for me were still there and something was just holding it back.

“I’ll be backstage to remove it later” Kyle whispered in my ears as he squeezed my hand. We had decided to make the down and floating part of my dress detachable, which meant I didn’t have to make everyone clear the way for my dress after a while.

I placed my hand in Carlo’s palm and took a deep breath as he led me down the red carpet, the already reclusive paparazzi and media crew jumping up at our entrance.

“Couple of the year!” Someone yelled and I smiled, my head leaning on Carlo’s arms when he pulled me closer to him, his scent flooding my nostrils.

Despite how much I was used to the publicity, it had been a while, I couldn’t help but soak in the feeling and I grasped his arm tighter. Might as well make the most of it.

“Have you been that deprived of my touch?” Carlo’s voice sounded like a little purr sounded right in my ears and his stubble poked me slightly from him being so close.

I was certain the media would think he was saying something romantic to me at that moment. Their imaginative minds made the most of the situation as several more clicks sounded.

“Is this a couple set?” One of the journalists asked and I could feel she had a smirk on her face.

I smiled, remembering what Kyle had told me.

I wouldn’t ruin this. “Well, I’m humbled you find them similar, but my husband is currently wearing Tusk while I am, of course, wearing Nirvana. I had been afraid there wouldn’t be a perfect blend, but who would have imagined?” I said with my signature giggle while shooting a wink at one male photographer.

He came to me immediately, taking full advantage of the opportunity. I was born playing with the media and I was certain Stella wouldn’t know what hit her very soon and perhaps Carlo too.

“Your dress is mind-blowing. How long did you spend on this Mrs Mancini?” He asked with a boyish grin that reminded me of Daniel.

“Considering I had heard about this ball by 2pm, I would say 8 solid hours.” I said and raised my shoulders up. I wanted my mother, who I was certain would be watching me at this moment, to see her princess in all of her glory.

The whole place was stunned as everyone took full pictures of my dress and close up to let people see the floating clouds illusion I had done for it. Unfortunately, red made a terrible color for clouds or snow and I was certain all they would see falling roses maybe.

“She draws a hard bargain every time,” Carlo said as he spun me to him and our lips in an intense kiss that made my legs lose control, making me latch onto him even more tightly.

“What are you doing?” I murmured loud enough just for us to hear as I watched his eyes glint with pure mischief. For a second, I was certain he was going to pull a stunt that would ruin the whole night for me. Instead, he just pulled me back beside him and looked at all of them sternly.

“That’s enough. We are late already.” He commanded and somehow the whole media crew parked off and left while he led me through the remaining red carpet.

Anna rushed towards us immediately. We entered the hall completely.

“Omg! Can’t believe you are actually here!” Anna squealed as she wrapped her hands around me and then stepped back to take in the both of us appearance.

“You guys look like you shouldn’t be here on earth.” She joked and then talked with us for a while and separated.

Several people came to talk to us and a lot of people used the opportunity to ask what we were wearing. Despite being sure that they had heard of Nirvana before now, I gave as many who requested a card one and thanked my stars that Kyle had been so thoughtful to put so much in my little purse.

“For a second, I thought you weren’t going to show up.” A deep baritone voice said behind us, making me turn simultaneously with Carlo.

“You should give me more credit than that, Dante,” Carlo said, making me curious as I looked between both men. I had never seen him with him and while the man looked awfully familiar, I couldn’t exactly pin point who he was. After all, the media was the one that paid attention to me. I barely paid any attention to the media or anything as long as it didn’t involve me.

“Is this your famous bride?” The young man who seemed no older than Dante asked as he shot me an appreciative look, his gaze resting on my body longer than I thought was proper and Carlo’s curt nod made his brows furrow.

“I’m Dante Calloway. Carlo’s buddy and the organizer for this charity. Forgive me if the invitation had been sudden, I had no idea your husband was back in town until today.” He apologized, making me rethink my idea that Carlo had known about the event before now.

I nodded my head in understanding. There was no damage done and we got our first public appearance out of the way also.

“You seem to thrive well in emergencies though. I happen to have heard some mumblings about you designing this dress in less than eight hours.” I flashed him a smile, unsure what to say. He was Carlo’s friend but I didn’t know how exactly he fitted into the puzzle that was my husband.

“I wouldn’t have expected less of Carlo’s woman also.” He said after a while and moved on to talk with Carlo about some matters.