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66| Bottle Race
“I will want to wait to get married until after the baby is born. I want to be able to get back to my non-pregnant figure.” I thought this excuse would buy me some time.
“How come? If it’s just family, it shouldn’t matter. Tell you what… after the baby is born, we can have a second ceremony. One more lush and lavish for the media to eat up.”
I smiled awkwardly and spoke through my teeth, “Well, doesn’t that sound like a great plan.” I’m so grateful that my parents are here to witness what is happening right now.
“Howdy-ho party people, what have I missed?”
We all looked to the owner of the playful voice and found that Isaac’s mom, Isabella, had arrived late to the party. My shoulders visibly relaxed and I exhaled a breath of relief. I didn’t expect Isaac to be with her, but at least I could ask her how he is and maybe have her pass on a message for me.
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Claudette Reed 67| Plan is a Go
Isaac POVEven though she resisted, I told my mom to go to Steph’s baby shower.“But won’t it be odd? Now that you guys are kind of on the outs now… I think I should back off too, to not give her mixed signals or false hope, you know?” she had tried to reason with me earlier on why she shouldn’t go.“What’s going on between Steph and me is between us alone. You are still auntie Iz to her, you should be there for her. I only have one thing to ask of you.”“What is it?”I opened my hand to show the small black device in my palm. “Make nice with Dominic, and sneak this into his pocket.”My mom looked confused as she stared at the small, round device in my hand. “What is that?”“A buddy of mine has been working on something,
Claudette Reed 68| House Tour
3rd Person POVEmile approached the mansion that his old friend Stephanie had moved into with a pocket full of tiny devices made by her uncle, Ben, to bug the house with. Since Dominic had his license suspended after the accident with Stephanie, there was little need to bug any of his cars, and Emile had already thoroughly taken care of Dominic’s office, so the only thing missing was the house.He walked up to the front door and knocked thrice before the door opened. It was Stephanie, and she smiled upon seeing her friend.“Emile!” She jumped into a hug that he was unprepared for.He chuckled at her excitement. “Hey! Good to see you!”“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” She squeezed him tightly before letting go of their hug and inviting him inside. “I feel like I’ve been surrounded by all of my p
Claudette Reed 69| Presents and Booze
3rd Person POVAs Stephanie and Emile made it to the bottom of the steps, one of the fellow fashion designers who attended the baby shower approached Stephanie with a beaming smile showing off her perfect teeth.“Stephanie, it’s time for presents!” She grabbed hold of Stephanie’s arm and pulled her away from Emile toward the large, plush chair that looked like a throne for a queen. “Sit, sit,” she insisted as she gently encouraged her down onto the seat. The young woman turned and grabbed something nearby, coming back to put a tiara on Stephanie’s head.“Aww,” everyone in attendance said in unison as they saw her. Everyone crowded around, ready for her to open each of their presents.
Claudette Reed 70| Signatures
“Lord, have mercy,” Stephanie whispered as she saw Dominic nearly fall off the couch.Louisa walked forward and placed the piece of paper on the table in front of the sofa for the both of them to sign. She motioned with her hand for Stephanie to join Dominic on the couch, which she did.“Now, all I need are a single signature from each of you. Ste-” Louisa faked a cough to stop herself from saying Stephanie’s name after being told not to. “Ms. Greene, you sign here,” she pointed to the correct line. “And Mr. Knight, you will sign right here.”Stephanie picked up the pen provided to her and looked at her family and friends. Isaac didn't tell Stephanie’s parents, nor his own mom, and Emile's dad was just there to photograph and mingle amongst people, so they all looked just as confused as she was.Besides Emile, Kay and Eli were the only ones
Claudette Reed 71| Hungover
Isabella returned home later that day with a million questions for her son. What was that tiny gadget that he wanted to be planted on Dominic Knight? Why did Matthew whisper “SOS” to her as soon as she got to the party? Why did Emile gather the family and close friends to watch Stephanie and Dominic sign one paper together about contacts in Asia? “Isaac?” she hollered as she entered the quiet, dark house. “I’m home.” “Up here, mom,” she heard faintly from upstairs as she took off and hung up the coat she was wearing. She walked up the steps and knocked lightly on the door to her son’s room that was left cracked open for her. She peeked in and saw Isaac at his computer with his headphones around his neck. He looked up and greeted her with a smile as he turned in his swivel chair to face her. “How was the baby shower?” “It was fine,” she answered vaguely. Her
Claudette Reed 72| Issues in Italy
I got a surprising call from Gwen the same week as the baby shower asking me to hang out for some “bonding” time with her. I’m still unsure whether or not I trust Gwen, so I came up with simple excuses every time she would ask. I’ve told her that I had morning sickness, was too tired, or had work to catch up on to get me out of having to spend any alone time with her. Something about that woman just gives me the creeps.Most of those were lies. But my showcase is coming up in just a couple of months and I have a lot to do to prepare for it, so it was more of a little white lie. Still, I didn’t feel good about it.Dominic had stopped asking me to check out the cabin with him, which I found odd, but brushed it aside and counted my blessings. I sure as hell wasn’t planning on asking him about it. He seemed rather distant. I wanted to know what was going on in that head of his but didn’t want to take a c
Claudette Reed 73| Reflection
I was able to get Dominic out of the country for the next month after telling him he was welcome to network with my contacts in Asia for Knightingale Suits, which gave me time to get more work done than I have through my entire pregnancy. The house was quiet and glorious, and I found it calming with his presence missing. He got back just the other night, and it was so late that I was already in bed when he got home, so I didn’t get to see him or talk to him. Fine by me; the less time with him the better. My showcase for Claudette Reed is tonight and I’m excited about it. I’m excited to finally have an event that’s all mine; not mine and Dominic's. My company, my designs, my work are all on display for fashion’s most elite crowd. I can rub it in the faces of those damn investors and show them what a mistake they made by backing down and no longer funding me. A twisted part of me is thankful for Dominic. Without him,
Claudette Reed 74| Steph's Showcase
The event space looked fabulous and I swelled with pride as I took in my surroundings. Everything looked so elegant and, well, with no better word to describe it, expensive. It was high-end glitz and glam with crystals inside flower vases, custom-made chandeliers, and butlers in black and white serving each person as they walked through the doors.I still can't believe that I pulled this off. Sure, without Dominic it wouldn’t have happened, but with the little time I had in the office to complete everything, I was proud of the work I had accomplished.There were few people here before me - mostly my employees working on finishing touches. I had been so nervous that I left the house early. That, along with the fact that I didn’t have to pick up anyone to walk the red carpet with, my driver Noah and I arrived sooner than expected.The car ride was dreadfully silent, and Noah noticed it to
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- Claudette Reed 85| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Wedding
- Claudette Reed 84| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): The Call
- Claudette Reed 83| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Isabella's
- Claudette Reed 82| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Doubt
- Claudette Reed 81| Bonus Chapter (Alternate Ending): Christmas
- Claudette Reed 80| Epilogue
- Claudette Reed 79| The Death Cabin
- Claudette Reed 78| What Happens Now?
- Claudette Reed 77| Revelations
