139

139

"Eventually, I should have accepted Father's offer," Nicholas continued to curse, blaming himself. He fantasized about how he should have followed his father's wishes earlier. However, it was all too late now because all the power was in Bryan's hands.

"Oh, look who's all dressed up. Where are you headed, beautiful?" Nicholas teased, trying to conceal the fear that now enveloped him.

"Wants to take me to a wedding. Come on, so we don't miss out on the rendang, or we'll be left with just galangal," Alesya replied, playfully teasing Nicholas.

"Alright, let's go to the boutique first to pick up the dress you designed. I've also ordered a matching suit to go with your gown."

"Oh, really? Is the dress ready?" Alesya was incredibly excited. It was the first time her design had been transformed into an actual dress.

"Yes, it is. I was just contacted, and they said..."

"Come on, Nik!" Alesya urged, dragging Nicholas along. She was too eager to see how the dress turned out.

Throughout the journey, Alesya couldn't stop smiling. She was genuinely thrilled with her creation, unaware that Nicholas was deeply concerned about her current situation.

"Is this my dress?" Alesya covered her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at the gown before her.

It was a silver strapless gown with a column cut, featuring layers of tulle fabric and a wrap detail on the corset. The bottom of the dress was not overly voluminous, giving it a simple yet elegant look.

Alesya's eyes welled up as the dress was placed on her. It transformed her into a queen from a fairy tale.

But it didn't stop there. The boutique next to the salon had completely transformed Alesya. Her long hair was elegantly styled up, leaving two strands on either side of her face. For accessories, the makeup artist gave her a necklace and a handbag that matched her gown.

Nicholas, who had just finished trying on a silver suit, was equally captivated by Alesya's beauty. He was certain that when Alesya stood next to the bride, people might mistake her for the bride herself.

"You look very handsome," Alesya complimented Nicholas before he could even praise her. It wasn't about confidence; Alesya could see that Nicholas was ready to speak.

Nicholas blushed slightly. He rubbed his neck, feeling a bit embarrassed by Alesya's praise.

"But not without this." Alesya removed the thick-lensed glasses perched on Nicholas's sharp nose. "So that everyone can see how handsome and dashing you are."

Nicholas tried to resist, but Alesya had already taken the glasses.

"This is the real Nicholas," she continued, adjusting Nicholas's hair slightly so that no one would see him as a nerdy guy who deviated from the norm.

"I'm not confident." Nicholas refused, trying to retrieve his glasses from Alesya's hands.

"Just this once, please. For me. I want people to see you the way I see you when we're alone."

"But, Al..."

"I beg you."

Nicholas took a deep breath. Finally, he nodded, agreeing to Alesya's request. It wouldn't hurt to appear like this, just for once.

Truth be told, Nicholas didn't want people to know or see what he looked like. He was genuinely comfortable with who he was now.

Alesya and Nicholas walked into the hotel ballroom to attend Devin and Silvi's wedding. Alesya tried her best to appear composed, even though before her eyes, she saw Devin standing with another woman.

The wedding party cut deep into her heart because the decorations Devin had used were her dreams all along. Alesya couldn't believe that Devin remembered in such detail what kind of wedding she had always longed for. Even the sequins on Silvi's wedding gown were exactly as she had envisioned for herself. Alesya took a deep breath before Nicholas invited her to greet the newlyweds. They congratulated both of them who had reached the pinnacle of human love.

"Congratulations on your new life," Alesya said without hesitation as she extended her hand to Silvi, who wanted to shake hands with her.

"Thank you," Silvi responded coldly, her gaze fixed on Alesya. Devin couldn't take his eyes off Alesya ever since he first saw her approaching.

Devin's blood surged. He shook Nicholas's hand, who was in the process of shaking hands with him, an attempt by Devin to keep Alesya close to him.

Nicholas nodded and embraced Devin as if they were old friends. "I'll take Alesya to one of the vacant rooms in this hotel. You two can talk. I'm sure there's a lot you want to tell her, especially about her house being used as collateral for my brother's loan."

Nicholas whispered this directly into Devin's ear before releasing him and leading Alesya downstairs.

To dispel the unease in Alesya's heart, Nicholas began to take her around to enjoy the food that was served there. Gradually, Alesya, who was still stealing glances at Devin, began to enjoy the extravagance of her ex-boyfriend's wedding.

"Devin is going to toss the bouquet. Let's go there!" Nicholas exclaimed, inviting Alesya to join the line in front of the stage. It was a moment Nicholas enjoyed every time he attended a wedding.

Alesya was reluctant, but she saw Nicholas's enthusiasm. Reluctantly, she followed what he wanted.

"One... two... three..."

All the guests counted, giving the signal for Devin and Silvi to simultaneously throw the bouquet towards the guests standing in line.

And how surprised Alesya was when, accidentally, her hand caught the bouquet at the same time as Nicholas.

"Congratulations. That means you'll be following Devin shortly," Nicholas handed her the bouquet.

Alesya shook her head. "I'm already married. This won't go as that weird myth suggests." Alesya tossed the bouquet away, stepping away from the crowd that was congratulating her.

Alesya, trapped in a bizarre marriage with Bryan, could hardly be happy to hear those words.

"Alesya!" Nicholas called out, trying to catch Alesya's wrist. He held her back from leaving because he had promised Devin that he would take Alesya to a room.

If he couldn't help Alesya, at least by bringing her to Devin, he could make her aware that her house had been used as collateral for a substantial loan.

"Alesya!" Nicholas successfully reached Alesya and embraced her. "I'm sorry for hurting your feelings by doing that foolish thing."

"No, don't apologize, Nik. It's my fault. I was the one who hoped too much for him. I..."

"Let's find an empty room. We can talk there."

"A room?" Alesya released herself from Nicholas's embrace. "Why don't we just go back home?"

"I still have responsibilities here. If I go back now, how will my team manage? Plus, it's not possible to stay here either, as you must be exhausted from all of this."

"Well, alright, if that's what you want."

Of course, Alesya complied because Nicholas's wish was her command.

Alesya walked, following Nicholas from behind. For some reason, this time it felt very heavy to keep up with Nicholas's steps. She didn't understand why suddenly she felt uneasy when Nicholas brought her into a room on the top floor of the hotel.

Alesya's feelings became even more unsettled when Nicholas sent a message to someone. After that, Nicholas hugged her tightly, kissed her forehead, and said goodbye to continue his duties downstairs. It was a bit strange, but Alesya still couldn't refuse when left alone. She truly had no ill intentions at all.

Quite some time passed. Alesya had been sitting alone on the couch for about half an hour. Playing games on her phone, waiting for Nicholas to return or call. Being left alone in an unfamiliar place made Alesya start to feel lonely.

However, the feeling of solitude quickly disappeared, replaced by fear when someone covered her eyes with their hand. Alesya's body tensed when she smelled a familiar perfume.

Alesya struggled, trying to remove the hand covering her eyes so she could see who it was. Was it someone else, or the man she had been in a relationship with for so long?

"I'm sorry for startling you," Devin said as he removed his hand from Alesya's eyes. He sat on the couch opposite her. "Don't leave if you want to know what Bryan did with your parents' second home."

Alesya, who had wanted to get up and leave, suddenly stopped in her tracks. She looked sharply at Devin, who was holding a folder.

"This is the certificate for your house."