Chapter Twenty Nine

Sweet Then Sour

Maria's POV 

  

  It was the day of the conference and I would soon be called up to speak.

  My nerves were in shambles and Helena was squeezing my hands from time to time.

  I craned my neck and looked towards the west wing section of the hall and the door for the umpteenth time.

  “He'll be here soon. He has to be. Sebastian has never missed a day in this conference and he won’t start now, darling.” Helena whispered and I didn’t bother arguing with her that I wasn’t looking for Sebastian.

  After the intimate moment we had, he still came around and helped me practise for my speaking section and each time he did that, it was as if a higher level of confidence was unlocked in me.

  “Let’s welcome on stage for the third speaking session, Miss Maria Belluci.” I heard the host announce my name and the sound of applause that accompanied the announcement.

  “You’ve got this, baby girl.” Helena whispered fiercely and kissed my hand.

  As I walked to the stage, I became increasingly scared that I would fall flat on my face because of how wobbly my legs felt.

  I arrived at the podium and took a deep, calming breath then faced the audience. “Hello everyone. My name is Maria Belluci, a CEO who has had her ups and downs in the business sphere but weathered through the different storms and came out stronger. You see, winning was my only option and I will  tell you why in a bit.”

  The more I spoke on the stage, my fears evaporated and in no time I felt light, confident and in control of not just the stage but the crowd.

  I had just given a quote that made the audience laugh when I saw Sebastian walk in. He was with some of the top executives so I knew that he had to attend to some activity.

  He doubled his steps until he got to his seat at the front and all through the time he walked down the aisle, his eyes never left me. I wasn’t staring at him too to know that but I could feel his gaze so steady on me that it brought its comfort.

  Soon, my session ended and the audience gave me a standing ovation. It was a moment so surreal that I stood on the stage for a few seconds longer to soak it all in.

  “Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” One of the top executives came on the stage and commended my performance. “ I can tell you one thing for sure.” He half turned towards me. “If you will have us, we would love to have you speak at our next conference, Miss. Bellucci.”

  The hall erupted in another round of applause as soon as he said that and the applause became louder when I said yes. I thanked him and looked at Sebastian’s seat on my way out of the stage but I didn’t see him. I felt a wave of disappointment but shook it off.

  “You did it! You did it!” Helena shouted excited and pulled me in for a tight hug when I got backstage. We held each other for a while then she said. “There’s someone who left his seat to wait here for you.”

  I turned to see Sebastian behind me and it was as if I forgot that we were in public so I jumped into his arms and held on to him. We stayed like that for a few minutes then we hesitantly pulled apart.

  “I am sorry I came in late. There was a bit of emergency with one of the senior executives who got a heart attack and needed an ambulance but it was sorted and I came as soon as I could. You, Maria, were on fire. I was so proud of you, that I could barely stay still in my seat.”

   “Our girl was on fire!” Helena told Keith as soon as he joined us backstage.

  “Hello Maria.I must say, that was explosive.” Keith commented as soon as he walked up to me. “ It was as if I was watching someone else not Maria that I know and trust me I say this in a very good way. We should celebrate this after today’s session.”

  “That’s a great idea.” Sebastian agreed.

  “Sebastian knows some of the best places in town so he can take us to one of his best fine dining location around.” Keith indicated and everyone agreed.

  We continued with small talks until the next session began then we dispersed.

  ********

  “Are you ready to go?” Helena entered the room we shared in the penthouse.

  “Yeah. How do I look?” I asked pushing my sweaty palms down my dress.

  “You look fine darling. Let’s go.” She took my hand and dragged me towards the door.

  “There something about this place that brings subtle intimidation.” I stated thoughtfully.

  “No, there isn’t. I think you just realized that you are about to marry a very powerful man. More powerful than you rated him. You’ve seen the kind of properties he owns, the caliber of powerful men he rolls with, and the power he commands. You just realized that you will be standing next to all of that and it shakes you a little bit but you will get over this very soon.” She replied and I chuckled.

  As I thought about what Helena said, I realized that she was not only correct but I was starting to get used to Sebastian being around. What that a good thing?

  Should I allow something like that in our soon to be contractual marriage? I mean it was strictly business and a little of sex between us.

  “Maria, I can see your thought wheels spinning.You have to chill and look for fun in all of these.” Helena nudged me as we headed to the front of the elevator stand where Sebastian and Keith stood waiting for us. “Take a look at Sebastian, trust me darling, that man is not thinking about anything other than his hot fiancee approaching him right now. You should do that too or think of something else other than worrying.”

  I sighed and said. “As much as I hate to say this but your slutty ass is right.” then my lips stretched in an enticing smile, while Helena chuckled softly.

  The men took us to one of the elite restaurants in town and we were marveled at everything we saw.

  I won’t say Helena and I are financially decapacitated. Infact, I would say that we were doing quite alright for ourselves financially but work and taking care of Nathan but mostly work did not allow us move from the confines of our homes and offices hence why this city and all it depicted was a wonder.

  “This is one very beautiful restaurant.” Helena cooed softly as she looked around but the smile soon vanished from her face and I wondered what was wrong.

  “Are you alright, Lena?” I asked her with creased brows.

  “No, I am not.” She replied and nodded her head towards a direction behind me.

  I turned and sighed because approaching us with another lady was none other than Sebastian’s sister, Airene Bolt.