encounter

Morgan's pov:

I grabbed my champagne flute a bit too hard, the brief fear of breaking it flashing through my mind. It should be impossible, right? Breaking the glass with my bare hands. But with the emotions running through me right now, I had no doubts that if I pressed hard enough I would break the glass.

Dante. Dante is here. I hadn't expected him to show up, heck I hadn't expected to see anyone I knew here! The Lovesons were a secretive lot, very few people were invited to parties they attended to.

And yet Dante is here. He's looking right at me, those eyes that I can't shake off my mind no matter how hard I try. Those eyes that often gazed at me with a soft look that brought tears into my eyes. Only for me to find out that it was all fake. He had another woman in his mind as he stared at me.

I grit my teeth hard, raising a door against the memories. This isn't the time. This isn't the time to be going down memory lane. He cast me out. He treated me like trash.

Morgan, don't ever forget that.

"Dante," I said, keeping my voice controlled. His eyes widened just a fraction, a flicker of shock passing through them. My gaze moved from those warm brown eyes to the woman hanging on his arm like a delicate flower. "Nova." I said her name like it was pure venom on my tongue.

"Morgan," Dante said, his voice deep and smooth like honey. I resisted the goosebumps that threatened to break out over my skin. His voice....oh my goodness his voice! I brought my champagne flute up to my lips and gulped down the golden liquid.

Morgan, pull yourself together!

"Morgan?!" Nova gasped, her eyes going wide. "Oh my goodness! Look at you, you look so amazing bestie!" She unhooked her arm from Dante's and walked over to me, her arms spread wide.

I stepped back, raising my champagne flute in front of me protectively. "Stay right there." I said, my voice tight and hard.

"Aww, what's wrong?" Nova pouted, cocking her head to the side. "Aren't you happy to see me? To see us?"

I grit my teeth hard to control my emotions. How dare she? How dare nova show up here, wearing the dress that Dante had gotten me for our first anniversary? Didn't she know? Didn't she see the pictures all over the house?! I left that house with nothing but the clothes on my back, she just have known how important and sentimental that gown was to me.

She smirked, and in that moment I was sure that she knew. She knew about the dress. and it didn't help that she looked like me, she had my kind of body. People always thought we were twins. Nova Knew this.

I wanted to rip that dress off her body. But I won't do that. I couldn't ever lower myself to her level.

"What are you doing here, by the way?" Nova asked, turning to glance at Dante. "My darling and I got a private invitation. But you, how did you worm your way into this kind of event?"

"Nova," Dante called, grabbing her arm and pulled her back.

"What? I'm just curious. This is an event for the elite. What is she doing here?"

I scoffed in disbelief. Wow. So now that she took my husband from me she has thrown away every shred of shamelessness? I looked away from them, disgust all over my face. A waiter walked by, four glasses of champagne on his tray. I took one and returned my empty glass.

I don't even have the energy to talk to any of them. Both of them lied to me and betrayed me when I needed them the most.

Without another word, I turned on my heel to leave.

"Morgan," Nova grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. I swerved to look at her, anger sparking in my eyes. "That's rude of you," she said, a dark look in her eyes. "I asked you a question and you're just going to leave?"

My eyes are drawn to the necklace on her neck. The diamond and teardrop pearl necklace Dante got me along with the gown she's wearing for our anniversary. I shook my head, a smile playing on my lips at the absurdity of it all.

"You know, Nova," I said, leaning into her ear. "That gown wasn't made for you. It's too tight around the breasts and your pouch is showing."

She gasped, her eyes going wide with horror. If I knew anything about Nova, it was her inability to take criticism of any kind. Her voice faltered, anger sparking in her eyes. "How dare you..."

I dragged my wrist back. "Stay away from me." I glanced over at Dante. "Both of you."

Just as I turned to leave, I slammed right into someone. From the feel of their body, and the fact that my face was right in a broad chest, I concluded it was a man. I took a step back my eyes widening in shock when I saw a wet patch spreading over his midsection. My champagne flute was empty, it's contents spilled on him.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," I apologized, staring at the mess on his clothes. "I wasn't watching and I..."

"It's fine," He spoke, his voice a rich baritone. I looked up, and my breath hitched in my throat. The eyes that stared at me were the deepest blue I'd ever seen on a person. Like the ocean reflecting the sky. Strands of chestnut brown hair fell over his eyes which he brushed aside.

My goodness he's hot. He has the build of a supermodel, tall and muscular, but not too muscular. His features look cut from finest marble, confusion etched on them. He's perfect. Really perfect. I became aware of nova staring into the back of head, people staring too. Especially Dante.

And it clicked in my head right away.

I flashed him a brilliant smile, placing my hand tentatively on his chest. "Babe, you certainly took your time getting here."