17: Love on the Tabloids

Nova's surprise changed to a frown as she stepped back so that Lauren could come in, "Nova is fine, we just met yesterday," She said, more blunt than she usually would have been because she was still not fully awake.

Lauren nodded to show that she understood, right away getting to work without delay. She still studied Nova intently, looking like she had a lot to say but she didn't know where or how to begin.

"Pardon my forwardness but congratulations to you and Mr. Reyes."

Nova was fully awake now but Lauren's words still confused her, she looked at her through the dresser mirror, a furrow in her brow. "What do you mean?"

Lauren's eyes sparkled at this question and she immediately paused her job on Nova's hair to whip out her phone. "Haven't you seen the news? It's everywhere! I didn't know at first that you and Mr. Reyes were a thing so I wanted to give my congratulations."

Nova stared at Lauren with a blank expression, trying to make sense of what she was saying. What news? What was she talking about?

Her questions were answered when Lauren pulled out multiple articles, all of them showing her and Roan at the company dinner the night before.

Although Nova read them with a straight face, inside, she was panicking. Did Roan know about this? And was there a way to fix the misunderstanding? She was a complete nobody and if the rumors of her dating Roan had spread like wildfire, wouldn't that negatively affect Roan?

She barely listened to Lauren ramble about how good they looked together, trying hard not to let her riotous emotions show on her face. She handed the phone back to the makeup artist with a grimace on her face, saying nothing.

Lauren picked up on her odd mood and wisely kept quiet again, helping Nova get dressed in a pretty corset top and an elegant skirt, a pleased expression on her face when she was done.

"You look perfect for a lunch date," She said, her tone friendly.

Nova had been distracted the entire time by the tabloids' headlines, paying attention to her outfit for the first time. "Did Roan tell you that?" She blurted out without thinking.

Lauren hid her surprise at this piece of information well, an easy smile on her face. "Of course," She lied without hesitation, "I'm certain the driver is here as well, I'll leave first so come out when you're ready."

Nova just nodded, thinking about how friendly and understanding Lauren was, she didn't push too hard, backing off when Nova didn't want her to know something. And if Lauren hadn't been here, she wouldn't have known about the news…

She picked up her phone that she had dropped off on the side table after waking up, flinching at the sight of Roan's unanswered text to her. Had he wanted to talk to her about the news? He owned a media company, there was no doubt that he had seen it.

Her hands trembled as she held the phone, wondering if she should respond to his text or if she should just drive over to meet him and then have the conversation in person. The second option was far better because this conversation was one they couldn't have over the phone. She wanted to appreciate him for all her had done for her and then inform him that she would be leaving that very day.

With her mind made up, she put her phone in her bag and made her way out of the mansion. The driver was patiently waiting for her outside, professionally opening the door to the passenger side for her to get in.

Nova barely paid attention to the road, caught up in her thoughts again. She should probably use her phone to check further about what the media was saying about her and Roan but she couldn't bring herself to do it. The novelty of the entire situation was lost on her because she was preoccupied with how Roan would react to it.

She was led by a waiter to the roof of the restaurant she had been driven to and seated on one of the tables on the rooftop section of the restaurant was Roan. Nova let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding in at the sight of him, she expected to see anger on his face but there was none of that there, and he actually looked interested in seeing her show up.

She had been half-expecting an explosion when she confronted him so this was a huge relief for her. He was dressed in a black silk shirt that fit his body like a second skin, and it had Nova wondering if he slept in suits because she couldn't imagine him without the designer clothes.

"I'm sorr-" Nova started to say as she walked up to him, cutting herself short at the reminder that Roan didn't like her apologizing. "I-I hope I didn't keep you waiting," She said instead, stumbling over her words.

Roan rose to his feet and walked closer to study her intently, "You didn't." He said shortly, "Are you alright?"

Nova wanted to tell him that there was nothing to be worried about then she remembered that she had been really drunk the night before. That memory led to another and now she was blushing and avoiding his gaze without answering his question.

"Yes, I am." She murmured, clearing her throat.

This answer seemed to satisfy Roan because he pulled out the seat for her and helped her sit. After sitting, Nova noticed that while there were other tables, they were the only ones on the rooftop.

Waiters brought their food right away, saving her from being the sole focus of Roan's attention for several minutes. They were soon left alone again and unable to deal with the pressure, Nova blurted out her thoughts.

"I saw the news," She started to say and then froze, not knowing what to say next. Usually, she would have apologized next for soiling Roan's name when all he did was try to help her but he had scolded her too often for doing that. "I-I should leave." She said instead, straightening her shoulders.