8: Black and Scarlet
"Yes, Ma'am," Lauren answered in an upbeat tone, her impolite expression not matching her tone.
"Then get out of Mr. Reyes' mansion. He hates outsiders being in it." She said sharply, actually sounding stressed.
Lauren didn't bother holding back her eye-roll, "Yes, Ma'am," She repeated, hanging up.
She studied Nova curiously, how did such a below-average woman manage to get so close to Roan Reyes when he didn't even let people come into his house?
"Have you known Mr. Reyes for very long?" She asked casually as she packed up, her gaze sharp.
Nova wasn't expecting this question but she didn't mind it either, just as she was about to respond however, she remembered exactly how they had met and the fact that she was currently staying in the mansion of her very recent ex's boss and closed her mouth.
"You could say that," She said instead, an absent look in her eyes.
Lauren surprisingly didn't ask her any questions after that although she had hardly given a proper answer, the lady quickly made herself scarce and left Nova behind in the huge room.
Nova walked over to the dresser and stared at herself, she always thought she was average in looks at best but now she realized that all she needed was a change of style. The way she usually dressed was dowdy and it didn't help that she could only settle for cheap knockoffs.
The makeup made her gaze look sharper, outlining her pale green eyes and making them stand out. The elegant lady in the mirror didn't match how she felt inside, the butterflies had turned into buzzing insects, anxiety making her feel sick.
Was this a terrible idea after all? Did she really want to potentially confront her ex-boyfriend who had casually broken off a three-year relationship like she didn't matter to him? At a company dinner while accompanying his boss? Should she just put all of this behind her after all?
Her plans to avoid confrontation were interrupted by a knock on the door, she whipped around, knowing with certainty that it was Roan this time. What was she thinking? It was already too late to back out, not after Roan had gone to such lengths for her.
She hurried across the room, opening the door before she remembered to be nervous only to be stunned speechless by the sight of Roan. She had to take a moment to properly take him in, noting that he was being very obvious in making their outfits match.
He wore a scarlet red dress shirt, the top buttons undone to reveal the tan skin of his neck, a black waistcoat, and a suit jacket worn over it. He also held a jewel-studded black purse that clearly belonged to her, making her suck in a sharp breath.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting," His words brought her back to reality, offering her his free hand without making a move to offer her the purse.
Nova took Roan's offered hand, the butterflies back in her stomach when Roan brought her hand to his lips, a red flush on her cheeks. His kiss took the words she had been about to say right out of her head, rendering her unable to speak.
It felt like a dream as they went down the grand staircase, Roan offering his arm so she could take it. Nova had to remind herself not to forget who she really was, Roan's hospitality wouldn't last forever and someone like her did not have even a single chance with him.
Her heels clicked quietly on the marble floors of the foyer; keeping physical contact with Roan took away her ability to form a coherent sentence. She wanted to thank him for the dress and the offer to let her accompany him but she found that she couldn't say a word, not until he let her go to open the passenger door for her.
Roan was incredibly courteous and accommodating, Nova had never been treated so well before. "Thank you," She murmured quietly, getting in with his help.
He only handed her the purse when he got in the car, starting up the engine which purred smoothly, "How did you day go? Was anything not to your liking?"
Roan's tone made her remember the rude maid but all Nova did was smile, "Not at all… the chef was superb," She made sure to add. From the note that the chef had sent her, he truly sounded like he was going to lose his job if Nova so much as disliked a single ingredient in one of the meals.
Roan studied her for a brief moment, "And your room?"
Nova blinked myopically in her seat, whenever Roan referred to the room that he had literally carried her to as hers, she always needed a moment to process it. Did she actually wander into traffic in tears after getting dumped and got hit by a car? And she had been in a coma this entire time?
Nova rather liked the room, the color theme made it feel less huge than it actually was, "It couldn't be better," She was quick to add, a nervous smile on her face.
She didn't want to be a nuisance to Roan after all he had done, so even if she hated the room, she would have said she loved it. "And how w-was your day?" She asked in turn out of courtesy.
Roan glanced over at her again, his gray eyes werw steel doors that hid what was going through his head from Nova. She pressed her lips together, wondering if she had blundered and asked something she shouldn't have. They weren't friends, they were hardly acquaintances, she was just someone who Roan picked up from the street.
"So-" She started to apologize.
"Filled with boring meetings I couldn't get out of," He replied much to her surprise, his voice filled with dry humor.
Nova quickly took back her apology, sighing silently in relief, "Did you even get the chance to have lunch?" She asked casually, surprising herself by the question.