7: Black Diamonds

Nova was a little confused by this, unsure what she said or did wrong. She had wanted to question the maid about Roan but she thought better of it, keeping quiet until the ill-mannered maid left.

She didn't dwell on her encounter with the maid for long although it brought a dark cloud over her head. The maid's reaction to her reminded her that she was a stranger living on a billionaire's kindness, an outsider.

All the warmth and energy that showering had brought her disappeared and the full weight of her predicament rested on her shoulders. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, she got on the big soft bed and fell fast asleep.

Unused to so much space, she curled up at the edge of the bed, the towel on her head coming undone to reveal damp dark brown hair. She slept peacefully, undisturbed until there was a knock at her door.

Nova was startled out of her blurry dreams, blinking to clear her vision as the knock came again, more insistent this time. She shot to her feet to open the door, completely forgetting that she wasn't exactly dressed to be receiving visitors.

She expected it to be Roan because he would be the only one to visit her and she was stunned to see another lady on the other side of the door. Her bleached blonde hair was in a lazy bun, a makeup brush tucked into it, and she had a professional smile on her face.

"Hi, I'm Lauren," The lady introduced herself, wearing a sequined purple top over a black jean skirt. "I was sent to get you ready, you're Nova right?"

Nova had a difficult time following the lady's words, "Yes, I am." She managed to say, stepping back to let the lady in when she looked at her expectantly.

"My orders are to get you ready for a dinner party, or am I in the wrong room?" Lauren asked at Nova's visible confusion, her smile a little strained.

"Roan sent you?" Nova asked in realization, flattered that he would go this far.

Lauren's smile became even more strained, "Yes," After this exchange, she pushed in a box on wheels while also holding a black garment bag.

Nova had been worried about this but even without mentioning it to Roan, he already had it handled. She sat down at the dresser at Lauren's order, the lady getting to work on her hair.

+

Roan's gray eyes were shards of steel as he presided over a meeting he couldn't avoid. He didn't care that his cold look made the sour-faced men in suits jittery, he just wanted the meeting to come to an end.

He leaned back in his seat, resting his jaw on his hand - this could have been an email, considering that the editorial team still didn't have any new content for him. It didn't help that the meeting dragged on, keeping him away from Nova.

Roan still found it incredible that Nova was actually under his roof. Bumping into her in the elevator the first time had been a fluke because Roan always went out of his way to avoid Nova.

She had caught his attention months ago and after briefly researching, he found out that she was in a relationship with an employee, and Roan was nothing but professional so he took a step back. That didn't help much because she occupied his thoughts, so much that he had to leave for a short while whenever he knew she would be coming.

He had been about to do just that when he ran into her and although he knew he should have kept moving, his legs refused to listen to him. The second time they met was purposeful but he didn't at all expect to find her in the state he did.

Levi Thorne couldn't possibly imagine the immense favor he had done him, it almost made him consider letting him keep his job.

Roan refocused on the meeting, his eyes drifting to the watch on his wrist, it would be over soon.

+

Nova stared at herself in disbelief, finding it difficult to recognize herself. All Lauren had done was some light but elegant makeup and styling her hair but she already looked completely different.

"Do you need my help putting on your accessories?" Lauren offered, opening a black box to show her the jewelry nestled inside.

Nova stopped her mouth from dropping open, there were matching black diamond earrings, a necklace, and bracelets. She agreed for Lauren to help her, a little wary about handling something so expensive.

After the base preparations were done, it was time for her to see her dress. Lauren had left it in the garment bag the entire time and Nova had felt too self-conscious to ask if she could see it.

The dress fit her like a glove, it was a scarlet red sleeveless dress with a high slit; Nova was completely sure it was a designer brand.

Lauren had been silent the entire time and Nova took the cue from her and did the same but when she was all done, that professional smile was back on her face again. "All done! And we finished on time too."

"Thank you, Lauren." Nova said sincerely, feeling butterflies in her stomach whenever she looked at herself in the mirror.

"Anytime," Lauren's smile glowed brighter, "Don't hesitate to call me if you need my services," She was quick to add, handing Nova a business card.

Nova smoothly took it, knowing that she wouldn't be calling Lauren at all because she couldn't afford to pay for her services. "I will," She lied.

Lauren looked like she would like to say more but her phone went off then. She excused herself and went off to the side to answer it, far enough that Nova couldn't listen in.

"Are you done?" The voice of her boss came through the phone, making Lauren grimace; she had just been about to wring out some useful information from the lady.

Lauren didn't know how she managed to get involved with the Roan Reyes but she could tell right from the moment she met her, that she was lower class at best.