11: Bathroom Bullies

Nova didn't get the chance to feel bad for Mia because they were already getting approached by a different set of people and soon it became difficult for her to keep track of names even though most of the people they met introduced themselves to her.

By the time they got to the wet bar, they had stopped to interact with at least fifty people. Roan looked composed the entire time while Nova was sure she looked the way she felt - drained.

It didn't help that most of the people they met kept probing her and asking her questions, even personal ones just to find out how she met Roan. Telling anyone the truth was out of the question because she had met him under the strangest circumstances.

When they got to the wet bar, there were even more people hanging around. Nova needed a short moment to herself, she turned to Roan, "Is it alright if I go to the restroom for a bit?"

Holding Roan's gaze was difficult, it felt like he could read her thoughts, his gray eyes perceptive. "It is," He allowed.

Nova smiled self-consciously and stepped away from Roan's hold, walking off while feeling his gaze on her. She would rather Roan stared at her than have the eyes of everyone else wearing her down.

She didn't ask because there had been no chance to but was Levi even coming for this company dinner? Because why else would Roan want her here if it wasn't for that?

Not exactly sure where the restrooms were and too disconcerted to ask Roan, she decided to go out through the wide, arched entrance of the ballroom. There were waiters outside so it was the right choice, she was led to the restroom by a helpful waiter. It was just at the end of the hallway, the carpeted hallway giving way to impeccably clean tiles.

The restroom was grand, with ten sinks lined up side by side in the case that many ladies required the bathroom at the same time. It was still early into the dinner so the restroom was empty, Nova was grateful for this, taking a moment to pull herself together.

To her surprise, she still looked perfect, her hair perfectly styled, and her makeup was still in place. After what she had been through, she partially expected to look like a hot mess. This improved her mood somewhat and she decided to rifle through the bag wondering what Roan had it stocked with.

To her surprise, there was a brand new cellphone in it and she remembered that her old one had been completely ruined after she received such shocking news from her scheming ex-best friend. She briefly went through the phone and found the only contact saved on it to be Roan's, the thoughtfulness of the action made her smile.

Her happy moment was interrupted by the doors of the restroom being opened, she quickly tucked the phone back in her purse, barely glancing at the other things in there, lipstick, some toiletries, the essentials.

Nova didn't want to be stuck in the restroom with someone else so she quickly washed her hands so she could leave right away, taking care not to glance at the person that just stepped in so that she wouldn't invite a conversation.

There was no use trying to prevent that though because the ladies that came in then had been following Nova…

"Well, if it isn't the slut that just got dumped," A familiar but snarky voice caught Nova's attention, making her turn sharply.

It was Mia, the red-headed lady was leading two others who equally wore malicious expressions. "Moved on from Levi pretty quickly, didn't you?"

Nova felt her heart sink, although Levi, her asshole ex hadn't been quiet with his cruel breakup words, she didn't think that people at the company dinner would be privy to that information. Just how had Mia found out?

"Surprised are you?" Mia walked closer and tilted her head, her words spiteful. "I have my ways of getting information."

Nova didn't say a word to this, there was nothing to be said, and she would only incriminate herself further or say something terribly wrong.

Mia was right in front of her now, the two ladies behind her were snickering into perfectly manicured nails, their eyes flashing with jealousy. "What? Cat's got your tongue?" Mia demanded, scornful laughter in her voice.

When Nova didn't say anything still, she poked a sharp black nail right into the spot below her collarbone. "I'm only going to say this once so listen carefully, you aren't worth even one of Roan's shoes, so stay away from him, you lowlife whore."

Nova could call Mia out for caring about her boss' love life when she was married but she didn't want to prolong the conversation. Mia's nail hurt so she stepped back, grabbed her purse, and made a move to walk out only for the two ladies to stop her.

"Where do you think you're going?" One asked maliciously.

"Did we say we were done talking to you?" The other chimed in, "Oh, you think you're better than us, just because you used your wiles to convince Roan to bring you to a single company dinner as his plus one?"

Nova had said none of that, as a matter of fact, she had said nothing the entire time and the longer this one-sided conversation, the more she realized that the best thing she could have done was remain silent because they would only twist her words and use them against her.

She had come to the bathroom to take a break but trouble had followed her. These ladies would sure feel completely stupid when they realized that Roan was just helping her while she was down on her luck and they were completely way off the mark but she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of a response.

"I'll give you one advice, Nova," Mia's patronizing voice came from behind her, "Stay away from Roan. I'm saying this for your own benefit, you have no idea what you're going up against."