Nadia's POV

"Place that over there, please. Next to the statue centrepiece,"

It was the day of the opening party and I was currently overseeing the decorations with Ms Hernandez.

The ballroom of the hotel was transformed to fit nearly 500 people. The best of the best will be showing up today. Politicians, high-class socialites, celebrities, ministers, big shot investors.

If they have some sort of societal influence, they'll be here tonight.

There are going to be a few magazine and lifestyle blog reporters here as well. Media coverage is very important for the long term success of the hotel.

The room had large circular tables that could seat 4 people. Each table has a seating placement. I was put at the table with Mr and Mrs Hernandez, and Mateo.

"You go get ready dear. I'll finish the little details and leave as well," Mrs Hernandez stated as she reached to take the ribbons from my hands.

"I don't want you to overwork yourself, Mrs Hernandez. We're almost done and there's still four hours until the party starts," I replied and she smiled softly at me.

"I told you to call me Julia and I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. Now go on before I take drastic measures,"

She waved the scissors in my direction playfully and I finally let her win. Now I see where Mateo gets it from.

"Okay, bye Julia. See you later,"

I surrendered and left the ballroom. Mateo was in his office so I passed by to let him know that I'll be walking back to the villa.

It was a beautiful day out and the villa was just a few minutes away. I just hope my sandals would survive the walk.

The door was open so I could see Mateo sitting at his desk. There was another man in the office as well. I recognised him as Eugene, the manager of the hotel.

I stopped at the door and decided against telling him. He was busy either way.

"Matthews," he called as I sped down the hallway.

"Hi,"

"Did you need anything?"

He crossed his arms across his chest. His muscles fill his white polo shirt. Great heavens, he looked good today. He wore a simple outfit of a white polo shirt and light blue cargo pants with sneakers but he made it look so regal.

"Uhm, I just wanted to say that I'm leaving. Your mom chased me to get ready so I'll be walking back to the villa,"

I turned to walk away after that but I was stopped by Mateo's hand on mine.

That warm fuzzy feeling filled me again.

I looked down at our arms before looking at him again. He immediately retracted his hand after that. Clearing his throat before he spoke.

"I can take you. I was leaving either way,"

"You seem busy. Plus it's a great day outside. I can w-"

"This isn't up for discussion Matthews. I'll be back,"

Two minutes later Mateo left his office again and we left the hotel. The ride back was silent.

I decided to take the three hours to pamper myself. I ran the bath and added a bath bomb Grace got for me a while ago. It was cocoa scented so it was my favourite.

I dropped in a few drops of lavender oil in the diffuser and I stripped out of my clothes. I sighed as the hot water began relaxing my muscles. I played music as I sat in the tub. I only left the tub when the water turned cold.

I stepped into the shower to properly wash my body because that didn't clean me at all.

By the time I was done in the bathroom, it was filled with steam.

Walking into my room with my towel securely wrapped around my body, I found a rack of dress bags in the centre of the room. An envelope tied to the rack caught my eye.

I approached it with caution and carefully untied it from the rack.

I sent you a bunch of dresses in case you needed one last minute. They're all in your size. Send me pictures and enjoy :)

I had packed a plain black dress for this event but what better way to make an entrance than an Isabel Hernandez dress.

I unzipped one of the bags and a sparkly gold dress came into my view. I repeated the process until I stopped on a beautiful green dress.

I carefully removed it from the bag and pulled it to my body. Smiling as I looked in the mirror.

It's perfect.

I put on a black thong and robe before I sat at the vanity to do my makeup. I settled for a simple neutral crease shadow with a winged liner, mascara, concealer on some dark spots, tinted moisturizer and a dark red lip to tie it all together. I put on diamond teardrop earrings with a silver bracelet.

I removed my robe and carefully stepped into the dress. It has a beautiful button up corset back. The buttons are covered in a soft velvet out of the same green colour. I couldn't button up the top three buttons so I left them open while I slipped on my black strap heels.

A soft knock made me look up from my shoe buckle.

Mateo walked in with a black three-piece suit and a white undershirt. His tie is what caught my eye. It's green. The same shade as my dress.

I stood slowly trying not to fall over in my shoes. Mateo adjusted his cufflinks while he stared at me.

"You ready?"

I cleared my throat and swallowed. My voice was now dry as the desert.

"Uh, yeah. Let me just grab my bag,"

I walked to the vanity and picked up the black clutch.

"Do you need help?"

I hummed in confusion and looked at Mateo through the mirror. He stood behind me pointing at my back.

Oh, my dress.

"Please,"

I pulled my twists to the side of my neck, allowing him to button up the corset.

I shivered slightly as his fingers grazed against my skin when he closed the top button.

He lifted his eyes slowly to mine before they dragged down my figure in the mirror.

"Let's go before we're late. Shall we,"

I took his extended arm and we walked out the door like that.

The ride to the hotel was filled with comfortable silence. I toyed with my phone while Mateo stared me down.

I checked in on Cass. I had asked Jess to be popping in every second day to make sure all is well. So far, her health has improved and is stable.

The car came to a halt in front of the hotel and I stared at all the cameras flashing.

My chest felt like it was closing. The car started getting smaller. My eyes started growing hazy.

"You'll be okay, I'll be by your side the whole time. We just need to pose for a few pictures, answer a couple of questions and we can keep moving,"

This was my first red carpet so of course, I was nervous. Paparazzi have taken pictures of Mateo and me numerous times but that was only one or two people. From afar and a safe distance.

I nodded and exhaled through my mouth. Trying my best to let out all the anxious feelings.

Mateo rubbed a soothing circle on my hand before leaving the car first. He walked over to open my door.

Here goes nothing.

"Mateo, over here,"

"Mateo, who is the lucky lady for the night?"

We stood together and posed for pictures. I couldn't even tell which camera I was looking at with all the flashes going off at once.

"Relax, I got you," Mateo leaned down to whisper in my ear and his voice calmed my shaky nerves.

I looked up at him to find him staring down at me already. I gave him a small thankful smile. This gesture made his eyes warm, a ghost smile appearing across his lips.

We turned back to the awaiting crowd. Now putting on our, well my best smile. Mateo isn't a smiler so I won't be surprised if these come out with his stone face.

I followed Mateo as he answered a few questions regarding the hotel. Now it was time for him to give his speech and cut the ribbon.

"Thank you all for coming. This project has been a dream of mine since I opened my company..."

I watched as his mouth moved but heard nothing. I just stared at him. He looked so in his element. Charming, smart, intelligent.

I forced myself to start paying attention just in time. He had to cut the ribbon now.

I handed him the big scissors and once the sharp blade sliced the ribbon, the crowd erupted.

"With that, I now open Avon Hotel,"

More cheering and clapping erupted and we began moving into the hotel.

The night was spent socializing with Mateo's associates. Our conversation ranged from them talking about how lucky Mateo is to me asking about their kids and families.

I now sat in my chair talking to Julia while drinking wine.

"You're a lovely woman Nadia. You're just what my son needed. He has that look back in his eye. A look I haven't seen in a while," Julia spoke as we looked at Mateo talking to his father.

As if sensing my stare he turned to face me.

"What do you mean?" I questioned swirling my wine in my glass.

"About?"

"Mateo having a look in his eye," I explained raising the glass to my lips.

"He looks, happy. Especially when you're around,"

"Excuse us ladies. Can I have this dance mi amor?"

Mr Hernandez interrupted our conversation and I nodded for Julia to go.

I watched as they walked hand in hand to the dancefloor. Their love radiated from them as they swayed slowly to the song playing.

I sighed and looked back down to my wine glass.

"Come dance with me"

I looked up to Mateo standing above me with his hand outstretched. Waiting for my answer.

"Of course," I placed my hand in his and he lead us to the dancefloor.

I watched as many eyes followed our every move. I could hear the whispers begin filling the room but all that background noise was cancelled as soon as Mateo and I locked eyes.

He took my much smaller hand into his. I placed the other around his neck. I kept a respectable distance between us but Mateo wasn't happy.

I let out a surprised gasp when he pulled me flush against him. He smirked down at me and I felt myself becoming light-headed.

"Mateo," I warned but it came out sounding more conflicted than I intended.

He simply raised an eyebrow in reply while we moved to the music.

"We have to put some space between us"

That came out sounding like a suggestion. This man is melting my brain cells.

"Why's that?"

He pulled away to spin me and I turned back into his arms. My back was now pressed against his chest. My butt, however, on something else.

"Is it because of your little boyfriend?"

He asked in my ear and I shivered under his touch. I already know he's enjoying the effect he has on me.

"N-no, we broke up," I replied in a small voice.

He hummed and turned me back to our original position.

"Why?"

I looked down at our feet. Not sure how I can explain this without me confessing my feelings for him.

"I thought about what you said and you're right. I was wasting my time and his,"

He spun me again and I rested my head on his chest. Still swaying, my eyes slowly closing.

"Does he know? The other guy,"

I laughed and looked up at Mateo from his arms.

"I didn't know you had such an interest in my personal life. Are you like this with all your assistants?"

He chuckled before turning me back again. Except now he dipped me.

He brought his face closer to mine and I felt my heart plummeting against my ribcage. His lips were just inches away from mine. And god, did they look kissable.

"No, just you,"

He lifted us back up and I steadied myself before coming back to reality.

The awareness of where I was hit me all at once. I blinked slowly as I looked around.

Many eyes were on Mateo and I in the centre of the room.

Judgemental stares from young women that I've seen trying to flirt with Mateo all night.

"I want to show you something," Mateo took my hand and we walked out of the hall together.

We took the elevator up and Mateo still hadn't let go of my hand. He was now rubbing small circles on it with his thumb.

The car stopped on the top floor. We exited together, still hand in hand as we greeted the guards along the halls.

We reached a door and Mateo swiped a key card. The door opened after two beeps and we entered a penthouse.

I marvelled at the amazing decor around the house and Mateo walked me out to the balcony.

My jaw went slack as I stared at the amazing view. The penthouse overlooked Santorini and the starry night sky added an extra beautiful.

"Wow,"

The words left my mouth barely above a whisper. It was merely a thought.

"It's beautiful up here," I turned to Mateo and smiled at him.

If anything can make me happy, it's a good view and the sky.

A small breeze suddenly blew making me shiver slightly. Before I could react, Mateo's suit jacket was draped over my shoulders.

I turned to him to thank him but he wasn't next to me anymore. He now stood behind me.

Closely behind.

I stared up at him as he looked down at me. The warmth of his gaze spread through my body in seconds.

My eyes trailed down to his lips and his mine. I opened my mouth and closed it when suddenly my vocal cords didn't work anymore.

"You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now,"

Feeling bold I decided to reply with

"So show me how badly,"

~~~
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