Falling for my Ex-Fiancee’s Best friend

Demelza’s mouth fell open and closed back, gobsmacked by how forward he was. Recovering, she quickly shook her head, saying the first thing that came to her head, “Mr. Storm, I’m here to apologize for the other day.”

“Indeed, you are,” he snorted, skimmed his eye about and made for the door, leaving her standing there.

“Mr. Storm!”

He didn’t stop as he walked back to the building and into the elevator and Demelza without thinking raced after him, dashing into the elevator with him and ignoring when he scowled at her.

“What do you want, Miss Thorpes?” He asked in a low daring voice, his head bent, peering at her through hooded eyes. “If it’s sex, then I’m more than willing to please.”

Demelza blushed crimson, the little courage she had mustered fleeing. “That’s not…. that’s not why I’m here.”

He scoffed. “Then I’m afraid you have come in vain, Miss Thorpes.” The elevator dinged and he marched out. Her heels blasted on the granite as she hurried to match up with his lofty gait.

“I need your help!”

He entered his office- a large well-furnished compartment made of glass and ornate intricate designs. Everything from the desk situated in the middle of the office to the library, chandeliers, flowers, artworks, and furnishings was particularly placed to express fortune. Demelza found herself lost in their admiration, awed to a stupor.

“I see you like what you see, Miss Thorpes.” Demelza shuddered, snapping her eyes to him, ashamed of drifting off and appearing naive.

“I-I… I really need your help, Mr. Storms.” She inched closer, lifting her hand and at once realizing she still had the bag containing his suit. “Oh, I brought this too.” She showed it to him. “You forgot it the other night. Your suit.”

Nathan nodded once, reclined back on his seat with his lips in a straight line, scrutinising her small frame. He reached out and hit a button and not long the glass door opened and a brunette lady walked in- his secretary.

“Drop that package in my car downstairs, Monica,” He said to the lady and looked at Demelza who gave the lady the bag and she walked away.

“If this help you are talking about is about Hampton, then count me out,” Nathan went straight to the point, looking through the files on his laptop screen.

Demelza gasped. How did he know? Of course, the oaf must have told him.

She stopped in front of his desk. “You have to help me. You are the best lawyer in the country.”

“And what makes you think I will go against my best friend to please you?” He narrowed his eyes at her.

Demelza merely stared at him in lack of words. He was right. Hampton was his best friend, what made her think he would fight for her against Hampton?

Nathan spared a look at Demelza for once, relishing in making her speechless. He knew about the case because Hampton had called to inform him about it. He also knew from the manner Demelza was dressed like a little phoenix from the depth of hell sent to tempt him, that she was desperate and would be willing to do anything to save her father.

However, as much as he always desired her, he was not going to fall for it. He had a principle of loyalty and was particular about not mixing business with pleasure. These had set him apart in the business world and made him what he was today. He was not about to compromise it for some little seductress who despite not coming close to the kind of women he preferred, still managed to fascinate him.

The phone beside his table blasted and he picked it up. It was his secretary telling him he had a meeting in 5 minutes. He stood, picking up his suit he had discarded. “Go and make peace with Hampton, Miss Thorpes, or better still, find yourself another lawyer.” He made his way to the door and paused, turning and almost colliding with Demelza hot on his pursuit. “By the way, next time, remember to dress appropriately, slutting doesn’t suit you.”

He marched off, leaving Demelza once more dumbstruck to a spot.

When she eventually left the building, typically ashamed and helpless, she went straight to visit her best friend.

“What!” Katherine shrieked. “You met Nathan?” Her eyes were as big as saucers. “Do you realize you just lived the dream of every girl in London?”

“Focus, Katherine!” Squirmed Demelza. “He is arrogant. He refused to help me.”

“He said that? Well… Come to think of it, you won’t blame him. Hampton is his best friend.”

“What am I going to do, Kat?” Cried Demelza. “I have to save my father.”

“Wait,” Katherine scooted closer to her and took her wrists, her eyes wide. “Did you truly meet Nathan? As in the real, real Nathan Storms? The hottest Vogue model. The celebrity Lawyer?” Demelza scoffed, almost regretting coming to Katherine.

Katerine lifted her hands. “Okay, I will speak to my husband and see what we can do. We’ll find a way out of this, I promise.”

~~

Two days later, Katherine called Demelza. “Guess what?”

“What?”

“My husband had just secured us an invitation to the annual charity ball organized in Chapeltown tomorrow night. Make sure you come dressed to kill. All the elites would be there. Even Nathan Storms.”

Demelza was terrified. This was what she wanted, another chance to appeal to Nathan to help her save her father. But she didn’t know what to do.

That evening she exhausted all her options on gowns, finding the proper one that wouldn’t make her look too desperate as his words from days ago rang in her head.

When they got there, it was bubbling as true to her friend’s words, men from the top shelf in the society filed in, with women looking dazzling in their flamboyant dresses and expensive jewelry, hung on their arms. Demelza was grateful she took time to look good herself so as not to appear the way she felt inside-miserable.

“There goes our man,” Katherine whispered to her, nodding in the direction of a group of men standing by the far corner of the room engaged in an exchange. Nathan was one of them, as usual looking brilliant and too good to be true. There were several men there, nonetheless, for some odd reason, he seemed to be set apart, from his smart garters to his sophisticated carriage. His mere presence put a dent on the others making them look nonexistent.

Demelza’s admiration was cut short at recognizing the next figure looming beside him, Hampton. She stiffened and at the same time before she could look away, both men’s eyes clashed on hers. She paled, hastily looking down at her champagne glass.

“I think this is a big mistake, Kat, Hampton is here.” She voiced, shaken to her roots.

“What are you saying? Hampton? Oh, dear.” Katherine palmed her chest, distressed.

“I can’t talk to Nathan with him present,” hushed Demelza.

“That’s true. Don’t worry, I have a plan.” Katherine seemed to be having a good moment and the next thing she turned to her husband. “Sweetheart, could you kindly introduce us to that group of men over there, my friend would like to talk to Mr. Storms.”

“Of course, my love, ” Spencer agreed and guided them there. The men twisted in their direction at sensing them.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Mr. Storms, could you do me the pleasure of meeting my beautiful wife, Katherine, and her dear friend, Miss Demelza Thorpes.” Spencer moved aside for Demelza who looked like she had swallowed poison.

Nathan took his time to study Demelza, once more aggrieved with himself at how affected he was merely at seeing her. The silky silver gown she wore seemed to do too much justice to the curve of her body and her face, even if not covered in too much powder and colors like the other women, was flawless and enticing. He imagined taking her from behind whilst holding her slender neck and making her beg for more while pinning her to the wall. And those lips…

“Have we had the pleasure of meeting before, Miss… Thorpes?”

…