13 13: A Harmless Toast
Nova could regret this entire ordeal and the confrontation with Levi but it wasn't all bad because it showed her the hard truth she needed to see…
"Are you alright?" Roan asked her as he drew her seat out for her.
Nova stared up at him, a vulnerability in her eyes. Roan would probably never understand how much he had done for her, she wished there was a way to show it.
"Not really," She said honestly, a genuine smile on her face.
+
Roan frowned; he had acted selfishly by making the offer to Nova because as much as he wanted her to put her lame ex in his place, he mostly wanted to show her off. His invitation for her to join him to the company dinner had been all for his benefit.
He flicked his eyes over to the floor, unerringly finding Levi and his companion looking very out of place at the event. Their usefulness had expired and he didn't like the fact that they were responsible for the distant look in Nova's eyes.
He sent a quick text to Astor who moved just as quickly, arranging for uniformed bodyguards to come in and escort the both of them out. It was done discreetly, and only a few people around them noticed, which meant that Nova didn't see this happening.
"We could leave early if you'd like," He offered seriously.
Nova's eyes widened, "W-We really don't need to," She quickly refuted, doing her best not to let her gaze stray to the spot where they previously stood. "I agreed to come here, I knew what to expect," She said firmly, "Besides, it's a dinner and we've yet to eat."
Roan listened to her ramble, knowing that she was merely putting up a front. She did that very often he was coming to learn, she shouldered heavy burdens like it was merely a slight inconvenience.
He didn't want her doing any of that but he wanted her to rely on him instead. However, he knew that getting that would require some time and Roan was rather patient. He knew that Nova believed that he would let her go soon but he had waited too many months for that to happen…
A waiter walked up to their table with a tray that held drinks and gracefully placed it down on their table, pouring them a drink before walking off.
Roan picked up his champagne flute and held up to glass to Nova, the bubbling golden liquid catching the chandelier lights, "Let's drink to a memorable night."
+
Nova straightened up and smiled easily, Roan effortlessly lifted her mood when she was feeling down. She raised her glass as well, the gentle clink of the fragile cup was sonorous.
She wanted to add something to the toast but nothing felt right to say and she didn't want to jump to assumptions. Her heart was still too raw to think of trusting or being intimate with someone else.
Roan had done nothing of that sort though, he had merely given her a place to stay when she didn't have any and a listening ear when she needed it. She would never forget him no matter how many years went by…
"And to a budding friendship," She added, her smile rivaling the lights from the candelabra.
Roan's eyes narrowed at her words but Nova didn't notice, distracted by the sight of the guests that had been on the open floor all returning to their seats.
The expensive drink warmed her as she swallowed it down, careful to limit herself to little sips because she couldn't hold her alcohol at all. On a normal day, if alcoholic drinks were involved, Nova would completely avoid it, going for a mocktail instead but today she could let herself indulge.
She looked away from the bustling guests who were all trying to find their seats and the waiters who deftly moved between the ruckus and back to Roan, only to choke on thin air from the intensity of his gaze.
Nova found herself drinking more champagne to clear her throat, although she had cautioned herself to be careful. She couldn't bring herself to look up at Roan again, searching desperately for a line of conversation to fill up the silence.
She was painfully aware that the only reason she was here was to confront Levi and now that that was done, she felt like an intrusion, a bother to Roan.
"Would you like me to refill your glass?" Roan's voice interrupted her gradual downward spiral.
Nova wasn't thinking when she agreed, getting increasingly flustered by the minute for no reason. She had literally just toasted to their friendship a few moments ago, why was she having a difficult time holding Roan's gaze?
She braced herself to look up at him when he handed her the flute, nearly spilling her drink on the impeccable tablecloth. She wasn't making things up this time, Roan's eyes which were usually cold and flat now held a heat that made her drink more than she had ever planned to.
Fortunately, a couple of waiters came over to their table with trays of food, providing a natural distraction while saving Nova from becoming helplessly drunk. She needed to be able to turn Roan down the next time he asked to refill her drink.
Nova had been preparing for the wrong enemy because the one to fill her glass next was a waiter, a pleasant smile on his face as he placed an entire bottle right next to her. Too nervous to ask for something else, preferably something non-alcoholic, she smiled in return, dread flowing through her veins, mixing with the warm champagne.
"Is the food not to your liking?" Roan asked, breaking through her internal panic.
Nova had barely paid attention to the platter of expensive meals, instead searching for water on the table so that she wouldn't be forced to drink her champagne again.
"It is," She reassured with a strained smile, finally picking out the bottle of water.
It was in a glass bottle that looked just like wine, no wonder she couldn't find it. After a brief struggle with the bottle, a sound from Roan made her look up at him, and she saw him holding back a smile.
