A Second Chance

Chapter 16

After we had mingled with a lot of people here, we sat down with some drinks to rest our feet.

"You look good by the way," Simon said, finally complimenting me. Guess he is not mad anymore, I thought, rolling my eyes.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad either," I said back, sipping my drink. It was true. He looked very handsome. He had dark blond hair, which was neatly combed and gelled back, which was quite a contrast to its usual wild look.

He was clean shaven, which made his strong, sharp jawline more defined. His suit hugged his body, showing off his broad shoulders and lean body in the best way possible.

"Those girls over there can't seem to keep their eyes off of you." I commented casually. Nodding towards them. Simon's eyes widened and turned towards them. They immediately started batting their eye lashes and throwing him flirtatious looks, inviting him to them.

Shameless, I thought, feeling second-hand embarrassment, I couldn't help the disgusted look that crossed my face, so I hid it behind my drink.

Simon turned to me with a smirk on his face and a mischievous look in his eyes, to which I signed and rolled my eyes. "Urgh! Just go! All men are disgusting!"

"Hey, you can't blame us if girls are equally shameless." He said, getting up from his chair and giving me a wink and a devilish smile before he walked to them.

As I sat by myself enjoying some alone time, I heard a voice behind me. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here." A deep male voice said.

I turned to see who it was, but as I did, my eyes widened in shock. I felt myself pale because standing in front of me were two people who had made my life a living hell when I was younger.

"So you learned how to dress Nicola? Well, good for you. Maybe with that slutty desperate look, you might actually be able to attract someone. Male or female who cares as long as they can put some light in our little Nicola's lonely and miserable life."

It was Jessica, Gabriel's cousin. And beside her was Gabriel's closest male friend. They had been friends since kindergarten and had mocked and teased me continuously because of my friendship with Gabriel.

I eyed them silently and noticed a giant rock on Jessica's ring finger.

I raised a brow at them, "you two married or something?" I asked completely ignoring her comment.

From the corner of my eye I saw Simon looking at me. When he caught my eye he gave me a questioning look nodding at Jessica and Ryan.

I turned to Jessica as she lifted her hand showing off her ring. "Yes, isn't it beautiful." she said snidely at me while giving Ryan a dore eyed look, to which Ryan gave a smug one turning to me.

I rolled my eyes saying, "very," as I slipped out of my chair. "Talk about the perfect couple." I said, my eyes bright with laughter, which I was trying my best to hold back.

They both looked at me with narrowed eyes. Maybe because I am not bursting to tears with their nasty comments. Well, I am not a helpless, awkward teenager anymore, I thought with satisfaction.

"And Jessica, if you are married why are you still so desperate, dressing up like a slut yourself." I couldn't help saying as I walked away from them making their jaws drop in surprise. Jessica looked pissed. I thought as I passed them.

She was wearing a baby pink long mermaid gown which was backless except for the spaghetti straps on the back. It had a deep neck line which was barely covering her huge boobs which were about to spill out any second.

The dress was beautiful. But I'm never admitting that to her. I was being petty, lowering myself to there level but once is ok I think just for my happiness, I thought reassuring myself.

Simon caught up with me as soon as I walked away from them, he grabbed my arms looking at me up and down. I gave him a weird look.

"Who are they," he asked, staring at them before looking at me worriedly.

"Relax Simon why are you so worried," confused at his sudden protectiveness.

"Because I saw the way you looked at them. You looked like you saw a ghost." He replied still looking worried.

I laughed, "yeah I guess they are ghosts. Ghosts from my past." I said grimacing, remembering there rude behaviour.

Simon's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed in anger. My eyes widened worried he might do something stupid here. So I dragged him to the dance floor.

It took him a moment to see where he was and he cast a look at my face. "Dance with me." I demanded grinning up at him.

He looked at me some more than back at them and signed before pulling me in his arms and dancing.

"What did they say?" He asked still looking tense. I looked up at him raising my hands and turning his face towards me.

"Nothing that bothered me," I said with my eyes twinkling with mischief to which he raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"And I called her desperate for dressing up like a slut." I said biting my lips to prevent myself from laughing.

His jaw dropped just as there's had which made me laugh out in delight. He looked back at Jessica who was still glaring at us, finally noticing what she was wearing and he turned to me laughing as well.

"Wow Nicola, looks like I'm gonna be defending you for a whole other reason than I thought." He said shaking his head.

"Well she called me a desperate slut first!" I protested pouting.

He looked at me up and down. "What?" He questioned to which I just gave a shrug. He rolled his eyes in annoyance saying, "you look hot, way too hot, not desperate or slutty." He said making a face.

I gave him a slap on his arm for calling me hot, to which he gave me an innocent look. So I just grinned and flipped my hair, saying, "I know, right."

We spent the rest of the night mingling with the other guests and laughing some more, waiting for the nights final event where they announced the winners to the silent auction.