Hi Readers,
If you were a fan of Silver Lining, this is the chapter where Luciano and Clara pop in!
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*Juliette Leclaire's POV*
"What? A gala? We are not celebrities or socialites, why do we need to attend such an event?" I questioned Rogan who revealed the invitation to me.
"Well, this isn't just some gala. It's a gala that is exclusively tailored for the Forbes billionaires. It's an opportunity for businessmen to connect with each other," Rogan explained."Sounds more like an excuse for playboy to hang out with socialites," I threw him a sarcastic remark.
"Which is why you have to attend this gala with me. Your husband here is back in the game in popular demand," He clicked his tongue and pointed to himself with a wink.
I rolled my eyes and scoffed, "Oh please, you might have been the cover boy a couple of times on Forbes magazine but that was then. Now, you're just a playboy on tabloids magazine, nobody is going to take you seriously."
His face suddenly turns straight as he said, "I'm kidding. I'm not asking you to go with me. I'm telling you. All eyes will be on the interest of the Morgans and the Leclaires, that is why we are there to represent our family interest. I'm sure you wouldn't want the Leclaires to lose out in the business field right?"
What?! I can't believe this man just shaft his command down my throat like this. For the interest of my family's business, I shall bite this bullet.
"Fine, I will go then," I said reluctantly.
"Well, we need to do some shopping for your dress first. It's a gala after all," He said."Ok, I promise I will buy a new dress for this," I said nonchalantly.
"Nope, I'm going to have to pick a dress for you personally. We are going to go shopping together," He said with a smile.
"Whatever," I shrugged my shoulders.
*At the boutique*
We arrived at this ridiculously extravagant boutique that I didn't even know it ever existed. The boutique was a spacious three-level building that was exclusively opened to invited guests only who must be rich enough to be on their list because have collections exclusively from prestigious designers.
Upon arriving at the building, we were immediately greeted by a line of the staff. We were attended to very meticulously by a head staff who have been nothing but extremely courteous in a formal way, putting me through this regal experience that is seemingly too much for me.
Yes, I am an heiress from an affluent family, but my parents worked really hard for it and I was never taught to squander money on such things. I seriously questioned the choice of Rogan to come here for shopping, I shouldn't have trusted his taste.
"Rogan, this place is just too much, I don't think this is the right place," I whispered as I showed discretely to him one of the price tags of the gowns here.
"Silly, don't worry about the money, I have got it all covered," He dismissed my concern.Ya right, you are just shamelessly spending your family's money. Fine, if he doesn't give a damn to his own family's dime, why should I even care.
"Mr and Mrs Morgan, we have got the gowns ready for Mrs Morgan to try out. This way please," The head staff ushered us to the changing area.
There was a big ring of draped curtain that falls in front of this large full-length mirror which extends its way all around the room. In the centre is a circular podium and on the other end is a long velvety sofa that speaks nothing but opulence.
"Over here, Mrs Morgan," The head staff ushered me to step into the changing area behind the drapes of the curtain while Rogan just comfortably helps himself to the sofa, sipping away on the beverage in his hand.
That really irks me, am I here to do a monkey show for him?
At first, I was sceptical on some of the choice of the gown selected, specifically those that had revealing bits to it. However, upon putting on the first gown, I was "re-educated". Seems like the designers really know how to work their way in accentuating not just one contour, butalso confidence. I looked into the mirror, still in awe as I explored the seams of the gown down my curves. My gown bares half of my boobs exposed in a beautiful obscured manner behind the translucent material. The cutting reveals my cleavage in a modesty manner and the slit cutting up my thigh swivel opened as I walked. This has got to be the most daring dress that I have ever been but I'm pretty sure this will make the cut for Rogan.
As the curtain drew opened, I strode over and stood on the circular podium with a confident wide smile, awaiting for that compliment to come out from Rogan's mouth.
I swear he was dumbfounded upon the sight of me in that gown as he lowered the drink in his hand and covered his mouth immediately with his hand.
Come on, say it... I know it's going to be a yes for this dress.
Then pulled out his phone and walked over to me as he started snapping shots of me.
"What the hell are you doing?" I immediately cowered away from his snaps by covering my arms over my chest and blocking every suggestive angle that he can find.
"I'm just trying to test and see if this gown would look good on camera, you know there is going to be a media frenzy on that day, looking good on camera is a must," He explained as he continued to glue his eyes on his phone and snaps away at me.
"Hmm..." He broods hard as he swiped through the images in his phone.
No, there is no way he is going to say no this dress. I was feeling pretty confident in my choice.
"It's a no, for sure," He finally said it out after much contemplation.
"What? How can it be? This dress is gorgeous, there is no way you would say no to this?!" I retorted in disbelief.
"I said no, next one, please," He gestured me to get changed into another gown.
"Fine," I stormed out off the podium and back into the changing area.
This whole process of him snapping pictures of me away and saying no to every god damn gown I tried on ensued until the very last piece of gown I tried on.
It was a modest-looking gown, it looked good, but after trying out the more bodacious ones, I thought this looked a little boring.
I dragged myself onto the podium and stood still as I ready myself for yet another rejection."Yeap, this is the one," He said yes without hesitation after just one look at it. He didn't even take any pictures this time around.
Seriously? I'm shocked and perplexed by him.
"You sure about this?" I asked him with scepticism.
"Yea, I'm sure," He nods off nonchalantly.
*Rogan Morgan's POV*
The fact is I have arranged for the modest gown to be placed as the last gown for a fitting because I wanted to see her in those bodacious gowns.
I'm swept off the feet by her in every single gown she tried. She shines brightly in my eyes in every way I see her.
I'm proud of her, but strictly no bosom or any signs of her sexiness must be revealed to any men, other than me. They are only for my eyes. For the first time in my life, she is the only woman who makes me feel this way.
*At the gala*
*Juliette Leclaire's POV*
"Why do you keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?" I asked Rogan who kept looking at me as he sat next to me on the car that was making its way to the gala."No, there isn't," He smiled to himself.
"I don't believe you," I said as I took out the pocket mirror from my bag.
"There isn't anything," I mumbled to myself, feeling perplexed at why he was looking at me."You're beautiful," He suddenly drops me a compliment.
I swear it took everything in me to suppress the butterflies in my heart from fluttering.No, Juliette, don't flutter at his sugar-coated words. He doesn't mean it, he is just a playboy!
I took a deep breath in before I composed myself and return him with a customary smile at his compliment, "Of course, I know."
I was nervous as our car got nearer and nearer to the venue of the gala. We could already see a stream of media personnel all gathered with their big cameras, boom mic, etc. They looked like they can't wait to feast their devices onto the guests of the gala.
"Here we are," He said before he got off the car and opened the door to help me out of the car.Flashlights from various cameras start to flash off the moment I stepped out of the car. I was taken aback but I had to put on the best smile and the poised stance I could ever pull off as I held onto Rogan's hand tightly.
He seemed to have no issue being in the centre of the limelight as he flashes off his stallion smile with such confidence.
What amazes me is how there is a group of fanatic ladies who were screaming like crazy upon the sight of Rogan, but they were held back by the securities. I swear some of themeven glared at me. I honestly did not know Mr Playboy still has got his charms working."Hi there, Mr and Mrs Morgan, could you two please stand here and pose a shot for us," One of the staff directed us to a spot on the red carpet where it seems like it was a mandatory shot for every guest.
"Sure," Rogan responded and we got to the spot.
I continued to grab onto Rogan's arm and pull off my practised pose of being "Mrs Morgan" which the media enjoyed seeing.
I felt I was in my best form until Rogan suddenly placed his hand on my chin and tilted my face towards his and then without warning he planted a kiss on my lips. Everyone went in awe and catcalls at our kiss which left me stunned but flashes of the cameras reminded me to pull myself together as I pretended to enjoy the kiss, returning him with a wide smile.
What the hell?! How dare he took this opportunity to take advantage of me?!
"Rogan Morgan~," I mouthed discreetly to him in a smile as I pinched his arm when we walked away from the media and that got him jolted up a bit.
"Don't you dare try this again on me!" I warned him sternly once we were safely away from the public's eyes at the cocktail corner.
"It's for much-needed publicity," He tried to explain a way out for himself.
"Well, then you should have at least talk to me about it!" I snapped discretely at him.
"Hey there, look who have we got here," A man voice sounded from a distance at us. I turned around and realised a drop-dead gorgeous man and a pretty-looking lady were walking right up to us.
The man seemed confident in the way he carried himself while the lady was more to a meek yet modestly attractive side.
On a closer look, I realised that man is the legendary young billionaire of the infamous Carlos International Hotel Chain. I have read up so much about him back in my business school days. I have nothing but pure adoration for this man and of course his lovely marriage with his wife too."Luciano and Clara, great to see you two here!" Rogan chirped upon the sight of them.
"Ah... and this must be Mrs Juliette Morgan, a pleasure to meet you, I'm Luciano Carlos, this is my wife, Clara," Luciano extended his handshake to me as he introduced himself and his wife to me.
I shook his hand back nervously as I stuttered in a wide smile at the both of them, "Hi, just call me Juliette, I'm incredibly honoured to be able to meet you two in person, I have read so much about the Carlos. I'm honestly very impressed by your business model."
"Wow, thank you, really means a lot to hear it from the heiress of the Leclaire. You're too humble, Juliette, the Morgans and the Leclaires are then the biggest stars in the business field. Besides, you two look absolutely stunning together," Luciano humbly accepted my compliment by returning another compliment to us.
Aww... He is such a gentleman...
"I haven't told you yet, Luciano was my junior back at Harvard. I was there for their wedding too," Rogan said to me.
"Yes, that's right, I have to say your husband left a really high benchmark as the Valedictorian back at Harvard for me, even his fan club was larger than mine," Luciano laughed.
"Really?" I gave a sceptical look as I don't believe this dork can garner more ladies than Luciano."Yea, he nailed the front cover of the Forbes magazine for years before I finally got a chance to be up on the cover page when he resigned five years ago. Now he is back in the game, I got to be careful," Luciano explained with a wink.
"How're your twins doing?" Rogan asked the both of them.
Luciano and Clara smiled at each other with such a blissful look in their eyes at the mention of their children before Luciano replied to Rogan in a proud smile, "Couldn't be happier than ever to have them in our life."
"When is it your turn? You ain't getting younger, you know that right?" Luciano returned Rogan with a question.
Rogan pulled me closer to him and looked at me as he said, "Soon, pretty soon, I guess?"Soon?! You wish!
Once again, I had to put on the best smile I could.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask everyone to be seated as we're going to start our presentation in five minutes," The announcer said.
"I need to get to the ladies first, I will join you later," I told Rogan and then I headed off to the restroom.
While I was in the cubicle, I heard ladies gushing about Rogan in the restroom.
"Oh my god, did you saw Rogan?! Oh... just the sight of that man takes my breath away in a single heartbeat..."
"I was so heartbroken when he got married out of the blue..."
"I wondered what does Biannca thinks of their marriage, after all, she was probably the longest chic who had hung around with Rogan for the longest time during his scandalous life for the past five years."
"Oh please, she is hot but she is just a model. She ain't no fight with heiresses like us. Well, I'm just glad at least he married an heiress and not just some slut off the street. For that, he remains an idol in my heart."
"Speaking of which, it seems like Rogan hasn't made any more tabloid news ever since he got married. Do you think his wife really managed to get him clean up his act?"
"Please... for a man like Rogan is a dog that cannot be on a leash, I bet she can't do anything with him. Besides, I have never seen a single photo of them kissed before, who knows maybe it's just a fake marriage. Do you really think she deserves him?"
"Er... ya, they did kiss on the lips earlier on. Totally broke my heart."
"What?! I refused to believe it until I see it with my own eyes."
"Fine, at least Romeo isn't taken~!"
"Oh, he's mine!"
"Oh please, you all don't even know where the hell is he right now. I heard he disappeared and somehow that's why Rogan is back in the game,"
What the hell did I just hear?! Of all places, I can't believe I have just downloaded this much of information about Rogan. I guess I was too absorbed with Romeo that I didn't give a damn about Rogan at all for the past five years.
Anyways, back off bitches, Romeo is mine!
"What took you so long?" Rogan asked as I sat down next to him.
What took me so long? Your history of scandalous background is to be blamed.
"There was a queue," I lied.
Not sure was it because I got influenced by what I heard, I can't help realising that there were females from all angles either stealing glances or gawking at him.
I was still quite mad at what I heard back at the restroom about what they had to say about me. Maybe a little rub in their face wouldn't hurt?
I scooped up towards Rogan and lugged my hands over his arm as I leaned onto him and pretended like I was enjoying myself at the performances on stage.
Rogan seemed to be taken aback by my sudden initiation of intimacy with him."Honey, are you okay?" He asked with a sceptical look.
"Of course, I am," I smiled back at him as I continued to throw myself onto him.
"You didn't drink, did you?" His eyes shifted over to my drinks on the table and back to me once more.
"Yea, I'm sober," I dismissed his guess and continued to get touchy with him.
I did a quick visual scan and realised I was right, more females were looking at us. Some were biting their lips with an intimidating glare.
The thought of getting these bitches enraged excites me.
Alright, not like I have never kissed Rogan before, I will just take him as Romeo.
So I pulled Rogan's chin towards me and then without warning I took his lips in one move and sealed it against mine.
I could hear the gasp from the ladies as I did it.
By the time we pulled apart, Rogan seems to be in a state of shock.
"Do you... do you mean it?" He asked as he cracked into a wide smile, his eyes beaming for some reason.
"Of course not, it was just for publicity," I lied to him.
His eyes got dampened for some reason and he loses his smile almost immediately.
"I thought you said we should talk about it first when it comes to kisses? You owe me a lot of consequences, honey," He whispered discreetly to me.
I swallowed a lump down my throat at his threat.
I wonder what do the ladies even see in him? Isn't he just a rich playboy who squanders his family's wealth?
"And now, moving on to the prize presentation for the most outstanding entrepreneur award.
May we now present this award to the star of our gala, Mr Rogan Morgan! He is not just the CEO of the Morgan Enterprise, within just five years, he is also the CEO and the founder of the highly invested multi-billionaire tech company of applied future sciences in software and automobiles, NEWTECH! Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together and welcome Mr Rogan Morgan on stage now.
What?! He is the founder and CEO of NEWTECH?! Since when did he become the ironman of our times?! I'm simply dumbfounded.
"Thank you, everyone, I'm truly humbled and honoured to have been given this recognition. I would like to thank those who have given your faith and support to NEWTECH for its growth. Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the woman in my life, my wife, Mrs Juliette Morgan. She is the best thing to have happened to me."
Everyone clapped hard and cheered loud to his speech.
Did he just made a public confession to me?! No, no, no, this is just all for publicity, just for publicity. Don't read too much into it, Juliette, don't.
*Back at home*
"Ah! Finally home!" I crashed onto the couch in fatigue.
I can't believe so much has happened throughout one night.
"So are you glad that you went to the gala?" He asked as he poured me a glass of water.
I sat up and took over the glass of water as I pondered hard over his question.
"Not really, but I'm glad that I finally get to meet Mr Luciano Carlos in real life," My eyes sparkled at the thought of that moment.
"What?! Are you smitten by him?!" He exclaimed in disbelief.
"Of course, who wouldn't?" I retorted.
"Excuse me, you're my wife and he is married, don't even think about it," He said firmly.
"Of course I wasn't thinking of him in that way, he is just my idol, that's all," I explained myself.
"Idol? Didn't you hear what he said, I had a larger fan base than he did," He reiterated.
"Are you jealous?" I sniggered.
He sulked silently.
"Come on, you don't need recognition from me when you already have a list of girls who can't wait to marry you. Does it even matter to you what I think?" I said.
"Of course, you're my wife," He snapped.
"Ya, wife on paper," I said without much thought as I took a sip of water.
He sighed at my response and then he sat next to me and said seriously, "If you are my wife on paper, then I expect you to follow through the consequences that you have set when you break the rules that you have enacted."
Shit... he is bringing me back to those darn consequences again.
"Okay... what do you want then?" I said meekly.
"A kiss," He said firmly.
"What?!" I exclaimed.
"I'm not kidding, you owe me two already," He said.
I can't believe he actually kept track of this, is he that desperate for a kiss from me?
"Well, you snitched one from me earlier on today at the gala," I said.
"So you still owe me one then," He said squarely at me.
"Alright..." I sighed heavily.
"Here you go," I swept my hair off my fringe and exposed my forehead for him to kiss on."What are you doing?" He asked.
"A kiss on the forehead, ain't that what you wanted?" I said.
"No, I didn't say a kiss on the forehead is what I wanted," He retorted.
"Wait a minute... are you trying to take advantage of me again?!" I exclaimed.
"Well, if I don't get the consequences done today, I ain't going to follow any more stupid rules of yours," He protested.
"Fine, what do you want then?" I asked, feeling annoyed.
"A kiss at the spot I want," He said.
I swallowed a lump down my throat nervously and immediately crossed my hands over my chest.
He sniggered, "It won't be there of course."
Then he signalled me to come closer to him with the cue of his finger.
Darn it... what tricks is he up to this time.
"Closer... some more..." He leaned his face over to me as he whispered gently into my ear which got my nerves tingled at all ends upon hearing that sexually arousing voice of his.
Slowly, he loomed nearer and nearer to me, I squinted my eyes shut as I bit my lips, not knowing which part of my face was he going to kiss.
Then without warning, I felt a blow of warm breath against the side of my neck and the next thing that happened is the feel of his lips nuzzled up against my neck that got me jolted up. He grabbed onto me and continued to latch onto my neck as he licked it with such fervour, sending a wave of electrifying feel that got me releasing a moan uncontrollably. It was my first sensually awakening moment that I ever had, it was so hard to even fight it.
Suddenly, he pulls away from me and said with a face flushed with redness and shortness in his breath, "Don't you dare moan or even lust after other men other than me."
I froze in my widened eyes at whatever that just happened.
Then he got off in wide strides to the washroom while cupping his groin.
Shit... My heart is racing so fast... Am I falling in love with him?
After he came out of the washroom, we were still feeling intensely awkward towards each other. So I scrambled to the walk-in wardrobe to take my clothes for a shower and that was when I realised the wardrobe had been filled with gowns which I had tried on at the boutique previously. I gasped in astonishment as I ran my hands through every piece of the gown.Did he buy all this for me?
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror reflection and realised that he had left a love bite mark on my neck. As I traced against the mark, my heart falls into a turmoil.
What should I do with this feeling that isn't supposed to be here...?
———————————————————————-Hi Readers,
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, especially so with the appearance of Luciano and Clara!
Who is already dying for Rogan to take you? lol.
Please vote, comment and add this book to your library if you haven't!