Chapter 7
1016 Words
Chapter 7
Clara's POV
I was panicking, scratch that. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest, the fear of where my son could possibly be or what manner of harm could've befallen him made seeing clearly a lot harder.
"Where's Nico?", I directed the question at no one in particular, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. At this point, I neither cared for Dominic or his witch of a Luna, than I did for my son.
"Don't worry, we'll find him", Maxwell assured, placing a comforting hand at the small of my back. "He couldn't have gotten far."
Yet, no matter what he said, my heart wasn't at peace. I subconsciously pushed his hand away from my body, breaking out from his hold before searching the corners of the large hall for my son.
Maxwell spurred into action, ordering the few guards stationed at the door to search for Nico. Dominic and Morgana watched with varying looks of confusion.
Immediately I rounded the corner, Nico's familiar baby voice echoed in the corner. He was in a deep conversation with a lady, who crouched to his height and chuckled loudly in amusement at whatever he was saying.
"Nico!!", I blurted out, the palpable relief clear as day in my tone. "You're fine. Thank God."
"Mummy", Nico exclaimed but remained firmly stationed at his position.
The lady stood, a small smile on her face. She was clad in a deep blue gown, her ginger coloured hair complimenting her tan skin. "I was wondering who gave birth to such a smart boy", she confessed, throwing Nico a soft glance.
I was too focused on ensuring Nico wasn't hurt that I ignored her words, rushing over to inspect his body.
"Are you fine? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Mummy", Nico stated offhandedly, his eyes focused on the squeaky toy in his chubby fingers.
"You can't scare Mummy like that", I scolded. "I was so worried."
"I'm sorry. If I knew you were looking for him, I would've brought him back", the lady chipped in again, her tone apologetic.
I rose to my full height, holding Nico's hand tightly in mine. I was internally seething, ready to pour every ounce of my anger on her.
Her excuse was a poorly conceived one. Who, in the goddess's name, sees a four year old and doesn't ask about his parents? Yet, upon inspecting the lady's guilt-ridden face, my anger simmered and died.
"I'm sorry", she apologised again, her head bowed. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"It's fine", I snapped, pulling Nico with me.
"I didn't get your name", her voice stopped me.
I turned to her, noting the small smile on her face. She jutted out a hand, offering it to me.
"My name is Lucy. Lucy Hart."
Reluctantly, I took her hand in mine. "Clara Valmont."
"Pleasure meeting you", she stated before her eyes widened in realization. "Wait a minute", she gasped. "You're the host."
"I am", I c****d my head, my eyes catching Maxwell's figure. He was still searching for Nico. "I have to go now."
"Of course", Lucy stepped back.
Pulling Nico with me, we walked over to Maxwell who seemed visibly relieved as he caught us through his peripheral vision.
"Nico. Where were you? You worried your mother and I."
"I was speaking to a lady. Over there", Nico answered, pointing a finger in the direction Lucy was once standing.
Maxwell frowned before looking down at Nico. "There's no one there."
True to his words, Lucy was no where to be seen. She must've slipped away not long ago. I turned back to Maxwell, tucking my encounter with Lucy to the farthest corner of my mind.
"You can't wander off on your own", Maxwell scolded. "Something terrible could've happened."
Nico shifted further into me, attempting to escape the wrath of Maxwell. I stroked his head.
"I warned him. He won't attempt that anymore", I came to Nico's rescue, throwing a tight lipped smile in the mix. "Don't worry."
Maxwell grunted but dropped the topic. "There are a lot of guests looking for you. You should socialize, this might just be the best opportunity for you in regards to the upcoming project."
"Of course", I swallowed. "I'll go say hi to a few people. Excuse me."
Maxwell stopped me just as I attempted to leave. "You should give Nico to me. I'll make sure he stays out of trouble."
I wanted to say something but I found myself putting on a smile, as usual. It was becoming increasingly upsetting, admitting that Maxwell was always right just to let sleeping dogs lie.
At a glance, we seem happy. Or maybe we truly were but something still nagged at the back of my mind, a sort of emptiness.
I handed Nico over to Maxwell before sliding away, smiling and making small talks with the business tycoons and conglomerates in the large hall.
Yet, even amongst the number of guests, I somehow managed to land in the same circle with Dominic and his stupid leech of a mate.
"Mrs Valmont, a pleasure meeting you", a gray haired man whom I recognized as the chairman of one of our smaller affiliated companies, jutted out a hand.
"Likewise", I offered a polite smile, snagging a glass of champagne from a passing waitress. I knew I'd need one or maybe five of those glasses for an encounter with Dominic.
"You must know Alpha Dominic. He's..."
"I know who he is", I interrupted the introduction. "We've met."
Dominic regarded me with an expression I couldn't pin point.
"Can I speak to you?", Dominic asked.
I remained silent, unable to conjure a response. It was bold, audacious of him to act so... unaffected.
"Alone", he added after a while.
"Excuse me, gentlemen", I threw the group a curt nod before walking off, Dominic close to me. "Speak", I gritted out.
He began, but trailed off almost immediately, his eyes fixed on something behind me. When I turned to look, an unnatural cold encased my body.
Why was he looking at Nico?
- Writer
