Who Wants to Marry A Billionaire?(18)
Nina nodded in assent.
It wasn’t Boris’ first time at the rodeo, Nina realized. The paparazzi paid the valet to open the door and positioned themselves on the sidewalk for the up skirt shot. They didn’t even care if it was a celebrity or not, she realized, they just wanted something salacious. Boris whipped around the car and blocked their view as Nina got out of the car, knees together. He whispered to her, “Look down so the flashes do not blind you. Hold on to my arm, and I will make sure no one touches you. Ready?”
“Let’s do it.”
Boris split the paparazzi like Moses parting the Red Sea. All he had to do was glare at them, and they backed away. Boris led her to a private dining room toward the back of the restaurant and gestured for her to go on in. He positioned himself outside the door.
Daniel and his parents were already seated, and Nina felt a jangle of nerves. Daniel stood up to greet her, kissing her on the cheek. That made Nina flush. She got a grip, and smiled at them. “I’m so sorry, I hope you haven’t been waiting on me.”
Dominique smiled at Nina. “Not at all, my dear. We were a bit early. It’s very nice to see you again…and without the bother of work!” Nina could feel herself relaxing; Dominique seemed to genuinely want to put her at ease.
Daniel gestured to his father, “This is my dad, Wilson DeVere.”
Nina extended her hand and he shook it warmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Nina. Daniel has told us quite a lot about you. And Dominique has been so impressed with your work at the foundation. Thank you for that.”
Daniel pulled a chair out for Nina and she sat down. He stroked the back of her hair, “You look lovely Nina.” His voice sounded so sincere, Nina could feel herself blush. But she reminded herself that whatever Daniel said or did, it was just acting, just business.
The dinner progressed nicely, and Nina found Daniel’s parents to really be very sincere. The work of the foundation was clearly important to them, and Wilson held forth on how those who had been blessed with material success needed to make sure and give back. They asked Nina’s opinions about some of the projects, and really listened to her thoughts. Nina was happy to see that they didn’t come across as superficial high society in any way, and she started to understand how they would be dismayed by Daniel’s tabloid fodder antics.
After the meal, they were all having a coffee when Daniel suddenly reached over and squeezed her hand. He turned back to his parents. “So Nina and I are going to leave on a trip in a couple of days.”
Dominique raised her eyebrows, “I hope not to Cannes.”
Daniel tried not to flinch at the oblique reference to the incident. He turned to gaze at Nina lovingly, “No, Nina has always wanted to go to India.”
Nina blinked at Daniel, shocked, as she had told him no such thing. And then she blurted, “Mr. DeVere!”
Daniel’s parents looked at her oddly, and Daniel went into scramble mode to cover for her blunder. “Yes, Ms. Alves?” he said in a teasing voice. He glanced over to his parents, “It’s a little pet name…thing…we do.” He tried to look bland as he kicked Nina under the table.
Nina forced herself to laugh, but her voice was edged with more than a little hysteria. “Oh yes, pet names, hahaha.” Dominique scrutinized the two of them for a moment, her mouth tightening in suspicion. Wilson seemed oblivious, but Nina could tell Dominique’s womanly intuition had alarm bells going off.
Daniel checked his Rolex, “Oh Nina, look at the time, we should get you home so you can start packing bright and early for our trip to India.” Nina looked like a deer in headlights as she nodded her head up and down a little too vigorously. Daniel pulled her chair back, and it was all she could do to not run screaming from the room. She said a silent prayer that Daniel wouldn’t tell Elsa that she’d almost blown it.
Getting a grip on herself, Nina nodded politely at the DeVeres as she stood. “Thank you so much for the lovely evening, it was such a pleasure getting to know you. Daniel…” she over articulated his first name, “has been so kind and now I know that he takes after his parents.” Nina thought she did a credible job of exiting on a more normal note, but she could tell by the tightness of Daniel’s grasp on her hand that he wasn’t pleased.
As soon as the door to the private dining room closed, Daniel dragged Nina by the hand across the restaurant to a corner to face off. “Mr. DeVere? Are you insane? Do you have a brain underneath all that hair?”
Nina got defensive and her tone was sassy, “Do you think you could have warned me about India?”
“What’s wrong with India? Elephants, Taj Mahal, emeralds the size of…duck eggs? It’s very romantic!”
“Poverty, parasites, too much…curry. It’s not a Bollywood movie Daniel! It’s poor taste to flaunt your wealth in a developing country.” She paused, “Besides, I thought I got to pick where we were going.”
Their argument was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. It was Boris. “Boss,” he said dryly, “the paparazzi scum are taking pictures through the window of you two fighting. Do you think you could cool it until we get in the car?”
Daniel looked like he wanted to explode. “Oooo. We are going to India, and you’re going to have fun. No more arguments Nina. Now put on a smile and get ready for the photographers.”