Who Wants to Marry A Billionaire?(50)
Daniel ripped the curtain open. He wanted to share the happiest moment of his life with someone since everyone back in Boston already thought that they were engaged. Arturo, the doctor, and two nurses had been eavesdropping, and seeing the smiles, they broke into applause.
Chapter Forty Two
Daniel had Nina’s cast in his lap, as they drove back to the resort.
“It’s kind of weird that we don’t have anyone to tell, isn’t it?” Nina mused. “You should call Boris. I’ll call Rita tomorrow when I’m a little less dazed.”
“Boris! Good idea. I know he’ll approve.” Daniel punched the autodial on his phone.
Back in Elsa’s hotel room, Boris was standing over her as she wrote out everything, a full confession of her sins. His phone rang, “It’s Daniel. Don’t you say a word…”
“Hello.”
“Hey Boris! I’ve got some really, really, great news!”
“Yeah boss, what’s that?” Boris glared at Elsa and she put her pen back to the paper, continuing to write.
“Nina and I are engaged, I mean like, for real! We’re really getting married. I’m so deliriously happy, I just had to tell you! Now it’s full steam ahead for a real wedding!” Nina gestured that she wanted to say something too. “Hold on, Nina wants to say something.” He passed her the phone.
“It’s true Boris. It’s all been a big misunderstanding. I guess love trumps everything else. Oh, by the way, I have a broken ankle and a concussion, but everything is okay! Big hugs.” She handed the phone back to Daniel.
“I’m really happy for you boss. I’m glad everything has worked out. Let me know when you’ll be coming back to Boston.”
“Okay, we still have a few loose ends here, but we’ll talk soon. Bye.”
Boris narrowed his eyes at Elsa as he looked around the hotel room. He spotted an ashtray and a book of matches and brought them over to the table where Elsa sat. He lit a match, then pulled her confession away from her, and set in on fire. Holding the corner of it as he burned it over the ashtray.
“Nina and Daniel are getting married, for real. They are in love, and happy, and nothing is going to change that, do you understand? They never need to know the truth.”
Elsa gasped in surprise as Boris torched what she had written, “But…why?
Boris let go of the paper, as the last bit turned to ash. “Because some secrets are better left buried.” He lowered his voice, “But don’t you ever forget what I know.”
Boris walked over to the mini-bar and found a split of champagne. He popped the cork and poured two glasses, handing one to Elsa. “To Daniel and Nina,” he toasted.
“To Daniel and Nina,” Elsa agreed.
Chapter Forty Three
Nina was surprisingly quick on crutches and Daniel chased her up the path to the restaurant. Arturo was there with a lawyer, and a stack of legal contracts. They sat down, and a waiter served them some delicious Panamanian coffee.
Arturo smiled broadly, “Are you ready?”
Daniel nodded, “Yes, yes I am. I have a real fiancé, a real resort, and a real friend.” He clapped Arturo on the shoulder.
Nina giggled as she sipped at her coffee, “This is so exciting!”
“Well, you’re still going to have to learn about the resort, don’t think you’re getting out of the work just because you’re going to be a blushing bride, “ Arturo teased.
Arturo and Daniel picked up pens and began signing, as the lawyer blabbed away and pushed papers under their noses.
Finally, it was done.
Nina leaned over and kissed Daniel, “It is, as they say, a win-win.”
Epilogue
Boston’s Logan Airport was a swirl of activity, and Terminal E, the international concourse, was alive with people from a score of countries. Nina thought for a moment how she was becoming one of those people, confidently moving through the world. She absently munched on a piece of lobster that had fallen out of her sandwich as she sat in one of the airport restaurants with her family, having lunch and killing time.
Reuben swallowed a bite of his clam roll, “It’s too bad I’m off crutches now, we could have had duels. But only two more weeks, Hop Along, and then you’ll be liberated from the plaster.”
“Thank god,” Kennedy said, pretending to be dramatic, “It’s bad enough I had to contemplate cutting a leg off of a Valentino suit for the engagement party,” and then she punched Reuben.
Vickie looked indulgently at her three children and Kennedy, who had been absorbed into the Alves clan. “Well, everyone is going to be totally recuperated in time for a December wedding. We’ve got six months to figure it all out—including the ‘plus ones.’” She patted Kennedy’s hand.
Rita smiled, “I’ve always liked the idea of winter weddings. I mean…everybody gets married in June.”
Nina shrugged, “Well, it’s easier for people to get time off during the holiday season, and Daniel and I just aren’t interested in waiting any longer than that. We’ll need to be back in Panama right after the first of the year, and frankly, the less time there is to turn it into a Broadway production, the better!”