Love the Second Time Around Novel

“I can’t believe you're so happy after getting one bouquet. Here, you can have all of these. Are you over the

moon now?”

The cameras began flashing furiously once more.

| stood stunned with the mountain of bouquets in my arms. Dominic had already straightened himself as if

nothing was wrong.

My gaze traveled between the two men beside me. | felt like | was in a daze.

Dominic and Nicholas, on the other hand, were staring intently at each other.

It may have been a figment of my imagination, but I thought | sensed a hint of hostility in their gazes.

The journalists at the event pointed their microphones at us, directing their first question of the night to Dominic.

“Mr. Hartnell, have you known the model beside you for a long time?”

“Yes.”

The journalist continued, “Mr. Hartnell, the thof today’s fashion show has nothing to do with bridal wear. Yet,

you've decided to use a wedding gown as your final piece. Is there a special meaning behind your decision? Did

you prepare this gown specifically for the lady beside you?”

Even | could not help but be impressed by the journalist's intuitiveness.

“Every outfit is designed with a person in mind.”

Dominic's simple reply sent the journalists into a tizzy.

One of them hopped on the bandwagon in the hopes of wrangling a headline. “Mr. Hartnell, are you implying that

we should be expecting good news soon?”

Dominic smiled cryptically and answered, “I'll be sure to make a public statement when it comes to that.”

Interest flitted across the faces of every journalist as they turned their attention to me.

Bewildered, | did not know where to look and why they had taken an interest in me.

I'm not his partner. Ah, he must be hinting about Camille!

Bitterness seeped through every fiber of my being as | tightened my grip on the bouquets. So this is how it feels

like when my ex is getting married to another woman.

The journalists began peppering Nicholas with questions after their interview with Dominic.

Instead of entertaining their inquiries, Nicholas merely stated that he was here to view the fashion show and that

they should dedicate their attention to the fashion show itself.

His eloquent mannerisms and kind personality meant that the journalists did not feel slighted by his refusal for

an interview. The perpetual smile on his face did not hurt matters as well.

It was all fine and well that they could not interview Nicholas, yet now they had turned their arrows on me.

My inexperience causedto freeze up in the face of a sea of microphones.

Thankfully, Calvin arrived with sstaff to hold off the journalists, announcing loudly that the interview

segment was over.

With their help, | managed to leave uneventfully with Dominic.

Out of the corner of my eye, | saw Nicholas’ manager Jake usher him away as well.

| had barely taken a few steps when | heard Louis calling my name.

Turning my head, | saw Louis trying to squeeze his way through the crowd to us.

| was about to walk to Louis when Dominic stoppedin my tracks. He called for someone. “Calvin.”

His assistant escorted Louis to us immediately.

“Damn, | could've gotten stampeded back there. Dom, | didn’t know you’re a fashion designer now. Good job,

man!” The first thing that cout of Louis’ mouth was an expression of his adoration for Dominic.

When he turned to face me, there was no trace of admiration left in his tone. “Lili, you're too much! You didn’t

even tellthat you were going to be a model. Plus, if | didn’t call out to you earlier, you were planning to ditch

me, right?”

“Model my *ss! | was an unwilling participant. And how dare you accuseof ditching you! Who was the one

who disappeared in the first place? You would've deserved it even if | ditched you,” | shot back.

If he had been with me, Dominic wouldn't have draggedinto this mess, and | wouldn't have had to face all

those journalists.

After sthought, | said, “Wait foroutside. | need to remove my makeup and change. Don’t wander around

again.”

The little j*rk had the nerve to chuckle as he replied, “All right, all right. Anything you say, my dear sister. But Lili,

you should think about what to tell Dad. Things are going to get interesting once he finds out about this.”

| had not thought about how Dad would react to this until Louis’ reminder.

While Mom would be pretty okay with this, Dad, being as conservative as he is, would probably go on a tirade

and have a telling-off waiting forat home.

“Louis, don’t betray me, or | won't help you again.” My gut instinct was to threaten Louis into submission.

He pouted and said, “I won't say a peep about this, but there were a bunch of journalists earlier.”

Oh God, the journalists! How could | forget about them? Sh*t, I'm dead.

My only strategy was honesty. If all else failed, | could say | was doing Dominic a favor.

As | continued to ponder my dilemma, | realized | had wandered to the dressing room.

Calvin and Louis were both gone. Dominic toldthat he had arranged for Calvin to send him back.

Annoyed, | asked, “Why did you let them leave first? How am | supposed to go back later?”

“You're not.”

| was tongue-tied at his reply. Before | could make heads or tails of his comment, he had draggedinto the

dressing room.

Dominic slammed the door shut and pinnedagainst it. A voracious kiss ensued.

What the h*ll is wrong with him? He's obsessed with forceful kisses!