He reached for her hand and rubbed his thumb over the base lightly. “Don’t get too overwhelmed yet. The night is young and you’re still in that dress.”
Emily glanced at her reflection and smiled.
“We’re going to reach the hotel where we’ll be staying at this week in a few minutes.”
“We’re staying here for a week?” Her eyes darted to his face. “Can your company handle you being gone for that long?”
He brushed his hand affectionately against her cheek. “I think they’ll manage.” He smirked. “What’s the point of being the boss if you can’t do whatever you want?”
“Whateveryou want?” It was her time now to raise her brows at him. “Not so sure about that one.”
His mouth tried fighting off a smile. “I’m—” He failed as his words came with a slight chuckle. “I’m truly offended.”
“Good.” She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Come here,” he growled playfully before taking her by the arms, only to unleash a set of tickles.
Emily squealed at his attacks. He covered her mouth once he caught Cameron looking at them in the rearview mirror. The bodyguard shifted his gaze uncomfortably.
She reddened.
“It’d be in your best interest to stay quiet. You don’t want them thinking we’re doing something we shouldn’t be in their company, do you?”
Nicolas gave her one last look before removing his hand from her mouth. She returned one that saidit’s all your faultbefore turning away to gawk at the view once more.
The car pulled into the lot of a tall building which Emily recognized right away. TheThéâtre NationaldeChaillot.
Nicolas stepped out the car and opened her door.
“What are we doing here? I thought you said we’d be going to a hotel.”
“We will. After I’ve given you your surprise.”
Anticipation crept into her bones as she took his outstretched hand. Just like she’d recalled, the grand foyer stretched with floors that echoed everyone’s steps. The ceilings were high, and warm light hit them at every angle.
Emily spotted a staff quickly coming to help. It seemed Nicolas was expecting them as he leaned in and whispered something. She didn’t catch it.
He led her to the main theater. The red seats were vacant, so was the entire place. The production lights were still on though.
Strange.
Nicolas brought her past the many rows and to the front where he sat her down.
“Don’t move.”
He disappeared behind the curtains.
Her eyes surveyed the surroundings. Because of this, she’d failed to notice that Nicolas had reappeared to prop a bag of popcorn into her lap. She giggled as his figure dashed behind the red curtains once more.
Genuine perplexity still came at the situation. Nevertheless, she decided to just enjoy it as her hand went for the treat he’d offered her.
The curtains began to rise.
Two dancers were revealed to be in an embrace at the corner of the stage. Classical music flooded the room. On cue, the performers’ story came to life. Emily’s mouth slowly parted as she saw a very reminiscent scene of the musical act they were showcasing.
It wasPride and Prejudice.
The slight tap of a microphone came in the background as the music lowered to accommodate what was going to be said.
