Page 16 of Conquered

Chapter 6

Noelle had every right to be flabbergasted.

The last few weeks, she had traversed both ends of the pendulum where her emotions were concerned. Her stomach hurt each time she thought about Diggs and what his sudden appearance meant for her and Nikko. Then there was the uncertainty of her status and the possibility of losing everything she had worked hard for.

But the upside to her misery was her blooming friendship with Hunter Blackwell. While there was no intimation that he wanted to bring it to another level, Noelle admitted to herself that he was easy to be around. The only time that he ever displayed that he had a temper was when he shared the struggle about getting an endorsement for his political ambition. It seemed like the council was giving him the carrot and stick treatment.

On the surface, he was the perfect gentleman. He treated her with the utmost respect, holding her hand and kissing her on the cheek each time he brought her back to the café.

Noelle thought he was playing it cool and didn’t want to scare her off. It actually pissed her off that he never attempted to kiss her. That was enough to put her in a bad mood.

Consequently, she was caught off-guard when he mentioned the Governors Ball again. She had almost forgotten all about it.

"Please, Noelle. My secretary, Liza, has been hounding me for days now. The ball is next Friday. Say yes and put me out of my misery. Please!" He entreated with those expressive eyes.

Noelle hesitated. She promised to think about it. Deep inside, she knew she was nervous being in the company of people outside her class in society, people she had absolutely nothing in common with.

Miranda learned about the invitation and the reason for her hesitancy. “A man like that asked you to be his date to an important event and you tell him you wanna think about it?”

Noelle nodded. The look on her friend’s face said she was a loony.

“He’d be pretty disappointed with you if you didn’t go. Might even stop coming around,” Miranda cautioned.

Noelle knew she was right. Besides, this was a chance to meet his friends and know more about his world. She would be going for him. Not for anyone else.

And… this could just be the next step in their relationship.

The notion was exhilarating. So she texted him and said yes she was coming as his date. He messaged back with a smiley emoticon.

***

Noelle thought she was okay until insecurity hit her like a cannonball. Honestly, she had been on constant pins and needles since the day she agreed to go. Like a loyal friend, Miranda kept her flagging spirit going. Noelle couldn’t remember the countless times she almost changed her mind, picking up her phone and then snapping it shut before she could dial Hunter’s number.

She stared at her cabinet with a sinking feeling. Dresses judged “not good enough” lay at her feet in a tumbled heap. Castigating herself wasn’t helping the situation any. Panic assailed her. The idea of shopping for a new dress kept popping up the past few days, but like some idiot who needed an excuse not to go, she kept pushing it back.

Tonight was the affair and as she stood in front of her closet she bawled like a child giving in to all her fears. She was certain none of her clothes even remotely resembled a dress good enough to wear to one of New York City’s most prestigious events. She imagined the women whispering behind her back and laughing at her. She would be the laughing stock of the well-heeled crowd. Hunter would be embarrassed.

She just couldn’t do it.

She realized that her cell phone was ringing and recognized Hunter’s number. This was her chance to tell him she wasn’t going after all.

“Hello, Hunter…” she said in a tremulous voice.

The line was choppy with metallic interference she could hardly hear his voice.

“Noelle, listen. I can’t talk long. I’m taking off in a few minutes but I will be back in time for the ball. Someone will drop by the café later today with a car and will help you with everything you need. You have nothing to worry about tonight.”

“Hunter, I can’t…”

“I’ll see you tonight okay?”

“Hunter…WAIT!”

The line went dead. Noelle pressed the ‘call again’ button. All she got was a metallic voicemail response saying the party was not available.

“Shit…” she muttered in frustration tossing the phone onto her bed.

What did he just say? Something about someone dropping by at the café and helping her with everything she needed. A car and chauffeur?