Page 29 of Conquered

Chapter 11

For the second time since Hunter arrived in her life, Noelle Mancini once again stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was tempted to ask her glam squad how they managed to pull this magical creature out of the hat.

Getting to a significant day like her wedding was like going through a meat grinder. Noelle recognized the fact that Hunter was wealthy. She would soon find out exactly how affluent the man was who would soon be walking down the aisle by her side.

If a man’s bank account was measured by the prominent names that made it to the guest list, Hunter was certainly at the top of the heap. Noelle was blown away by the names that were composed of the top elite in New York City. Political figures from the Mayor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, down to the comptroller were invited. The state senate and the state assembly alone composed nearly a hundred members. Then there were names that Noelle only read about in Forbes Magazine. Movie stars, models, and other members of the performing arts composed the rest of the inventory of their wedding guest list.

Noelle doubted that she needed both hands to count the number of people she actually knew.

The cast and crew needed to make the wedding happen were staggering as well. There were wedding planners who had to set their egos aside and work together to come up with a lavish single idea. Wedding music was to be provided by a string quarter at the cathedral and a 24-piece orchestra at the party venue.

The Plaza Hotel as the venue was chosen for a sentimental reason. It was where they had their first dance.

Then there were the flowers that would adorn both the church and The Met ballroom. They had to be flown in from Amsterdam by cargo plane. The caterers outdid themselves in presenting various menu lists with food items and names that Noelle could hardly pronounce.

Oftentimes, she felt like running for the hills screaming. Hunter had the good sense of sending over Lisa, his personal secretary, who arrived with her own retinue of minions. When Noelle was swamped with requests for approval, she would look at Lisa with panic-stricken eyes. Lisa would shoo everyone away, talk to her about what she wanted, and take over the mob.

What Noelle wanted and what Hunter needed were two different things. If Noelle had her way, it would have been a simple private affair with just her, Nikko and Miranda. But Hunter was not just anybody. He was trying to win in public office. That meant this wedding had to be as well publicized as a Broadway play.

Noelle understood the need.

All these were the consequences of agreeing to marry him that night at the beach. What began as recognition of her true feelings for him resulted in the bedlam after the announcement came out.

The betrothal was featured in the society pages of The New York Times. The announcement stirred media interest about the unknown girl who managed to capture the heart of one of America’s most eligible billionaire bachelors, and would-be senator. The date of the wedding was eagerly anticipated.

James Powell was true to his word. All obstacles Hunter initially faced simply faded away. The upcoming wedding announcement even bolstered media mileage for the political party that once told him he wasn’t a suitable candidate.

Noelle however was not ready for how the paparazzi hounded her like a rabbit in a Fox Hunt. They were everywhere. She feared for her own safety and that of Nikko as well. She couldn’t bring him to the park or even shop at the nearby fish market without her picture appearing in the tabloids. Noelle desperately hoped all the attention would eventually die down after the wedding. So she squared her shoulder and plunged headlong on her wedding preparation.

Under Lisa’s expert hands, the wedding finally took shape. The only hitch to her happiness was Hunter himself. He became a man obsessed with his own preparation. His eyes were focused on the starting line that was the day when the campaign period officially began. They hardly saw each other. She had to be content with the occasional phone calls. That glitch in their relationship was something she accepted and understood.

But she couldn’t get over the reality that her ex-boyfriend, Diggs Romero made another appearance at the café. This time, Miranda was adamant he stayed outside the premises until opening time. She knew all about him now and threatened to call 9-11 if he insisted. Diggs tried to sweet talk her but Miranda was having none of it. She answered only his most basic questions about her name and nationality before closing the door on his face.

Diggs accosted Noelle the moment she showed up. Noelle noted the bruises on his face and arms and concluded he was back to his old ways. But when he had the gall to ask for money, Noelle was ready.

“Go to hell.”

Diggs reacted like a wounded viper, cussing, and threatening, reminding her who he was.

“He’s my son and fuck you if you think I won’t fight for him,” he threatened.

“You’re nothing but a glorified sperm donor, asshole.” She retorted.

“You talk like you got it all. I happen to know you lied about the immigration problem.”

Alarm bells rang in her ear.

“How-how did you even know about that?”

“I ain’t stupid Noelle. I called up the Immigrations’ office pretending to be family. I asked when you could come and get your documents. Imagine my surprise. They said they had nothing on a Noelle Mancini. You lied.”

Noelle decided to confront him with the truth.

“That may be so but I’m getting married soon. That should solve the matter,” she answered airily, a confidence she really didn’t feel.

“I’ve always wondered about that. But I’m not really surprised you managed to hook a big fish. That cunt of yours was always the best part of you.”

Noelle gasped in anger. She raised a hand and gave him a resounding slap.