January 2nd, 2015

Jonathan waltzed into her room., struggling with the cufflinks on his long sleeve. Nadine noticed him from the mirror while she worried over her appearance, running her hands through her hair, and shaking the strands around. Dominic told her she didn't need to stress herself about her outfit, but after she was dressed, she spent the rest of the time trying to style her hair in a presentable way, and nothing seemed to work.

"Hey," She spun around with an exasperated growl. "Sorry, can you help me with this?"

"Sure." Nadine tugged on the cuff of the sleeve to get it straight, leaning forward so she could see better. "I think I am just going to let my hair down tonight, a few pins here and there, but down all the same."

"Hmm." Jonathan looked her over. "Well, the dress is gorgeous, and your hair is beautiful down anyway. Listen, try not to be so nervous tonight, alright? You have already met and gotten the approval from the people that matter in this story—his parents. Anyone else is irrelevant, especially when he has already taken the step to put a ring on your finger."

The ring in question winked up at her when she lifted her hands to her face. "It's funny, I was the one who assured Dom that I wouldn't let their insults or judgement phase me. I know I can handle it, but it's just becoming more and more frustrating. He lost the mayor's office, you know."

"That wasn't because of you."

"Anyway," she dropped her hand, rubbing her palm nervously over her gown. "Why aren't you coming with us again?"

"As much as I would love a front-row seat to third-wheeling, I have better things planned for tonight. Rose and I are heading out to eat." A honk blew out from the street, and he rushed to the window with a smug grin. "There she is right now. Okay, listen to me and listen well. You are scared and nervous, fine, but don't let anyone walk over you tonight. Nothing they throw at you should shake you."

"Thanks, Mr Therapist; I would take all your advice into consideration." She laughed, hugging him tightly and tousling his hair. "Don't keep your girlfriend waiting. You know she gets just sitting down there by herself."

Jonathan squeezed her arms and smacked a loud, long kiss on her forehead before he rushed out of the room. Nadine watched him leave and then sat down on the bed to slip her shoes on her feet. She cocked her head, a finger tracing the gem-encrusted sole of the heel. With a sigh, she stood to her feet and strode over to the mirror to give her outfit one last go-over.

Dressed in white, from her knee-length pleated flare skirt to her white-sleeved bustier top. Suddenly, she busted out laughing hysterically at herself. The more she looked at the mirror, the more she feared that there was too much white on her; she looked like a ghost. Still, it was the first time, in a long time, that she felt like she was back home. Dressed elegantly in elegant tops, shoes, skirts and gowns. Her hand fluttered over to the simple crystal pendant necklace on her neck, and then she felt the pins in her hair.

A loud knock whacked her out of her reprieve. "Coming."

She walked over to the door, smiling when Dominic peeked in with a smile of his own.

"Wow, you look amazing."

"Thank you. You look dashing as always." Nadine stepped aside, swinging her arms. "Coming in, please. Have a seat, I'll go grab my purse, and we can be on our way."

"Jonathan?"

"Out!" She replied loudly from the room, rushing to turn off the lights and ceiling fan. She made sure all the windows were locked before she walked out to the living room, spinning on her heels. "I am ready."

"Not quite." Dominic took her hand in his, pulling her closer to him as he kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him expectantly as he pulled a thin but lengthy case out of his pocket. "This is yours."

Nadine exhaled breathily, looking up at him before she reached out to touch the bracelet in the case. "Dominic, it's beautiful."

"I know." He held her wrist up and picked the bracelet out to wrap it around her wrist, cinching the hook with an impish grin. He guided her arms around his neck and slid his over her waist. "My sisters thought it would look good on you, and I agreed. Especially with this outfit," he whistled, and she laughed. "You look like a princess."

Nadine pushed to the tip of her heels, palming his cheeks as her eyes darted over his face. "You are the best prince that this princess can ever ask for. The best."

"Well then, my lady, shall we be on our way?" He turned and offered her his arm, failing miserably at a French accent. Nadine took his hand, biting her lip as she laughed. Some of the earlier nervousness trickled out of her as they made their way down the stairs.

Dominic distracted her throughout the entire ride with questions about her plans for the rest of the year. She was finally out of school, and she had some ideas for where she wanted to go next in her life, but they were rough sketches in her mind. When she tried to say them out loud, she ended up rambling back and forth, but Dominic didn't complain, he only listened. She suspected he wanted her to talk herself out of her mind so she wouldn't have the strength to concentrate on the other things bothering her, and she didn't mind that either.

The university was the venue for the party, which was unfortunate for Nadine because she didn't imagine being back within its walls so soon. Dominic's in-laws were working with the school to award some alumni who returned to the town and improved it in one way or another. Dominic was a guest of honour and was meant to give a speech during the program. Apparently, he had been a highly favoured teacher of a few of the alumni.

Nadine looked out as she opened the door, stepping out in time to smile at Dominic, who was already rushing around to meet her. They locked their hands together, and she grinned.

"Breathe in through your nose and then out your mouth." He teased her, earning him a solid punch on his shoulder. "Come on, let's get in there."

Dominic took her hand, and they walked up the stair into the open hall, filled with a few chairs and lights hanging low on the ceilings. One fixture that Nadine was sure was definitely not a regular part of the building was the large bar at the corner of the hall. Manned by two bartenders and shelved with liquors of all kinds. A few of the guests already had drinks in their hands, their chorused chatter echoing throughout the large room.

"Nadine!" They both turned to see Dominic's mother briskly walking to them.

"Ma'am." Nadine skirted around the chair to hug his mother. "I am so glad that you could make it, dear. Your dress is beautiful."

"So is yours." Nadine smiled shyly as the woman stepped back to give her an approving nod. "You just throw things together and still come out looking stunning. Dominic, your father is almost here with your siblings, can you wait for them out here? I am going to rush in to make sure everything is ready."

"Sure, Mom." She left, and Dominic pulled Nadine to his side. "There is someone I need to speak to for a minute. Would you be okay here?"

"I can manage." She kissed him and watched him leave, folding her arms over her chest and smiling at anyone who looked her way.

The gathering had not even started, and yet people entered in their numbers. A few of the students from her year walked in. A handful recognized and stopped by to speak to her, but for the most part, she stood alone. A song filtered through her mind, and she hummed it quietly as she waited, still looking out for Dominic's parents.

"Good evening, Miss Shearman."

Nadine frowned cocking her head as she turned around to face her former professor with the politest smile she could cough up. "Good evening to you as well Miss Kyle."

"I had a feeling you'd be here, but I have to admit I am surprised you had the nerve to show your face here." Kyle chuckled. The woman accompanying her didn't speak, but she laughed when Kyle spoke, supporting her in silence. "Then again, I am not surprised. You have the surprising talent to surprise me."

"Listen, this is an important night for Dominic and his family. I am begging that you stay away from me because I would hate to ruin this night by arguing with you." Nadine looked away towards the door, trying to spot Dominic's family, so she had an excuse to leave. She didn't notice when Kyle's eyes fell on her bracelet and engagement ring.

Kyle scoffed, and Nadine turned around to look at her, noticing the direction of her gaze, but she resisted the urge to drop her hands.

"You know," she began thoughtfully, tracing her lip with a finger. "You always bragged about how you were only with Dominic for who he was and not what he had. It's not been long but look at you, dressed with his money from head to toe."

Nadine licked the top of her teeth and shook her head, turning to wait for Dominic's family in another part of the room. It was a large room, and there was no reason to stay and listen to more ridicule. She was tired of listening to the same broken record.

"No," she spoke to herself just as she was about to walk away, choosing instead to turn around and face Kyle with a straight face. "I am not going to allow you to make me feel like less for accepting the things my boyfriend, my fiancée, gives me from his heart. No matter what form they take; money, jewellery, time, love or respect. Do you know why? It's because I can see through the façade you put on. It's not the money that bothers you, it's the love, it's the time, it's the respect. The money, we both know he would use on anyone he dated. Even if she was older, younger or the same age as him. The love, the time, these are things that fortunately he would never give to you because whatever chance you had, you lost it years ago. So, in some kind of attempt to mask your jealousy and insecurities, you paint me as this young, ambitious gold-digger."

"You are one."

"And you are bitter." She threw back calmly. "I don't know about loneliness, but, man, you sure are bitter. Go spread your poison somewhere else. Go share your thoughts about me with the whole world. They would pay you more attention than you deserve."

"What's going on here." Dominic interrupted before Kyle could respond. The woman shrank back, shrugging her shoulders elegantly and grinning. "Penelope, what are you trying to do now."

"Nothing," Kyle replied, looking over at her friend with feigned confusion. "I was only trying to talk to your girlfriend, I mean, fiancée, and she got defensive."

"Okay, that's enough. I have been quiet because I hoped that you'd be decent enough to back off yourself."

"Dom, don't"

"No," he reproached her softly before giving them his stern gaze again. "You think I fell for someone I shouldn't have, judge me, blame me, attack me. In fact, sue me if you like, but you will leave my fiancée alone. You like to talk big about how she is just a girl and still childish. Why don't you grow up and act like adults before you try charging her for anything?"

Nadine sucked a breath through her teeth while Dom grabbed her hand and led her away from them. "You didn't need to do that."

"I needed to get it off my chest because I don't get why all this should only be carried by you." He kissed her cheek. "You told me we would do this together, and I promise that we would. Even if I have to argue with all the women and men of this town."

"I just want this night to go smoothly for you." Nadine sighed, squeezing his elbows and smiling up at him. "Listen, why don't we go in there and find your family? When the event ends, instead of driving me home, we can take a long walk down the street and talk."

He kissed her softly, pressing the palm of his hand into her back as he turned her towards the large auditorium doors. Nadine walked in, not giving a second look over her shoulder. She moved through the guest and took the seat with her name on it. Dominic sat beside her, crossing his legs and resting their joined hands over his knee. Nadine smiled. She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes, listening to the humming of chorus voices, chatting away as the room filled up.