Jake’s POVI glanced down at my phone; it was past 6. Guests were filling the event center, and my so-called wife was yet to arrive. She was really taking her time. I called her several times, but it went straight to her annoying voicemail.Finally, I saw my car pulling up. The valet opened her door, and the paparazzi were snapping away. When Selena finally emerged, the questions thrown at her changed. They wanted to know about her married life, if she got married to me because she was pregnant, and all sorts of nasty questions.I noticed she looked uncomfortable with all the attention, so I made my way to her. She looked a little relieved when she saw me approach her. I wrapped my hand around her waist and placed a kiss on her forehead.She tensed under my arms, and I tightened my grip on her. She looked at me sharply and understood my actions. She smiled brightly at me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and went on tiptoe to whisper in my ear, "You have a lot to explain," "I don't. N
Selena’s POVI finished my business in the restroom and made my way outside. I noticed that most couples were on the dance floor, dancing with each other. I was suddenly blocked by a hard body and was forced to step back to look up at the intruder of my private space.“Hey, lovely,” an unfamiliar voice stopped me in my tracks.“H…i.”“You look so lovely, dear.” He eyed me from head to toe, making me feel so small and exposed. He must be a pervert. Didn’t he notice the ring on my finger?I purposely used my ring finger to push my hair behind my ears, but he did not seem to care about the diamond on my finger. “Excuse me, please. I…” I tried to step aside for a pass, but he grabbed my arm instead to put me on a halt.I seriously don’t want to create a scene here. Oh, help me, Lord. “Let go of me, please.”“Why? You don’t want to dance with me?” he asked sheepishly. “Why?”“Because she has a husband waiting for her to dance with,” Jake responded behind us.We turned to him, and he was gl
Jake’s POVSelena turned and walked away. What the hell? It would be rude and paint the wrong image if she should go by herself to greet the host, leaving me in the middle of the room. Who knows who was watching? I went after her in long strides and held her back from her shoulders. She tensed under my touch but relaxed instantly, and I would have doubted she was stiff earlier.“Smile,” I whispered in her ears as I held her by her waist and led her in the direction of our host. Mrs. Jucci saw us and left her small group of friends. I was expecting her to stop in front of us, but she didn’t. Instead, she pulled Selena into a hug like the two were friends. They haven’t even met. My hand was still wrapped around Selena’s waist. I squeezed her waist, and she finally returned the hug by patting Mrs. Jucci on the back like a small kid.Mrs. Jucci pulled back, grinning. “You look familiarly…” She uttered, and immediately I looked into Selena’s eyes, I understood her fear. God knows what bad
Selena’s POV I was hungry, and I wanted to be full with what on earth was entering into my nostrils. I almost fell from my chair, but Jake kept me right as I kissed him passionately on the lips. What was I doing? I hiccupped out of a sudden and pulled away from Jake. “Oops!” I covered my mouth, still feeling the spark from our heated kiss. “What are you doing?” I asked Jake. He looked at me as if I had lost my mind. He stood up on his feet. “You just kissed me.” “What? I did what?” Was I imagining the kiss? “I… I mean, I don’t…” What excuse do I want to give for kissing him? Because I wanted it? Because I wanted to feel connected to him, because I missed him? Which excuse will not sound immature to him? “It was a mistake,” I said with a stoic face. Before he could say more, my stomach growled in hunger, and Jake shook his head before going back to his seat to sit down. He pushed a plate in my direction; the aroma filled me a little. I dug into the food immediately, and when I was
Jake’s POVI walked into the conference room and took my seat as the head; Kelvin was on my right, followed by the rest of the board members. Today, we would be voting for the chairman. Since my grandfather's passing two years ago, my father, the acting chairman, also passed away a few months ago, leaving the position vacant for too long.As the CEO, I was in competition with Kelvin, a family member who also had the right to the company. The company was not explicitly willed to anyone; instead, it was left for the person capable of making it prosper. And that person was me. I was the right choice for the position.Being married is considered being competent which would play a crucial role in the decision-making process. I hoped not to falter due to my face-blindness. I would have to rely on voices and the memorized seating arrangement to navigate this room.“Can we start the meeting?” The head of the directors spoke, and his assistant went to the podium.“Today, we will be voting for
Selena’s POVWhy won’t she just listen to me? Were all the Marinos this rude, selfish, and prideful? Nancy and I were on the 6th floor, where she was still checking the sales. We got to a particular store that was doing poorly, and she asked the lady to vacate immediately since she was not making good sales. This was to avoid tarnishing the reputation of the entire store.The store owner was, of course, pleading with Nancy. Since the noise was escalating, I had been trying to talk to Nancy, but she wasn't hearing any of it. She insisted that I had no right to tell her what’s wrong or right, even if I had no idea about things like this. I suggested she give the store owner some time to pack out or allow her to find a way to help her business.“Are you telling me I can’t do that to her without notice?” Nancy sneered. By now, we were attracting too much attention, and it might end up in the news or on social media tomorrow.“Nancy, please, we are being watched. Do you have to be like thi
Jake’s POVI watched her as her lips trembled terribly. I am amazed that she could show this much control. I just can’t help it; she has a way of making me lose my temper. She makes me feel unwanted emotions, which is unlike me. I have to stay in control. A woman cannot just come around and mess me up.I am messed up already because of Rose and Kelvin's threats in associating with Rose.“You bastard,” Selena yelled and finally gave in to the tears. She wiped furiously at her tears. I must admit I was hurt by her words earlier, but I can't let it show. “I hate you with all I have! Don’t you think you are being too dramatic to always taunt me with the past?” she yelled. I wanted to remind her that she has nothing, but I knew it was a bad time for a joke.She turned to leave the room, but I stopped her by wrapping my hands around her waist. She can't possibly go out looking so messed up; people will talk, and I want to avoid that at all costs.“Don’t you dare lay your hands on me!” she y
Selena's POVThe look she was giving me felt like she could see through me, as if she knew all my deep secrets that I hadn't gathered the courage to share with her. The spoon in my hand hung suspended in mid-air as I met her intense gaze.Her lips twitched at her inner thoughts, she shook her head, and raised an eyebrow at me, silently questioning me. Maybe coming here was a mistake, but I don’t regret it. I was offered a good meal and the atmosphere was peaceful, devoid of any hatred or pain.I missed this. I decided to take some time off and sleep in a more familiar place, which is how I ended up at my former apartment. I was about to sneak in when Hillary spotted me. She paused with her garbage in her hand, quickly disposed of it, and returned to meet me in her apartment.Max was asleep. She served me dinner and sat across from me, her gaze fixed on me without uttering a word. Finally, she opened her mouth and asked, “Do you want more?”“W… what?” I asked, confused. What was she ta