Chapter Twenty Five

Jessica's POV

Julian and Isabella Domitia. My Julian and Isabella Domitia.

"The news blew up on the internet this morning," Miriam said.

I couldn't take my eyes off the picture.

Julian, my Julian, on a date with another woman? That was every type of wrong.

I thought he hated women. When the news of him not believing in love anymore was trending on the internet sometime ago, I had been very proud of myself.

Of course he could not bring himself to be with any other woman after losing me.

Yet here he was, doing just that.

"Maybe they're not on a date," I said. "The internet has a way of making a big deal out of everything. Maybe they're just getting dinner. People can just have dinner."

"Maybe," Miriam echoed behind me.

But I knew she didn't believe it. I didn't believe it either. No matter how one looked at it, those two had definitely been on a date.

'I thought he swore off dating for the rest of his life,' I thought, clenching the iPad tightly enough to crack it. 'What is so special about this Domitia woman?'

"Goldcrest City has been pressuring Julian since our divorce," I said, tapping my acrylic nails on the screen. "The gossip loves nothing more than seeing a man who decided not to love get conquered by a woman. They even went around matchmaking him with any woman he so much as looked at. It seems he has finally given in to the pressure."

"You don't think he could be in love with her?" Miriam asked.

At that, I bursted into laughter.

"Love?" I said. "As if. Julian has never loved anybody but me, and that is not going to change. He has loved me since we were teenagers, and after our divorce, he couldn't be with anyone that wasn't me.

Love like that is not something one can suddenly get over. So, no. Whatever he thinks he's doing with Isabella Domitia, he is definitely not in love with her."

I thought for a bit, tapping one finger on my lower lip, then I smiled and extended the iPad to Miriam. She took it without a word. I stood up and stretched leisurely.

"In fact," I said, smiling into the distance, "I think it's time to remind my dear Julian who he really gave his heart to. Make the necessary preparations, Miriam. We're taking a little trip back to Goldcrest City."

……

Amelia's POV

It had only been one date, and already my luck was turning around. That morning, Mr and Mrs Domitia sent for me, inviting me to have breakfast with them. They were smiling when I got there, which was a miracle on its own.

"Isabella, my lovely daughter," Mrs Domitia said, "don't just stand there. Join us."

Without wasting time, I slid into a seat and tried to act natural. Breakfast wasn't as awkward as I had imagined it would be.

Mr and Mrs Domitia were the epitome of niceness, as if they did this everyday. As if they weren't the same people who had threatened to disown their daughter, who were even now excluding their son from this table.

"So, we've seen the news about your date with Julian Lake," Mrs Domitia said.

"Oh, that," I replied, keeping my eyes on the scones in my plate.

I wanted to eat as quickly as I could and get back to my room.

"We are so proud of you," Mr Domitia added. "You're finally doing something for the good of the family."

'Wow,' I thought. 'Way to go with the backhanded compliment.'

"Thanks, Dad," I replied, forcing a smile.

"This is only the beginning, of course," Mrs Domitia said. "You may have begun to get along with him, but that's nowhere near enough to make him marry you before the year ends."

"We've already planned to meet again," I said.

"Good," she replied, looking pleased. "Make sure you charm him next time. Don't make the mistake of letting him shove you into the friend zone. The trick to winning his heart is to make him desire you as a lover, not a friend. You are a woman that has learnt to use her sensuality, Isabella. Use it on him."

'During the second date?' I thought. 'You know that would just scare him away, right?'

"On that note, the second date should take place somewhere private," she went on.

"I recommend booking a hotel suite or— are you even listening, Isabella?"

I was saved from having to answer by my phone ringing. I shot to my feet without bothering to look at the screen.

"I have to take this," I said, walking out of the room.

I went to the hallway before finally looking. It was an unfamiliar number, and I hesitated before picking up.

"Hi!" a cheerful female voice said.

"Uh… hi?" I replied.

"This is Isabella Domitia, right?"

"Yeah, that's me," I said.

"Cool! I'm Genevieve Lopez."

I bit back a squeal at that. Genevieve Lopez was from a family that were like royalty in the country. The likes of her didn't mingle with the likes of Isabella Domitia. No matter how famous and wealthy the Domitia family was, they couldn't compare to the Lopez family.

"As you probably know by now," Genevieve continued, "my bachelorette party is coming up in a week. I'd love it if you attended."

My jaw dropped.

"Really?" I exclaimed.

I was being invited to Genevieve freaking Lopez's bachelorette party? And by the Lopez heiress herself?

I knew of the party, of course. Everybody did. The romance between her and her fiance had been the talk of the country for a while now. Talk about relationship goals.

"I would love to!" I gushed.

Once I was seen at an event like that, my social status would shoot through the roof.

"Sweet!" she said excitedly. "You're the guest of honor, by the way. We would love to hear all about how you were able to win Julian Lake's heart."