CHAPTER 22 - A misunderstanding tear them apart

Enchanting a light golden color dress, Selena took her step forward by lighting up the evening with the brilliance of her beauty. She hid her glowing face with a matching colored mask and kept coming down the stairs. 

Only then, her eyes shifted to Shawn standing in front of her. A tiny smile curved her lips as she walked down.

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When Sam told Shawn about Gia, he became furious. The fiery balls of words escaped his mouth and threw at Sam. 

He clasped his hands together and pleaded with him. "Please, one last time, Shawn. Or else she'll keep bothering me." 

He glanced at the lady wearing a golden dress and pointed out at her. 

"Look, she's coming. Have a pleasant talk." He said and excused himself.

He glared at Selena hiding behind the mask and approached her.

"I don't want any drama here. Come with me." Saying nothing, she followed him outside the hall.

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On the other hand, Gia's stomach had suddenly become upset. She was stuck in the restroom all the time. However, after she took pills, she could walk outside.

She was walking towards the hall while handling the black-veiled gown when she collided with Sam, and he was astonished to see her here.

He stuttered over his words. "G- Gia, if you're here, then who is with Shawn?"

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While walking, both of them stopped at a place where, wasting no time, Shawn kept his heart in simple words.

He turned to face her and said. "We have known each other for a long time, and you developed feelings for me. But it's better if you don't mix my kindness with affection. I treat you well but don't have false hopes."

Hearing this, it was as if the ground had slipped from Selena's feet. The tears flowing behind the mask were like hoping for Spring in Winter.

Her throat dried up, and she couldn't even utter a word. Her hands trembled when she took a step backward and left without saying anything.

He knew he was harsh, but he wanted to clear all the misunderstandings between them. After all, he had already given his heart to someone he loved.

But was he aware of the person behind the mask? What would happen when he found the one behind was Selena, not Gia?

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She came back home, shedding tears silently, and imprisoned herself in four walls.

She hugged her knees and shaped herself like a tiny ball. Her tears fell drastically over her hands as she kept sobbing over a misunderstanding between them.

"Why am I always the one left behind? Why do I misunderstand every loving gesture? He doesn't love me. It was all his kindness. Of course, who will date an assistant who is neither pretty nor smart."

Drowned in sorrow, Selena's eyes fell on a shining shell pin. She stood up and took it in her hands. The memories freshened, which automatically became the reason for her tears. It pierced her heart.

*Flashback*

While roaming on the beautiful beach of Rosewood, his eyes fell on a lady who was selling the jewels. He turned to her and gazed at those shell pins with a thoughtful look on his face. He picked up a shell pin, put it over Selena's hair, and smiled. It astonished her as she never saw his sparkling smile ever.

He turned back and asked her. "How much is this?"

"0.13$."

He paid her. He set that pin in her hair and commented. "It looks beautiful on you."

*Flashback ended*

Those beautiful memories made Selena's feet tremble. She fell on her knees, and once again, strong Selena broke down and shattered into million pieces.

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The next day, she applied ointment to her heart's pain. She chose to keep her distance from Shawn. He was puzzled and unknown what exactly happened that built distance between them.

Later on, after a successful contract signing with Celine Entertainment's CEO, Chris Hendricks, they went for dinner.

Staff members working on that project, some investors, and both CEOs were ready to make this evening delightful.

Everyone raised their cups filled with red wines to clink. Just then, one investor scanned Selena from top to bottom and puckered his tongue. 

He filled the glass again and approached her. 

"Happy cooperation, Ms. Selena."

She couldn't even say no as everyone stared at her. She nervously lifted her cup and cheered. 

"Happy cooperation."

However, when he again tried to make her drink, Shawn took the cup away from her hand and stood up. "I'll drink with you, Mr. Jones."

He gulped it down in one go, but it made others question their relationship. His action made her feel uneasy, and she excused herself.

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Coming out of the dining hall, she went to the washroom. She put her hands over the washbasin and took a deep breath. She tried to control her heart, which was beating faster.

She tapped her cheeks and claimed. 

"Don't fall into his trap, Selena. He's just showing his kindness."

She gasped before walking out. 

Her feet automatically stopped when she overheard a conversation of co-workers talking about her.

She hid behind the wall and kept hearing their talk.

"Selena must do black magic on our boss. Or else there are many beauties around him. Why would the boss choose such a girl to be with? She must be after money and his property."

The other one quarreled back to defend her dignity. "Stop talking ridiculous. She came by her hard work, and even if the boss likes her, it's not her fault."

Their words had added salt to Selena's pain. 

People were throwing dirt on her character. They were judging her because of Shawn. She could not bear all this and left from there.

Just the sound of her heels caught one of her colleagues' attention, and she felt grieved for her.

She lost her temper and scolded the one talking dirty about her. "Stop your nonsense gossip. You're the one after rich guys and their money. Don't we know why you always wear such seductive dresses? Showing cleavage wouldn't make someone fall for you. Wake up." 

She rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving the lady speechless and flustered.

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In one corner, Selena felt pity for her luck. She wanted nothing but a suitable job with respect in each heart. 

But she didn't want to end up in such a mess. She regretted the moments of being close with Shawn. She could stop her at that time, but she didn't.

She had lowered her head in shame after hearing vulgar words about herself.

She tried not to make any noise with her sobs, but she failed. Chris noticed her and approached her when she tried to hide her tears.

"Don't worry. I won't judge you. You can cry in front of me. Besides, I know how you feel. Indeed, Shawn doesn't have any second thought before showing his care. He is just innocent, but yes, not all think the same way as him. Don't mind him, Selena. He only wants to protect you, but his way is too tricky for the world."

His words failed to stop her sobs. Chris gently came closer and embraced her. He rested one hand on her head and let her cry into his arms.

From afar, Shawn saw them and clenched his fist. He felt betrayed by both of them, and thus, he chose to walk away silently.