My man is twice the man that he is.

CHAPTER 19: MY MAN IS TWICE THE MAN THAT HE IS.

RACHEL'S POV

The event is finally in full swing, and I make my way through the venue, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. The girls are handling their assigned duties well, but I keep a close eye on them, making sure they don’t face any issues. Beatrice is on the other side also ensuring that things go accordingly as planned. 

The event is quite large, and hundreds of people are around. It has to be the biggest event I have ever participated in. I actually don't know what the purpose is but yeah, it is glamorous.

Every now and then, I check on the guests, confirming that they have everything they need—whether it’s food, drinks, or any special accommodations. It’s exhausting, but I remind myself that I have to keep my focus. Tonight needs to be perfect, as Beatrice says. 

As I step aside to take a brief moment for myself, Jason suddenly appears beside me. His familiar grin stretches across his face as he greets me casually, but there’s something more in his expression. It’s that playful glint in his eyes, the same one I’ve noticed a few times before. I sigh inwardly, already bracing myself.

   “Didn’t expect to see you working so hard,” he teases, leaning in slightly. “You should enjoy yourself a little.”

  “I am enjoying myself,” I reply with a polite smile. “I like being useful. Moreover, I get paid for doing this so it is my job. I can't just sit lazing around.”

He chuckles, shaking his head as if he finds me amusing. “You’re different, you know that? Most women here just want to be admired. But you… you actually care.” His voice dips lower as if he’s letting me in on some secret.

I let out a small, awkward laugh, not sure where this is going. “Well, everyone here is working according to their needs. You don't have to bring down another woman just to make me feel good. Everyone wants to be admired - even I want to be admired so it is not a crime.”

Jason steps closer, lowering his voice even more. “I think that’s what makes you special.” His eyes search mine, and it finally dawns on me—he’s trying to flirt.

Well, that is a bad approach. His earlier statement has made me see him as someone with a lack of respect for women, and he doesn't seem to understand or perceive that the air isn't really good for all this. 

Before I can respond, I shift my hand slightly, and the light catches on the ring wrapped around my finger. Jason’s expression changes in an instant. His eyes widen in surprise, and his gaze locks onto my ring like it’s some kind of foreign object.

    “You’re married?” His voice is filled with disbelief.

    “Yes,” I answer simply, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

   “Wow...I did not know that. To who?” he asks, his confusion evident. “I mean… I didn’t think—”

I smile slightly, cutting him off. “That’s a secret, and that you know. I believe that you should know that all your flirtations are hitting the brick wall. Thank you for keeping me company but I really have to go back to work now,” I say playfully before excusing myself.

As I walk away, my thoughts begin to swirl. Did Noah perhaps know that I’d be receiving attention like this? Is that why he insisted I wear this ring? My fingers brush over the band absentmindedly, a mixture of emotions stirring within me. It’s not like he truly cares, right? This is just part of the arrangement. He is trying to cage me all in while he explores on his own.

I step away from the main crowd, finally finding a moment to breathe, but just as I do, I sense someone approaching. A woman. Her posture is poised, but there’s something sharp in her gaze, something calculating.

   “You’ve been getting quite a bit of attention from Jason,” she says, her tone deceptively light. “I couldn’t help but notice.”

Damn it! Can I just have some time to myself without attracting these energy suckers? 

I study her carefully. She’s beautiful, confident—someone used to getting what she wants. And right now, she looks like she wants to put me in my place, not that I left anyway.

“I was just doing my job,” I say calmly. “Making sure everything runs smoothly for the guests.”

She tilts her head, her smile laced with something I can’t quite name. “That’s all? Because Jason doesn’t usually pay attention to just anyone.”

I exhale softly, suddenly tired of this game. “I don't see how that is my problem, Miss. It is not in my capacity to figure how whether or not I am not just anyone."

   "YOU!" She grits her teeth as she points her finger at me. I figure out that she is probably one of those ladies with interest in Jason but doesn't get attention from him. So sad.

    "If you’re worried about us, you don’t have to be. I have no interest in him. I just told him off.”

She narrows her eyes slightly as if gauging my honesty. She raises her shoulders with pride as she replies, “Good that you know your place. Because I don’t like women who think they can get too comfortable around someone whom they are not in his spec.”

Before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the tension.

“What’s going on here?”

Noah.

I turn my head, and there he is—standing tall, his gaze shifting between me and the woman in front of me. His presence alone shifts the energy in the air, making it heavier and more charged.

The woman seems momentarily flustered but quickly regains her composure.

   "Mr Noah, it is nice to meet you..." she greets with what I assume to be a flirtatious voice and I am so over it already. I roll my eyes. I, however, keep my focus on her, knowing exactly what I need to say and I just want to say it so I can get away from here.

   “You don’t have to feel insecure,” I tell her, my voice steady, drawing back the attention to myself.

   “I’m a married woman." I meet Noah's calm gaze that is on me and hold it for as long as I say my words. "I respect my marriage, and I respect my husband. I wouldn’t settle for someone like Jason ..." I then shift my gaze to the fuming lady in front of me to complete my words, "when my husband is twice the man he is—in every way.”

But it’s not just the woman who hears them. It’s Noah. And for some reason, that realization sends a rush of heat through me.

The woman glares at me, clearly seething. “You’re so full of yourself and I don't blame you. I blame that fool for stooping low and going for girls like you who are below his league,” she snaps before storming off in frustration.

I finally exhaled, realizing just how tense my body had become. But as I shift my gaze, I find Noah still looking at me. His expression is unreadable. His silence stretched between us.

I force myself to hold my ground, refusing to let whatever’s in his eyes shake me. Whatever this is—whatever unspoken tension lingers—it’s not real.

There is no need for it to be so. I nod my head once to signify my greeting before I walk past him to attend to the guests.