Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“The Luciero firm? He owns it, right?”

“Ssshhh. Yeah, he's damn famous and a billionaire.”

“So? Ms. Faith is also a billionaire,”

“But I heard he was Ms. Freya’s ex lover, Ms. Faith’s dead sister.

“Really? How did they get married, then? Are you telling me that she stole her sister's lover?”

“I didn't,” I uttered.

Their eyes widened immediately when I joined them at the buffet to get my own food. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw how they all froze as if they already foresee losing their job just because I caught them sticking their noses in my life.

“M-Ms. Faith,” she gulped. I don't know her name, but she's probably in the finance team.

“Let's just say that it was an arranged marriage,” I mentioned. I heard one of them gasps, as if he wasn't expecting that but at least, they have got their answer.

“Aren't you comfortable with him? He asked me to tag along,” I acted normal so they would not feel anxious with what happened.

“N-No, of course not.” I kept my tiny smile when they all tried to laugh. They couldn't make it sound like a surreal laugh.

“Don't worry, I won't fire you.” I became blatant already. I don't want them to overthink.

“He's handsome. You look good together, Ms. Faith.” I assume that they are now comfortable unlike earlier. They even giggled and gave me their teasing eyes.

“Why did you bring him here?” My eyes shifted at Brian when he suddenly appeared there and joined us.

“We'll go ahead, Ms. Faith.” They said and gave us both a smile. I can read through their eyes how Brian's perfection starstruck them.

I looked around and began to search for Elijah. I'm afraid that being with Brian and alone would cause me trouble.

“He already stole my spotlight,” Brian said.

I found myself wearing a small smile when I saw him conversing with my other employees. He was even laughing while eating and drinking with them. Elijah was always like this. He can easily steal someone's spotlight effortlessly. He's naturally friendly to everybody.

“Don't you like it? You can rest. You always have the spotlight,” I replied and continued picking up some food on my plate.

“Tsk. So, why is he here? Isn't he busy?” Brian was irritated. My husband is sore in his eyes. I can tell that in one glance.

“He wants to come with me,” I replied.

“Was he the reason why you couldn't join us yesterday?” I took a heavy breath and finally faced him.

“He was sick. I'm still his wife, Brian.”

“He's hitting yo—”

“Can we not bring that up?” It's making me weak to remember all of that.

“Did he change, huh? He changed and you bought it so fast?”

“Can’t I enjoy being at peace? Should I not like it when the old Elijah I met before is finally coming back? I'm having my hopes again, Brian. Just for this once, don't ruin it for me.” I turned my back on him before we could even ruin this trip together.

“I don't mind,”

“Woahhh!”

I sat beside Elijah while they were all laughing and having a good time together.

“You okay?” He asked as he eyed me beside him.

His eyes landed at the buffet and probably saw Brian from there.

“What's the problem? Did he do something?” His voice became tough. I looked back and I found Brian still looking at us.

“Of course not. Everything's fine,” I said. It was kinda true and half lied as well.

Right after a meal we began the work. My entire team was busy taking care of everything.

“What about the models? Are they all here?” I asked while checking the list of names of the models we have for the runway.

“Five of them are still not here. But I already called them, they said they will have their flight tonight and probably arrive here by tomorrow evening, I guess?” My secretary said. We are all spreaded to the main venue of the event.

“How about the guests, Oscar?” I asked. We invited a lot of celebrities and all the influential people to come and witness it. They would boost our sales.

“The invitations are already sent, Ms. Faith. There are also some people who paid already to attend the runway,” I heaved a heavy sigh and nodded.

“Ms. Faith, this is the main venue. We plan to design it like in a summer vacation to go along with our collection. Do you want to add anything with the decorations?” I paused and examined with my keen eyes the entire venue. It's a perfect spot for the runway, especially that we will hold it at 5 pm, where the sunset would probably show up.

“I want a little glimmer,” I commented.

“Alright. We'll add it, Ms. Faith.”

“Do you need anything else?” My secretary asked. She has been following me since earlier while I check everything we need for the runway.

My eyes stopped at Elijah who was sitting on the small table there with his eyes closed. I bet he was already sleeping.

“I think you two should rest first. You have jet lag,” she said when she caught me looking at my husband.

“Can you check the stage for me? I'll go check my husband first.”

“Sure,” I smiled at her before I walked towards Elijah.

“Hey,” I shook his hand a bit to wake him up. He wasn't hard to wake up, which made me think that he was only half-sleeping.

“Hmm? Are you done?” He asked and strolled his eyes around.

I bit my lower lip. He's probably disappointed to see that everyone was still busy with their jobs.

“Not yet. It will take a long time before we settle everything. We need to do a dry run, too. How about you go to our hotel and sleep?” We didn't have a rest when we arrived here. I can see from his face how tired he is already.

“What about you?” His brows crossed.

“I can't leave them alone here. I have to be here, you know that.” Inside me, I badly want to join him and rest. My body is being called by the bed and leaving my team to rest is bickering inside me.

“You haven't taken any rest. Why don't you at least take a one hour break?” He really sounds concerned.

“I slept on the plane, you haven't. Come on, I'll be there after this.” He heaved a heavy sigh before he stood up.

“Fine. I'll wait for you,” he said and held my hand before he marched out of there, looking so tired even when he walked.

I continued working even though I wanted to rest so badly. Imagine? We traveled for so many hours here and I didn't even rest after arriving.

“Fiercer, ladies!” My manager of the models exclaimed while I was watching them do the dry run, wearing the new collection I'm going to release.

After the ladies, the line up of our male models appeared on the stage. Brian was the one who first walked.

“Shit, he's really handsome and hot.” I heard my secretary mumble beside me.

I remained watching him blankly, especially when his eyes landed at me. Was I a bit mean earlier? Well, I really don't want to ruin whatever Elijah and I have now.

“Ms. Faith you should rest, we're going to wrap this up.” My secretary said right after the dry run.

“Are you guys fine here if I leave now?” I asked all of them.

“Of course, Ms. Faith.” One of them answered.

“Alright. Let's see each other tomorrow. Let's have a photoshoot to show a glimpse for our new collection,” I said out loud for them to hear it all.

“Gotta go,” I tapped my secretary’s shoulder before I headed to my hotel room with Elijah. It's a big room for the two of us. It has two rooms as I was thinking that we have never been into one bed before. We're sleeping separately, remember?

I was walking like a zombie on my way, yawning all the time until I reached the room. Silence invaded me when I went in. Elijah is probably asleep now. I stopped in front of two doors. Which room is he in? I bit my lower lip and opened the other door slowly, avoiding to create any noise that could wake him up.

“Great,” I mumbled when I opened the right door. He's in the other room.

I was about to sit foot inside and finally feel the softness of the bed when the door from the next room opened and showed Elijah.

“Elijah,” I called. I lingered my eyes at him and realized that he was half-naked. He's only wearing a damn towel while his hair is still dripping. I quickly glued my eyes on his face, avoiding seeing his perfect body right in front of me.

“What are you doing there?” His brows crossed.

“T-To sleep? I just got here,” I replied.

“But I'm sleeping in this room. I mean, you should go here instead of there,” my lips parted.

I was left with no words once again. Is he telling me that we should share the same bed?

“B-But we don't share the same bed in our h-house,” see? I was struggling to say those words!

He eyed me blankly, which made me a bit fearful. He took a few steps towards me and raised his hand. I didn't know what happened. The only thing I knew, my body responded automatically. I closed my eyes and stepped backwards as if Elijah was about to hit me again.

I found my chest pounding with nervousness I suddenly felt.

“What are you doing?” He asked softly. I slowly opened my eyes and he was right in front of me.

“S-Sorry,” I uttered and moved my eyes away.

Then, I realized one thing. I got traumatized in a short span of time that I spent with him on the same roof.

“I should take a shower,” I said. I couldn't keep my eyes on him.

“Are my things in your room?” I asked when the other room was empty. I quickly headed to his room, creating walls between us. I don't know why I'm doing this. I want our relationship to work but why am I suddenly becoming distant?

“I'll put it th—” I froze when he grabbed my hand and now cornered me with his eyes. No matter what I do, I wouldn't be able to run away from his eyes right now.

“It's my fault,” he said.

In one snap, I found my tears dripping down on my face.

“I-I’m sorry. I thought you would raise your hand and hurt me again,” it suddenly burst out of my chest as I burst into tears again.

He quickly locked me in his arms and embraced me gently. I cried aloud, like a damn kid who lost her lollipop. I feel like I cried the tears that were left in me during the days that he wasn't like this.

“It won't happen again, okay?” He shed tears on my face.

It was the first time that someone did that for me.

“Let’s start over,” he said. “I will try my best to be a good husband, Faith.”

And right that moment, I didn't regret being an idiot and bearing all the pain he gave me before. Everything I endured suddenly became worth it.

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