Chapter 3

"Sorry if I’m interrupting you two, but Sofia, Cassia is looking for you," Asher said seriously.

While mingling with the guests, Asher noticed Sofia in a corner talking to another man. An unexplainable irritation suddenly crept into him. He knew he wasn’t jealous, but he didn’t like seeing Sofia talking to any other man besides himself.

Subtly, Asher excused himself from his wife, Cassia, to approach Sofia and the man she was with. He used the excuse that Cassia was looking for her to uncover what was going on between them.

"Is that so? Asher, I’d like you to meet Amir, my boyfriend," Sofia said with a smile.

She knew Asher would feel jealous about what she just said. That was exactly what she wanted to see how he would react to her words.

Sofia turned to her boyfriend, Amir, eager to introduce him to Asher.

"Amir, this is Asher, the one I work for, and his wife, Cassia," Sofia explained.

Amir shook hands cheerfully with Asher, who, in contrast, looked at Sofia seriously, clearly shocked by her revelation.

"I didn’t know you had a boyfriend, Sofia," Asher said.

His face remained serious as he stared at the beautiful woman in front of him. A mix of shock and a growing anger brewed inside him.

Asher had believed Sofia was single, which emboldened him to pursue their secret relationship. Though forbidden and concealed, he wanted Sofia to be unattached.

Now, learning that Sofia had a boyfriend, he was at a loss for what to do.

"Yes, dude, I’m her boyfriend. We’ve been together for two years now. In fact, tomorrow’s our monthsary," Amir said proudly.

Amir wasn’t oblivious to the tension between him and Asher. From the way Asher looked at him, Amir could tell that he had feelings for Sofia.

He was used to others being attracted to his girlfriend, but this time, Amir felt irritated by Asher. He couldn’t help but feel small in comparison. Unlike Asher, he wasn’t wealthy. He was a simple mechanic from the Sapang Bato Compound in Angeles. His current outfit, one he’d worn repeatedly for special occasions, was far from luxurious.

Amir discreetly assessed Asher’s appearance and demeanor, which screamed affluence and sophistication.

"Two years? Wow, congrats! Anyway, Sofia, Cassia has been calling for you," Asher said, forcing a smile.

To hide his frustration, Asher invited Amir to join them. He walked ahead of the couple, unable to bear seeing Sofia with her boyfriend.

He couldn’t understand why Sofia allowed Amir to call her by her first name, Paloma. He had tried calling her that many times, only to be rebuffed. Shaking his head, he resolved to push aside his anger for now.

"You really made a big deal about us being together for two years. And you never forget our monthsary," Sofia teased.

"What’s wrong with being proud of our relationship? And Paloma, from the way that guy looked at you, it’s obvious he has a thing for you," Amir said, grinning.

"There you go again with your jealousy, Amir," Sofia replied irritably.

Sofia knew her boyfriend all too well. His tone earlier and now betrayed his jealousy. She wasn’t annoyed by his jealousy but rather at herself.

This time, Amir had every right to feel jealous because of her secret affair with Asher. But she needed to do this to secure money.

Sofia wrapped her arm around Amir’s muscular one. Surprised, Amir turned to her, his handsome face showing his astonishment.

"Oh? Why that reaction?" Sofia laughed.

"This is the first time you’ve done that in public," Amir said happily.

Amir saw Paloma sigh deeply. He knew she didn’t like being overly affectionate in public. She only acted sweet when they were alone or with friends at the Sapang Bato Compound.

"I’m proud of you because you didn’t back down from Asher earlier. I know you, Amir. You felt insecure around him, but you stood your ground," Sofia said.

Sofia stopped walking, causing Amir to stop too. She faced him and gave him a tender, sweet kiss on the lips.

"An early gift for our monthsary tomorrow," Sofia said, laughing.

Sofia laughed harder at Amir’s reaction he stood there, smiling dazedly after she kissed him.

"Paloma, you always know how to surprise me," Amir said joyfully.

This was the first time his girlfriend kissed him in public. Glancing around, Amir noticed the people at the venue were all looking at them.

"Ahem! You two are making a scene. This isn’t a wedding; it’s a gender reveal party, friends," Zella said with a frown.

Busy getting food, Zella had overheard murmurs around her. Curious, she looked and saw what seemed like two actors kissing in the hotel’s garden area.

With her eyebrows raised, Zella approached her friends, who were stealing the spotlight at this lavish event.

"And you’re stealing the show too, Zenaida Bugnot! Looks like you’ve had plenty of food," Sofia teased.

Sofia didn’t care if they attracted attention at Asher and Cassia’s party. She relished being the center of attention.

"Excuse me, Sofia, but it seems you forgot you’re in a public place with your boyfriend," Asher said, forcing a smile.

Asher’s right fist clenched tightly as he stared seriously at the couple before him.

His emotions were a mix of anger and jealousy at their display. He thought he could overlook it, but the fact that many people including his friends and family witnessed it made his blood boil.

"My apologies, man. Paloma here is just too sweet," Amir said with a grin.

"Sorry, Asher, for what we did. Anyway, let’s start your gender reveal," Sofia said with a wide smile.

Sofia’s beautiful lips curved into a broad smile. She was overflowing with joy at the moment. It was evident on Asher’s handsome face that he was both jealous and angry.

Sofia excused herself from Zella and Amir, inviting Asher to join her in meeting Cassia to finally start the gender reveal.

As Sofia and Asher walked, the dashing man whispered to her.

"How dare you, Sofia! Of all occasions, you chose my special event to pull something like that?" Asher said quietly.

"Would you have preferred I kissed you instead of my boyfriend? You’re acting childish, Asher. Let me remind you we have no relationship," Sofia said with a smirk.

From the start, Sofia had made it clear to Asher that there could never be a relationship between them. It was purely transactional, and she had no intention of changing that.

"Whatever, Paloma!" Asher said angrily.

As he approached his wife, Asher quickly masked his expression. He greeted Cassia with a sweet smile and told her they could start the gender reveal. But Cassia stopped him, looking at him curiously.

"Wait, honey. Your parents aren’t here yet. I want everyone to be present before we find out if it’s a boy or a girl," Cassia said, concerned.

Asher’s brows furrowed, and Cassia noticed the reaction on his handsome face. She had anticipated this because she knew Asher didn’t get along with his parents.

She still didn’t know why they were estranged, but she didn’t dare bring it up, afraid it might lead to a fight between them.

"H-Honey, you invited them?" Asher asked in disbelief.

Asher glanced at the venue entrance and saw two smiling figures walking toward them.

"Holy god!" Asher muttered under his breath.