Chapter 7

"Does she know about your father's last will?" Colin asked the lad as they sat at the bar near the main lobby of the hotel, they were staying in. Philip couldn't sleep that night that's why he decided to go out and get some fresh air. He just happened to bump into Colin at the elevator, making the other lad join him for a drink.

The blue-eyed lad shook his head after drinking his first shot. "This isn't the right time."

"Phil, you have to tell her. She's involved in this situation and she also has the right to know." Colin said calmly before taking a sip from his drink.

"No. This isn't the right time. And things might get complicated if I do tell her." Philip said then signaled the waiter for another shot. "And I'm avoiding that. I don't want that to happen."

Colin gave him a knowing look before saying, "You sound so concerned about your wife. Don't tell me you're starting to fall---" The Irish lad didn't even have the chance to finish what he's about to say because Philip interrupted him.

"Don't think too much, Grant. I just don't want her to know because so far, everything’s going according to plan. I don't want her to get in my way.” He said and his face showed no emotion at all. Colin just shrugged.

"But the way you kissed her; it seems like there's... something." This caused the blue-eyed lad to throw his friend a death glare. He didn't want to get into the lad's bad side tonight.

"You're my lawyer, not my fucking love advisor. I suggest you shut that mouth of yours and just do your fucking job." He said sharply. Colin mentally slapped his self and looked down. He didn't dare push the topic more because of all people, he knows Philip the best. He knows how short his temper is and that he doesn’t do what he’s told. Philip Edwards is the kind of person that everyone is afraid of. Even if he was his friend, he knows that the lad could make his life living hell if he ever crosses the line. Right now, all that Phil wants is for him to do his job and Colin is pretty much willing to do just that.

-

JESSICA

I woke up because I can feel someone tapping my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Philip's toned stomach. My eyes widened and I quickly sat up and covered my face in embarrassment. Well, that’s a sight you don’t expect to see when you wake up.

"Wake up, take a bath and then go follow me to the dining area so we can eat breakfast. I’m hungry." He said bluntly before leaving the room.

I obliged but thought about eating breakfast. How am I supposed to eat breakfast when Philip's abs were enough for me to be satisfied? 'You're such a creep.' the back of my mind told me. I shook my head and went inside the bathroom.

When I reached the door frame of the dining area, I saw him sitting at the end of the table while typing something on his laptop. He seemed to be too engrossed to what he was doing because he didn’t even notice my presence until I was exactly inside the room.

"Take a seat and eat." He said, not even sparing me a quick glance. Rude, much? I just followed what I was asked to do and started to fill my plate with the food on the table. As I took my first bite, it made me wonder who could’ve prepared this lovely meal for it taste delicious.

"Did you cook these?" I asked him curiously.

"No," He answered with his seemingly blasé attitude. His eyes were still glued to the screen of his laptop.

"Then who prepared these?" 

"Will you just shut up and eat?" You can see how irritated he was just by hearing his answer me that way. So, I didn’t dare open my mouth until I finished eating.

"Sorry." I simply said after eating my breakfast. He seemed to be still irritated by my questions earlier so I decided to apologize. When he didn't give me any answer in reply, I scoffed as I shook my head at him. I stood up and made my way to the door.

"Where are you going?" I heard him ask. 'Now, he's talking to me?', I sighed and didn't mind him. This’ll show him that I can treat him just like how he’s treating me. 

I was about to leave our suite when I heard his voice again. "I'm talking to you, Jessica Amelia," I was about to give in and answer him but when I heard his phone ring, I didn't bother and just went outside.

Some time away from him is what I need right now.

As I found my way out of the hotel, I could feel the fresh air against my skin. My eyes landed on the beach and it’s just then when I realized how beautiful this place really is. It was called paradise for a reason. I was tempted to go for a quick swim but then I remembered that I still have nothing to wear for the party. I frowned.

"It's too early in the morning for that frown of yours to appear.” I heard someone said.

“A pretty girl like you should smile, it'll suit you better." I turned my gaze to the side and that’s where I saw whose voice it belonged to. Where did this person come from?

"Excuse me? Are you talking to me?" I looked around and noticed that we're the only ones in here. 

"Are there any pretty girls around here aside from you?" He said and gave me a wink. He lends out his hand. "I'm Ford by the way. And you are?"

I took his hand and shook it. "I'm Jessica," He seemed nice, so I introduced myself as well.

"You want to walk around? You know, explore this place?" He asked, smiling. Okay, he's cute.

"Sure." I know my Dad warned me about talking to strangers but he seemed like a really nice person so, why not?

We spent the whole afternoon together, walking and him touring me around the beach. He also let me try some exotic food being sold outside of the hotel and I'll admit that some of it actually tastes so good! Even better than the food they're serving inside the hotel.

Ford is a really nice guy. He's a gentleman, he's sweet and fun to be with. He isn’t afraid to show his emotions around me. And if I’m going to compare him to Philip, I’d rather hang out with him rather than the guy whom I’m supposed to call my husband. They're very much different from each other. So different, honestly speaking.

"Ford, thank you for the treat and for touring me around here," I said once we came back to where we met earlier today. "I had so much fun."

"And thanks to you too, you know, for accompanying me even if we just met." He smiled. "But, it's not a treat though. You have to pay me back."

My eyes widened. "Are you serious? Oh my gosh, I don't have my wallet with me." Gosh, he told me earlier that it's all on him. He didn't tell me to not take that seriously.

"Oh, I don't want your money," I looked at him. "I want something else."

My eyes widened as the realization hit me. I slowly hugged myself, trying to cover my body. Too much for assuming he was mister nice guy. "Hey, hey, it's not what it looks like," He said, stopping me. "It's not what you think. All I'm asking for is for you to go on a date with me. My intentions are pure and I respect you, Jessica. I won't do you any harm." He explained with a smile.

"Really?" I asked and he nodded. 

"So, what do you say? Will you go on a date with me?" He asked, beaming. I gave him a small smile and was about to answer his question when a familiar voice stopped me. 

"I was looking everywhere for you," Guess who it is. "Let's go." He said with his usual deep dark voice before holding my wrist and pulling me away from Ford.

"Can't you see that we're talking?" Ford butted in. Philip didn't seem to care as he continued to pull me away from Ford.

"P-Philip, stop. You're hurting my wrist." His grip on my wrist was really tight. I was terrified that it could leave a bruise.

"Didn't you hear her? You're hurting her wrist." Ford tapped his shoulder before trying to release Philip's hold from me which he surprisingly succeeded to do. When I was out of his grasp, Ford turned to me. He held my hand and tried to massage it gently, trying to lessen the pain. "You good?" I nodded. I looked over his shoulder and saw the deadly look on Philip's face. By the looks of it, I just know this won’t end well.

His eyes slowly landed on our hands that are now linked together. I quickly took it away from Ford and looked down. "Let's go, Jessica." I heard him say.

"She won't come with you," Ford said firmly. He seemed to be persistent on not letting me come with Phil.

"She will," He said before slowly walking away. I started to follow him but I noticed that Ford was also trailing behind me. "Just three steps away and you'll be dead." Ford and I both stopped dead in our tracks, unaware of who he was talking to. “Jessica, let’s go.” He said, slowly raising his voice. I can feel how cold and deadly the tone of his voice is right now. As if some kind of demon was possessing him.

"Ford, you should go now," I asked him. Some people are already looking at us and I don't want to cause a scene right now. 

"But Jessica---"

"Please." I pleaded and he seemed to listen to me when he took a deep breath. He looked at Philip and gave him a disapproving look.

"Take care, okay?" He said and quickly placed a kiss on my forehead which caught me off guard. He walked away and I turned to look at Philip. His face showed no emotion when I looked at him. 

'What would you expect, Jessica? That he would be jealous? In your dreams.' My conscience told me. Before I can even register what happened earlier, I felt Philip's hand wrapped around my wrist again before he pulled me upstairs and inside our suite.