Chapter 4: The Only Exception

Stella

WHAT IF one day Jaxon and I got our marriage revealed? What would happen? What will I do? Will I admit or hide? Of course, I will not hide. As the wife of a private person like Jaxon, I will just be careful with how I act, especially when we go out in public.

I don’t know how I would feel if at the time Jaxon and I’s secret was revealed. Maybe, for now, I'll just be really alert.

"How's your day?"

I just cried out in shock when I saw Jaxon's face when I opened the door of our house. I almost fell but he immediately grabbed my arm and held me tightly. Because of this, my heart started to race. 

"I'm sorry if I startled you." He calmly said and gently let go of my arm so I just laughed and went straight into our house.

"No, it's okay. It's my fault too." I smiled and sat on the sofa. When I sat down, I just felt very tired because I had been standing in the photoshoot all day. 

I felt Jaxon's presence in front of me but I closed my eyes tightly because my head started to hurt again. It’s throbbing badly right now, I hope I can’t get sick tomorrow morning. But I only opened my eyes when I heard his voice.

"Here, drink this. It will help you to reduce your headache," he said and I saw him place a glass of water in front of me. So I thanked him and drank the water he brought for me.

As I drank I just watched Jaxon move in front of me. I thought he was going to sit down for a long time but I almost choked and I could swallow the water I was drinking when he took my two legs and put them on his thigh to massaged it gently. I can feel his warm hands on my two legs.

"Jaxon, you don't have to do that!" I blushed so he looked up and smiled. I almost fainted because of what he showed me today.

What did you eat today, Jaxon and you’re acting strange?

"It's okay, relax, Stella. I can feel that you are tired today." He said I could do nothing but let him do what he was doing.

Rather than be awkward I once again roamed my eyes around the house and suddenly fixed it on the middle of our stairs. Jaxon and I have a wedding picture hanging. It is obvious in the picture that you thought we were in love with each other and the wedding was not an arranged marriage.

"The result of the picture of the two of us is good." I can't help but say that Jaxon stopped what he was doing and turned to the wedding picture hanging in the middle of the stairs.

"Yeah, it looks like we're really in love with each other." He said directly because I could hold my breath and I could feel my heart beating fast so I secretly held on to it.

What happened to you, Stella? Jaxon just married you yet you have strange feelings with him when he is around? Get yourself together, Stella. You can’t love Jaxon Azrael Buenaventura.

"Stella." I came back to reality when Jaxon called my name so when I looked at him his mysterious eyes met mine. I couldn’t read what was running through his mind.

"You didn't reply to my text earlier," he added, causing me to stop and load into my brain what he said. Because of that, I quickly grabbed my cell phone and checked to see if he had texted me.

When I saw the unregistered number I immediately opened it and read the text he had sent me earlier.

Are you already there in your workplace?

How's the photoshoot?

Have you eaten your lunch?

I guess that you're busy now. I will wait for you at our house, Stella. Don't forget to eat your food.

When I read the four unread messages I couldn’t help but have tears in my eyes. This is the first time when someone cared for me because sometimes my Manager is the only one who greets me and asks how my day is.

"I'm sorry, Jaxon. Sometimes I don't look at my cell phone because there are so many photoshoots that need to be taken care of." I had a litany and I couldn’t lift my eyes because I was ashamed of him.

Even though he was busy with his work, he took the time to say hello to me at work while I didn't even answer. So I looked at him shyly. So to reduce the tension I just played with my hand and bit my lip.

"Look at me, Stella." He made a serious tone so when I looked up I didn't realize that he was in front of me.

"I'm so-" The surroundings were almost in slow motion the next time Jaxon did something to me. He just carried me into a bridal style so I couldn't help but get my face close to his and tighten my grip on his neck.

The two of us are about to touch each other's lips because our faces are so close to each other. Instead of protesting what he did I just took a deep breath and gently placed my head on his chest.

But I was just surprised because, like me, his heart was beating fast. When I looked at Jaxon again his ear was red so I couldn't stop myself from touching his cheek. Because I did that, he stopped and closed his eyes tightly.

"Are you okay?" I spoke weakly so he just nodded and resumed walking.

It's embarrassing to move because Jaxon might have a harder time lifting me. I don’t know why he even has to do this to me. Does he not know how I feel about what he’s doing to me?

When I saw that we were close to the bedroom I secretly smiled because Jaxon and I could finally rest from our overnight work. I thought we were going to enter but I was surprised when he stopped in front of the door and called my name again.

"Stella."

"Why? Is there something wrong?" I asked but his stare at me became even more serious which made me nervous.

"Can we sleep together?"

…

I just found myself next to Jaxon in the same bed. The other day he slept in the guest room because he wanted me to be comfortable. But right now my heart almost wants to come out because of my heart beating so fast. I can't feel my breath because of the tension.

I couldn't sleep either because I could smell Jaxon's scent all over the room. I almost had to sniff it because his scent was addictive. I used to be very tired but it was all erased because Jaxon and I were in the same bed.

Maybe later what should have happened will happen. Because of what I thought I pinched myself weakly, because Lara influenced me  I thought something dirty and weird today. I won’t let her influence me again.

When I couldn't stand it anymore I turned to the left and saw Jaxon with eyeglasses and reading his favorite book again... Damn, no matter what he wears here, it really won't diminish his good looks. And then isn't he sleepy yet? I want to sleep but I can't because I can't believe that I'm sleeping next to him now.

"Jaxon," I called, so he removed his glasses and turned to me.

"Why? Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Instead of answering his question I asked again.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked nervously so he stared at me for a long time and nodded seriously. So I got up first so I could see more of his handsome face.

"Are you happy with your life right now? I mean you have everything because the others are still looking for it even though they already have everything." I started so I saw him stop and think for a moment about my question.

"Yes, I'm happy with my life right now. How about you, Stella? Are you happy?" He asked again why I also stopped and laughed softly.

"Yes…" I stopped and thought for a moment. "I'm happy because I achieved my dreams and goals in life. But even so, I have things I regret doing," I added so he nodded.

"Do you regret marrying me, Stella?" I feel like a bullet hit me because of Jaxon's released words. I was not prepared for that.

I stared at him for a long time and I couldn't help but ask myself. Do I regret marrying him? So I sighed loudly and narrowed his eyes.

"No, I don't have any regrets marrying you, Jaxon. Unless you're hurting me verbally and physically." I answered him directly.

"I see." He answered sparingly so I smiled and spoke again.

"Last question, why did you agree to marry me? Based on your interviews, you hate arranging a marriage. So, why did you agree to marry me?" I asked a talkative question so I could see his lips rise at what I heard.

While I was stunned because I really couldn't stop myself from asking that. My gosh Stella! You are embarrassing. Maybe Jaxon just doesn't want to answer that. So what I did was pretend to cough.

"It's okay if you can't answer. I'm sorry if I upset you… '

"Do you want to hear my answer, Stella?" I grew cold when I heard Jaxon's serious voice. He just stared so straight at me that you thought he wanted to read as well as my soul.

So even though I wanted to know his answer I shook my head. I was about to speak but I was completely deaf when he added the words which made my heart beat faster and I felt strange in my stomach.

"Because you're the only exception, Stella."