Chapter 23

After the exhausting planning for our wedding, I find myself alone inside Jaxson's office then again.

I'm not sure whether my responses to the wedding coordinator are completely right because I'm not familiar with any of them. I just chose whatever sounds familiar to me. Then I pondered why there were far too tiny food portions and asked if there was a whole meal that could fill the entire plate because the servings that they would give to the guest appeared to be for a taste test only. They were taken aback by what I said and looked at me as if they couldn't believe it, but they pledged to show me other options tomorrow.

The wedding design I chose was simply based on what I personally preferred. I'm just not sure if Jaxson will like it as much as I do. But, as he had said, it is up to me to make the decision, so perhaps he will not be upset with those I choose. I can't wait to see how he reacts on the wedding day. The only thing that mattered to him was that we could get through the wedding day and a year as quickly as possible.

I realized that the sun had gone down and it was already dark outside. The lights outside the building are also turned on, and there is no denying that the view is dazzling. When I first got here, I felt lightheaded and tingling on my feet because of how high it is from the glass window that is enough to make the people down there look like ants. Yet, I guess it has grown on me and has become my favorite area inside Jaxson's office.

I simply walked over to Jaxson's table and decided to tidy up the papers that had strewn anywhere as well as his personal items. After I finished putting the papers together and fixing it, I decided to sit in Jaxson's chair.

My fingers deliberately crawled to the small drawer beneath the table and carefully opened it out of curiosity.

I was surprised to discover a box still wrapped with ribbon. It’s white and I think it’s a gift. It's only played in two colors: silver and white, and I'm guessing it's a gift for someone that hasn't been opened yet.

“Hmm?” I mused.

For a split second, my sight strayed to the door, wondering if Jaxson had already returned because he may get furious if he did because of my hands' kinkiness and curiosity. After making sure there were no more footsteps, I returned my attention to the box and flipped it around to find the letter for whom the present was meant.

“For whom is this gift?”I wondered aloud to myself. “D?” I averted my eyes away from the gift as a sudden thought struck me after seeing only one letter and a small heart on top of it. “D..? I can only think of one D that has anything to do with Jaxson... Wait... Is this for Daniella? But what it is doing inside the-”

“What are you doing?”

I started panicking when I suddenly heard Jaxson's voice. He was standing at the door, staring intently at my hands, which were still holding the present. I quickly stuffed it back into his drawer before standing up to cover it behind me.

“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to meddle with your thing. It’s just that-”

“Did you like it?”

My brows came together in response to the question he had let out “Huh? What are you saying? I mean, sure the box looks kinda pretty. But, if you ask me to have it again, I will strongly refuse. This gift is not intended for me.”

“Throw it away if you don't like it. I won't be needing it any longer.” He answered sparingly and rudely before walking inside.

I just stared at him and didn't say anything.

I have no intention of taking that present because he did not get it for me. He bought it while having Daniella inside his heart and mind. I assume Jaxson bought it before things got rough with Daniella, and he never had a chance to hand it to her when their relationship fell apart.

It's just a shame because I believed the present was really quite expensive and elegant. It would be such a waste to throw it so maybe I'll just leave that on Jaxson's desk and let him decide what he's going to do with it. He can throw it himself if he really wants to, but I won't be doing it for him.

“Are you ready to leave?”

I just nodded at him with a smile in response. I have a hunch Jaxson is really exhausted tonight. His pale face and weary eyes reveal how low he has fallen.

“Hey, did something happen at the meeting?” I asked, with a tone of concern trying to make Jaxson speak his mind to somehow release the weight on his shoulders.

His eyes glanced up to me, and the second our gazes connected, my heart sank in sorrow. Why do I feel terrible whenever Jaxson appears to be miserable, as if our emotions are deeply entwined?

Everytime I see his eyes with sadness and lethargy, I also feel sad too and just want to squeeze him into a tight hug to take away all the frustration from him. But every time I saw him smile, I couldn't stop myself from raising the corners of my mouth in ecstasy. I like to watch him in his silliness rather than with slumped shoulders.

I suppose I've fully gained empathy for this man.

“I've already told Gunther that he shouldn't wait for us and should go home.”

He chose to avoid answering my question before placing the papers on his table and fixing the suit that he is wearing.

I'm hoping I can come up with a way to make him forget about Daniella forever. In some ways, I was confident that I wouldn't be hurt. I'll make sure to come up with an idea tomorrow.

“We will be going out tonight without guards, so remember not to let go of my hand.”

“U-Uh?” I stuttered, bewildered by what he said.

He edged closer to me and quickly took my hand in his.

“I said, remember not to let go of my hand,” he repeated in a croaky voice, with his mischievous eyes staring right into mine.

When I finally composed myself from being flabbergasted by what he did, my hand flew up to his face and clutched his forehead.

“Why are you being like this to me again? Are you drunk? Have a fever, or what?”

Jaxson softly pulled my hand away from his face.

“Let's just stay like this and hold my hand because we're going out there and everyone will be watching us. Would you like them to doubt our relationship?”

My head tilted a bit because Jaxson didn’t seem to convince me. “Don't you think not joining me earlier with the wedding coordinator is more strange than not holding hands while walking in public-”

“Cattleya.” He slash my words when he used his other hand to cover my mouth. “I am fucking tired. So can you please, just listen to me?”

My head just nodded because he still wouldn't take his hand out of my mouth.

“Alright, let's go out.”

Jaxson was right when he said that we will be greeted by the employees' eyes. But it's nothing like the stares I got earlier. They aren't staring as fiercely at me anymore, perhaps because Jaxson is with me and they respect him as their boss.

“Does this also mean that you will be driving for the two of us.” I said, recalling that he had told me that tonight would be just the two of us.

Jaxson merely bobbed his head at the same time as his feet came to a halt, bringing my steps in a sudden stop.

“Ouch," I grumbled. “Why did you stop suddenly? My face always lands on your back. " I complained to him, but I was confused to see that his eyes were drawn in one direction. I traced his eyes to check what it is that he is staring at.

My mouth fell open when I saw Lance and Daniella inside their car, making out.