“You are seriously so immersed by your acting, aren't you?” I pushed Jaxson as hard as I could, giving all the strength left in my body making him stumble.
“I am.” He said with a giggle. “Why are you being so cheeky to me suddenly?” Jaxson asked before moving next to my stance. We were only a few inches away from each other so I quickly moved back a little to catch my breath.I can’t answer Jaxson’s question directly right into his face. And I guess he pretty sure knew the reason why I am so distant to him ever since I saw Daniella in his office. I just don’t want myself to meddle with whatever it is that they are into.If they are still having an affair behind all of this marriage act that we are doing, sure they can. Who am I, really? Even if I completely dislike them for doing that, I don’t think I should care more.“What’s running through your mind?”I drew my eyes to Jaxson as he gently lay down next to me while I remained seated.“Come on, Cattleya. You can tell me.”My eyebrows rose slightly due to the drastic change of his attitude.“Why are you acting like this, Jax?” I questioned him after slugging down champagne directly from the bottle. “I know you don’t mean anything that is coming out of your silly mouth. Seriously, if you like to play a game then don’t pick up with me. You’ll waste your time ‘cause I am not that kind of person.”“What are you saying?” he puffed air in his nose before facing me.I traced the redness on his cheeks as well as his sly eyes.“You are drunk… That makes sense why you're suddenly acting like this again.” I uttered before staving off my head away from him. “I should've noticed it sooner.” I picked up my phone and gently rose up from the sofa.I came to a halt as I felt Jaxson’s palm wrapped around my wrist. It was so warm and soft.“Jax. Let me go.” I sighed as I tried to pull my arm away from his grip, but it was too tight.I am so tired of being so naive that I melt into this man’s way of acting whenever he is under the influence of alcohol. This is not him. The real Jaxson that I know should be dashing to find Daniella right now.“I am not drunk, Cattleya.” He mumbled, trying to look in my eyes. “Look, what did I do wrong to make you act like this? It’s sorely bothering the hell out of me.”My brows furrowed as I stared into his face, keeping my voice from raising to him “Jax, stop playing with me. Okay? Why are you suddenly acting that you really care for me?”“But I do care… For real-”“Oh, shut up.” I cut him off. “You know exactly what you did. You know very well whatever it is I saw in your office yesterday- ”“Now I see where this is coming.”I was interrupted when Jaxson slashed me, making my brow raise, questioning his words.My mouth hung open as my eyes swiftly widened when I felt my bottom back on the sofa as Jaxson tugged me closer to him.“You are jealous.”“What!?” I jolted as I did not expect what ye thought. “You don’t know what you’re saying Jax. When will you stop acting that we are a real couple? This marriage is fake. It is a relationship with benefits for both of us. So why am I going to be jealous? Huh?”Jaxson puffed air on his nose, snickering as his finger touched mine, like pressing a doorbell.“Absolutely drunk.” I hissed as I tried to avert my gaze from his eyes.“You saw Daniella in my office, and you ran out without even checking the whole room yet.” He said calmly. “When she came to my office to bring me the documents, our wedding coordinators were already inside. So whatever is in your mind that has been building up since yesterday was all just false imagination. There’s nothing going on between the two of us.”I couldn’t do anything but fix my gaze back to Jaxson. I didn’t know what my reaction would be. I don’t even know what to feel after what he had told me.Should I be happy that he’s not having an affair with his ex-girlfriend and that Jaxson was still focused on his plan? Or should I not trust him fully because he might just be saying this to continue playing his games to me.“See, I don’t even know why I am explaining this but that’s the truth, Cattleya. And I want you to believe me.”I remained silent, staring at the floor and couldn’t even utter a word because I am still dumbfounded.This man always confuses my emotions.“Look at me,” Jaxson whispered but my eyes just remained staring at the emptiness. “Cattleya, look at me….”I felt his warm hand crawl on my chin, and gently, he turned my head so my eyes could meet his.“I don’t fucking care what other people think. I don’t care if they are going to believe me or not. But you. I want you, Cattleya, to believe me no matter what happens.” He said in a gentle tone while staring straight into my eyes. “Wherever we put our nose into now, we can never trust anyone. But I promise to always choose to trust you, and you should trust me too. Be friends with no one but me. This place is more dangerous than you imagine. And if you ever fall into their trap, you will end up like what happened to me.”“But… What if you are the one who will betray me..?” I asked.“Only then I can’t keep you any longer. And if that time happens, I need you to slap my face as hard as you can to bring me back to my senses.” Jaxson said before lowering his gaze to our hands. He gently took one of my hands and locked it around him. “I'm just afraid of what will happen if you'll be the one to betray me… You know I can forgive you a thousand times.”A crease accumulated on my forehead staring at Jaxson’s face even though his eyes are still fixed on our hands tangled together.“What’s gotten into you? Why are you suddenly being sweet to me?”“I don’t know what’s gotten into me, Cattleya. But what I am certain of is that I can now fight back without being afraid of losing anyone and go home with no one waiting for me…” Jaxson muttered and I could hear a tinge of sadness in his voice.“You know I’m not gonna be here forever, right..?”I seemed to feel sadness when that came to my mind again. It will be harder for us to let go if this continues. I feel like I don’t even want that day to come.I hate to admit that I want time to slow down.I was stunned as he brought his face to my ears, feeling a bit of soft lips on my skin.“The ruler can always change the rules, doesn’t he?” Jaxson whispered.I had a hard time taking myself back as I heard those words. I couldn’t believe that he was also thinking about that day. It’s giving me that idea of Jaxson considering keeping me on his side. And it only means one thing to me, He is starting to see my presence.“So…” He rubbed his hand on his pants with a brow raised. “Are you now gonna treat me back to normal again after I cleared things up to you and free those ridiculous thoughts in your mind?”I bursted into giggles.Is this really a good thing that Jaxson actually pays attention to me more than I thought he is?I don’t know, but I am starting to like it.“Can I at least get an answer?”I simply responded with a nod, still giggling.“That’s better. It’s very important that we have a great understanding of each other. After all, you will be living with me starting now. And there’s no goddamn way that I will be sleeping on the couch again.” He chuckled.“But I never told you that?” I defended myself. “I had no idea you were sleeping on the couch. You know I always wake up later than you so I really don’t know where you always slept.”“Well, now you know I'm never gonna do it again after getting your concern.” Jaxson said before lowering his back again and lying down. His eyes gradually lifted to the stars as he watched them.“You are a much better person than I thought you are.” I muttered as I also began to lay on the couch and do the same way as Jaxson.I can admit that I was wrong in what I thought of him. In fact, he is actually better than I expected.“Too early to say that.” He muttered. “You think you already know me? I don’t think so, Cattleya. There’s so much more to see in me than what you think you already see.”I answered him with a sigh.I think it’s pretty normal to live with people and still not to get to know the entirety of them. As people say, sometimes, we lie even in our own diary.But for as long as I know that Jaxson won’t do such things that will harm me and the people that I love, I think I will be okay.I was surprised when Jaxson's body slightly stepped on me, making my eyes widened. I felt his hand run to the back of my head and I feel like my nerve will burst with the tension I’m having.“Relax, I'm just going to let you use my arm.” Jaxson murmured softly and then I felt him gently place my head on his arm and use this as a pillow. “We're going back here tomorrow.”“Y-You don’t mean in this position… right?”I heard Jaxson chuckled.“I'm not that kind of man, Catt.”“Shut up.” I slashed his words. “You have been so into kissing me a lot these days and it's not even written in our contract.”He abruptly coughed as he maybe spit on his own saliva making me laugh at his reaction.“- See? You know what you’re doing.” I jokingly gave him a weak slap on his chest.“Can’t you at least filter your words?” He exclaimed in a high tone while still not finished with his cough.“It’s the truth, though. You are almost even acting like my real husband right now. Joining me here and spending our first night together after the wedding. Look how sweet you are to me and make my heart flutter like crazy— ” I came to a halt when I realized the words that came out of my lips.My hand quickly flew to my mouth and then dashed up from lying down. I picked up my phone before I ran away from Jaxson with no plan of looking back.“Why are you running? Hey! Catt!”I heard him shout at me but I didn't look at him and just kept running away from the balcony, shaking my head vigorously.I pulled myself together out of annoyance so that I was also conscious of what came out of my mouth at the same time as I forcefully bit my lips.You are going crazy, Cattleya! You are insane! What did you just say there !?“Hey, Catt! Where are you going?” I heard Loren call to me as I just kept walking and passed them.I am pretty sure that I couldn’t afford to sleep and stay in one room with Jaxson because if that happens then I’ll be devoured by extreme embarrassment that might cause my death. I swiftly descended the stairs without even saying my goodbyes to the guest.I'd better spend the night in the apartment.“Mrs. Madrigal.” Simultaneously, men dressed in black uniforms called to me.I was a bit unused to what they called me.I’m assuming that these men belong to the Madrigal security. So without even uttering any words, I proceeded to the car parked in front of the hotel where the reception took place. I don’t know if the guests already noticed that I am gone. But if so, I’ll just explain to them that I am just tired and wanted to have a rest. Rather than covering up my stupidity.I began leaning my back on the car seat after telling the driver where my destination woulf be.“I am so crazy…”
"An absolutely insane person. Jaxson, you are getting on my nerves. I mean, not negatively, you know. But today was too much already, and-” He didn't let me finish and went inside the unit, passing me.The bright side is, the person who knocked on our door in the middle of the night was not a bad person, and I did not commit a heinous crime. However, the downside is that I came here because I don't want to spend the night with Jaxson. And now he is here."So, where can I put all this?" He asked as his eyes roamed the entire space of our house."There, there is a table in front of you." I said slowly and then the door was closed again."Oh, this is the table.""Wouldn't it be better if you went back there and rested at the hotel? You know you don't belong in this place Jax. This is a simple house which you never use. See, you'll just have a hard time-" I couldn't finish what I was going to say when I noticed that he wasn't listening to me and just started putting his things inside the p
"So, what do you think if I model your brand too?"Both my brows raised as I waited for what Jaxson would say because his eyes just stared straight at me."That's not the reason why I told you my mother's past.""I know, but don't you think I can do it? You don't trust me too?" I uttered as I held my laugh trying to pull a joke on him.I don't think that Jaxson caught my joke as he just stared back at me as if wanting to pull my soul out of my body."I see your potential and I trust you too much that it's making me afraid of allowing you to be out there."I was taken back by Jaxson's words. I did not expect those words to come out of his mouth. It even feels like the Jaxson I am spending the night with is not the real one."T-Then... If you trust me, why don't you just let me try? You know, you can actually say straight to me that I'm not the one you are looking for your brand and you need someone that has experience.""No." He answered me quickly without wasting any second. "You are a
This is the first night that I will sleep on the same bed with Jaxson beside me, and I don't know what just happened to my body that made me so stiff this much. This is also the first time that I’ll be laying in the same bed with some guy that’s not even my brother, Charles. I don't even remember how to breathe right now, all I can think of is that this man laying beside me, in my own little bed, is my husband and we are going to spend the night together.What will we do?The blanket almost tore because I was clinging to it so tightly to cover my entire body. My bed is so small that if I make a small movement our skin will touch together and when that happens, I don't know if my heart can handle it and if I will wake up in my right mind.I am breathing the hottest air in the entire planet as my body also feels the heat rising up from my feet.It is so quiet in my room that the only thing you can hear is my loud series of sighs and my heart beating as quickly as it can.I don’t know wh
Jaxson let out a feeble scoff. “You really look like my mother, Cattleya. Once we get home, I'll show you some pictures of her and you can tell by yourself whether you really resemble her.”“Uh, what do you mean… Once we get home? I am home.” I replied with a tinge of confusion flashed in my voice.Jaxson shut his eyes firmly, seemingly annoyed to me. “Cattleya. Why do you always have to ruin it? Why are you such a crabby?” he grumbled.“I am not.” I felt one of my brows rise up, looking intently at him. “This is the truth, Jaxson. I am home right now and you— are lying on my bed.”“Whatever you say, chippy.”My mouth fell open by the word he let out. “What did you just say to me?” I couldn’t stop myself from getting up because of how much he irritates me. “I am not being chippy, or grumpy, or whatever it is! Jaxson. I am home. And once we get back to your mansion, I will just temporarily be in your house together with your family. Not home.” I glared at him.“Hmm, sounds like I forg
“Oh, god! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” I whispered loudly and then I slowly got out of bed so as not to wake the sleeping Jaxson.I immediately ran to the comfort room to check my appearance in the mirror, and I was not mistaken. I look like a mess!I even smelled my mouth that smelled of bad saliva, I winced at the smell of my morning breath."It's a good thing that I woke up earlier than Jaxson. Oh gosh! He can't see me looking like this-""See you looking like what?"“AAAAAH!” I screeched loudly in my shrill voice as my hands flew to my face to cover it. "Get out of the room first!""What's wrong? What is going on with you now?” I heard him ask with a hint of surprise.I just shook my head while still not removing the cover from my face.It's impossible for him to see me as I look now. Even if I wanted to fix my hair I couldn't because I couldn't let go of my face. Even though I don't have lipstick, I didn't erase my make up last night because I am afraid that Jaxson will se
"But, why? Why do—” I stopped when I realized that we were not alone and that the Madrigals were with us in the car. I moved closer to Jaxson again to bring my mouth to his ear. "Why did you suddenly fall in love after our marriage? Or are you just playing with me?” I whispered, causing him to shiver.It seems that he imitated my movements and brought his mouth close to my ear."Seems like I have to show my wife that I love her and I don't want to lose her any minute now." Jaxson whispered in my ear as he gently took my hand and locked it with his. "The only problem is that I have no idea how to please a woman. Especially, that you are so different from all the girls that I have ever met."This time, I was the one who let out a chortle because of what he said.“Oh, please. We both know that you spent almost your whole life with Daniella. Of course, you haven't met many women." I whispered back to him in the middle of laughing."Well, let's call this day a special date for us to get to
“Cat?” Loren also called me back and questioned the moment she saw me."W-What are you doing here?" I asked him again, full of wonder. I didn't think I would see him here because the last thing I remember was seeing him last night when I left the reception. "And, why are you with our club manager?" I raised my eyebrows when I saw Mr. Sol. I greeted him with a smile before returning my critical gaze to Loren."We came here to visit the kids before we went straight to DeepBlue." Mr. Sol stepped into the conversation which Loren immediately followed with a nod."But, isn't it too early for Loren to go to DeepBlue?""How about you, KitCat? What brought you here?” He diverted the topic by passing me the question.I chuckled when I heard him say my name again. Since I started working at the nightclub, I can hardly count on my hands how many times he has called me by different nicknames.For a moment, my eyes returned to the two of them because their answers did not convince me enough as to w