16

Jennifer.
After we finished putting on our clothes, we walked next to each other like a perfect couple, smiling and laughing, our spirits on fire – but were we faking it? Maybe. I’m confused; yes, that’s for sure. But bored?! No way! I was truly enjoying all those moments we shared together. I know it can sometimes feel like a nightmare, but most of the time it feels like a charming dream – a dream I hope will never end.
Could this be true love?! I don’t know. But if it is true love, I will accept it without hesitation. We walked downstairs to the dining room, and there was Maya. The big slut! Yes, she is! Tomas never lies – he is not a liar. And as a woman, with my limited perspective – I can confidently say that Maya is the worst woman a man could ever fall for. She’s like a spider; if you fall into her web, she will never let you go. Even if you think you’ve survived and escaped, she will try again and again to catch you.
As I suspected, she was waiting for us, her eyes glued to the stairs. She didn’t take her eyes off me and Tomas for even a moment! I caught a glimpse of her gaze, so I leaned in close to Tomas’s neck, giving him a sweet, small kiss on his cheek. Looking into his eyes, I pressed his hand, pulling his head closer to my mouth.
“Tomas, Maya is staring at us-” I whispered in his ear, trying to be playful. He smiled and returned the kiss on my cheek.
“I know, Jennifer, and I can see that you are doing your best to make her jealous. I really appreciate what you are doing to keep your job-” Tomas told me, and I couldn’t help but grin. His words made me feel a bit uneasy! He keeps annoying me in a way that makes it hard to concentrate.
“Finally, you came! I waited so long for both of you-” Maya exclaimed, her eyes still fixed on Tomas.
She was wearing a very short dress, barely covering herself. Her back and her breasts were almost fully exposed, while her legs were completely bare. I had no doubt she wore that dress on purpose to grab Tomas’s attention – good grief, I could see her underwear from where I stood!
I faked a smile at her. “Oh, sorry Maya, but Tomas insisted we take a shower together.” I covered my mouth to hide my fake smile and my teeth, pretending to be shy.
She widened her eyes at me, clearing her throat. “Oh, that’s, um- romantic, I guess,” Maya said, turning her head to gaze into Tomas’s eyes.
Tomas laughed, “Oh yes, I like that. It’s love, real love, Maya.” He told her with a smirk.
Mr. Carl then came to join us. “Please have a seat; the dinner is ready-” Mr. Carl announced cheerfully.
“Yes, please Maya, have a seat. I hope you like our food,” I giggled, trying to keep the atmosphere light.
We all sat down, and the maids began serving food at the dining table. I positioned myself on the opposite side of Tomas, facing him directly.
He suddenly stood up, raising his eyebrows at me. He took the spoon from my hand and dropped it onto the table nervously.
“What’s wrong, Tomas?” I asked, widening my own eyebrows in confusion.
“I told you before, don’t ever hurt my feelings like this. You know that I hate it when you sit far from me like this-” Tomas said, his voice tinged with frustration, as everyone around us looked on, paying close attention to our exchange.
He lifted me up to his chair, then sat down with me on his lap. “Now sweetie, this is much better,” he said, moving his hands down the table to my thighs. I startled a bit, feeling uncomfortable with his touch because no one could see what he was doing under the table. What in the world was he trying to do? Almost every inch of my body shivered under his touch.
I leaned in spontaneously to his neck, placing a playful kiss there. I didn’t know why I did that exactly, but I certainly wasn’t trying to tease Maya at that moment. The truth was, I wanted him so much!
I felt nervous and confused. Shocked – why did he do this?! It was enough to simply ask me to sit next to him, not on his lap like this.
“Sorry everyone, but I do love her so much! What should I do?! I can’t fake my feelings! I want her to be next to me all the time,” Tomas declared to everyone, but his gaze was solely on me.
For a brief moment, I thought maybe he wasn’t acting! Tomas took his spoon and I stared deeply into his eyes, my mouth opening in disbelief. I couldn’t believe what he was about to do.
He filled the spoon with rice and chicken and shoved it into my mouth – as if I were his pet and he was spoiling me. He stared at me while I chewed.
“You know, Jennifer, I like your eyes so much! From the very first day I caught sight of you!” Tomas said, his words making me tremble. Did he really mean it? Or was he just saying those things to tease Maya? I couldn’t figure out if he was pretending or being sincere. His facial expressions were unreadable to me, and I suspected they were for everyone else too.
I took a glass of water to drink – oh my god – I felt horrible. I blushed and flushed like a ripe tomato.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” Tomas asked me with genuine concern, taking a strand of my hair and tucking it behind my ear. His gentle touch tickled my ear, sending electric shocks down my spine.
I even suppressed a moan. I was losing control over my body thanks to him. He had no idea I was a virgin, and with just one touch, he could make me swoon!
Tomas was completely ignoring everyone else. His behavior gave me a strong feeling that he was not acting at all! His words broke down my defenses. I desperately tried to convince myself that Tomas was just putting on a performance, just acting for show.
I cleared my throat, “Yes, babe, I’m okay, Tomas, thank you. But I feel a bit dazed-” I told him, attempting to divert the conversation.
“Are you okay, Jennifer?” Maya asked me, her tone deceptively sweet.
I turned my head to her. “Oh yes, I just, I don’t know. But maybe -” I trailed off, struggling to find the right words.
Carl answered for me. “Oh, Miss Jennifer! Could it be?! Pregnancy?!” Carl exclaimed, trying to save me – but he didn’t. This was the most ridiculous lie ever.
I rolled my eyes, staring at Carl. “What? Pregnant?!” Maya murmured, her eyes wide with disbelief.
I noticed her reaction! I heard her! So I scoffed, looking into Tomas’s eyes. “Oh yes, maybe I’m pregnant, Tomas. I told you before we have to wait until after marriage, but you insisted-” I said with a smirk, trying to keep the mood light.
He narrowed his eyes at me, then smiled and tucked my hair back behind my ear, kissing my neck. “For God’s sake, Jennifer?! How could I save you after the wedding?! How could I control myself to sleep away from you?! You have to look in the mirror, sweetie; you are the most beautiful person I have ever seen in my life. You are the most beautiful woman on earth-” Tomas said, his words making me feel like I was floating.
Suddenly, Maya’s assistant started to speak up – he used to be Tomas’s best friend, but he had been silent until now, even ignored by Tomas.
“Yes indeed! Miss Jennifer is the most beautiful woman in the whole universe,” the assistant, Mark, said to Tomas, clearly trying to curry favor with him.
Tomas furrowed his brows, gritting his teeth. “What did you say?!” he asked Mark in a grating tone.
Mark cleared his throat nervously. “Um, I was just telling the truth, that’s all, Tomas-” Mark stammered, trying to backtrack.
Tomas helped me to stand up, and he stood up too. “I guess the dinner is over now, Miss Maya. We can’t fake it anymore. This is all for work purposes. So this person is not welcome to be here with us,” Tomas said firmly, exposing all his intentions to Maya in an angry voice.
“But Tomas?!” Mark protested.
Tomas slammed his hand down on the table, glaring at Mark. “I’m Mr. Tomas! Don’t forget that, or I will make you regret it.”
Mark rolled his eyes, looking at the floor. “Oh, Mr. Tomas, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-” Mark was apologizing, but Tomas cut him off.
“Don’t ever try to say sorry! I will accept anything but looking at Jennifer! No, I will never accept that! She is mine!” Tomas shouted, clearly furious.
Maya stood up from her chair and walked a few steps toward Tomas, looking deeply into his eyes. “Tomas?” she called his name softly.
He looked up, ignoring her gaze, filled with arrogant rage. “I’m Mr. Tomas, Maya! Don’t forget that too. You only own 1% of what I own – don’t forget that, or I will destroy you,” Tomas threatened, delivering the most direct warning ever.
He spun his head back toward her, his expression furious. “Listen, Maya, if I accepted this arrangement, it’s because Jennifer wanted that. That’s all. She’s my love; she’s different. She’s mine-” Tomas explained briefly to Maya, grabbing my hand tightly as he turned to leave, walking upstairs and leaving them behind in a humiliating defeat.
I stopped him. “Tomas, please wait-” I called after him. He widened his eyes at me as I walked between Maya and Tomas.
“Guys, listen to me. This is business, all about business. Forget the past, please,” I tried to mediate, hoping to clear the tension in the room.
Then I turned my gaze to Maya. “Maya, listen to me. This is your best opportunity to make your own empire,” I continued, but she cut me off.
“What do you mean?! I’m rich!” Maya retorted, crossing her arms defiantly.
I laughed lightly. “Listen, Maya. I know everything! As Tomas told you, I will repeat it to put it in your mind. I’m his love, but you didn’t hear this from me – he is mine, Maya-” I told her, raising my eyebrows in challenge.
“Maya, accept that fact and forget the past. Make it business, or you will lose everything. Try to be close friends – but I doubt that will happen. Still, do your best.” I threatened her lightly between my words, but seriously, I wanted to end this creepy movie! It was getting out of control.
She nodded, albeit reluctantly. “Okay, Jennifer, I guess you are right. I will keep your words in mind as advice.” Maya said, but I didn’t feel comfortable with her tone. Her words hinted at something else! I could feel it; she was warning me she would do her best to take him from me.
I shrugged my shoulders, “Then Maya, I guess we haven’t talked at work so choose a place to meet you tonight and discuss.”
“Well, Miss Jennifer! I guess I will choose a place and call Mr. Carl – or do we have to go to the VIP club?!” She raised her eyebrows at me, clearly challenging me.
I turned my head to Tomas! This made me nervous! I was especially afraid to meet my famous singer friend there. This would make Tomas feel uncomfortable too.
I cleared my throat. “So Tomas, what’s your decision?” I asked him, trying to gauge his feelings.
“Okay, see you there, Maya – bye for now,” Tomas said, grinning at me.
“Now Jennifer, let’s go; I need to sleep for a while,” Tomas commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I shook my head. “Okay, Tomas, just go, and I will follow you-” I said, trying to placate him.
He crossed his arms over his chest, staring me down. “Now Jennifer, come with me now,” Tomas insisted, emphasizing his words. It was as if he didn’t want to leave me alone with her. He was drawing a line between me and her, or perhaps he was afraid Mark might steal me from him! But why? We weren’t truly engaged or even in love!
Is that true?! Because I feel like I’m in love, and as if he really is my future husband!
“Okay Maya, sorry for this. I’ll meet you at midnight,” I told her, trying to wrap up the conversation.
“Mr. Carl, could you please wake me and Tomas at 10 p. m.?” I asked Mr. Carl.
“Yes, Miss Jennifer, sure,” Mr. Carl replied dutifully.
I walked over to Tomas. He bent down, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist as if he were afraid to let me go. Then he lifted me up, carrying me to the room.
His look didn’t seem fake! This man is falling in love with me, or at least that’s what I felt in that moment.