Jennifer.
“Oh, it’s such a nice castle, or should I say villa?!” I asked Tomas, my voice bubbling with curiosity and sheer excitement. I couldn’t help but smile and laugh as we stepped out of the luxurious limo. My eyes were wide with wonder as I took in the stunning architecture of this beautiful building, my heart racing at the sheer magnificence of it all. Just then, the snake Maya interrupted us with her unwelcome presence, and my mood soured slightly.
“Actually, it’s *le chateau*, Miss Jennifer,” she informed me, her smile as fake as her demeanor, which was all too apparent.
I mumbled, “Oh, I see, a historical place,” while casting a hopeful glance at Tomas, wishing he would share in my enthusiasm. I wanted to bask in the moment, and a supportive smile from him would make it even better.
“Well, I guess you know quite a bit,” Maya said, her tone dripping with condescension, as if she relished the chance to put me down.
I spun my head to face her firmly, my irritation bubbling to the surface. “Actually, yes, Maya! I have a master’s in tourism, so I know more than most people about places like this,” I said, my confidence rising with each word. I felt a surge of pride as I stood my ground.
“What? How have you never traveled before, Jennifer?” Tomas asked, his curiosity piqued and evident in his tone.
“Tomas, my sweetheart, I don’t need to travel to educate myself. I thought both of you would remember the online network and resources available these days!” I replied, dismissing Maya’s glare with a wave of my hand, feeling a mix of defiance and determination.
I took Tomas’s hand in mine. “Baby, could you show me around this place? I doubt Maya would mind,” I added, shooting her a mean look and narrowing my eyes, my smile twisting into something more mischievous. I loved the thrill of challenging her.
“Oh, sure, I’ll never mind missing Jennifer. Please, feel free! But don’t be late; we have an event tonight,” Maya told us, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she turned and headed inside *le chateau*, leaving us to our own devices.
Tomas and I strolled through the expansive gardens, marveling at the sheer size of the property. It was a sprawling estate, with paths winding in every direction, and I felt like I could explore it for days, each corner promising a new surprise. “Do you like this place, honey?” Tomas asked, gazing deeply into my eyes as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear with a soft, tender touch.
I nodded vigorously, my excitement bubbling over. “Yes, Tomas! I absolutely love it. When I was younger, I used to dream about leaving my small town and living in a place just like this,” I confessed, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me, the memories flooding back vividly.
“I hate people; I like to be alone,” I added, closing my eyes and stretching my arms wide, reveling in the freedom of the moment, feeling the breeze against my skin.
“Well, if you really want this place, I could buy it for you, honey,” Tomas replied, his words sending shockwaves through my system. I opened my eyes and stared at him in disbelief, my heart racing with a mix of hope and disbelief.
“What did you just say, Tomas?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my eyes wide with astonishment as I tried to comprehend the enormity of his offer.
He leaned closer, whispering into my ear, “I could buy this chateau for you, my sweetie, if that’s what you truly want.” His sincerity sent a flutter through my heart, igniting a warmth within me.
I pointed to my chest, incredulous. “For me? You mean it?” I asked, still trying to process his incredible offer, my mind racing with possibilities.
“Yes, anything for you, Jennifer,” Tomas assured me, his gaze unwavering and sincere.
“But it’s so expensive! Why would you do that for me? I mean, I’m not really your fiance after all. You aren’t planning on marrying me!” I said, searching his eyes for the truth, feeling a mix of elation and uncertainty.
He moved around me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “Do you think so, honey? Do you really believe it’s enough for me to have you as my fake fiance?” he asked, his voice warm and inviting, wrapping me in a sense of safety.
I cleared my throat, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. “Um, actually, I don’t know. I just feel so happy when I’m with you, even if it’s just for a few days. You make me lose my mind. I can’t think clearly when you’re next to me,” I admitted, my heart racing as I reveled in the intimacy of the moment.
“Then don’t think too much, honey. I’ll do my best to make you happy and satisfied. I will always protect you,” he said softly, planting a gentle kiss on my cheek that sent shivers down my spine and made my heart flutter.
I spun around to face him, laughing, feeling playful. “So, what do we have to do in this house with the enemy, Mr. Tomas?” I teased, unable to keep the smile off my face, enjoying the light-hearted banter between us.
He leaned in closer, his voice low and playful. “I guess we have to eliminate her slowly,” he said, a mischievous smile spreading across his lips, and I couldn’t help but giggle at the absurdity of it all.
“Then catch me, Mr. If you can!” I challenged, my competitive spirit flaring up within me.
“Can you even run?” he shot back, raising an eyebrow, his playful challenge igniting a spark of competitiveness in me.
“Or will you just carry me with that muscular, sexy body of yours?” I laughed, darting away and kicking off my high heels, my excitement bubbling over as I felt the thrill of the chase.
He watched me, a playful glint in his eyes. “But I warn you, if I catch you, you’ll be staying in the same room with me, Jennifer,” he teased, his tone mock-serious.
I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart racing at his words. “What? No way!” I narrowed my eyes at him, half-joking, but feeling a thrill at the idea.
“What? Now you can’t bid with me? You afraid to lose?” he challenged, his eyes wide with amusement, and I felt a rush of adrenaline.
I crossed my arms defiantly, refusing to back down. “Sure I’m not!” I declared, my voice firm.
“Then let’s start,” he said, the challenge hanging in the air as he removed his shirt, revealing his toned physique.
I realized too late that I was still in high heels, making running a bit of a challenge. I took off, but I stumbled and fell, ending up right beneath him as he caught me mid-fall. His lips brushed against mine, igniting a spark that sent my heart racing wildly.
“I love your smile; you make me see beauty in my ugly world, Jennifer,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine, and I felt a rush of warmth.
“Huh? Your ugly world? But you have everything!” I replied, slightly confused, trying to comprehend the depth of his words.
“But I don’t have you,” he confessed, his voice sincere.
I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks as I blushed, and he noticed my reaction. Then, he kissed me deeply, and the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us in our own bubble.
He stood and helped me up, our fingers interlaced as we walked toward the chateau. “Now you’ll be staying in the same room with me,” he said, giving me a sidelong glance that made my heart flutter.
“Okay, but I get to choose the room,” I laughed, playfully tugging at his hand, feeling a sense of joy.
“Do you think they have a Jacuzzi in the rooms? Or maybe an indoor pool?” I asked eagerly, my imagination racing with the possibilities of luxury.
“Even if they do, I will never let you swim in front of everyone with that sexy body of yours,” he replied seriously, a hint of protectiveness in his voice.
“We’ll see about that, but I’m telling you now, I will do it,” I giggled, running into the chateau, my heart racing with anticipation.
I found a large, beautiful room, and to my surprise, Maya had suggested this very room to Tomas previously. But she was in for a shock when she learned that Tomas and I would be sharing it together. She had arranged a lovely room for me, but I had instructed her to send my luggage to this one with my future husband, insisting that he couldn’t sleep without me.
Her expression was priceless, her face turning a vivid shade of red as she processed the news, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. But she walked away, leaving us in our room, a defeated look on her face.
After I took a refreshing shower, Tomas did too. We changed into fresh clothes, and he respected my privacy, allowing me to change without interruption in the washroom. However, when he caught sight of my dress, his expression darkened, and in a fit of anger, he slammed a glass of water against the wall, shattering it into pieces.
I flinched at the sound, fear creeping into my heart as I stared at him, trying to understand what had just happened. “Um, Tomas? What? Why did you do that? I didn’t do anything wrong!” I stepped forward, my concern evident in my voice.
He narrowed his eyes, his voice tense and filled with emotion. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to scare you, but I’ve told you countless times that I refuse to let you dress like this,” he said, his gaze fixed angrily out the window, as if searching for answers.
I moved closer, wrapping my arms around him from behind, trying to soothe him. “Okay, I’m sorry. I just… never mind, I’ll change the dress,” I said softly, hoping to ease the tension that had suddenly filled the room.
But he stopped me, pulling me back against his chest, kissing my hand gently while looking deeply into my eyes. “Jennifer, don’t try to make me jealous. This fire will burn you. You don’t know what I’m capable of when I feel jealous,” he warned, his voice low and serious, and I could sense the intensity of his emotions.
I shook my head, feeling a mix of confusion and understanding. “Okay, I said I’m sorry.” I walked to change into another dress, hoping it would diffuse the situation.
“Now, Tomas, is this dress okay?” I asked, spinning around to show him, feeling a bit hopeful that it would lift his mood.
“I guess so,” he replied, a smile breaking through his earlier frustration, and I felt a rush of relief.
We walked downstairs together, and I noticed everyone was waiting for us. Maya, Mark, and Jack were not there yet, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.
I scanned the crowd with my eyes, searching for familiar faces. Just then, Maya stopped me, her smirk returning. “Are you looking for someone special?” she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Huh? What do you mean?” I replied, confused and a bit wary of her intentions.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I meant, are you looking for your best friend, Mr. Jack? I should inform you that he’s getting ready for the surprise event,” Maya said, a teasing lilt to her voice, and I felt a knot of unease forming in my stomach.
“Shall we go now?” Maya prompted, her impatience evident as she tapped her foot, clearly eager to be on her way.
“Go where?” I asked, glancing at Tomas for clarification, desperate for his support.
She laughed lightly, “So innocent! Do you really think we’ll stay here forever, Miss Jennifer? We have a long tour ahead of us! Or have you forgotten we’re here for work? Tonight is like a welcome party; just relax, and you’ll figure everything out in time,” Maya explained, her tone patronizing, and I felt a wave of frustration wash over me.
We all climbed into the limo, settling into our seats. Mark remained silent, opting to sit next to the driver and the guard at the front, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.
A few minutes later, we arrived, and I gazed out the window, taking in the scenery. I noticed nothing in particular; all I could see were green hills and mountains stretching out, but it was nearly midnight, and the darkness obscured everything, making it feel even more mysterious.
“So, Tomas? What do you think of this island so far? Are you enjoying it?” Maya asked, trying to engage him in conversation, her tone overly sweet.
He ignored her gaze, keeping his eyes fixed on me as he answered, “I guess it’s good,” without even glancing in her direction, and I felt a thrill at his attention.
“Now, we have arrived. Welcome to the surprise birthday party, everyone!” Maya announced cheerfully, her excitement palpable.
My mouth fell open in shock. “What? A surprise birthday party?” I exclaimed, turning to Tomas, my heart racing with a mix of surprise and confusion.
He was about to respond when Maya opened the door for him, pulling his arm to get him out. “See, Tomas? All of this is specially for you,” she said, her tone overly sweet and syrupy.
I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. Why hadn’t he mentioned anything? Why was I the last to know about his birthday? It felt awful to be so ignored, especially as his supposed fiancee. I should have been included in the planning, and instead, I felt completely sidelined.
As I followed them out, I was met with a throng of people, all gathered to celebrate his birthday. They had thrown this elaborate party, and I felt completely out of place, as if I didn’t belong there at all. A romantic song began to play, sung by Jack, the main performer for the evening. But I didn’t recognize the tune; my mind was still racing with emotions, and I felt lost in the crowd.
Tomas took the microphone from Jack and approached me, his presence commanding. I felt glued to my spot, unable to move as he drew near, my heart fluttering with anticipation.
“Happy birthday, Jennifer!” Tomas declared with a grin that lit up his face.
“What?!” I was taken aback, my heart racing at the unexpected revelation.
“Your birthday is today, just like mine! How could you forget?! Today is June 8th, honey. Happy birthday to us!” he exclaimed, pulling me close and wrapping his arms around me.
Our lips met in a slow, passionate kiss that felt like magic, melting away all my confusion and anger. I had completely forgotten my own birthday, lost in the whirlwind of events, but how did he even know?
He leaned in closer, dancing slowly with me as the music played on, the world around us fading into the background. “Honey, did you forget that you signed a contract to work for me? I have all the details from your ID,” he whispered in my ear, reminding me of the connection we shared.
The guests began to clap, and soon everyone joined us on the dance floor, couples swaying to the music. Jack’s singing, though beautiful, seemed off-key tonight, and I could tell he was distracted, his mind elsewhere. I had once been his biggest fan, and I knew every single song he had ever sung.
Suddenly, I noticed a photographer snapping pictures of us, and I saw some reporters milling around, their cameras flashing. I turned to Maya, stalking over to her with purpose, my irritation boiling over. “Why are there reporters here?” I demanded, my voice low and serious, wanting answers.
“What do you think? You think you’re invited to a normal party for normal people? This is a billionaire’s birthday celebration! Or are you still not used to this kind of wealth?” Maya shot back, her tone rude and dismissive, and I felt a rush of anger.
I raised my eyebrows, my irritation flaring. “Well, I’m not used to it yet, but I’m curious-how do you think you could steal my fiance from me and pose for pictures next to him? Or have you forgotten you’re still married, and all that money belongs to your much older husband? But it’s fine; at least I may have forgotten his birthday, but he remembered mine!” I retorted, a mean smile curving my lips as I walked away, feeling victorious.
I turned away, striding confidently toward Tomas, feeling empowered as though I had just won a battle. It felt exhilarating, but this time, Tomas had put her in her place, not me.
“Jennifer?” I heard Maya call after me, her tone laced with frustration.
I glanced back, her expression one of annoyance. “You haven’t won yet; the game is still on,” she warned, but I chose to ignore her, feeling a sense of triumph.
I walked up to Tomas, hugging him around the waist while he spoke with some guests, my heart racing with excitement. “Honey, I think this party might be a trap for us,” I whispered, leaning in close, my instincts telling me to be cautious.
He turned to me, his eyes wide with concern. “What do you mean, honey?” he asked, his expression serious, and I could sense the tension in the air.
“I just feel like something is off. Please, we should leave,” I urged, but before I could finish, a group of elegantly dressed girls sprinted over, pulling Tomas into their circle, dancing around him and leaving me feeling abandoned.
Maya sauntered up beside me, a smug smile on her face. “I told you, the war hasn’t even begun yet,” she said, laughing as she followed Tomas and the girls, her glee at my discomfort evident.
I stood frozen, feeling a mix of jealousy and frustration as I watched him being swept away, the moment feeling cruel and unfair. Suddenly, a lady appeared, commanding everyone’s attention as they rushed to greet her.
“Oh my god! It’s Selena!” Tomas exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief, and I felt a twinge of jealousy at the way his eyes lit up.