Eve..
The sound of the car honking made us scurry outside just in time to see Ethan’s car arriving.
“Babe, why did you just leave me with a sticky note?” He directed his questions to Max the moment he came down from the car. Max still held unto me but I nudged him to follow Ethan, after all, they still had to discuss their small dispute.
Jason was waiting in his car and I entered into the backseat where he sat since Clinton would be the driver for today. Grandma Nini and Mia would be escorted to the venue in another car.
We soon departed and I spent my time staring outside the window. It reminded me of the first time I followed Jason home, I was nervous and concerned if I had made the right decision.
I sighed deeply as I continued looking outside the window. It wasn’t the windows were winded up and I felt the car stop that I knew that we’ve arrived.
“Eve.” I heard Jason call my name and I turned to face him.
“Follow my lead and don’t do anything stupid.” He said sternly and I nodded my head.
Soon, the door of the car opened and we were bombarded with flashes and questions from the reporters standing outside the entrance of the company.
Jason came out first and extended his hands to me with a smile on his face. So unusual!
I must have stared at his extended arms for too long because he cleared his throat and glared at me but the reporters couldn’t catch that anyways. I took his hands and he helped me out of the car.
“Mr Coleman, could you tell us the sole purpose of this party today?”
“Mr Coleman, Jason’s Tech is having a collaboration with MI mobility soon, what’s your take on this?”
“Mr Coleman, the media these past few days have shown your love for your wife, can you tell us how you’re enjoying your newly found love?”
“Mrs Coleman, you look amazing today, are those clothes from Dior the new season?”
These reporters bombarded us with personal questions but Jason ignored them so easily and I almost smiled. It must be hard to be a public figure seeing as everyone is interested in one’s everyday life.
We soon entered the company and I must say it looked even more beautiful than it looked before. The only two times I was here, I haven’t actually had time to take in the interior of the company because the first time, I was too nervous and the second time wasn’t a good time either since I had walked in on Jason making out with someone else.
When we entered the main hall, it was like everyone turned to face us and we were immediately covered by another set of reporters. Just how many sets were dispatched by the media for God sake!
Thankfully, they didn’t ask any more absurd questions but only took pictures. I tried my best to smile whenever they flashed the camera my way because I didn’t want to be on the news with captions like – ” Jason’s wife looked like cooked dumplings judging from how nervous she was at the party today.
Jason on the other hand, maintained his stoic expression and bowed after a few pictures dragging me along to greet some shareholders that I didn’t know.
“Jason, you look stunning and your wife too.” A woman who appeared to be in her late thirties, if I’m correct, said Jason.
“It’s Mr Coleman to you.” Jason said glaring at her before dragging me to the people he wanted to meet.
Did he forget that I’m just recovering from my ankle injury?
I tried turning my head to see familiar faces but I found none. Has Ethan and Max not come?
Where exactly is grandma Nini and Jason’s mom?
“Mr John and Mr Anderson, please meet you.” Jason said as we stopped in front of two old bald men.
“Haha, if it isn’t the star of today, Jason Coleman.” The one whom I assumed to be Mr John said laughing.
“You flatter me, Mr John.” Jason said, giving him a small smile.
“I see you got yourself a pretty one, aye?” The other man said and Jason pulled me closer by my waist and I felt heat rush to my face.
“Possessive much?” The other man teased and they both laughed.
Jason bowed and excused us as he dragged me to meet another set of people.
I recognized a few people that Jason avoided. I think one of them was the older man who wanted Jason to marry his daughter and the other one who kinda forced him into marrying someone. I think they also noticed that so they approached us purposely.
“Jason, it’s rude to ignore elders.” One said and Jason scoffed.
“My apologies.” Jason sneered, gripping my waist too tight.
“Eve, you look stunning in that dress.” The other man said and Jason hissed.
“She’s not your daughter.” I heard Jason mutter and the other man shut up his man.
“And it’s Mrs Coleman.” Jason snapped and dragged me away from the two men.
I felt warm at heart even if I knew it was all a show. It was like he truly cared for me. Protecting me from all these eagle eyes.
“May I have your attention please?” Someone said and we all turned to face the stage that I hadn’t noticed was there before.
“This is a tradition that we’ve held every year, but this year is a bit more special.” It was Jason’s mom giving a small speech.
“This year, my son is married which is a very special thing.” She said and everyone clapped.
“So tonight’s anniversary is not just to celebrate the company but also my son and his beautiful wife.” She said smiling and a loud applause resonated inside the big hall.
She came down from the podium and walked straight towards us both.
“I didn’t get to say this but congratulations on your wedding.” She hugged us both.
“Thanks mom.” Jason said when we all disengaged from the hug. She shot him a look as if to say- I’m still angry at you and Jason looked away.
After she left, a couple of people came to congratulate us on our wedding and it felt more like a marriage reception than a company anniversary party.
I looked around when we were all alone, it was really a beautiful place even if I had never been to such a party before. I felt a tap on my shoulders and I turned to look at who tapped me.
“Stay here and don’t move out of my sight.” Jason said sternly to me before removing his hands from my waist and walking away before I could ask him why.
He went to a table with a few important personnel to talk to them but kept glancing at me at intervals.
“Here you are.” I heard someone say behind me and I turned to face the owner of the voice.
“Max!”I said happily as I hugged him.
“Miss me?” He grinned and I smacked him playfully.
“Where were you?” I huffed.
“Busy.” He said, showing me the red hickey on his neck.
“Took you long enough.” I rolled my eyes and laughed.
“Where’s that husband of yours anyways?” He asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
“Busy, I guess.” I said unsure of what Jason was doing exactly.
“Is that how he talks to you?” Max asked, concerned.
“No, not at all, he’s just a bit stressed because of the party.” I lied.
“Eve, you’ve told me he’s an arrogant piece of shit but you shouldn’t have to lie to cover up for his wrong doings.” Max said, patting my shoulders softly.
“I know he’s rude but I think it’s just a facade.” I said as I looked around for Jason until I found him and my stares rested on him.
“You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” Max asked and I looked at him with wide eyes.
“No. I.. I-I haven’t.” I stuttered.
“Eve, do you like your husband?” Max asked and I tilted my head slightly.
“What kind of question is that?” I asked, looking at Max.
“Do you feel for him?”
“If not, why would you think he’s hiding his true self under such a cold demeanour?” Max asked with raised brows.
I felt like his stares were bugging into my soul and I looked away.
“I don’t like my husband.” I said but it came out as a whisper instead.
“You can’t answer, can you?” He sighed.
“You like the bad boy.” He said in a sing-song voice and I smiled. It wasn’t that bad to not refute the accusations thrown my way because it was the truth. Which makes it no longer an accusation but a fact.
I like my husband. I feel strong emotions towards him. I had not only admitted this to myself but also to my best friend.
“So tell me, what are you going to do about it?” Max asked and I rolled my eyes..
“Don’t come up with all those stupid theories and try to make me go to someone who would teach me how to seduce a man, it didn’t work the last time.” I said sternly but Max chuckled instead.
“You’re scary sometimes.” Max joked and I smiled.
“But are you really not going to do anything?” Max asked and I looked at him.
“What could I possibly do to win against a man who doesn’t want me?” I asked.
“A love confession?” Max said.
“Seriously, you think a love confession would thaw that ice prince?” I scoffed.
“A sincere love confession might do the trick.” Max said and I laughed. That was definitely impossible.
If I said anything about liking Jason now, he wouldn’t even believe me because in his heart, I wasn’t a woman. I’m just some gold digging person whom he needs.
This would all end soon so it was stupid of me to even think of loving him in the first place. He is someone I could never have no matter how hard I tried. He’s like a star in the sky so hard to reach and I could only stare at him from afar.
“And here comes your nemesis.” I heard Max say and I followed his eyes to where he was looking at. And there she stood in a tight silk red gown that fit all her curves and exposed her cleavage.
“I must give it to that girl, she knows how to capture all the attention.” Max said and I nodded. As I looked at her, I couldn’t help but feel jealous of her. She was born into a great family equally rich like Jason’s, she would have been the right choice for Jason and they could be happy together but here I was trying to ruin their happiness. Maybe she was right and I am a thief. I took what was never meant to be mine and yet I’m still not content. I want more. I want his love. I want him to look at me with something more than a glare, I want him to look at me with a cool soft gaze.
But we can’t always have what we wish for now, can we?
“Won’t you go there?” Max nudged me.
“Go where?” I mumbled.
“Go get your man.” Max moved closer and whispered in my ears.
“I can’t go there, I don’t even know the first thing to say in the midst of those business men.” I said.
“Just go there, this is your night, it’s about you. You’re Jason’s wife now, not her. Don’t let her steal your show.” Max said, pushing me towards that place. I found myself walking towards where Jason stood laughing with other business men and his mistress Alice.
As I approached them, I felt giddy and there was a smile on my face. But the moment I got closer, my smile fell because Alice had her arm around Jason’s shoulders and he didn’t seem like he was going to remove them anytime soon.
I shrugged those thoughts off and just wanted to do what Max said – get my man.
But as soon as I got there, as soon as I stood beside Jason and he noticed me, he frowned.
“I thought I told you to stay out.” He snapped.