Chapter 2

"Babe, you're finally back!"

Just returned to the villa, I saw a woman with delicate makeup quickly walked towards us and wrapped her arms around my husband's neck. She completely ignored me, and when she happened to meet my eyes, she instantly wore a provocative look.

I held back my heartache and hurried upstairs to my room. I squatted down and found myself without tears, but my heart felt like it was about to burst, and the pain was so great that I could only curl up into a ball, and only then could I feel a little better.

Not long after, I heard a distant door slam, and soon, moans after moans, filled my entire room.

--

"MA'AM."

I woke up in a gentle pat on my shoulder. I immediately wandered around，finding myself still in the same position I had been in last night. I sat on the floor all night.

"Ma'am, are you okay...?" The villa's maid, Manang looked at me worriedly, and in this house, she was the only one who could bring me some warmth.

To make her less worried, I slowly got up from the floor and forced a smile, "Manang, I'm fine. I just got too tired from work yesterday and then forgot to walk to bed. What time is it now?"

"It's ten o'clock in the morning, ma'am. I was worried that you might be hungry, so I came to call you for breakfast."

I nodded and then thought of the two people in the next room. "are they still in the room?"

Manang looked at me with misgiving again and said, "Yes ma'am. Sir is still in his room, but that slut was sent away by sir's bodyguard."

I smiled bitterly. I knew Manang wasn't saying the truth, and she just tried to make me feel better, though that doesn't work very well.

"Ma'am, why don't you just divorce Sir? With your beauty and status, it's not hard at all to find a good man." Manang showed an angry expression.

I've thought about this question countless times, but my answer is still that I can't do it. I'd rather be his prisoner and be hurt all over by him, than to endure a day without him.

I gave her a pat on her hand, telling her not to worry about me. "It's okay, you go down first, and I'll come down when I'm done."

Manang shook her head helplessly and walked out.

I looked at my haggard self in front of the mirror and decided to clean myself up. I still want to keep my beauty in front of him.

I picked up the powder case in front of the dressing table and started to put on my makeup. After finishing everything, I wore another radiant face. After making sure that there was no trace of fatigue on my face, I pulled open the door.

I didn't expect my husband Valjerome to come out of his room at the same time, wearing only boxer shorts, with drops of water still hanging on his toned chest, which was dripping down the lines of his eight-pack abs along his thighs.

"Enjoy the scene?" Valjerome's low voice rang out, his voice tinged with disdain.

I blushed in shock and I hurriedly looked away, fleeing before he could say anything more vicious.

My heart was still beating wildly until I sat down at the table, but when I remembered that last night a strange woman was lying in his arms gasping for breath, it screwed my brain again.

"No appetite?" As I looked at the table full of exquisite dishes at a daze, Valjerome came to me.

He was already fully dressed, and I have to say that he had a good figure. A simple white shirt with a pair of washed-out jeans was still very stylish on him.

Especially his face. There is a saying that fashion is completed by the face, which could not be more appropriate in Valjerome.

I didn't want him to see my despair, because the useless emotions will only invite his disgust, and may even push him from me further and further away.

"That's impossible! Manang is always good at cooking." I squeezed a smile, and immediately gobbled the pasta in my plate.

Valjerome let out a small snort of laughter. I did not know whether it was laughing at my disguise or he was really amused by my actions, but I did not really care. Just when I was about to be chocked with food, Valjerome spoke again.

"It's my parents' anniversary. There will be a masquerade ball and they want us to be there,"

I just nodded and quietly followed him. This is how we are when we are together. Seems like strangers to each other even though the truth is we’re both married.

"I'll deliver to your room later what you're going to wear." Valjerome looked at me as he wiped his lip.

I just nodded thriftily and then drank water. He was about to stand up from his seat when I lazily leaned against my chair and spoke.

"Are we going to pretend that lovey dovey couple thing again?" I asked sarcastically.

I saw his jaw clenched as he looked at me. "We're leaving at 11pm," he said instead of answering and then left me alone in the kitchen.

Yeah, they were like that celebrations at midnight.

I faked a laugh and shook my head. "I hope there's always a party," I whispered to myself as I thought that it was only there where he’s treating me nicely.

WEARING a gold backless dress with a plunging neckline pair with my silver stilettos, I walked down the staircase confidently. Downstairs, Valjerome was waiting, staring at me intently. If I didn’t know him, I would think he was mesmerized by my aura.

I cleared my throat when I am finally in front of him and averted my eyes, awkwardness suddenly filled my thoughts.

"Let's go," I confirmed in my straight voice, I was about to pass him by but I was startled when he carefully held my arm.

I glanced at him. He was staring at me as if he was memorizing all the sides of my face. I held my breath as he slowly approached and pulled a few strands of my hair from my neck. I stiffened even more as he thoroughly tilted his head towards me.

What is he doing?

I couldn't help but close my eyes when his breath hit my neck. There’s something tickling my system that makes me goose bumps. I only opened my eyes when I felt a little cold above my chest — a necklace.

I blinked several times and unbelievably stared at it. Valjerome distanced himself and looked at me, emotionless.

"W-What's this?"

His forehead knotted and glanced on the necklace he just put. "You don’t know what’s that?" he asked in sarcastic tone.

The nervousness and awkwardness I felt earlier gradually disappeared. I rolled my eyes at him and stared again at the necklace.

"Thanks," I said simply despite of my hundred thoughts.

It was just a simple diamond infinity necklace, but it really means a lot to me.

This was the first time he bought something for me for all those years that we'd been married. He usually just deposits money in my bank account and lets me buy what I want to.

"Erase that smile of yours. Don't misunderstand that thing. I just bought that to grab attention and show them that I'm giving you gifts as my wife. Let's go."

My smile before has faded so quickly after hearing what he has said. I watched him walk out of the mansion. I laughed and looked up to hold back the tears I was shedding.

"Yeah right, Jazzie. What do you expect from your ruthless husband?" I murmured to myself and followed him after I composed myself.

We had a quiet journey in his limousine. Both of us looked out of the windows and did not bother to touch each other.

"Don't go away from me when we get there," he said coldly as he remained his stare outside the window.

"Okay," I instantly replied and leaned myself back in the chair.

I am still tired, but I need to do this for his parents. I couldn’t help but smile in my mind as I remembered how good his parents were to me. I am an orphan, my father and mother died due to a car accident. Valjerome's parents were the one who adopted me fed, clothed, educated and much more. Although they are Mafias, I have never been ignorant of the organization they are running, even if it is bad for others, I can't look at it that way. How can I do that when they are the ones who saved and gave direction to my life?

We have finally arrived at the event hall in a few minutes. I put on my gold mask where only half of my face is hidden, before I even got out of the car. Valjerome did the same then we made our way in together. His right hand was wrapping around my waist possessively as if he was showing to everyone that I am his. Our faces may not be seen entirely, but we still caught the eyes of the audience, maybe that's how strong his presence was. From the VIP seat Valjerome's parents, especially his mother, quickly stood up and then greeted us.

"Hija!" full of joy, she called then kissed me on the cheek, not even paying attention to his son next to me.

"Happy anniversary, Mom," I said sparingly and smiled back at her.

"Thank you. You are so sexy and gorgeous, hija. No wonder why the men stare at you intimately," the lady teased in amazement.

I just joined in her laughter even though I could feel my husband's dark aura.

"Dyrhaia, why don't you offer them to sit first so they can already eat," Valjerome's father whispered and nodded at me gently.

I bowed my head as respect and smiled a little.

"Why did you take so long? I thought you weren't going," Mom said to Valjerome.

He let out a chuckle and kissed his mother's cheek. "I'm sorry, Mom. I let my wife rest before we came here. She just finished her photoshoot earlier," he explained calmly and then tightened his hand on my waist.

I tried hard not to roll my eyes.

"We're still not late after all. We just missed your speech," he added, teasing his mom.

I always see this side of him every time we're with his parents, but I am still in dazed everytime he smiled.

"Alright. Sit down and eat," Valjerome's father invited.

We immediately followed his wishes. We sat down and ate light snacks while telling stories about our life as a married couple. As usual, my husband and I are asked about our lives.

"When will you give us a grandson, hija?" Valjerome's father said as he smiled in curiosity, caused me to choke on my own saliva.

Valjerome quickly gave me water and gently caressed my back.

"Are you okay, hija?" Mom asked worriedly.

I nodded and tried to smile. "It's okay," I replied and sat properly

"Oh God, Civor? You're surprising the kids," Mom restrained Dad.

Dad's lips parted slightly and Valjerome and I looked at each other. I don’t know what my husband’s reaction was. All I knew was that he was watching me even though I wasn’t looking at him.

"They've been married for two years, dear. It's time for them to give us a grandchild," Dad teased.

I blushed because of that.

"Next month."

We both looked at Valjerome as he spoke seriously.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

What is he talking about?

I was caught off guard when he suddenly pulled my nape for a deep kiss. It was as if my heart would explode with the speed of its beat as Valjerome's lips were touching mine insanely exhausting.

He slowly broke his kiss and sharply looked around before sitting back on his seat. "Expect your grandson next month," he whispered as if it was a very easy thing and then scooped up the dessert in front of his plate.

My mouth parted in disbelief. My face went even hotter to the thought of what he said.

Oh God! Tell me he's just acting.