To Love You Again, My Husband
Chapter 4: Zipper, and Bite
Airina, who was just charmed by his undeniable beauty, was surprised. Upon their divorce, she made sure dwelling on emotions wouldn’t be an option, thus she called her biological mother for support which was so great that it brought her this success. Although she couldn’t agree that Jackson’s face popped into her head occasionally, she did everything to obtain this success.
The love she had for him was hard to unroot, what’s more, to completely move on from him? It was excruciatingly hard throughout those ten months. Alongside Evan, both of them had to support each other emotionally and mentally, especially Airina who had to undergo two jobs just to make sure they ate well on time.
She never wanted him to do so much for her – of course, infidelity was out of the question, but it would be better if he stayed loyal to her. That way, Airina wouldn’t have had that heartbreak.
Airian scoffed at him and pushed difficultly herself away from his grasp. “Don’t try to act nice, it’s making my stomach roll from disgust.”
Not prompting for his reply, she staggered to get inside the passenger’s seat with a groan – an irritated groan because she couldn’t decline his offer of taking them home. She was drunk, and her younger brother was in a much worse situation. Calling for an Uber might be a good idea; however, their safety was not guaranteed. She calculated that even if she loathed Jackson, he wouldn’t harm them, especially after having that conversation with him on the balcony.
She had never assumed she’d muster the courage to openly provoke and confront him in such a seductive way. She tipsily opened her eyes to the blinding light from the stalls and the streetlights, covering it with her left hand.
“Are you regretting you got in my car?”
Airina cast Jackson a glance and scowled, “I wouldn’t say no for a free ride.” She proudly folded her arms, not minding the dark and hot gaze from him. She was slowly being sobered.
Jackson, on the other hand, was amused. She had never acted seductive previously, rather, she was meek and innocent. She was completely different from who she was back then.
Finally regaining from his thoughts, the grip he had on the steering wheel tightened and he clenched his jaws.
“Don’t wear something revealing next time, Airina.”
“You have no right to control what I wear.”
He smirked, “I am only worried.”
She scoffed, “Funny coming from you.”
“Airina, I…”
“Mind the road.”
Jackson dumbfoundedly nodded his head. Her changes were hard to deal with.
Jackson moistened his lower lip, “You haven’t told me your address yet. How am I supposed to take you home?”
Airina slowly opened her eyes and glared at him. “Stupid driver.”
Jackson was in disbelief that Airina just blurted such words. He released an irritated sigh and drove slower.
Airina looked at him, “House Number 86, block 5, Sunlight Street, City A.”
“You purchased a new home?” His voice contained curiosity and a shocked tone.
Airina heaved a breath, “Found it hard to believe?” She mocked, “It was easy for me to believe you had an affair with Nicole.” She followed it with a mocking, slow laugh.
In her voice, there was no trace of warmth, only hostility and detest were keen on his ears. He frowned and responded, “Nicole and I… We’re nothing.”
She tilted her head, “It doesn’t concern me any more of whatever your relations with others.”
Jackson arched his lips as he had no other way to express how easily he was defeated by Airina’s cruel words. It struck him that they had already divorced, thus these things were not in any of her concerns. He wanted to do something to prove that there was something between them, yet what could be the befitting action for that?
“… I see.”
Airina didn’t bother with him anymore and breathed out. The entire ride felt quite suffocating and awkward but at least they managed to arrive safely.
Jackson helped Evan to get out of his car, supporting him with his hand on his waist and Evan’s arm around his neck. Who would have thought that the CEO Georgiñia would stoop this low just to take them home? Airina found herself wondering the same thing.
She had Jackson put Evan in his bedroom who easily went back to his sleep.
“Leave, then.” Airina, who opened the door fully for him to leave, called Jackson with her cold voice. Jackson turned to her and frowned.
“Are you not even going to give me water?”
Airina scoffed, “This is not your home.”
Jackson nodded his head, “All right, I will drink my own, let me borrow—”
She clicked her tongue, “Right, I should treat a driver equally. Hurry up.”
He yielded and took the time to look around. Airina bought a great house to live in, definitely different from what she had back then – shabby, and things inside were either broken or about to get broken. Their slippers had holes, and even their blankets appeared to have gone through so much. Somehow, it tickled his heart.
On the other hand, while Jackson was observing and praising the interior designs, Airina was having the wreck of her life. The zipper of her gown was entangled with her hair at the back. She couldn’t even untie it because it was out of her reach, and she was also losing consciousness from drinking that wine. She touched her head, remembering Jackson, and groaned.
“I won’t ask for help even if I wait for tomorrow’s sunrise.”
She grumbled, taking a deep breath, and looking at her reflection in the mirror. She leaned closer, wiping the smudged lipstick off her mouth as her eyes flickered upon remembering something.
Airina frowned recalling when her lips almost touched his. She then unwillingly removed such thoughts with a shake of her head. She looked away to turn around. But Jackson’s leisurely and calm demeanor while leaning on the doorframe greeted her. Her eyes slightly shook at his sight and stepped backward.
“What are you doing here?”
He tilted his head, “You’re sure you don’t need my help with your dress? It looked entangled with your hair.”
Airina flinched.
She lifted her chin, “You’re mistaken. You’re done drinking, so leave.”
However, he walked towards her, grabbed her shoulders, and turned her around.
He let out an exasperated sigh, “Asking for help is easy. Besides, can you really sleep in this suffocating gown?”
She bit her lower lip, “Then, shut up and untie that.”
He snickered, “Sounds very threatening, Airina.”
She rolled her eyes, glaring at Jackson using the mirror in front of her. Their breaths collided with every flutter of the wind, and his hands gently brushed against her back as it undid whatever the problem on her back was. His eyes focused on what he was doing, and his tall dominated hers. She lowered her gaze as the faint smell of the wine she drank drifted in this starry night.
Jackson frowned, rotating the hair that got tied up with the zipper. And after a long time, he finally got her hair out of the way and wordlessly pulled the zipper down. It was an unconscious move but neither of them knew where it was going. Jackson, who noticed what he was doing, suddenly halted as his cheeks heated up.
Airina flinched when she felt the zipper down, but she was also incapable of saying something – both of them were unmoving, as their heartbeat mixed with their breaths clashed against each other – distinctive of what their hearts truly felt.
Airina hesitantly faced him, “T-that much is enough….”
Not wanting her to finish her words, Jackson leaned down and before she knew it, a pain wafted from her back but something warm licking it soothed the pain, making her release a faint ‘Ah’ that both of them found… enticing.
Airina covered her mouth in shame as Jackson’s hands on her shoulders also momentarily stopped. Holding her breath, he pulled his head back and smiled at her.
“It seemed you like biting for real, don’t you?”
Jackson is quite the chaser, hm.
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 5: Cheating to Chasing Airina’s eyes faltered as her heart thumped. She couldn’t discern if it was because she was stunned by what he did or if she was happy about it. Regardless, she was in a daze for a while before she pushed him away and tried to compose her quivering breaths. “… You really must have gone insane, Jackson.” Without a doubt, Jackson sexily and in a slow, agonizing way, wiped his lips as if savoring the taste of her shoulders and nodded at her words. “I agree. Because you looked brilliant tonight.” She snickered, “And you’re being shockingly disrespectful. I thank you for helping me, but biting my shoulder is something only a pervert will do.” Jackson was in disbelief. He swallowed his saliva with difficulty and exhaled deeply. “I’d be a pervert for you. Enjoyed it?” Airina frowned at his unfamiliar words. If he was deciphering about the bite he just did, she couldn’t utter a definite answer – not that she liked it because
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 6: His Goal Evan took a deep exhale. He glanced at the driver, then to Airina. He couldn’t clearly remember what had happened last night since he got so drunk everything was hazy. But he was certain that there was another presence. Evan questioned, “Was it Jackson who gave us a ride last night?” Airina opened her eyes at his question, “Mhm, you remembered?” Evan snickered, “A little bit,” he clicked his tongue, “How dare he show up in front of us and act almighty?” Airina tugged her lips upwards. She would be lying to say that her heart didn’t flutter at all. She didn’t expect him to come. Despite that she had been informed by Matthew since he rarely participated in such events, she assumed it’d take longer for them to meet each other again. She folded her hand, instantly frowning as she was reminded when he bit her shoulder. Thankfully it was not that hard, if it was, it would have been slightly throbbing from pain. “You said he hit you. W
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 7: Questioned, and Threatened Past ten in the evening. As Airina glazed her eyes with her frame, she was reminded of her previous wedding photo with Jackson. She was the only one smiling happily whereas he was hostile and intimidating. A gloomy expression was plastered on her face and remembered the conversation she had with him on the balcony. Jackson hid his hand in one of his pockets, and asked her with a solemn voice, “Are you in a relationship with Matthew?” “Perhaps.” “It doesn’t matter, since I will make you mine.” Why would he be interested in her affairs when back then he wouldn’t even glance her way? She used to look at his face which removes all of her worries and stress. But now, he was becoming her stress. She mumbled a question that seemed to be forced out from the deep hatred she had for him. “You smile as if you had done nothing wrong.,” She plopped on her bed, sighing listlessly. “How cruel.” * Jackson, on the other han
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 8: Gentle, and Cunning Airina used most of her time checking documents. She was helping Matthew arrange the statistics of the Halton Company which could defeat Georgiñia’s in a year and a half. Airina was always a clever child. She was only a fool for believing and caring for Jackson and Nicole who didn’t appreciate what she had to offer. She didn’t directly return to her house. She idled in a grocery store, eating ice cream and reliving the good moments she had with her family. Both her father and mother loved each other; had it been not for cheating, her family wouldn’t have been broken. She mumbled. “Why do sweet things end so soon?” She licked the ice cream with gusto while happily stomping her feet on the tiles. “Because too much sweetness will aftermath rather ugly.” A voice answered beside her and she gasped as she discovered who it was. “… Daniel.” It had been three days since the Founding Anniversary. She didn’t want to admit but D
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 9: A Not-So Lovely Reunion Upon washing up, Airina adorned herself with a luxurious and customized dress for her. If it was before she had become successful, she wouldn’t even dare to dream of wearing such kind of things. However, things were different now and she seemed to be expecting that life for her in the future would be but blissful and bountiful. She had enough of suffering. Which was exactly why she was dressing up. For this very occasion, she spent thousands of dollars to face Nicole – either to put Nicole down or give herself the courage to talk to her again. Nicole had never been good to her, there were times when she’d ask for money, but she never paid it back as she had never borrowed from her. She didn’t know why Nicole hated her so much. Was it because she married Jackson or was it because she was a legitimate child unlike her, who was illegitimate? Airina’s parents were complicated. Her mother remarried someone powerful and
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 10: Belonged Airina looked at the notification from her phone and then tilted her head. It was a text from Matthew saying that she was invited to a dinner with the Halton family. During the ten months of negotiating with them, the Halton family had kept their privacy from her, and even when they invited her to dinner, it was only with Matthew and her mother. Thus, if this dinner was with them again, it doesn’t feel appropriate to be called ‘Dinner with Halton family’. A family contained parents and their children if they had, if not, Airina felt she was being picked on. Was it because she had never contacted her mother previously, so they thought she was merely using her? Airina had contacted her mother a few times but when her stepmother got to know of it, she banned her from doing so as it would ruin her marriage life. Airina, still dubious, headed inside the restaurant and took a deep breath. She is working in Halton’s company so it wouldn
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 11: A Little Longer After the meal, her mother went to her. She apologetically spoke, "Child, I’m sorry for not being a good mother to you all along. I… lacked and had my shortcomings.” She responded after contemplating, “I understand, Mom. You… haven’t met Evan, right?” Her mother shook her head, “I did see him with his friends occasionally, but I knew that deep inside, he must be blaming me.” Airina assured, “Nothing to worry about. In fact, Evan was just awkward around you.” Once again, a look of disappointment was presented on her mother’s face. Their parents parted ways, and Evan, who was young and lacked the necessary understanding, disliked his real mother for abandoning them and had them suffer at the hands of their stepmother, Linda. Airina patted her mother’s shoulder, “It will take time. Well, it’s quite late so I should get going now.” “Ah, let us drive you.” “I’m fine, Mom. I'll take you to my house next time."Her mother smil
To Love You Again, My Husband Chapter 12: Between Courtesy and Toleration She nodded her head at Matthew who was conversing with an influential figure in the business world then approached them. If it was previously, her heart would have thumped loudly and nervously yet having experienced them each day for the last ten months, she had been used to it. She calmed herself, extending her hand to the woman in front of Matthew. “An honor to meet you, Miss Montage. I am Airina Beverly.” The woman Airina called Miss Montage cordially accepted her hand, shaking it gently. “Yes, truly. How about we continue this talk elsewhere? I’ve reserved a restaurant for us to have our lunch. Have you eaten lunch, Miss Airina?” Airina smiled, “I’ll just eat fruits.” The woman smiled, leading them to a new, shiny black Lamborghini of hers. As such, Airina signaled her driver to follow along wherever they’re going so that she’d have a service after this business talk. Along the way, Matthew, and the w