SELENA'S POV
"Are you okay?" Jake turned to me the moment Rose was gone, and I nodded slightly.How could I be okay? With all that's been going on since today?"Your cheek?" He continued, and I nodded again, feeling too upset to talk to him even though my cheek slightly hurt from the intensity of Rose's slap.How could he get me entangled in such a mess? Now Rose would never understand, and neither would she forgive me.I was momentarily touched when he took my side and yelled at Rose for slapping me, knowing fully well it's all for show. But the more I think of it now, the more upset I got."Men are scum," I blurted out making sure not to make eye contact with Jake but indirectly speaking to him.He sneered before turning to walk away, wanting to ignore me but I won't let him have that.And so I continued. " Why call off your engagement with your fiancé and then fake a relationship...do you think it’s fun to play with people's heart?” The words easily rolled off my tongue.But he scoffed, suddenly coming closer to hold my hands and pulling me close to himself. “Says the girl who stole a gold necklace," well, that fact hurts, "should I call you a thief or? Don’t you dare forget your place ever. Don’t you dare interfere in my life or issues. Go fix yourself first.” He shot at me, glaring intensely into my eyes.I could swear my heart skipped a beat or two and worst of all, it was not because of how harsh his tone sounded but because of our proximity at the moment. Damn those honeycomb eyes!But I'm never going to let him see me this way. I have always had my ways of turning the tables."Why are you suddenly staring so intensely at me? Don’t be so sorry when you fall in love. But unfortunately, I’m not cut out for accidental feelings and not with a man like you...ever.” I said while I tried to stifle a chuckle.The expression on his face could make anyone laugh out loud because why would a full-grown man pout like a three-year-old kid?"Is this your way of trying to tell me you're already falling for me?" He said in a husky tone, a teasing smirk curved on his lips as he stared intensely at me.W-what no? I was temporarily flustered by his words. There was a caught already and I can't let that happen.And so I smirked with raised chin and retorted, "you wish," to him. Before he could say anything to me, someone suddenly said."I'm so excited…”Wait, that's Mrs. Cecelia's voice...Hearing her voice, Jake suddenly pushed me the other direction. And I was grateful I didn't fall down as a result. I awkwardly cleared my throat before turning around to greet her."Mother,"“I didn’t see anything, you guys should continue with your intense and passionate moment... you know, the kiss at the wedding might not just be enough.” Mrs. Cecelia Marino said, gesturing with hands, and Jake coughed awkwardly, interrupting her speech."But I really didn’t see anything,” Mrs. Marino defended, blinking her eyes and pretending to portray an innocent look.“Nobody asked,” Jake made it clear, making his mother bat her eyelids twice in a row. Jake sneered and walked off faster, making sure to keep his distance away from me."How do you cope with him? Isn’t he so bothersome? Starve him if he dares give you any troubles darling. I’d always be in support of you.” Mrs. Marino said smilingly at me while her son just rolled his eyes before saying, “would I ever understand women?”“You spoilt child! Don’t you dare interrupt a mother to daughter talk.” Mrs. Marino yelled, smacking Jake with her handy purse. Jake groaned out, and I chuckled. When he saw that I was laughing at his predicament, he stopped and instead eyed me severally before he rolled his eyes away sulkily.Had he always been such a baby? I couldn't help but wonder. The thought of that amused me more, and I couldn't help but laugh again."I just saw Rose walking out of the hall; if she ever bothers you, come to me.” Mrs. Marino said with that giggle that always made her appear like a smily kid. That’s what you get when your mother-in-law's a retired model... Well, that explains why Jake portrays an animated look. However, the mention of Rose made my mood turn sour, but I hid it with a small nod and smile at her.---The wedding was over now with everyone cheering Jake and me as newly married couples, and wishing us a happy married life."Happy honeymoon! Have a steamy night." Mrs. Marino said before doing that her laugh thing again, making me fake a smile. Steamy night? Yikes! I'm pretty sure Jake would rather chew toothpaste than even touch me. And neither did I think I would ever be willing to let such a man touch me.I looked unbothered outwardly, but on the inside, I really wanted to scream. But instead, I just lowered my seat in the car for a more comfortable position."No need to feel all comfortable, Ms. Dacasto." Oh, here we go finally. He's back to his horrible self now that it's just us. "I’m dropping you off on the bridge; you will have to take a taxi if you have a home to go to." Jake said sneeringly, but I just rolled my eyes away from him, even though I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of taking a taxi in all that stuffy wedding dress. But what could I say or do? It's all my fault I was in this mess in the first place.A few minutes later, I was actually standing and awaiting a taxi after Jake had rudely dropped me off. How cruel of him. I still couldn’t believe how he was ever the perfect boyfriend to Rose.I dilated my eyes when the sudden blinding lights from a fast-approaching black Mercedes flashed right into my eyes. I tried to ignore the fact that the Mercedes just pulled up in front of me, and the driver was winding down the window.I immediately increased my pace as fear gripped my heart, while cursing Jake mentally for leaving me here alone. I noticed the car trailing behind me also, and then I began running as fast as I could, wishing I was wearing flats instead of heels at this moment.My heart beat skyrocketed incredibly with fear gnawing at me when from my peripheral vision, I saw the Mercedes maneuvered in high speed and halted right in front of me. It happened so suddenly and so freaking fast. No escape... I gasped as a masked man came out of the Mercedes and walked towards me. Then I turned in the opposite direction only to come face to face with another masked man.And easily, he grabbed me by my arm tightly, pulling me with him towards the car while I screamed and called for help."Let go of me! Is there anybody out there?! Help!” As I screamed, I fought back for my dear life, kicking and struggling. But my efforts were futile as the masked men snatched me into the Mercedes.Clearly, my strength was nothing to match or be compared with either of that of the three men in the car. Within seconds, I felt the piercing sharp pain of a needle in my arm, and that was all I knew before my body collapsed into the darkness that suddenly enveloped me.SELENA'S POVWhispers?Someone was whispering something close to me."I'm sorry Rose." I begged as she approached me with bloodshot eyes full of vengeance, aiming her gun at me while I screamed."Rose, please forgive me!""Shut your tramp, you piece of shit!" A male's voice cursed, and I woke up with a start, immediately feeling a horrible headache afterward.My eyelids felt heavy, and my head was spinning; it felt like it would split in two any moment from now.However, I slowly recollected the events of my wedding day and eventually, my kidnap.My eyes grew wider as I recalled the terrible dream I just had. Rose had been determined to end my life in that dream.But waking up to reality made me feel somewhat grateful for life. At least, no one was pointing a gun to my head at the moment.Well, I immediately regretted the thoughts when I finally got a clear view of my environment and situation.My hands were tied against a pillar, and I was seated on the bare floor with my back restin
JAKE'S POVI woke up with my head aching terribly. Someone was sobbing quietly beside me. My eyes snapped open, and I sat up instantly, looking around to see I was in a familiar room and was sitting upright on a soft medium-sized bed.I glanced beside me and immediately screamed when I saw the familiar face beside me. The only face I've been able to properly identify after many years of painful sufferings. What in the absolute heck was Selena doing beside me and almost naked?!She looked really rough, and her white dress was torn in several places, with stains of blood on her face, body, and dress. She gazed at me with eyes full of hatred and tears. "H-how could you do this to me?" She sobbed. And I glanced at her in confusion."I don't understand. What did I do?" My gaze traveled over her body and then around the room. I jumped off the bed when I found out this wasn't my room. But it was still a familiar room. Looking down at my body, I noticed I was only in my briefs and my inner ves
Selena's POVI sat still in my chair at the Marino’s family dinner. I should feel relaxed since I was one of them, but I could not. I would never feel relaxed because, one, I was seated beside Jake who began as if I was not there, and at my other side sat Kelvin, Jake’s brother, and in front of me was Nancy, who made it her mission of throwing me dagger looks. So, I was surrounded by enemies. The only thing was that Kelvin was trying to get me involved in their conversation.Apart from that, my whole body still ached. Jake had to force me down here so the family will not worry about my health. Everything was just a show for Jake, and I cannot believe I still loved this guy.“How come she landed in the hospital?” Nancy's voice snapped me back to the present, and I looked across to her. She was already sneering at me like it was my fault she was forced to be seated in front of me.“I told you not to bring the matter up again,” Mrs. Marino said, admonishing her daughter. She gave me a sm
Jake’s POVI still find it hard to believe that Rose could actually come to the house like that, like we were still together, and it hurts me that I had to hurt her always with my actions and words. She must never know the real truth; nobody knows the real truth, not even Selena.I looked at her briefly before concentrating on the road. She was asleep but was muttering words and sweating, so I put on the AC if it would help her. She does not deserve to actually pass through what she had. I could not remember the event that took place.How I saved her like she said or how I ended up in bed with her—I can't even remember having sex with her. I want to believe I would never do such a thing with Selena. This marriage was fake, only on paper till I get what I wanted. I needed Selena right beside me anyways.Was that selfish? That is life. Nothing comes easy in life; I see the world like a battlefield, where only the strongest survive, and I am all set on surviving, not just to survive now
Selena’s POVWhat the hell? I glared at Jake. What rubbish is he talking about? Hillary was a sweet person, a hardworking lady, a caring and loving mother to her son, and a good friend to me.He was rude to Hillary earlier, and knowing Hillary too well, I know she was offended. That was why she said nothing and just left the way she did. Jake had no right to talk down to any of my friends. No right at all.“You are married to a Marino. Don’t you think you need to be careful of who you call a friend?” Jake asked me.I felt like giving him a slap across his handsome face. I clenched my fist to avoid actually acting like I imagined. “Hillary is totally harmless, and Max is a sweet child.”“I wouldn’t say so,” Jake said.I closed my eyes and counted to ten, just as my aunt taught me to do in some uncontrollable situations. When I opened my eyes, I saw Jake looking at me like I have lost my mind. “You have no right to tell me who or not to associate with.” I paused and carried on before he
Jake's POV★FLASHBACK★“What’s going on here?” Mrs. Marino asked, walking into my office unnoticed. I quickly picked up the file from the ground, took my seat, and pretended to go through it, while Jeff just stared at me in disbelief.“Good day, ma’am,” Jeff said, realizing too late how he addressed my mom.“Ma’am? No... no, it’s mom,” Mrs. Marino stressed, correcting him. “Back to business, I came here to make sure you attend your blind dates, and mind you, number seven and nine are out of this country. Jeff, get the private jet ready,” my mom announced, strutting around my office.Sometimes I couldn’t help but forget my mom was once a model, but she always reminded me whenever she did the catwalk thing.“Yes, mom, I’ll get the jet ready, and I’ll tie him and drag him down to his dates if permitted,” Jeff pronounced his undying loyalty.“Permission granted!” Mrs. Marino gladly dished out. Jeff pulled out his tie from his collar, walking over to me, aiming to tie me down.“I’m not kn
Selena's POVI fell forward as I tripped over. I wasn’t expecting Jake to catch me, but he did. My front was pressed into his, and my braless breast felt his strong abs through the thin shirt of my nightdress. What was I thinking wearing such an exposed attire?My whole body was aware of his. I lifted my eyes to meet his, and we stood there, gazing at each other. My traitor of a body still craved his touch. The last time we were together, though I was in pain from the kidnap, I still felt Jake’s single touch on my body as I finally gave in to him.My tongue escaped my mouth and wet my suddenly dry lips, and I watched as Jake’s gaze followed this movement. My stupid heart got excited by this action. I mentally slapped myself to get normal. Instead of pushing away from him, I held on tight to him like he was my lifeline.Jake cleared his throat, which brought us both back to the hard reality of our situation. I can’t comprehend how we can easily go from barking at each other to being nic
Rose's POVI observed as my betrayer of a friend was playing with her child; she looked so happy. It didn't even show that she had been admitted to the hospital a few days back. She should still be wallowing in pain, at least to mirror the hurt she caused me, but there she was, smiling and laughing as if the world was perfect.She had turned my world upside down, so there was no justification for her current joy. Moving closer, I found it shocking that she had a kid she had been hiding. She had never mentioned her son, and I had not seen him before, even though we were close and had no secrets between us.Memories flooded back, like the moment I excitedly shared news of my engagement to Jake with Selena."Why do you have such a glow?" Selena had asked me as she joined me at our usual café.I smiled, pulling my hair back behind my ear with my ring finger. Immediately, she caught sight of the sparkling diamond stone atop the ring, she hastily drew her chair back and sat down across me.