A week passed since Cassie's visit and Derick's confession, let's just say every time he sees me...

I get glared at...

For a really long time.

I know what he's waiting for me to do, or should I say what he's waiting for me to say, I like him, I'm not denying that.

But do I love him?

He's not Andreas, he will never sink so low as to be Andreas.

But...

I'm waiting.

I'm waiting for that one moment that defines our relationship, that one moment I can look back on and say; this is the reason I love this man.

Or the reason I hate this man, no need to imagine the worst case scenario though.

Is this considered being insecure? Am I doing what Andreas was doing? Waiting for Derick to screw up?

And he has been acting suspicious, leaving the office more than the usual, canceling meetings.

I don't want to be the clingy girlfriend and say he's never around, I mean he still makes time for me, takes me to dinner, we go see his mom from time to time, she took our relationship very well thanks to someone telling the whole world and that someone is none other than; Issac Miller.

I even asked Kate to lunch so I can formally introduce them.

"Are you sure that's the guy you work for? He's smiling" she said, making me laugh because it's true.

If I compare Derick's behavior to when I first met him I can assure you, he's a whole other person.

"Love changes people Ms. Abalos" He said smiling at me, putting his arm around my waist.

I wish he never said that, because it sparked a whole different subject that was now considered taboo in this relationship.

"Wait, you two love each other?!"

We both tensed up, not sure how to answer, I can't tell you the amount of times I've wanted to apologize.

For being such an inconvenience, for being someone so unsure of their feelings and I knew the only way I can solve this was by telling him the truth.

It's time he knows about the problems I had with being so in love and making so many mistakes.

We were now in the office and working with a lawyer to get a contract going, when we were done, we shook hands with the lawyer and bid her goodbye.

"That was tiring" I said rubbing my neck.

"No kidding" he smiled.

"What are you smiling about?" I said going to him.

His smile is contagious, he's like a magnet always pulling me towards him.

"How it's so different now, no more stiffness, no more denial, I promise nothing will change this"

"You act like something is going to tear us apart"

His smile fell and he tensed.

"No, nothing like that, I just want to have peaceful days with you" he laughed nervously.

My brows furrowed.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing, Do you want to have dinner at my house tonight?"

"I'd love to" I smiled, wondering what he's planning.

I'll find out what you're hiding Derick Reid.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"How do I look?"

"Damn, you sure this is just a dinner date?" Kate said looking up from the TV.

"It is and I'll be back late"

"Are you going to tell him about Andreas?"

You know me too well Kate.

"Yeah..."

"Nervous?"

I simply nodded and checked myself in the mirror again.

I had on a cream dress with my hair in a bun and a few strands to frame my face.

I love this dress, it reached mid thigh, Nina had bought it for me saying it would suit me and she was right, I had ombré hair at the time and maybe I should think of doing it again, I really did like it.

I was taken out of my daze by my phone vibrating.

I looked to see Derick saying he can't pick me up so he's sending his driver.

I replied with an okay and right as I did, I heard a horn outside.

"I'm heading out"

"Good luck and don't worry, he won't say anything"

"He'll just probably think I'm stupid"

"You're not stupid, you loved him, love doesn't make any sense"

"See you" I said walking out the door.

"Bye" I hear behind me.

I saw Francis and greeted him before getting into the car.

I wasn't in the mood to make small talk so I just looked out the window and let my head roam back to old unwanted memories.

I woke up to an empty bed and looked around the hotel room.

I breathed in the tropical scent of the ocean and walked to the balcony.

Andreas must be outside.

And sure enough he was there smoking, I never liked it when he smoked but he always looked so sexy doing it and I know how stressed he always is.

I walked behind him and put my arms around his bare back.

"Well good morning to you too" he chuckled, making his back vibrate.

He turned around and gave me a peck on my lips.

His lips tasted like tobacco.

"Why don't you change, don't want people seeing you in my shirt"

"Sorry about last night"

"It's fine, you weren't ready, I understand that"

I only hummed and walked inside, he followed me in with his cigarette still between his fingers.

As I was taking off his shirt I heard a click of the camera.

"Hey! I'm in my underwear! Delete that!"

"But you look so good, come see"

And indeed I did.

The sun was angled really nicely on my face and the frown added extra effect.

His photography skills always put mine to shame.

I grabbed the cigarette out from his fingers and put it out in a tin.

"Hey! I wasn't done with that!"

"It's a smoking hazard" I said looking at him.

We were on a trip for our two year anniversary and it has been the best trip ever.

His mood was at it's best and last night we were this close to sealing the deal but I chickened out in the last minute.

I felt bad, I still feel bad.

"I'm sorry" I whispered straddling him.

"It's okay beautiful, I'm not mad, we have plenty of time before this trip is over, besides you're already mine for the rest of your life, te amo," (I love you)

"te amo más" (I love you more)

"Do you know what I imagine, love?"

"Hmm?" I hummed curiously.

"I imagine our kids in a house filled with photos we've taken, both me and you, a photography duo, traveling the world, from the Eiffel Tower to The Great Wall Of China, just me and you"

I giggled when he picked me up twirled me around the room before laying me on the bed.

We stared into each other's eyes and I stroked his cheek.

I love this man so much.

With that we kissed and I believed him, I believed every single word.

I had tears in my eyes recalling that memory, one of the most precious ones before he broke my heart.

"Are you alright Miss?" Francis asked peeking at me from the rear view mirror.

"I'm good, I'm fine" I smiled.

And it's true, I am.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When the car stopped I got out after thanking the driver.

I looked at the mansion that amazed me just as the first time I saw it.

Of course, the other time I was here, I was here as an assistant not as a girlfriend, now that I think about it.

I smiled at the thought.

I walked up the stairs leading to the front door and the door was already open with Derick leaning against it.

He smiled grabbing my hand, pulling me in as he shut the door behind him.

He pressed me against the door and gave me a deep kiss.

"You look beautiful" he said breaking the kiss, I was still breathing heavily and put my hands on his chest.

"Thank you," I breathed.

"So tell me, what romantic and cheesy things are you planning this evening?" I smirked even though I wanted to smile widely at him.

"Well, how about we start with dinner?"

He took my hand and led me to the dining room and pulled out a seat.

I sat down and watched him leave to the kitchen.

I'm so excited, but so nervous at the same time! I wonder what will happen when he hears about Andreas? Will he still like me? Will he think I'm so naïve as to believe any man that comes to me?

I heard a crash from the kitchen and I ran to see what happened, I saw a wine glass on the floor and Derick holding his phone with an angry expression on his face.

I walked over and held his cheek, making him look up at me.

"You okay?" I asked concerned.

"I'm fine, as long as you're fine, I'm fine"

I leaned in and kissed him, not questioning the meaning behind his words.

"Let's get this cleaned up, so who cooked? Don't think I ignored the amazing smell coming from everywhere in the house" I chuckled, trying to change his mood.

And it worked because he had a proud look on his face.

Oh boy, here we go.

"I did, I've been planning on cooking for you for awhile, my mom came over a few times to help and taught me how to make something special for my special someone"

"Well I'm honored to have the Derick Reid cook for me"

We cleaned up the glass shards and I wanted to help him carry our dinner to the table but he insisted I sit and he serves me.

I took him up on the offer as I don't think he'll ever do this again.

I sat down and watched him come in with a blue ceramic dish and the smell of pesto lasagna hit my nose.

"That smells so good! You learnt how to make lasagna?! I don't know how to make lasagna!"

He smiled and cut me a piece putting it on the plate.

"Bon appétit, Jewel"

I grabbed a fork, intending to dig in but stopped.

"Jewel? That's a new one" I asked curiously.

"Well you are a precious Jewel, took a while to find you and get you, I had to race against Indiana Jones himself to win you over"

I cringed, too much.

"Stop talking before you provoke me to death, so dramatic"

I took a bite and it's like hunger hit me in the face because I went for another bite and another.

"Is it good?" He chuckled but I saw that hint of nervousness on his face, how about I give you a taste of your own medicine Derick.

"It's good" I said emotionlessly.

"Does it taste that bad? I'm sure I did what I did yesterday! Did I put too much salt? No, I tasted the pesto, it had the perfect amount of salt" he blabbered nervously.

Oh my God, he's blabbering!

I choked on my food and couldn't help but laugh.

"What?"

"Derick! Calm down! It tastes amazing! If it wasn't I wouldn't have ate three forks of it in under a minute" I laughed some more.

He sighed in relief but then glared at me.

"If you don't believe me, have a taste" I waved a fork in his face and he took a bite.

His eyes widened and that self satisfied look came back on his face.

Should've held on longer.

"I should cook more often if it will taste this good, maybe your brother is interested in opening a restaurant together? I should really expand to restaurants, don't you think?"

"No talking about work on the dinner table!" I shouted.

He looked at me for a moment before nodding with a smile on his lips.

When we were done with dinner I helped him clean up and he told me to open a movie on Netflix, while he was getting something from another room.

This is my chance, time to tell him everything.

I sat on the couch and was looking at the wall when he came in with two glasses and a bottle of wine, he frowned when he saw me.

"What's wrong?"

I think we've both been asking this question a lot lately.

We're both not okay, I guess.

I patted the seat beside me and bit the inside of my cheek, he looked at me still frowning and came to sit beside me putting the glasses and bottle on the coffee table.

I took the bottle of wine and poured a bit for him and myself, I've tried to stay away from wine since that incident but I can't resist alcohol.

"What's with the sudden change of mood, Jewel?"

"One, don't call me Jewel, can't get used to it but I do appreciate the sentiment and second, there's no change of mood, I just want to ask you about what's going on with you lately?"

He took a sip of wine and I knew he was going to deny.

I climbed on top of him, I'm the snuggle type as much as Derick is.

"Don't try and deny it, I know you're hiding something"

"I want to solve it before I tell you anything Julie, I don't want it to cause a problem between us"

"It won't, just tell me"

"I love you"

I stared at him.

"I love you and I want to be only with you but..."

"But?"

"My dad's a douch, can't say anymore"

"Does he not approve of us? Actually I kinda saw that happening"

"What? You expected my dad to not like you?"

"Yup, it's been too easy and do you actually believe an underpaid assistant being in a relationship with her egotistical boss is socially accepted? I can already see the headlines,"

"Assistant Juliana Downs seduces her boss into being her sugar daddy" I waved my hands dramatically.

"I agree with you, but I'm not egotistical and you're definitely not underpaid but sugar daddy? I'm not that old,"

He held my hands that were still in the air and smiled.

"I have connections, I've solved problems with the media so many times it's a piece of cake to bribe a reporter into letting a story go, now it's my turn, what's been bothering you? I notice the frowns on your face and Francis told me about earlier, what made my beautiful Jewel cry?"

I sighed.

"Derick I don't know if you know this about me but I have dated three guys before I dated you, two were in high school that didn't last too long and one was in college,"

He gave me a look probably thinking; why on earth is she telling me about her Ex?

"The one in college lasted about three years and I'll be honest, I was a naïve nineteen year old when I met him, we met at a family party and I felt attracted to him, he was older than me and he agreed we had chemistry,"

"A week later we started dating, everything was going fine for a few months but things started going bad, there were some days where everything was anything but fine,"

I gulped feeling the tears pool in my eyes, addressing old memories is not a good hobby.

"There were days where he would get triggered, he never abused me, not physically at least, it was his motto to never lay a hand on a woman but I was still afraid, instead it was more verbal than physical, I lost every bit of self esteem I had being with him, he made me feel as though I couldn't live without him, he made me feel worthless and at the same time I felt on top of the world,"

I chucked feeling the tears finally coming out.

"And the worst part is... I thought that was love... and he kept saying it, over and over again, he loves me and how I'm everything to him, how everything he ever thinks about is me, how there is a definite future for the both of us,"

"When we had been together for three years he came to me one day and broke up with me, it was so sudden I didn't know what to say, the way he broke up with me felt as though he was getting rid of a piece of gum that was stuck to his shoe,"

"He said I'm too clingy, I'm not up to standards when it comes to looks and that he can't keep his eyes off me for a second, always thinking I'll be unfaithful to him, and he had another problem while we were dating,"

I looked him in the eyes and held his hands feeling they were balled into fists.

"He always wanted to confirm if I loved him, it's like he wanted me to cheat, sometimes I thought he wanted a reason to hate me or maybe he wanted me to hate him, well his wish came true, after one year of crying over a man I thought I loved I realized how stupid I was,"

I started sobbing.

This is not good.

"And I'm always thankful to one person who picked up my broken pieces and put me back together with superglue I can't get anywhere else and that person was Kate"

I couldn't get a word out after that, all I could do was cry.

"Hey, let it all out, it's okay" he stroked my back and pulled me closer to his chest.

"Sometimes I wonder if I could turn back time, would that change anything? And then I remember the bad times, they were the only reasons keeping me from going back to him, now that I think about it, I'm glad he left, it made me see what kind of a sick and twisted man he really was" I said when I could finally control my sobs.

"Any man that doesn't accept you the way you are is a sick and twisted man, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met and that's saying a lot, I've met so many women but none can put my heart into a twist like you can,"

I looked up and he gave me a gentle smile.

"Juliana Downs for the amount of time we have worked together you have made me feel emotions that usually take me longer to even show and you made me drop my pride and confess to you first, let me tell you, you are the first woman I have ever confessed to and I won't make empty promises in saying I will make you so happy that your sh*tty Ex will be crying he never saw you this happy, Do you understand?"

I nodded and the tears came back again.

"Derick, I love you"

"Not saying it for the moment?"

"No, not saying it for the moment"

I kissed him, at first it was just a peck on the lips but then he came in for more and I gave it to him.

My hands went to his dress shirt and I felt bold unbuttoning it, I touched his bare chest and he moaned, his mouth leaving my lips he went to my jaw and then my neck kissing down my neck to my collarbone I bit my lips to stop the sounds wanting to leave my mouth.

I felt lust coursing through me and when he looked at me I saw my lust reflected in his stormy blue eyes.

"Are you sure?"

My kiss was the answer to his question.

He picked me up and took me upstairs to what I assume will be his bedroom...

⭐️💬

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