Isabella's POV

I couldn't believe Alejandro and I talked all through the dinner and even after and I enjoyed his company.

The discussion was able to lift my spirit and get rid of my anger toward Jayden. Actually, I have no right to be mad at Jayden. I should have expected what he did this evening but I didn't expect it and that was why I was hurt.

I don't always get comfortable with strangers but Alejandro is different. I find myself opening up to him and telling him things I wouldn't have said to other people when we first met.

He is free-spirited and I guess that is why I was free with him. 

When he mentioned that I looked familiar, I realized I knew him too. He is the same Alejandro Lorenzo who scheduled an appointment with Jayden a few months ago but he never came. He missed the appointment and came when I was about to close for the day.

I don't know if I am supposed to tell them that I was Jayden's Assistant and I don't know if Jayden wants him to know 

Jayden and I stand in front of the smiling face, Alejandro. 

"I guess we will call it a night", he says, stretching his hand for a handshake. I take it and he shakes Jayden too.

I see his car is already waiting. He flashes me a smile. "I'll be expecting you guys in Italy by October. See you then."

He waves while I laugh. I know that won't be possible because Jayden isn't interested in going to Italy with me for anything. We didn't even travel for our honeymoon and I see no reason why he should leave his work just to satisfy me. I am not his real wife.

I just wish he could let me travel. I want to be free again and go to Verona. I don't care if I go there alone but I won't ask him.

He waves till he gets to the car and climbs in. Jayden and I watch as the car roars to life and takes off.

Alejandro is indeed a nice man.

"So you really want to go to Italy?" Jayden's question jerks me out of my reverie.

I snap my head to see him watching me closely.

I don't know what to say to that so I only nod and open the car door myself. Jayden seems shocked because he stands outside for a while before coming over to the other side of the door. 

Jude is quick to open the door for him and he slouches in beside me. 

"Are you mad at me?" He asks immediately as Jude ignites the car engine into action.

"No", I reply sharply without looking at him. He remains silent and leans forward to tell Jude something. I am not paying attention so I can't hear him.

"Let's go somewhere else", he says in a low tone and I turn to him with furrowed brows.

"Somewhere? What for? Aren't we supposed to go home?"

"I want to make it up to you. I know you are angry. Besides, this dinner is supposed to be a date between the three of us but it turned out to be a date between you and Alejandro instead. I was left behind…"

"What?" She snorts in laughter. "What do you mean about the date between Alejandro and me? You don't expect me to remain quiet while he keeps trying to start a conversation with me. However, I am not mad at you. I have no right to be", I utter firmly before turning away from him.

Silence creeps in slowly and I almost think he has given up already and we will go home.

This isn't real after all, so why should we go on a date just because I am pissed at him? Do I even have a say in all of these?

"If you know you are not mad at me, then let's go somewhere else before going home", he mutters after a while.

I squeeze my eyes shut. Is it that obvious that I am angry? I thought I had gotten rid of my anger toward him.

I am about to say no when he adds. "Jude is driving us there already so you can't say no."

"Really?" I tilt my head sideways to catch the look of amusement on his face.

Is this funny?

"I don't think going on a date somewhere else is a good idea. I really can not handle the attention and I was actually comfortable where Alejandro reserved for us."

"Firstly, no more talks of Alejandro and second of all, I will make a reservation now", he brings his tabloid out to make the reservation.

"Oh no!" He laments. "Filled up. Let's check out Costa Restaurant." He mumbles to himself.

After a few more seconds, he mutters again to himself before tapping me. "I doubt if we can get a free restaurant tonight. Should we go for a walk then?"

"A walk?"

"Yep."

"What if someone recognizes us on the street?" I voice out my concern. I would prefer sitting in one place and getting recognized as the billionaire's wife rather than taking a walk and getting recognized.

"You have nothing to worry about, no one will recognize us", he smiles confidently and I narrow my eyes.

Leaning back on the seat, I try to take my mind off what he did to me this evening that got me angry. So he knew I was angry yet he didn't apologize until now.

Arrogant man!

A few minutes later, the car stops and we both get out. The street isn't bubbling with people like I thought it would. It looks quiet and beautiful and I wonder where we are.

Jayden stretches his hand for me to take and I raise a brow. Is this part of his effort to appease my anger?

I ignore the invitation to hold hands and turn away from him. 

"There is a club down the road where I would like us to go. It isn't a popular one so no one will recognize us there", he mentions to my hearing and I twirl round to face him quickly.

"A club? No", I shake my head in disagreement. "Why don't we just go home? I don't feel comfortable around here."

He falls silent and studies me. Then he nods.

"Let's go home, then", he says, clenching his jaw tightly.

"I am no longer angry with you, I swear", I touch his arm and his body goes still for a while with his gaze on my hand. Quickly, I drop my hand. "I am no longer angry with you so you don't need to make any efforts to appease me. I'm fine, ok?" I smile lightly and he nods before glancing around with folded arms.

His eyes fall on a shop on the other side of the road. I follow his gaze to see that it is an ice cream shop.

"Do you want some?" He asks me. "Before we go home. At least that will make up for our journey here. We won't come here all for nothing."

A genuine smile flashes across my expression and I nod gingerly. "Yes. I love ice cream."

"Great. I will be right back", he says to me before heading towards the shop. I watch him go and lean my back on the car while Jude is still inside.

With my arms around my bosom, I try to imagine what it would be like to be his actual wife. 

Won't this day be romantic for us if this is actually valid?

Jayden seems like a romantic man. He acts cold but that romantic side of him exists. Thinking about how he loves reading romantic novels too is an addition.

I have never crossed paths with a man who loves reading novels and I have always wished for a man who writes romance or who likes romance fiction.

He hasn't returned the book he borrowed from me and I haven't returned the one I took from his office even though I am done reading it. I plan to give him the other novel which I bought months ago titled The Billionaire's Unwanted Bride.

After doing that, I will also look for a way to return his novel and get a new one. I might even be able to summon up the courage to ask him about the books in his office and demand permission to go in for more books.

I am too engrossed in my thoughts to realize that someone just walked past me until she walks back and stands in front of me. 

The action and the familiar voice pull me out of my reverie and I snap my head quickly to face her.

"Isabella?"

"Juliet?!"

****

What is Juliet doing here now?🤧🤧🤧

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