Isabella's POV

My jaws drop.

Not at the venom in his voice. But at his utterance.

Does he know Jayden? He doesn't even know who he is so why is he talking this way?

I know it might take a long time before Jayden begins to love me but what matters is that he wants to give this a chance. He wants to give us a chance and that is all that matters the most to me.

I am a patient person. I can wait till he is ready to open up and accept me to be his partner. We are married after all. All I need to do is show him love, make him happy and be there for him all the time.

"What about you? Is this just about him and what he wants? Do you think being selfless is what the world is all about? You don't even know if he loves you." Romeo adds as if hearing my thoughts.

I shake my head. I don't want to let his words get to me and discourage me from moving on with what has barely started between Jayden and me.

We haven't talked about us and what the future holds but I have a strong conviction that it is going to be fine.

"I love you, Isabella'', in a blink of an eye, he is in front of me as I stand up from the bench we are sitting on. His two hands are on my cheeks, caressing them while I watch him. "I love you from the bottom of my heart and I want to make you mine. That rich boy doesn't love you, he just loves the fact that he can use you at any time with just a sweet word or the promise of some monetary benefit…"

I push him away instantly. This is it. I shouldn't have confided in him. I shouldn't have told him about the contract between us. I thought he was going to be mature and understanding but I was wrong.

Jayden doesn't say sweet words. He is not one to do that. He doesn't lie. He says things the way they are.

I won't let Romeo convince me just because he wants me to himself.

"I love you, Isabella!" he shouts, making the lady who walks past us turn back, flashing me a smile before turning back on her heels again.

"I should go", I only say, feeling exhausted for no reason. I know this feeling. I have had too much in just two nights and I need time to process everything.

"What?" He exclaims, watching me in disbelief as I grab my handbag from the bench.

"Isabella…"

"Romeo, stop this already. Don't you think it would have been much easier if I had told you to quit over the phone?" His mouth is agape as I shout at him. "But I didn't. I respect you so much and I assumed you were mature enough to understand what I am driving at and to let go. Why are you being difficult? I am married for crying out loud. Even if I don't love him, we can't be together…"

"But I can wait", he cuts me short, tears brimming in his eyes. "You guys can still go ahead with the divorce after a year, right? Do it, I will wait."

"No!"

I can't let this sympathy take hold of my emotions and decision. I have always been this way. Becoming friends with people out of sympathy. Accepting to do what I ordinarily wouldn't have done for people out of sympathy.

This won't work.

"I will…"

"Stop it!" I stop him with a stretch of my hand. "Stop all of this. I am not here for this. I came here to tell you the truth about my relationship with Jayden and I will really appreciate it if you can keep this between us. Goodnight, Romeo."

I twirl around without waiting for his reply. Just then, I spot Jayden coming out of the car with his phone glued to his ears from across the street.

In haste to get away from Romeo as soon as possible, I cross to the other side of the road, gulping loudly and hoping Jayden didn't see all of our drama.

As I approach, I realize he is too engrossed in his conversation on the phone to even see me come closer. I breathe out a sigh of relief and eventually get close to him before he notices my presence.

I peck his cheeks and his hand goes straight to my waist as he pulls me close with his left hand, the right hand holding a phone to his ears.

He is speaking Italian so fluently before he changes it into English. I wish I could hear more of the Italian words he was speaking like a pro.

When I look across the street, Romeo has disappeared and I expel a deep sigh.

"I guess I have to come tomorrow", Jayden's words jerk me out of my thoughts.

Come where? I stare up at him. He smiles sadly and says a quick goodbye before disconnecting the call to meet my questioning gaze.

"What happened?" I ask him immediately, noticing the sad look on his face.

"I need to be in New York first thing tomorrow. There is a problem with our automobile company's draft and it might affect our launching. Gabriel won't be able to handle this and our shareholders are concerned so I have to go there to resolve it."

"What happened to the draft? Is it really bad?"

Without a word, he clicks his tongue and nods.

I feel bad for him. Maybe this is because he is here with me in Verona. If he is still in New York to handle all his affairs, maybe this wouldn't happen.

"I'm sorry", I find myself saying, and he chuckles lightly before dropping his hand from my waist and holding my hand. He walks me to the other side and opens the door for me.

I climb in and he closes the door before going back to the driver's seat. I have never seen him drive before and I watch in amazement as he ignites the car engine to action.

"I'm sorry I have to leave so soon…"

"It's not a problem", I interrupt him from going further as I use my seat belt and lean more comfortably on the car seat pondering over what Romeo and I discussed tonight.

Jayden isn't even asking about it and I'm glad he isn't asking. The trouble at home has taken over his mind.

"Really? Are you sure? I wanted to spend the rest of your vacation with you but now it won't be possible…"

"That isn't a problem either", I say again with a smile.

"Really?" He begins to drive away from the lot and I blurt out immediately.

"Yes, because we are going back to New York together."

I close my eyes so I won't see his reaction but when a deep chuckle leaves his mouth, my eyes flutter open to meet the most beautiful pairs of blue eyes ever with flickers of amusement and admiration in his eyes.

"Are you serious?" He asks as he drives expertly, glancing at me before taking his eyes back to the road.

"Yes, very sure. I have had enough of Verona already. Having you here is enough too and I miss home already."

I am not giving my decision to go back home before the end of my trip any thought. What matters is that I will be with Jayden and I will help out in whatever way I can.

I can't believe I am calling Jayden's mansion my home now. Is that place really my home?

"I don't want you to miss out on anything…"

"No. Forget it. I am going with you and that's all."

Silence ensues and I breathe out, thinking he won't say a word about it anymore. We should just get home and kiss and probably end up in bed again.

I can't believe in just a day of losing my virginity, I am already thinking of sex again. Sex with Jayden is heaven on earth and I can't wait to go back home with him and have sex on our matrimonial room and bed.

It will make it more surreal.

"Why?" He asks out of the blue.

With my brows creased in confusion, I question him without an answer. "Why what?"

"Why do you want to leave your dream trip and come with me to New York instead? I know how long you have longed for this trip."

He looks at me at intervals, anticipating a reply.

I know the answer to that. But I don't know if now is the right time to tell him about how I feel.

If I don't say it, how will he know?

"Isabella, are…"

"Because I love you", I watch his face turn aghast at my utterance.

"What?!" His grip on the steering becomes firmer as he exclaims, his jaws clenching tight.

"I love you, Jayden" I confess without any shame.

****

Wow!

A confession. Is this right? How do you think Jayden will react to this sudden confession?

Will it cement their relationship?

Comment your opinions and don't forget to VOTE.