Chapter 66 Chapter 33 (ii)
FAE
“No. I can live with that now that I see where you’re coming from. I can’t stand seeing you upset like this. I realize I’m acting like a stupid caveman with you, and I’m suddenly not proud of myself. I can’t restrict you like that. I’m letting you down, and I’m so sorry.”
I looked up at him. “Are you sure?”
He nodded repeatedly, then caressed my cheek. “Don’t look like that. I can’t take it. I’m sorry I triggered your trauma. No woman can take me away from you, babe. And please know that even if I get surrounded by women in sexy dresses, no one else can take me away from you. It’s just I’ve wanted you for so long, and now that I have you, I can get over-possessive. I have to learn to manage it.”
I stared at him, also taken aback. I hadn’t thought of it that way.
“So fight for me with your cleavage. I am honored,” he said with a smile.
“You’re making fun of me,” I pouted.
“No, I get it now. I’ll manage my possessiveness until you’ve healed your trauma. Okay? Wear the dress.” He pulled me in and kissed my forehead. “I’m already proud that you carry it so beautifully. You are stunning, babe. You’ll make Tammy happy when she sees you in this dress.” Tammy was the designer and the hostess of the party.
“You really think so?”
He looked at me, slightly amused. “You really have no idea how beautiful and sexy you are, do you?” He sighed. “And you’ve never made an effort to deliberately dress like this before. Now that you can, I’m holding you back.”
I pinched his cheek. “My husband is drop-dead gorgeous, so I need a sword and shield.”
He laughed. Then he pulled me close, and I felt his hardness pressing against me as he squeezed one of my butt cheeks. “If you keep flattering me, we might not make it to the party.”
I gasped. “Oh my... daddy.”
He groaned. “Fae...!” He kissed me, a sweet kiss that quickly deepened.
When he lifted his head, we were both breathless.
“We better go or we’ll never leave. I don’t want to… mess this all up when you’ve worked so hard.”
“Will you choose my jewelry for me?” I asked sweetly.
“Of course.”
As we got out of the car at the hotel venue, I was so nervous. It was my first time attending a party with a ‘date,’ and not just any date but Spencer Jigo Myrick. I was anxious about what people would say, even though that was the purpose of our visit—so that people would talk about us, and word would reach his Grandma Leah that there was something brewing between us.
Jigo squeezed my hand as we walked from the lobby to the red carpet leading to the function hall and the party. Instead of the usual hand on his arm, he held my hand and we walked holding hands from the SUV to the red carpet. There were press people at the entrance of the hotel. Cameras and phones were flashing behind the cordons on both sides, capturing pictures of the guests at this high society event.
Jigo squeezed my hand because it was cold and sweaty. “Relax and smile. You’re stunning, babe. There’s nothing to worry about,” he whispered in my ear after bending down.
I was a mess inside. Yes, I said a lot earlier in defense of my cleavage. Yes, I knew I was not just smart but also beautiful. I was sexy without trying too hard. I might not be considered an elitist, but I grew up following their standards. I grew up preparing for opportunities in the future when my dad would dress me up in social clothes so I could accompany him to any formal events once I was old enough. I prepared so I would look the part. I was regularly at the gym (except since the wedding), took care of my skin, made sure my feet could take on four to five inch heels, so on and so forth. And I prepared myself for Carl, too. I took care of my body so that when we grew up, he would finally see that I was worthy of being his girlfriend.
But I lost my dad early. Then my self-esteem took a hit because of what happened with Carl. And now suddenly, I was with someone like Jigo. I was beautiful. I would believe him when he said I was stunning. But in a sea of beautiful and sophisticated women, I felt like just a...
Dory. Just like fucking lost little Dory.
I laughed at the thought, and Jigo looked down at me. He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head right there on the red carpet. “Whatever you’re thinking, continue. You look more relaxed now.”
His kiss was really tender and sweet. Suddenly, the other guests and the press were looking at us. If I was nervous before, now I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. But I couldn’t let that show. I smiled up at him as if we were posing for a picture.
I could already imagine the media. The elite’s most eligible bachelor, being sweet to an... unknown. In his beige jacket, light denim blue shirt, and well-fitted charcoal trousers, he looked every bit the part. How the hell did I ever think I could look powerful in a beautiful, sexy dress—enough to look worthy of him—here? I didn’t even know how to handle the critical looks I was getting now from everyone around us because of Jigo’s PDA.
I would be researched, my life and background exposed. Would it survive the scrutiny?
“I know you’re famous, but I didn’t realize this is what it’s like to be famous,” I whispered back. “I feel so stupid.”
“You’re alright, Fae. You’re perfect. Stop fidgeting,” he ordered in a soft baritone near my ear again.
I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to embarrass Jigo so I forced myself to continue smiling, but I lowered my gaze at a few direct stares I caught, especially from the women.
Glamorous, sophisticated, hourglass-figured, and tall women. Compared to their self-confidence, I felt like a rag for cleaning floors.
I was surprised when Jigo pulled me in a different direction—we were leaving the red carpet. Holding my hand tightly, we weaved through the bodies and entered a corridor, then turned into another hallway.
Clearly, Jigo knew where he was going and I walked beside him, relieved for the reprieve he was providing me…