Chapter 30: You've always been

**Lawrence's POV**

If this call didn’t wake me up, I knew I wouldn’t stop yelling at Justine, which is not part of our deal. We agreed to this marriage out of convenience and for selfish reasons. She grabbed her phone and sighed. "Yes, Jasmine? Is there a problem?" she asks.

I continued driving and just focused on the road. I have to cool down my head until she finishes talking to her secretary. "If that’s the case, then let them do their rally. I will be making my surprise inspection on that day. Make sure that the factory workers won’t get hurt. Bring all the evidence and files that I need against that man. He should learn his lesson. He’ll also be an example to other employees," she replied.

I can’t hear Jasmine’s voice. I have an idea about the topic of their conversation but I’m still curious about it. "If their paid work leave and overtime fee are at stake, then we’ll give it back. They work hard for that and they deserve such an additional salary. Our employees were our backbone. I will take care of them in every way I can," she stated.

Justine looks serious when she says those words. I guess being the lady boss of a multibillion-dollar company isn’t easy. I, as a man, find it hard. The pressure and the work itself were heavy to handle sometimes.

"I don’t mind spending my wealth on what we will lose. I need my employees to be as happy and productive as they should be. That’s my joy as the head of the Martinez Empire. I have to go now. Keep me updated, okay?" she says. Justine puts her phone back on her blazer after dropping the line. She leans her body on the chair and closes her eyes after. She suddenly looks tired.

"I’ll drop you off at the nearest spa. You need to relax for the party. You looked stressed already," I calmly commented. She scoffs and looks at me with her weird glances. My wife is ready to continue our heated conversation. I have to be ready.

"I know I’m being too nosy. It’s just alarming to me whenever you suddenly shut yourself up and act cold and silent during a warm or good conversation. I’m just prying because I want to know how to handle you and walk on the same path as yours."

Justine leans her head on the window and sighes. She’s staring at her hands in her lap. "Lawrence, I want us to be open to each other, especially when it comes to our behavior. We have to deal with each other, right?" she added.

What she said was all true. We indeed need to understand each other. No one ever notices my behavior and believes whatever I say, like I’m just thinking of something or suddenly remembering that I have things that I haven’t finished yet.

But Justine, on the other hand, notices the other way, which is alarming for me. I didn’t know how to open up when it came to my emotions. No one even cared for me after my parents died years ago. Justine sighs.

"If you won’t tell, then I won’t force you. I know you’ll hate me if I ask further and I understand you for that, Lawrence. Let’s go home. I’ll take a rest and there's no need to drop me off at a spa. I can take care of myself," Justine says. I feel bad, especially when I yell at her. I just did what she said and drove us home.

Around 5 o’clock, we start preparing because the party will start at 7 o’clock in the evening. It’s a dinner party for the couple, who will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. I can hear the water from the shower.

She’s been there for 20 minutes. I look at the dress on our bed. I knew it would look great on her. I wonder if she can outshine my ex-fiancée. I know they’ll be there, as well as my aunt and uncle. It’ll be a rumble.

I went downstairs first and spoke with her grandmother. She says that the mayor invited her too but she says that it will be us who will represent her. "Where is she? Is she not ready yet?"

I was about to answer her when we heard footsteps from the staircase. We raise our heads and watch Justine as she walks gracefully in that red dress. She looks like a goddess!

That earring suits her perfectly, as she buns her hair elegantly messy. I think that’s a trend because I always saw that in different parties. I looked at her feet and saw those silver-jewel heels that she’s wearing. She kissed her grandma’s cheek and smiled.

"How do I look? Is it too flashy? What if Mrs. Mayor doesn’t like this?" she asks.

I was about to speak but her grandma spoke first. "I know her. She’s like a daughter to me. I told her I could make it but you guys will give her this. It’s my gift for her. Also, she’s not a fashion-jealous woman. I know she will compliment your taste, honey. Have fun, okay?" her grandma says.

Justine giggled and nodded. She looks at me. My wife held my hands and smiled when she saw the cufflinks on my sleeve. That’s her first gift to me. "You look stunning. Well, you’ve got good genes anyway. Well, we have to go now, grandma. Sleep early, okay?" Justine says. Her grandma nodded. Her eyes shifted toward me. I can tell that she’s trying to warn me. I know what she’s trying to imply. I can sense that.

"We'll go ahead. I will take care of her. I'm sure of that," I stated.

Grandma smiled right away. I held her palm tightly and we headed to the car we would be using. I choose to drive it myself because the party might last for hours and the driver will surely get bored with the fake smiles that he might witness.

On the road, I look at her from time to time. "Do I look weird? Just say what’s on your mind already," Justine says.

She turns around and looks at me. I laughed. "I just can’t believe that you’re so stunning that I pictured you when you’re still holding that dress. You can be more famous if you enter the world of fashion in the showbiz industry," I commented. She smirked, and yet her eyes were still on me. It makes me anxious.

"If I became famous, then fans would surely hate you for stealing me from them. Just kidding. I love my job and I don’t see myself as a model or whatnot. You already taste a model’s beauty so… it doesn’t matter, right?" Justine says.

I know she’s talking about Gianna. She became a famous model ambassador for different European brand names that are rocking the world of fashion. Now, she’s entering the showbiz world and I’m sure she’ll be famous in that field too.

"Why? Does it bother you if I’ve tasted many girls before marrying you?" I calmly ask.

She laughs and gives me those strange and funny glances. "It does. I have these doubts about whether I can even satisfy you. Girls have many talents in bed and giving pleasure to men," she replied. I dive the car slower.

I want to speak with her a little longer with no other people around us. It feels more comfortable than being surrounded by others. "Men indeed tasted every girlfriend or girl they dated. Well, we have our loyalty to a woman we’ll get addicted to. That would be a lifetime commitment," I stated. Her brow furrows, giving me those questionable glances. I laugh again.

"I love how stunning you are. You’ve always been anyway."

She looked at me and was confused because of what I said. I smiled and looked away. I drive the car much faster until we reach the house of the mayor. We arrive around 7:15 and their guest lets us in right away.

"Are you ready?" Justine asks.