Chapter 32: Hidden interest

Justine's POV

I was controlling my breath when our faces were just an inch from each other. Lawrence was teasing me and I can tell that. My lips are agape because of what he says. He was looking at a couple that was suddenly dancing next to us.

It was Jaxon and his ex-fiancée. I nodded when I finally understood what he meant by that. I nodded, pulled Gianna away from Jaxon and let my husband hold her. I grab Jaxon’s hand and make sure he’ll look at me.

"What? Are you afraid Gianna will go back to your cousin and you‘ll lose, as always?" I mocked.

Jaxon’s face turned sour and he changed it right away. He faked a smile and tried his best not to hit me or anyone else. I knew he wouldn’t cause a stir or else his parents would have to apologize to the mayor.

"What are you trying to prove to me? Are you trying to say that all I can do is steal from that bastard? Are you mocking me because I can’t have things that he will desire and take away from me?" Jaxon stated. I can sense the madness in his tone. He knew that everything he said was true.

We are already far from where his fiancée and my husband dance. I saw how my husband pulled Gianna closer when Jaxon was on his way. I guess Jaxon knew that his cousin was more than just a workaholic and stupid man. I laugh and tease him more. His eyes were on me again.

I took that chance and switched into my cold and menacing expression. "Why would you even think? Isn’t that the case? You only knew how to steal but that will never label you as the superior one. You’re just nothing but a jealous cousin who can’t even build his own character."

I move my face closer and look into his eyes. He must remember what he did to me. "You really think I forgot the reason why you tried to rape me before, huh? You just want to show off to your foolish friends that you're the biggest and foolishest bully in the school. You think you’ll surpass Lawrence’s popularity."

He turns pale. Making him remember what he did to me is something that scares him. He was about to get closer to Gianna and Lawrence but I moved on the other side. I’m not finished blaming him yet. Jaxon needs to listen to me intently.

"Stop trying, because I'll never feel guilty. You should even thank me if I succeed the first time. A fatso will never lose their virginity because they’re nothing but a laughingstock in this society. You need to remember that, fat pig bitch," Jaxon stated. I smirk. I look down on him because his insults are now nothing but shallow words that I can forget easily. I laugh.

"You really think that would hurt me. Jaxon Walters, if I were you, don’t be happy too much. I will make sure that Lawrence will do everything that I’ll say. Gianna, the woman you dreamed of, will crawl back to your cousin that you hate the most," I stated, mostly threatening him.

I moved backward and let him go. He was standing in the middle of the dance floor and was clueless that the song had ended. He didn’t realize that because he was stunned by what I said.

I walked towards our table after I saw how Gianna pulled his fiancée back to where her soon-to-be in-laws were. My husband pulled up my chair and took his seat after. I can feel his gaze on me.

"What is it? Is there dirt on my face?" I ask. I knew the answer would be no but I just want to start a conversation with Lawrence.

He shook his head. "It looks like you're having fun dancing with my cousin, huh?" Lawrence says. I notice the animosity in his tone. Is he jealous? No, that’s impossible!

"Me? Touching him again reminds me of that time when he—shit! I will never enjoy being around your cousin, who is a rapist. You need to remember that," I asserted firmly.

I knew he could see the hatred in my eyes. No matter how many years pass, I’ll always remember that time. I almost lost my dignity and chastity as a woman! I grab another drink from the waiter that passes by. I drink it at once, even if it burns my throat. I raised my head and saw the man behind me.

It was my ex-boyfriend. "Nathan, well, I knew you'd get invited by the mayor to his celebration. Good to see you again," I stated.

He bent over while holding the arms of the chair. His face was too close to mine. Nathan is a nice guy. He was sweet and gentlemanly. He knows how to treat a woman and that’s the truth. "You look beautiful as always. No matter what size you are, Justine..." he mumbles.

Nathan looks at me with a gentle expression in his eyes. I guess he was serious when he told me that I'm still the woman that his heart wants. If only I could teach my heart to love him again instead of dwelling on this tricky marriage.

"If I'm an ice cream, I'm already in liquid form. You're too close and staring too much, Nathan," I said.

He stood straight and faced Lawrence. "It's been a while, Mr. Edwards. The last time we met each other was at a forum that businessmen attended seven months ago in Mexico," Nathan says.

My husband didn’t say a word and he’s just looking at him. I was about to grab another glass of alcohol when Nathan held my wrist and stopped me. "Drinks, sir and ma'am?" the waiter says.

"No, we're good. Thank you," Nathan says. The waiter smiled and left our table. I looked up and glared at him.

"I know you have a high alcohol tolerance but you shouldn't drink too much. It's not good for your health. You should enjoy the food instead. Don’t drink again, okay?" Nathan says.

He even raised his right hand and stuck out his index finger while telling me those words. I chuckled. I remember how he pampered me before. "Yes, boss," I replied, teasing him.

Nathan laughs. He brushes my head before walking away. I sit straight and grab the utensil that I’ll use for the appetizer.

"It looks like you listen to him, huh?" Lawrence says.

I ate the first one before meeting his gaze. His face might be calm but his aura was heavier than earlier. I simply smiled and nodded. I was busy chewing my food. I lean my face into my hand. After devouring my food, I replied.

"Yup. Nathan was a sweet guy. He was my boyfriend for just a few months but he accepts me for who I am. I am still a fat pig when he courts me. He feeds me well but he makes sure that I won’t eat more than I should," I whimper.

I grab the water and take a sip. I cried too when we broke up because I knew I loved him, even for a short while. I learned that he left because of his dad, who needs him in Italy.

His parents were divorced, and he continued his studies in Italy while being with his dad, who was fighting prostate cancer a few years ago. I noticed his sour expression while drinking his brandy. I stopped eating and asked Lawrence.

"What's wrong, Lawrence? Are you mad because Gianna and Jaxon are acting lovey-dovey and showing it off when we’re dancing?" I ask.

That’s the only reason I can think of. He sighed and looked at me with such a dark expression. If eyes will glow when a person is mad, he’s showing such a face. "How dense can you be, huh?" Lawrence replied.

I was a bit confused, but I chose to speak with him properly. I was about to talk when I noticed that his aunt was walking towards our table.