Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 10

{VICTORIA}

JACKSON handed me a shiny gold envelope. It was truly exquisite, adorned with an intricately carved pattern on the paper that screamed elegance. I even took a moment to smell it because it had a pleasant fragrance that didn't disappoint. Its scent was reminiscent of a captivating perfume, like golden sprinkles tickling my nose.

"What's this for?" I wondered aloud, asking him curiously.

We were both inside our office, just the two of us as usual. I was seated in my swivel chair while he sat across from me on the table that was in front of me, facing me directly.

"Open it," he exclaimed, his excitement evident as he grinned from ear to ear.

I slowly and carefully opened the envelope, making sure not to damage it. There was a seal blocking its opening. I couldn't help but feel excited about what is inside. I couldn't think of anything it could be for.

Inside, I found an invitation. The title read, "Grand Ball for the most prominent persons in the World." Below it, our names, Jackson and mine, were written. I looked up at him, my brows furrowing in confusion.

"What's this? Why am I included?" I asked him, puzzled.

It was not surprising for me that Jackson would be invited to such an event, given that he ranked second in wealth in Italy, following his billionaire father. The fact that he would inherit his father's fortune would make him a trillionaire someday.

"Of course, you're my girlfriend now. Expect that every invitation for me includes your name as my partner," Jackson said, smiling at me.

He cupped my face with both hands. "You're really my girlfriend now. I still can't believe my eyes, seeing you here with me like this," he added tenderly. He looked at me with admiration in his eyes. Ever since I accepted him into my life, he had been like this—amazed and unable to believe that I had said yes to being his girlfriend.

We both felt the same way. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself when I remembered the promise I made to never fall in love again. Clearly, Jackson had made me break my own vow, and I couldn't resist his charm.

I WAS just staring at the ceiling of my room. Demi was sleeping beside me, hugging her big teddy bear. Dad was also asleep in the other bed. We only have one room in the house, but it's quite spacious, almost the size of two rooms. The only source of light in my room right now is a small lampshade beside me.

I let out a deep sigh because I didn't know what to do. Earlier, I was very happy and excited when Jackson asked me to go to the ball with him. And now, I'm carrying the invitation back home, and Jackson told me to keep it for now because he might lose it or forget where to put it.

When I got home, I carefully examined the whole content of the invitation. It felt like a cold splash of water when I found out where it's going to take place, New Orleans. The place I didn't want to go back to. Immediately, only one person came to my mind. I looked for his name in the long list of invited guests, and I was not mistaken because he was on the list.

My heart started beating fast, and I started sweating at that moment. I wasn't ready to see him, not because I haven't moved on from him because I already did a long time ago. Jackson and I haven't talked about Demi's father yet. He doesn't ask, and I don't know how to tell him everything.

I also don't know how to tell him that I will decline the invitation. I don't know what excuse I can give him. Plus, it's not the right time for Demi to meet her father. Jackson wanted us to bring Demi to the ball because for him, we're already a family.

Yes, you heard that right. I have already accepted the idea that it's inevitable for Demi to know her real father. I'm open to that now. Jackson has helped me overcome the bitterness of my life. But it's just not the right time yet. Jackson and I are just starting, and I don't want to revisit my dark past for now.

"MR. Bianchi!" I exclaimed in surprise as the man entered my office. Jackson wasn't here at the moment because he said he had something important to take care of, and it was supposed to be a secret for now.

He smiled at me, revealing his white teeth. "Am I bothering you?" he asked, seeming a bit shy.

I quickly shook my head and got up from my swivel chair, inviting him to sit with me on the couch.

"No, Sir. Do you need something from me or from Sir Jackson?" I asked him.

He just laughed at me, which made me furrow my brow. What was so funny about what I said?

"You don't need to call my son that way in front of me. Don't be shy around me," he said, amused.

I smiled shyly in response.

"By the way, I just dropped by. I wanted to meet you personally. I want to get to know the woman who my only son always talks about," he added.

I couldn't speak. All I could manage was a smile. I grew to love Jackson even more because of what I heard.

"Thank you," was all I could say.

"By the way, where is Demi? I also want to meet her. I heard she's a very lively child," he asked.

I paused for a moment. So he already knows that I have a child. But he seems to fully accept everything about me, just like his son does. And I'm very happy to know that.

"I didn't bring her today. She's at home with Dad," I replied with a smile. He nodded.

"Well, I'll be going now. I have a board meeting to attend. I'm very happy to finally meet you, the woman who makes my son the happiest man in the world," he bid me farewell.

I couldn't help but hug him tightly. I heard his soft laughter and felt his warm embrace in return. He was just like my Dad. I'm sure they would get along when they finally meet.

I couldn't believe that a billionaire like him would be this kind. That's why it's not surprising that Jackson is also so kind and down to earth. He was raised well by his father.

After a while, we let go of each other's embrace. I escorted him to the door of the office. But before Mr. Bianchi finally left, he had one more thing to say to me.

"And also, about the grand ball. I suppose Jackson has already told you about it, so I'll be expecting you and your daughter to come with us to New Orleans," he reminded me.

I was stunned for a moment. But I could only smile and nod at him. When he finally left, I weakly closed the office door. I sat back down on the couch, resting my head on the headrest. My hands felt numb and cold.

There's only one week left until the event. Until now, I haven't found the right moment to tell Jackson that I'm backing out of our plan. I also didn't have the courage to tell him. Every day, when I see the smiles on his face, I can't bring myself to break that.

I WAS drinking the coffee that Jackson brought me from the cafe in his father's company when he suddenly faced me. He had just returned from an important task that he had mentioned to me before he left earlier in the morning.

Before I knew it, he planted a quick kiss on my lips. My eyes widened at what he did, and I was momentarily unable to react.

"What was it you were saying?" he asked casually, as if it was nothing. I could see the playful smile escaping from his lips.

"Why did you kiss me?" I pretended to be angry as I asked him, but deep inside, I was craving more of his kisses. Damn! He had such a strong effect on me.

"Just a kiss for now, since we're in the office and I can't make love to you right now," he jokingly replied. He was facing me with a smirk.

I could feel my cheeks heating up. I felt weak in the knees because of the way he was looking at me. I thought it would end there, but I was even more stunned as he slowly moved his face closer to mine. I tried to retreat, but I was stopped by the backrest of my swivel chair.

"I was asking you what you were saying earlier," he insisted. He was really good at seducing me.

I pushed him away slightly. He burst into loud laughter that echoed in every corner of our office. It's a good thing it's soundproof here. No one will hear his craziness.

I gave him a stern look, but he laughed even harder to the point that he had to hold his stomach because of the intense laughter. He pointed at my face.

"You looked so epic earlier! You, huh. You're getting all giddy about me again," he teased, which annoyed me.

"Get out of here! I'm starting to hate the way you look at me. It feels like I want to strangle a billionaire right now!" I threatened him.

"Sorry, wifey!" he said in a cute voice and even made puppy eyes at me. Then he kissed me again without giving me any warning.

"You're going too far!" I sternly told him, but eventually, a smile broke on my lips. I couldn't resist.

"I knew you liked it," he said with a laugh before I pretended to choke him.

I WAS in awe when Jackson and I reached the rooftop. In the middle of the garden, there was a dining table set up with two chairs. It looked like a dinner date. There were also many lights hanging on the plants around us, illuminating the area. Above us, the sky was dark, but it was filled with numerous stars.

"What is this for?" I asked Jackson, although I already knew the answer.

"It's our first-month anniversary, and I wanted to celebrate this very special day. I made all of this myself. I could have taken you to fancy restaurants, but I wanted to make an effort for you," he said affectionately to me.

He planted a little kiss on my forehead. I smiled, and he did the same. He guided me to a chair and pulled it out for me. Then he went to play soft music on a phonograph not far from us, placed on a small dwarf table.

"Thank you for this," I said with a smile before we started eating.

In front of us were two glasses of wine, my favorite ube leche flan cake, rice with grilled barbecue, and a perfectly ripe mango as a side dish. All of these were my favorites.

That's why he kept asking me about my favorite foods the other day. He had planned to make me taste all of them today, on the day of our first month anniversary.

"You're always welcome, wifey!" he said with a grin.

Even though we were already a couple, nothing had changed about him. He was still the same playful Jackson that I met before. He was very adorable and had a childlike nature that was far from what one would expect from a billionaire. But that was one of the reasons why I loved him.

"So, 'wifey' is really your endearment for me?" I asked him with a laugh while we were eating. I had already taken a bite. I couldn't resist just looking at the food in front of me.

"Why, is it bad?" he asked seriously, as if pondering. I just shook my head and smiled. Well, I loved it.