Femme Fatale

Chapter 5: Hands Intertwined

"She was so beautiful, confident and elegant. So unlike every other girl he encountered."

VERA

"Where are you going, Amore?"

I just shrugged and continued stepping away from him.

"I'm heading back to the empire. I still need to prepare before attending an important meeting later this afternoon."

I don't know why I'm explaining this to him. It just came out of my mouth naturally. He's not even my husband, but why am I already like this?

"Hmm okay. I'll escort you outside then."

I briefly nodded at him. And as I started walking, I was shocked when he suddenly held my right hand. He held it with pure gentleness. His fingers perfectly filled the spaces between mine.

I sighed heavily. Damn, how many times will he render me speechless with his unexpected actions and sweet advances?

I swallowed hard and looked at him again. Then my eyes traveled to our intertwined hands, making me blush profusely. I also felt tiny sparks in our clasped hands.

Oh, gosh. I probably looked like a high school teenager blushing wildly just because her crush held her hand. Am I physically attracted to him? I really can't help it, especially when he looks so dashing, and he smells really nice as well.

The moment we entered the elevator, I noticed the lingering stares of hotel guests and staff, especially on our intertwined hands. Bewilderment and amusement were very evident in their reactions.

I can't blame them though. I entered completely alone earlier, and now I am walking hand in hand with their boss.

And as we stepped inside, they still kept on watching us intently, but nobody dared to say a word. In fact, everybody seemed so quiet.

"Are you okay Amore?" Jaco asked when he noticed my silence and uneasiness.

I concluded that he's probably oblivious of his surroundings. He didn't know that a lot of eyes were glued on us. Or maybe he's just so used to people's attention that he didn't mind it at all. Though I also felt lucky because it seemed like his eyes were focused only on me. I smiled softly at him before nodding my head.

I don't know why I felt sad when he suddenly pulled his hand away from mine. But then after a few seconds, he placed it on my waist, nudging me closer to him. I then stifle a smile. He's really clingy and protective. Well, I wouldn't mind at all. I don't know, but I find his touch comfortable.

I suddenly heard some of the employees' soft murmurs.

"Sir Jaco's girlfriend?" a hotel staff member asked.

"I guess so. You don't know her? She's the famous 'Vera Paige Claudette'. The only heiress of Claudette's Clothing Empire." the other staff exaggeratedly answered.

When the elevator dinged, reaching the first floor, Jaco immediately escorted me outside. His hand still possessively snaked on my waist. And as we finally reached the parking lot of their hotel, I smiled when I saw my bodyguards standing and patiently waiting for me near my car.

Before getting inside, I faced Jaco, who was already looking at me with his hooded eyes.

For the ninth time, I looked away just because I couldn't handle the emotions bottling up inside me.

"Amore," he whispered, and tried to catch my vision. He gently brushed my hair with his fingers. Then he took his phone out of his pocket. "Here's my phone. Save your number there. We'll have our first dinner date later, okay? I'll just text you the details."

My lips parted and thought about what he said.

I noticed him swallowing hard before licking his lower lips, anticipating my response. Hmm. He's perfectly aware that he's irresistible, and he's using it to play his cards well.

I groaned in my head. Vera. Vera. Vera. You seem pretty light-headed and distracted right now.

I don't know, but there's just something in him that I can't resist. I just shrugged and followed what he said, saving my number on his phone.

"See you later, Mi Amore," Jaco whispered huskily, before closing the door of my car.

I saw my bodyguards bowing their heads to Jaco before they stepped inside the car. They remained silent, not even uttering any word. And then I glanced back at the man who made me feel alive in just the first few minutes that we'd met. His gray eyes still lingered on my car.

I let go of a long sigh. Focus, Vera.

During the whole ride heading back to the empire, I was also silent and completely in a daze.

My conversation with Jaco kept replaying in my head. His sweet words and actions kept bugging my mind and kept on creating chaos in my heart.

I deeply sighed again and then shook my head afterward.

Oh, Vera, you need to clear your mind. Remember, you still have a board meeting to attend.

I fixed myself first and regained my composure before entering the empire. I kept my head held high and smiled a bit when I saw how my employees looked at me like a queen was strutting along the way.