Married to the King of L.A

SELINA'S POV I paused in front of the black gate, my heels tapping on the graveled floor as I stared at my phone for the third time. It was the right address. Jovian was supposed to meet me here, but where was he? The Lightwood manor glowed in the night sky as bright lights and music emitted from it. It was Madam Verna Lightwood’s birthday and Jovian, her son, had invited me to meet the family. I waited for this moment for two years and it was finally happening. The wide grin on my face was already making my cheeks ache. “He definitely wants to make us official,” I muttered with a giggle, adjusting my red wine dress before pushing the gate open. Immediately my eyes landed on Jovian I paused, taking a few seconds to breathe in the sweet scent of his perfume. He looked stunning in a well-tailored black tuxedo, his brown hair swept to the sides, a radiant smile tugging at his lips. I met him at a party two years ago, and it has been bliss ever since. “Jovian!” I called out, waving as I hurried towards him. “Welcome to the Lightwood manor Selina,” he said, as he took my hands gently, his soft lips brushing across my knuckles. “Come in, the party has started already.” A nervous sigh escaped my lips, my chest thumped as he led me into the hall. My breath hitched as the cool air swept my feet. Silver chandeliers covered the room in bright lights reflecting on the walls coated in gold foil. I had heard of the Lightwood luxury but experiencing it sent chills down my spine. My eyes landed on my future mother-in-law, seated elegantly with a glass of wine between her fingers. Her presence exuded authority, class and glamour. I stepped forward nervously. “Good evening, ma’am. I'm Selina Mercedes, Jovian's girlfriend.” Madam Verna smiled slowly, her eyes assessing every inch of my body like I was a piece from an auction. “Jovian has said so much about you. I see he wasn't wrong about your beauty.” I relaxed as a smile crept into my lips. “I'm making progress,” I thought, biting my lip joyfully. “But,” Madam Verna added, her voice pitched. As we all know, oil and water do not mix.” My smile fell. What did she mean? Before I could process the statement, a familiar voice chipped in. “Oh no! Jovian, haven't you told her yet?” Tatiana, Jovian's childhood best friend, appeared, feigning innocence. I groaned, noticing the same look in Tatiana's eyes—that old hateful look. It crawled up my skin, bursting every bubble of confidence I had left. “She looks so clueless,” Tatiana added with a smirk, her tone filled with satisfaction like she had been waiting for this moment—the moment where she took me down. My eyes ran through everyone's faces, looking for a clue about what Tatiana was talking about. Jovian stepped forward, his perfect smile vanished, his emotions blank. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny box. My heart jumped, seeing the box in his hands. “This is it,” I muttered, unable to hide my smile. Going down on one knee, he opened the box. “Will you marry me, Tatiana Wellington?” My ears tingled. “He said the wrong name, didn't he?” I mumbled, waiting for someone to confirm the mistake. But then, Tatiana stretched out her hand and Jovian slid the ring on her finger like they had waited for this moment their whole lives. In seconds, they meshed their lips with so much love and sincerity. The hall erupted in cheers and laughter. Congratulations flew past my head like I was invisible. I staggered backward, the world spinning. “I….I don't understand.” A sharp pain passed through my chest as hot tears gathered around my eyelids waiting for a signal to fall. “I can't marry you Selina,” Jovian said sternly. “I can only marry someone with influence, like Tatiana.” The tears began to stream freely down my cheeks. What did he mean by someone with influence? Was he trying to say I’m low class? “No hard feelings, Selina,” Tatiana said, wrapping her arms around Jovian. “Jovy bear couldn't bring himself to tell you.” I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth as I heard the nickname. To make it worse, an evil smile tugged at her lips. They fooled me for two years! All the lies, the pretenses. “Here,” Madam Verna stepped forward, holding a check. “Hundred thousand dollars. Take this and disappear!” The room went silent, faces pale, silent enough to hear my rough breaths. She was smiling a few minutes ago, and now she wants me to disappear? Why today of all days? Tatiana leaned closer, grinning. “Madam is being generous. Not every day is Christmas, so take it. Poor girls like you don't get this lucky.” My fingers clenched even tighter as murmurs and laughter erupted in the hall. I wanted the floor to open and take me. I shook my head, breathing heavily. “I..I can't take your money. It goes against everything I believe in. Madam Verna scoffed, throwing me a deadly glare. “Oh, I see. You just want to stay and leech on my son. Pathetic!” No! She was wrong. I never had the intention of doing that. I wanted to defend myself, but where was my voice? It was gone. Rich and scary faces locked on me, and it made me tremble. “I know people like you." "You’ll come crawling back,” Madam Verna said, narrowing her eyes. “Who do you think you are?” Tatiana raged. “Rejecting kindness from Madam?” “Let her go, Tatiana." "Let's not allow a common pauper to ruin my birthday,” Madam Verna waved. I fought silently with myself, not knowing if I was disappointed in Jovian for allowing me to be humiliated or disappointed in myself for being fooled by the two of them. As the crowd dispersed and the music came back o n, Tatiana smirked. “Jovian is mine.” Her words felt like sharp knives slicing through my chest. I turned and made my way to the bar with tears rolling, chest aching, legs weak. “Give me anything that's alcohol,” I muttered to the bartender, collapsing on a bar stool and tossing my light purse to the table. “Who do they think I am?" "Trying to bribe me?” I trembled, rubbing my hair aggressively. “If papa wasn't sick, they wouldn't have the guts to call me a pauper!” “Here, ma’am,” the bartender slid a glass towards me. Without hesitation, I gulped down the contents, and it left a burning sensation in my chest. “Another one,” I groaned, slamming the glass on the table. “Feisty,” a baritone voice said beside me. “And a drinker.” I turned, assessing the tall figure leaning casually against the bar. He had a sharp jawline, dark hair and incredibly beautiful grey eyes. The light above our heads exposed his face. He looked like he popped out of a vogue magazine. I stared for too long, then poured another cup into my mouth slowly. “Will you spend the night with me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Are you serious?” he asked back, raising an eyebrow. I nodded, too tipsy for long talks. His eyes narrowed, his fingers stroking his chin like he was in deep thoughts. “Are you sure of what you’re asking?” his voice sliced through the small silence again. “I don't mind, just make me forget tonight,” I pleaded. I needed something to get my mind off what had happened and here he was. The man led me outside, away from the music and murmurs, towards a dark corner where a sleek black car waited. “Lucky for you,” he said, pulling the door open. "My hotel is just two blocks away." It sounded like I had won something, but I didn't mind. I jumped in, clutching my purse tight and ready for a ride to wherever he would take me. The hotel suite was luxurious with soft sheets, warm lights, calmer and more peaceful than the Lightwood manor. “Jonas,” he said on his phone. “Cancel everything scheduled for this evening." " Everything.” Then he turned to me. “Remember, you asked for this." "I don't hold back,” he said, locking his grey eyes on mine, his voice low and deep. I trembled, unsure of what I wanted at the moment. A distraction and this was it. “I don't care, just make me forget.” He kissed me roughly as his hands grabbed my waist, placing me gently on the soft covers of the bed. “Don't hold back please,” I muffled in between the kisses, my lips pouting even more. His hands caressed my body gently as I released soft moans in response to his touch. He took off his clothes hurriedly as he pinned me to the bed. With one stroke, he pulled down my dress, leaving me bare before his eyes. My hands brushed his chest and back, and I could feel the planes and contours of it. He trailed kisses from my lips, to my neck, then down to my chest as I grabbed his hair roughly. In a few moments, he parted my legs, releasing his weight onto me. My muffled screams of pain and pleasure filled the room. After multiple thrusts and a heated night, we both collapsed into a deep sleep. Sunlight invaded the room, part of it spilling on my face. I blinked slowly, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. My body ached everywhere and the memories of the previous night flooded my mind. I turned and saw him asleep, his weight sinking his part of the bed. I rose quietly, not wanting to wake him as I winced. This wasn't how I planned my first s*x. It was supposed to mean something with Jovian, not some gigolo, but I picked myself up, shaking off particles of regret. I glanced at the man one last time, then slipped a five-hundred dollar Bill into his hand. “Thanks for the night,” I mumbled. I shivered as I realized what was waiting for me outside that building.