DIRTY SECRETS OF A BILLIONAIRE

THE PUBLIC

As Aviva stood frozen to the floor in the doorway, Connell silently cussed in disappointment. Her features contorted into a mix of anguish and disbelief. Her eyes once bright and full of love now seemed to shrink as if retreating from the unbearable truth. The sparkle in them dulled and was now replaced by a deep, hollow sadness. ‘Who was this lady and why was she holding him that way?’

Time seemed to slow down as Aviva tried to process the scene before her. The room spun and she felt like she was drowning in a sea of pain and betrayal. Aviva tried to console herself, saying that she wasn't supposed to expect less from a famous and outstanding billionaire, of course he'd have many ladies around him. But the sound of her own heartbeat was defeaning, a relentless drumbeat that echoed in the shattered remains of her heart.

“Wow, look who's here” Connell broke the awkward silence in a sarcastic tone and it was then Aviva regained herself. What was she doing? She should've expected something like that from Jace, she probably was just too dumb to think of it.

Therefore she cleared her throat and forced a smile “I'm sorry I had no idea you were busy, I'll come back later” Her small voice echoed in the office as she hurriedly turned and left.

Jace abruptly brushed Alissa's hands off his shoulders and she scoffed.

“Baby are you upset with me because of that thing” she said out of disgust with folded arms.

“Now isn't the time Alissa, I need my space” Jace said without any trace of emotions in his dead-looking eyes and Alissa knew better than to disturb him.

Jace knew that the girl wouldn't have paid him a visit if his mom wasn't involved, therefore he couldn't blame her. A part of him began to feel guilty for welcoming her into his office with such sight for the first time. But he shrugged the thought of, she'd get used to it with time, he told himself.

Alissa noticed that Jace was lost in thought and she guessed it to be because of the girl so she suddenly spoke “Why does she look like a freaking 14 years old? Is she a drop out?” Alissa asked no one in particular, trying to think about something other than the girl's shocking beauty.

“It's called an ever young features, the girl's a damsel” Connell boasted like it was his wife with a triumphant smirk lingering on his face but one hard glare from Jace was enough to pull him out of his stupefied state.

Aviva got to where her ride was parked outside and got in as fast as she could, she wanted to leave the building badly, hoping for the scene to also leave her head. Martins was surprised to see her in such a haste, she didn't spend up to a minute in there and now she's out.

“Young miss, is everything okay?” He had to ask, noticing her downcasted features.

“Yes, please let's go” She smiled wryly. Hazel who was sitting beside Aviva also noticed the girl struggles in maintaining her composure. Of course Aviva wasn't going shed tears like a goddamn two years old baby, no, not at all. In fact she wouldn't have experienced that scene if only Mrs Hilton didn't call her.

Earlier, when she was on her way to the boutique consulting firm, she received a text from Mrs Hilton, telling her that she should pay Jace a visit at his workplace. Mrs Hilton told Aviva to visit him only two bring them together, she knew how Jace was so she thought that if she added her effort to their relationship it would pay off. But she was wrong, sending Aviva to his workplace didn't work out so well, not like she knew about it.

The car pulled up in front of quirky observation store. She was accompanied by Hazel who was gonna gibe her some suggestions on what to pick, Henry who'd make all the payments that needed to be made and Martins who'd drive them home.

Aviva wandered through the bustling shopping mall and, her feet carried her on autopilot as her mind drifted elsewhere. Hazel occasionally asked for her preferences on the wedding dress to draw back her attention but Aviva's responses were distant and preoccupied. Aviva wandered through the wedding dress stand, her eyes scanning the racks of white gowns without really seeing them. Just yesterday, she had been thrilled to start shopping for her wedding dream dress, but that was before she saw Jace with that lady in his office.

The memory of their intimate position, how Jace seemed shocked to see her still stung. Aviva tried her best to pretend that everything was fine but her heart was heavy with doubt and hurt. Hazel excitedly browsed through the dresses like she was the bride to be, but Aviva cared less. As they stopped to admire a beautiful lace gown, Hazel noticed Aviva’s distraction.

“Young miss, is everything okay? You seem a little off?” Hazel asked, concern etched her face.

Aviva forced a smile, not wanting to ruin the afternoon. “I'm just a little stressed about the wedding that's all” She replied, trying to brush off the Hazel's concern.

But as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, Aviva couldn't help but wonder if she was making a mistake by marrying Jace. The doubt lingered, refusing to be ignored as she might have to answer that question to the public.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of shopping and socializing, but Aviva's heart wasn't in it. She went through the motions, pretending to be interested in the latest fashion trends and must-have accessories, but her mind was a thousand miles away, stuck on the painful reality of her troubled relationship.

After few minutes, she was done with all the shopping even though Hazel was the one who did most of the selections. She was a whole lot taken aback to see bunch of curious reporters waiting outside for them. Now she really had to answer her thoughts publicly.