Chapter 3

• Ivanna’s PoV
• I didn’t do much all day. I just went shopping, visited some new places, and was only with Jax, who was someone else—not a friend, not a lover. And that was very strange to me.
• I’ve never been anywhere random, especially without my best friend—Bri and Tatiana—cause, as Jax once said, no one didn’t know me. This afternoon, some people crowded around to ask for a photo session with me. Luckily, Jax was there to protect me and remove me from the crowd that wasn’t just one or a few people but dozens of people.
• “Jax, what are you doing? They want to take a picture with me!” I snapped as Jax led me away, wrapping his sturdy arms around me after covering my head with his jacket.
• I felt like a criminal who had to run and sneak away from people. What’s wrong with taking a quick picture anyway?
• “Didn’t you see? They weren’t just one or two people, Miss. Ten or maybe more. Are you sure you can fulfill their wish of taking a photo, and then that’s it? One is done, and another will come. You’re not an actress who just came out yesterday afternoon. No one doesn’t know you,” he replied, sounding overprotective.
• Well, I can understand his concern if that’s how he feels. Or it could just be formality and professionalism because that’s his job. But at least give one or two people a chance.
• “Besides, this isn’t a meet and greet event. Today is your day off. And don’t you see some reporters—”
• “Enough, Jax. You’re neither my assistant nor manager, so please know your limits.”
• “I’m sorry, Miss.”
• And he was silent.
• Okay, I know that he is indeed running errands. However, could he not cross the boundary between his work and mine? If he has to protect, do it while I do my work.
• And when I got home, I didn’t talk to Jax at all—because we had no interest in it. And I just wanted to find Bri to vent my frustration on.
• When I walked into my office, Bri was there, looking at the sheet before her and then focusing on the iPad.
• “Hey, how was the trip? What did you shop for?” Bri asked without taking her eyes off the object in her hands.
• I flopped down on the sofa and rested my feet on the table. I closed my eyes for a moment before finally answering Bri’s question.
• “I don’t know what happened. Damon never allowed me to come with him and Tatiana and the weird Jax, then… there’s another one, Bri!”
• I got up and hurriedly pulled out a chair to sit near my best friend.
• “This sounds like an interesting story. Spill it!” Bri said, then pushed aside the object before her to listen to me.
• This is what I love about Bri. She was always there whenever I needed her. I won’t complain if she’s not available when immersed in her busy schedule at the studio; that’s what she likes the most. At least when I want her presence, she still tries to be there.
• I tried to remember the events of last night that made me feel like an insane person the following day.
• “Before I ask, do you feel anything strange about Damon? I mean, maybe his gestures or his behavior. I know you weren’t always here, but you must have had some one-on-one conversations with him. Don’t you think he looks different?” I asked. Honestly, I didn’t know where to start.
• I didn’t want to come across as accusing randomly or looking like a possessive girlfriend. I just wanted to know what was going on.
• And Brianna just shook her head.
• “I haven’t noticed anything strange except for his being busy lately. What’s the matter? Do you sense something going on with him?”
• “I don’t know, Bri. I just—maybe it was just a nightmare, but somehow it felt so real. I witnessed Damon having sex with someone.”
• Bri looked wide-eyed when she heard my explanation. She then shifted her chair to get closer and started listening. I could see the serious look on her face. Of course, she should have been surprised; for all she knew, Damon and I had never had any problems.
• Not even about my jealousy of Tatiana—something I’ve been feeling recently.
• Or maybe she already knew; she just chose to keep quiet and pretend she didn’t know. I don’t know.
• “Are you sure? I mean, Vans… you’ve been having a bad time the last while; it would be possible if you were more sensitive because you could be having—you know what I mean.”
• “No, I don’t. I don’t know what you mean,” I snappishly replied.
• Maybe Bri was right. But still, I wouldn’t like it if everyone I told about what I was going through then assumed it had something to do with the lousy incident I’d just had.
• And another thing, Bri’s statement just now made it sound like the problem came from me, not Damon and Tatiana. What if it was? Should I go to psychiatry for my problems?
• “Vans, I hope you don’t get angry just yet. Many people who work in the entertainment industry suffer from pressure, stress, and even depression. Other mental problems as well. Especially you who had been through something terrible. I want to point out that it’s okay if you do. I’m here, and I care about you, Vans. I love you, so if you have it, let’s work it out.”
• I shrugged at Bri’s long-winded words. I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. So I got up and intended to leave her to get back to work.
• “And let’s finish this conversation. Get back to work because I’ll need the details of my schedule soon and your latest design,” I said and hurried away before Bri started talking again.
• To hell with her opinion!
• ***
• I didn’t realize I was ranting to my room. Nor did I realize who was following me to my private room. And it was when I slammed the door that I realized Jax was there.
• Oh, God! That must have hurt a lot.
• “Oh, my God, Jax! Oh, I’m sorry. Are you hurt?” I asked, immediately checking his nose, which looked slightly blue among his pale white skin.
• Why didn’t I care when I was about to slam the door, and what was he doing there?
• “It’s alright, Miss. I’m fine,” he replied calmly.
• I knew it must have hurt. However, it was strange that instead of being reddish, Jax’s nasal bone was slightly gray and almost bluish.
• “Are you sick? I just realized that you’re very pale.” My hand unintentionally reached out and caressed his face with a look of confusion and disbelief at what I was seeing.
• Also, what I was feeling right now made me unable to think logically. Because Jax’s body felt so cold, even as if frozen. I withdrew my hand and looked at him, who flinched and only returned my gaze with an expression I couldn’t read.
• “Sorry, I just wanted to see if you had a fever. If you’re sick, you can get a rest. There’s an empty room on the first floor; you can rest and use it. Sorry, I just realized I haven’t been paying attention to you these past few days.”
• “No problem, Miss. I’ve always gone home when my duty is done.”
• I nodded in understanding, though I couldn’t believe he had gone home and rested. And his icy body was probably the result of him never taking the time to rest. I guess that’s why he always had to inject something like what I saw that night.
• “You can use that room from now on. I insist. Anyway, it looks like you’ll have to stand guard more often. Don’t refuse it; you deserve it.”
• The man nodded, then looked back at me.
• “What’s going on? Do you have something to say?”
• “Just wanted to ask, is something bothering you? You’ve been looking so upset since yesterday.”
• I bit my lip, considering whether it would be okay to ask him about Damon. I had blacked out and didn’t remember anything. Maybe Jax knew about Damon and the woman he had sex with.
• “Jax, that night I woke up and didn’t find you anywhere. I’m not sure, but I think when I fainted, you were the one who helped me first. Is that right?”
• The man nodded. And at that moment, I felt like I could ask him about Damon. He must have also witnessed what was in front of my eyes—in front of our eyes.
• “Did you witness it, too? I mean, I saw Damon there, and he was fucking a woman. Did you see the same thing?”
• The man audibly sighed but didn’t respond to my question in the way I expected.
• “Jax, please say something. You know, Damon and I aren’t just lovers. We’re engaged. If he betrayed me, then I had to make the right decision. That’s why I have to have evidence and witnesses. Did you see what I saw?”
• Jax nodded. His face looked as if he was resigned to whatever my question was.
• “Who was that woman, Jax?” I asked. My chest was already rumbling, my stomach churning as I worried about the answer I would hear from this man. However, I had to prepare myself to hear Jax’s answer.
• “That woman is you, Ms. Sanchez. It was you who had sex with Mr. Alejandro that night. And I’m sure of it.”