CHAPTER 61
The following day, I woke up early and left the house to go to the salon. I need to look perfect for tonight. This is my first time going to an event with Jason as his girlfriend. I wonder what his associates I met before we started dating would think when they hear we are dating. I know a lot of people are going to misjudge the reason I am with Jason, but I won’t let it bother me. I shake my head to drive away those negative thoughts. Jason knows my feelings for him are true, and that’s all that matters. What people think does not matter.
I spend my morning getting my nails done and washing my hair. I will have it styled an hour or two before the event. Amber and I are walking to the food court at the mall where the salon is. We came to the salon together. We just finished.
“Have you thought about if you are going to do it with Jason while you guys will be in Bora Bora?” Amber asks as we pass a Victoria secret store. The lingerie must have reminded her of sex.
“I have been thinking about it every day, and, Amber, I still don’t know if I would do it or not”
“What is making you feel unsure about having sex with him? Are you still worried he might just be with you for your body?”
“No, I am not; I know he is with me because he likes me. I just want to make sure that no matter what happens. I won’t regret giving him my first time.”
“Do you love him?”
“Why would you ask me that? I don’t think I have fallen in love with him yet. We haven’t been together that long” I am a little shocked she asked me if I love Jason. Is it possible to be in love with him already? How would I even know I am in love with him? I know my feelings for him are growing every day, but I won’t call it love yet.
“People fall in love after one month of dating. You guys have been together for four. I don’t think I asked too soon, but anyways I wanted to know if you love him or might be falling in love with him.”
“Why”
“Because if you loved him or might be falling in love with him. You won’t be so worried about having sex with him.”
“Oh, I don’t think I have fallen in love with him yet.”
“I am actually surprised you say you haven’t.”
“Really, why”
“A few weeks ago, you decided to stay with him and help him raise his child that’s not yours. I actually thought you did it because you love him.”
“Really, is it possible that I am in love with him, and I don’t know?” I ask, scratching my head. This love thing is so complicated.
“I don’t think so, but I believe you are on the path too,” Amber says, smiling.
“Really, you think so.”
“I believe so.”
“Wow, this is a lot to take in.”
“Don’t think too deeply about it. When the time comes, you will know how you truly feel about him”
“Yeah, you are right. I will.”
Thirty minutes before the event, the makeup artist and hairstylist are done helping me get ready. I can do my makeup and hair well by myself, but I felt it would be better to get it done by professionals. I don’t want to give all those evil witches of the west a reason to say I don’t look good enough to be Jason’s girlfriend.
I put on my dress with the help of the makeup artist. I am wearing a nude greige tulle gown featuring a halter neckline, blue accents, and hand-embroidered silk thread and crystals. I walk to my closet to get my shoes to wear them but can’t find them. I quickly pick up my phone and call Uncle Jack to ask him if he has seen my shoes.
“Hi dear,” He says once he picks up.
“Did you take my shoes I bought for tonight’s event and keep them somewhere else in the house? I can’t find it in my closet.”
“No, I didn’t. Did you check your closet properly?” He asks
“Yes, I did. Do you know where it might be in the house?” I feel the urge to bite my nails right now. I do that when I am worried about something. It’s a good thing they are too beautiful looking for me to destroy them with my teeth. I painted my nails black. I didn’t feel like doing a flashy design on my nails.
“No, I don’t know where it might be. Have you checked my room”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“Not yet”
“Maybe you should check. It’s possible you took it there without knowing”
“Maybe, let me go and check, bye,” I say, hanging up the phone.
I walk to my room door, and as I am about to turn the doorknob. Someone beats me to it.
“Jason,” I say, surprised to see him. I didn’t know he was here. The hairstylist must have let him in as she left.
Jason stares at me once he sees me. He takes in my whole appearance and takes his time to admire me.
“How do you always look more beautiful anytime I see you?” He says, and I blush at his compliment. Even after four months of dating, Jason can still make me blush. “I have something for you,” Jason says, with a box in his hands.
“I would love to see the new gift you bought for me but unfortunately right now is not the best time. I can’t find the shoes I bought specially for tonight.”
“Open the box,” Jason says, ignoring my words.
“Jason, I said………..” Jason cuts me off as I am speaking
“Trust me and open the box,” He says, smiling. I look at him confused, wondering why he is so hell-bent on me seeing what is inside the box. It’s not the first time he is giving me a gift, so why is he making a big deal out of this one.
“Fine, since you insist, I must open it now. I will open it,” I say, opening the box, and inside is a beautiful shoe. It’s a golden glittering crystal stiletto heels.
“My last gift from Dubai”
“Jason, these are beautiful; thank you so much. It’s like you knew I am having a shoe crisis right now,” I say, hugging him.
“I actually asked them to hide your shoes,” He says, smiling
“Why”
“I wanted to make sure you will wear these ones tonight.”
“Oh”
“Yeah, put them on so we can get going.”
“Alright, give me a minute,” I say, walking to my bed to sit down so I can put on the shoes.
After I am done putting on the shoes, Jason and I walk out of the house to be on our way to the hotel.
I step out of the car once it comes to a halt. I take a deep breath as I walk inside the hotel with Jason. I make sure my face doesn’t show how nervous I am right now. I know we say we shouldn’t care about what people say about you, but the funny thing is, it’s easier said than done.
Jason and I walk around the ballroom saying hi to his friends and acquaintances. This is the first party we are attending since we started dating. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a while since we went to a party. I wonder if they know I am Jason’s girlfriend now. Most of the people we met already knew me, so Jason did not have to introduce me again. We spent the first half of the night thanking everyone who showed up.
Jason pecks me on the cheeks before walking up the stage to give his opening speech. My cheeks become red as everyone who saw him kiss my cheeks start whispering. I wish he did not do that, but a part of me is also happy he did. It tells me he is not embarrassed to be with me. I was a little worried he might not want people to know he was dating his secretary, but I was wrong. I am happy I was wrong.
I tune out Jason’s speech and look around the hall. The room looks fabulous. I did a great job. I give myself a little pat on the back. I feel someone’s eyes on me. I turn around to see Jason is the one staring at me. I smile at him as he continues to give his speech without breaking eye contact with me. I walk towards the stage stairs once he is done to meet him halfway.
“That was a beautiful speech Jason,” I say, walking up to him. I might have tuned out the beginning of the speech, but I got the end, and it was a lovely speech he gave.
“Did I tell you, you look beautiful tonight?” Jason says, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Yes, you did earlier in the house,” I say, smiling.
“I think I still need to repeat it. You look gorgeous tonight, sweetheart,”
“Thank you”
Jason and I walk to our seats so the event can start.
A few hours into the night, the main event is over. All that is left is for people to mingle with each other. Jason was able to raise a lot of money for his charity. I am thrilled the people that came did not disappoint. Jason and I have been walking around for a while talking to people.
For the first time in forever, I wish I was not dating Jason because of the number of times I had to smile at people today. My face hurts from too much smiling. If we were not dating, I wouldn’t need to be with Jason while he meets his friends and thank them. I don’t want to excuse myself from him like I always did while we were not dating. I want to play my part as a supportive girlfriend and make conversation with the women when he is talking to their husbands or boyfriends. It’s not easy to be a billionaire’s girlfriend. I realized that today. The number of glares I received from the women here tonight as I walked around with Jason would have killed me a thousand times if eyes could kill.
Jason and I walk to the bar so I can get something to drink. If we must continue this night walking and talking, I think I need to be a little tipsy. I lift my eyes from my phone once I notice Jason did not touch his drink. I turn to his side to see him talking to someone in front of him. I move closer so I can see who it is. It’s a woman, a beautiful one. She has pitch-black hair that flows beautifully down her back. Her eyes are blue like mine, and her body is that of a model. I wonder who this woman is.
“Christine,” Jason says, staring at the woman in front of him, looking shocked.
“Hello, Jason. Long time no see.” She says, smiling, showing off her perfect pearl white teeth.