Chapter 3

AURORA. He was married. It was a good thing because I certainly had not been prepared for how handsome he was. On his head rested a well-roughened mane of dark hair, like he’d forgotten to run a brush through the strands this morning. His brows were the same color as his thick hair and perfectly carved. His nose sat straight on his face, just above shapely lips that were currently curved at one corner. Thankfully, he had a wife, which made it easier to focus on my job. “Oh, Uh…” I murmured, trying to stop ogling him so I could ponder over his question. “Flowers?” “Are you married, Aurora?” he asked, then blinked. “I can call you Aurora, right? Or would you prefer your last name?” It was my husband’s last name, a husband I didn’t know and would very much like to forget. “Aurora is fine. And yes, I’m married.” He raised both brows like it was surprising. “That's good. You want a life outside the office, unlike me." He cleared his throat. "May I ask... What kind of gifts does your husband give you? Flowers?” I shifted on my heels uncomfortably. Would he think me pathetic if I told him I hadn’t seen my husband since the day of my wedding? Why was he asking about my personal life at all? “Uh, yes. Roses. I like roses.” “Roses. Got it.” It seemed weird that he was asking my opinion on what kind of gift his wife would like, though he seemed to care for her. He mentioned he hadn’t seen her in a while so maybe she went on a trip and is returning soon? “If you don’t mind me asking, sir, why don’t you just call her and ask what kind of gifts she wants?” I noticed a hint of hesitation on his face. When he met my eyes, I confirmed it. “Truth is, we’ve not been in the same space for quite some time, but she’s coming back really soon and I want to make up for lost time.” I almost fangirled. If only my husband was as sweet as him. Unfortunately for me, I was bound to a stranger for the time being until I found the courage to call him for a divorce. I nodded at him. “Okay, I’ll send for some roses. Would you like them today?” “Yes, please,” he said. “And see if you can throw in some chocolates in there. Women like chocolates.” I smiled, going to begin my first assignment of the day. I made the call for the roses and requested a box of chocolates, trying to push down the envy that was rising in my throat. Why couldn’t my story have been like those in the movies? Accidental marriage turned loving? I was fairly sure the man I married was an old crow who just wanted to have a wife in name. No matter how hard I begged, Abuela never told me where she had found him. I wasn’t even sure she had ever seen him before. She’d subjected me to marrying a complete stranger, even though her intentions had been more than kind. At least I had a job that paid well and friends that cared about me. I imagined being married to Nathaniel Everleigh, billionaire heartthrob. Not only was he stupidly rich, he was also breathtakingly handsome. I imagined his wife, probably a popular model or actress. I couldn’t picture him marrying anyone else. Other than his family history, no one really knew much about him, even his employees. Out of the office, he was a blank canvas. It was out of my job description to daydream and so I shook myself out of it and got to work. *** By the time I got home for the day, I was spent. Being a personal assistant was a whole different ballgame than being a secretary. My feet were killing me; I barely sat down for up to an hour. My shoulders were stiff as hell. “I am tired,” I announced, throwing my heels off and literally diving into the couch. “I like this new job but I wouldn’t mind a six months paid holiday, twice a year.” “I still don’t think working a nine to five is the pathway to becoming a millionaire,” Justin, our mutual, very gay, best friend said. “I mean, look at me, I make my own money and I don’t have to depend on a monthly salary to survive. What if you get fired or something?” Lola chuckled. “I like being bossed around, thank you very much. Brings out the Sub in me.” I snickered at her joke. “Gosh. Do you actually agree with this, Aura?” Justin asked incredulously, though his lips were twitching at the corners. I shrugged a shoulder at him. “Not the Sub part, of course, but yeah. Not everyone wants to be a millionaire, Jay. I’m perfectly okay with being comfortable. I want a peaceful life.” He shook his head at me. “You both are unbelievable. I can’t believe we’re friends.” Lola rolled her eyes at him, then turned to me. “Tell us about your new job. Is your new boss hot?” “Excuse me, I’m a married woman,” I laughed, turning on my side to face them both. “Yeah,” Justin scoffed. “To a man that’s probably dead.” “Dios mio, Justin,” Lola scolded. “What is wrong with you?” “What?” he whined, rolling his eyes. “He’s also a married man,” I added. “But yes, he’s hot.” “Hot hot or just hot?” Lola asked, wriggling her brows. “Hot hot.” We burst out laughing, exchanging stories about our encounters with hot men when the phone rang. Lola lifted a shoulder lazily. “I’m staying put.” “Me too,” I added, already feeling my eyes dropping. “Whoever is it can call back tomorrow.” Justin chuckled at us before getting up to answer the phone. “You both are lazy as hell.” *** NATHANIEL. Thane sat in his car staring at the roses and box of chocolate for what seemed like an hour before he realized he didn’t have an address. Or a phone number. God. What was he doing? This woman had no idea who he was. How was he just going to show up at her place with flowers and chocolate, asking her to be his wife? Was he even sure he wanted a wife? Well, he already had one but that was just in name. He didn’t know if he wanted a family. Maybe he should just call his mother and tell her he wasn’t going to do it. After all, his grandfather’s will had said he only needed to be married for a year and it’s been way more than that. He could request for a divorce if he wanted to. “Shit,” he muttered, before bringing out his phone and sending a text to his mother. Thirty seconds later, she responded with what he’d asked for. His wife’s phone number. The digits stared him back in the face with a mocking smile. Thane quickly dialed the number before he changed his mind. Someone answered on the fifth ring. “Hello?” he said, his heart banging against his chest. “Yes, hello?” a voice responded, but it wasn’t a woman’s. It was a man. “Who’s this?” Thane asked, feeling jealousy take over. Ridiculous jealousy. “Excuse you. You’re the one who called me so I should be asking you that.” But Thane hadn’t called him. He’d called his wife and a man picked up. Probably her lover. “Well, if you must know, you’re speaking to Justin. Who are you?” the man continued. “I apologize. Wrong number.” He ended the call, his chest heaving. Even though their marriage was a sham, they were still married. She had no right to cheat on him, to make a fool out of him. Anger filled him. His gaze went back to the roses he’d bought for her while she’d been frolicking around with other men and his anger turned to disgust. Rolling down the window, he grabbed the bouquet and the chocolate and tossed them out before turning to his driver. “Drive.”