Chapter Fifteen

Elena's POV

Trisha Cunning.

So that's the name of Adonis' ex-girlfriend.

I was in bed looking at Adonis and Trisha's photos on the internet. I felt irritated looking at their super sweet photos. Adonis was so happy and in love, like an adorable prince charming looking at Trisha like she was his world. They had been to too many romantic places all over the world – Paris, Bali, Maldives, Greece, and many more. For four years, they were together, like a married couple, honeymooning.

Did they really break up? I don't think so. She's the same girl that Adonis was making out with in the bar. And that happened three months ago. If they're legitly over, why would he still hang out with her?

I searched for Trisha's Instagram, and saw many pictures of her and Adonis still in her feed. I put down my phone and stared at the ceiling. Definitely, she's still into him.

Why am I so upset? Why did the thought of Adonis still in love with Trisha really bothered me?

Jealous? No way! I utterly denied. 

Why would I? Just because I married the guy, I have a claim on him. He's not my real husband, for heaven's sake, and soon, our marriage will dissolve. Any developing feelings for him is not welcome at all.

I tossed and turned on bed, trying to get a comfortable position. I was getting so annoyed without any reason. 

When I got settled, my thoughts drifted back on Adonis. His beautiful smile and facial expressions, the way he moved his hands and acts - so masculine, he walked with confidence and talked intelligently. 

It's nice to know that we have some things in common. We love the same rock band, Coldplay and their songs. We both like Marvel movies, arcade games, chocolate cake, and Starbucks coffee. 

His voice is also sexy, and he has an amazing accent. I love listening to him. His casual comment makes me think about something in a new way.

Wait. I sat up immediately. 

Darn it. Why am I thinking too much of Adonis? 

Adonis' POV

I love you so much, and I'm missing you so bad. T.

Another text message from Trisha. Abruptly, I blocked the number again. I had been doing it since we broke up.

I made a terrible mistake three months ago. I shouldn't have met her again after our break up. I was only leading her on. 

She was desperate to win me again. I let her kissed me that night in the bar. I responded, validating if the spark was still there. But I could not feel it anymore. 

I let go of her, but she clung to me, holding me closely.

"Trish, stop," I removed her arms from my shoulders, putting a distance between us.

"I love you so much, Adonis. Please, let's work this out. I can't lose you," she begged, "I'll die if you leave me."

"You should have thought about that before you turned to other men," I said harshly, "It's over, Trish. You can't turn it back the way it used to be like nothing happened."

"I'm only human, I made a mistake. I was trying to find myself, Adonis, and I realized, how important you are to me. Now, my love is full for you, Adonis. Only you."

I chuckled nastily, "that reasoning is so low, I don't buy that. You cracked the mirror. You can't turn it back. We're over, Trish."

I could not trust her again after her betrayal. The love and respect that I had for her, vanished like smoke.

When the news of my engagement with Elena spread to the public, Trisha came to my office and confronted me angrily.

"I could not believe you can lower yourself into this," she glared at me with hostile eyes, "I know, you're going to marry Pallis' granddaughter for that land that your grandfather lost in a bet. You wanted it so back so badly, you could not stop talking about it. It was your frustration.  You can't deny it, Adonis. I know how your brain works."

"What if I do? It's none of your business."

"How could you? I love you, Adonis, with all my heart," she burst into tears, "I can't let you ruin your life marrying that old devil's granddaughter. You're just putting yourself into a trap. She could be worst that her grandfather."

"It's my life, I can do whatever I want," I replied firmly, "stop meddling with my life and focus on yours. We're done, Trish. Live with it."

"You're going to suffer, Adonis. I swear! Marrying that woman will be your biggest nightmare," she shouted before she stormed out of my office.

And now, I'm married to Elena.

I still could not figure out if marrying Elena was the right thing I did. In terms of business and family interest, definitely it was. 

But personally, she was not helping much with my system, since she evoked ambivalent feelings within me. One moment, she made me really mad, then all of a sudden made me laugh so hard - something that I never did for a long time. She was animated when she spoke, and used her hands a lot. I found it so cute.

Yeah, she amused me, and I enjoyed every minute with her, especially our playful banters. I just wished that eventually, we could make this marriage work.

Elena's POV

Mr. and Mrs. Changli's beach house at Sentosa Island was so beautiful. It had an unobstructed view of the ocean and the stretch of powdery white sand. There was a rectangular pool at the front with white umbrellas and sun loungers at the sides.

The older couple greeted us warmly. Peter Changli was a conservative formal looking guy, while his wife, Kimberly was very bright and lively.

"Sorry that we were not able to come to your wedding," Peter apologized, "an emergency came up in our warehouse. I had to attend to it personally."

"No problem at all, Peter. We're here," Adonis grabbed my hand, pulling me beside him, "and we're happy to spend some time with you and Kimberly. Right sweetheart?"

Okay... so this is the start of playing a lovey dovey honeymooner.

"Of course, honey," I looked up at Adonis adoringly, putting on a show as a love-smitten new wife to him in front of the Changlis.

His arm went around my waist as he pulled me closer. I gasped as electricity within me ignited when our bodies collided.

His head bent down, his face getting closer to me.

Oh shit, he's going to kiss me!

I closed my eyes, then I felt his lips on my forehead. At that moment, I did not know if I felt relieved or disappointed.

"Come on, we'll show you the property. Walk with me, Elena," Kimberly said, breaking the contact I had with Adonis.

"Sure," I went beside her, while Adonis was with Peter.

They showed us around their property, telling us stories about the origin of the place, how they acquired it and who constructed the house.

Kimberly and I went ahead, and she started asking me questions. She asked about grandpa, how he was. I was not surprised that she knew him. Who would not know the aristocratic savage billionaire, Constantine Pallis in the extremely rich and famous world.

She also asked about me, what I was into. I told her about what grandpa made everyone believe. And when she asked how I met Adonis, I realized that Adonis and I never talked about how our love story started.

"I met him in a bar," I said, recalling the first time I saw Adonis. At least I was telling the truth.

"A bar?"

"Yeah, in The Elite. You know the place?"

"Of course. I've been there many times. The Stavrakos own that place, dear, and the whole block."

"Oh, I see," no wonder Adonis was so popular there.

"So, how did he make a move?"

"He did not. I- I just saw him there... That was the first time, and I thought that he was really attractive."

"Of course. He obviously thought the same way towards you. You're equally gorgeous. So, how did you two start talking?"

"Actually no, he was with someone that night. It was until the following night when we were properly introduced."

"Oh," she looked confused.

"Grandpa and I were invited by the Stavrakos in their home, for dinner," I narrated how I met the Stavrakos, especially Adonis.

"Aww, so you two fell in love at first sight."

"Um, not on my part," I smiled, lifting my chin a little.

"Ah... so he was lovestruck seeing you."

"Yeah. So annoying," I flipped my hair, "he never stopped until I agreed to date him."

"I can already imagine him, being so persistent and wouldn't stop chasing you, until he got your big YES," she teased, "Adonis is really like that. What he wants, he won't stop until he gets it."

"I heard my name. What is it?" Adonis appeared behind us, making me jerk up. Of all times, he chose to come at that moment. His arms went around my waist drawing me close to him, making me lean against his body.

I was not ready for the contact. I had to fight the fire that ignited within me as his body pressed against mine.

"Elena just told me how you two met."

"Yeah, at a family dinner," he buried his face against my neck, making me freeze.

Does he really need to do this? He's taking it too far.

"But she saw you at the Elite bar first, the night before you two met."

I could feel Adonis' stiffened, "you did? You never mentioned that?"

"I-I did, HONEY..." I elbowed his side, to stop him from asking more, but he would not let the topic rest.

"You never did, sweetie. Tell me about it now."

"Later, hon. Okay?" I pinched his cheeks so hard, making him flinch. But he retaliated by giving me playful lingering kisses on my neck.

My goodness. I'm not so ready for this.

"You two look so cute together," Kimberly giggled.

"Did she ever tell you that she fell in love with me at first sight?" he asked Kimberly.

Kimberly laughed aloud, "I thought it was the other way around."

"Oh, really?" his eyebrows rose at me.

"You never stopped wooing Elena until she agreed to date you," Kimberly narrated what I just said, "I would do the same if I was her. The first time she saw you, you were with someone else."

Now, he knows.