Ariel was saying a lot of things. And to be honest, I was finding it difficult to keep up. This was not my forte per se. I studied Hospitality and Business management and while I understood customer needs and interactions, I never got the hang media interactions.
And to make it worst, I was not only going to be fronting for Jace's construction company, it also involved his other legal businesses. I got to understand that Ariel was basically going to be be my assistant moving forward, shooting every content I couldn't do on my own. We would also work together to curate content calendars.
"This is a lot." I sighed after suggesting that we take a break.
"Mr Romano believes you'd settle in just fine." She said with a nervous grin.
"With all of this, is there any way I can insert my baking business into my busy schedule?" I asked, really concerned about that.
"Of course. I'm available to film you during your work process. It removes the seriousness of your husband's businesses from your page and focuses on you in your element."
That sounded like sweet music to my ears. It was exactly what I needed to hear.
"Perfect." I said with a wide grin.
I felt hungry. And just like he could read my mind, Jace appeared from the private elevator in the office with a food tray behind him.
"Hello wifey,"
He smiled slightly. I was sure it felt odd for him to smile but he had to keep the act somehow. I almost laughed at him but this was not the time or place.
I got up from my seat and went into his arms, inhaling the scent of his cologne and sighing as the familiar scent comforted me a bit. Strange...
He pressed a kiss to my forehead and rubbed on my face as he sat at the desk, facing me.
I saw the guards exchange looks. They were probably as shocked as me to see their boss expressing his "soft" side.
"What's going on? You haven't posted anything, neither has Ariel." He questioned in a low tone, sounding slightly upset.
"It's not very good to post in realtime and she was giving me a lowdown of everything this task entails." I answered him with a plastered smile.
"I already told you all you needed to know."
I shook my head in disagreement. "No you didn't. You simply threw me into the wild. And if not for her, I would still be so clueless."
We argued in rushed whispers. I hoped they weren't eavesdropping on what we said. But even if they were, there was no way they would reveal our secret without Jace having them taken out.
He looked at me for a hot minute and I stared back defiantly aided by the fact that he would not act like a jerk in front of an audience.
"Eat up. I have other places to be. I'll come get you later." He said, adjusting his cufflinks as he got on his feet ready to leave.
"Okay." I said, not bothering to bid him goodbye.
Just like he came in, he went back through the elevator. Our eyes stayed locked on each other until the doors closed.
"Phew. That was intense."
Stunned, I turned to Ariel.
"Oops. I said that aloud, didn't I?"
"You did." I said plainly.
"Sorry. It's just that the heat radiating from you both is hotter than the summer sun. You two are so hot!" She exclaimed like a fangirl drooling over a fictional couple.
"Um..." I trailed off, not knowing how to respond to that.
"This is good for business," she went on. "You two give hot power couple vibes. Mr Romano gives broody gentleman."
I almost snorted at the mention of Jace being a gentleman. Delusional.
"And you, ma'am, you give off sunshine with a sprinkle of bad bitch energy. No offense, I know you get what I mean." She said, looking flustered.
I sat back and thought about it. If I was being totally honest, she was actually right.
"I get you." I said eventually. Then I let my eyes trail to the food in front of me.
It was like an actual buffet.
"Let's have lunch guys. There's no way I'm finishing any of this." I said to all three of them.
After some little back and forths between all of us. I finally convinced them to join me after asking for extra cutlery and water from the cafeteria downstairs.
We ate and made small talk in between. I believed there and then that the job wouldn't be so difficult. I just had to try to enjoy it.
~
The end of the workday came quite early for me. Jace came to pick me up.
I was in the middle of a conversation with Ariel and I was laughing so hard. She was hilarious and it felt nice to have someone to talk to after so long being cooped up in Jace's mansion where everyone overly respected me as the don's wife.
"Seems like you're having fun."
My laughter ceased just then.
"Hey." I said, glancing at the time on the digital clock on the desk. It was just past 3pm. I didn't expect him to be back so soon.
"We have to go." He said, sliding in his hands into his pant pockets. He had obviously taken off his suit jacket and all that he had was his typical black shirt folded at the sleeves.
"I'll see you soon Ariel. Text me whenever I'm needed." I said, picking up my handbag.
"Sure thing ma'am." She said with a nod, getting on her feet as well. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
I smiled and waved as Jace led me away.
We got into the elevator and it was very silent. He was brooding.
"You do not get too comfortable with staff. They take you for granted easily." He said out of nowhere as we reached the parking lot.
I was quiet for a couple of seconds as I entered the passenger seat of the vehicle as he slid into the driver's seat.
"I can't just go there and start lording over everyone like they're not human beings." I finally responded.
"Mira you are my wife. Act like it!" He yelled, hitting the steering wheel.
I flinched. What had gotten into him?
It was not even that deep.
"I think I should ride in one of the other cars." I said, getting out of the car and walking away from him to the second vehicle.
The guards looked confused and stared back at their boss, wondering if I should be let in.
Jace didn't speak as he got down and stared at me. He only slid back into to his vehicle and sped off.
I didn't know what his problem was but I would not be on the receiving end of his unjust anger.
Not today.