Loving the Devil

12. CLOSET ROMANCE

Jackson's POV

"I tried to call you Jackson. But as usual, you didn't answer. So I had to come here by myself. By the way Hannah sweety, I want to invite you and Jackson to the annual celebration of the success of my brand. It is at my mansion Friday night. I hope you will spare some time Jackson.", She said in her typical extra sugary tone.

How could she invite me to that damn party? She knew how much I hated her business as it was the reason why she divorced my dad. Just so she could focus on her career. But what about her son whom she never cared for. The occasional phone calls and yearly meets were never enough for that 10 years old kid. But as soon as I crossed my teenage,she started taking interest in my life just so I could handle her business.

What a pathetic excuse of a mother.

She even tried to separate Emily and me. Well that was the only time she was right but I still hate her. She couldn't manipulate me as I was not the same gullible kid anymore. No matter how controlling my dad was,he always loved me more than anything. And I was not going to leave him for her and her pathetic fashion brand.

"I apologize mother but I have a project to complete on that day. And my mother has taught me that business should always be your first priority, not family. Right?", I taunted. Her expressions turned into a grim and all the traced of hope evaporated. She tried talking to me again but instead of listening, I took my towel and trekked towards my room.

***

Wearing a towel around my waist, I came out of bathroom,only to find Hannah glaring at me with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Her breath hiked when she noticed that I was just in a towel. Blush dusted her cheeks as she tried not to lower her eyes from my face. She was affected by me and I found that extremely cute.

"Why did you do that?", she asked in a serious tone.

"Did what?"

"Don't act innocent. That's no way to talk to your mother."

"Oh really Miss. Know-it-all. I will talk to my mother however I want. Stop interfering in my life." ,I replied bluntlly while combing my hair.

"You know what? I thought you act like this to me because you despise me. But now I get it. That's how you are. A selfish, rude and arrogant brat who doesn't deserve love of a woman because you don't know how to respect one. One day,every woman of your life will leave you if u don't stop this now." , she roared, her voice was trembling. That was the last straw for me

What she said reminded me of how Emily left me. Every woman in my life left me and now she was saying it's my fault. Was it my fault that I loved Emily more than anything in he world? Was it my fault that my mother preferred her business over me? I don't think so.

I stepped towards her. In return, she moved a step back. I kept on walking towards her causing her to continue retreating until her back hit a wall. Placing my both hands on either side of her,I leaned towards her until our faces were few inches apart. Her eyes were widened like a saucer and her lower lip was trembling. She looked afraid of me and a sudden wave of hurt washed over me which I pushed back because right now,my anger was clouding other senses.

"If you ever talk to me in that manner again,then I will waste no time in showing you who the real Jackson Smith is. You have no idea what I would do to you. There is a reason why people are afraid of me. Stay away from my business. You don't know anything. So shut this pretty mouth of yours before I do it for you." She gulped, too afraid to notice that I just called her pretty. Her face turned pale, I wanted to sooth her but it was better this way, she would stop interfering now. I knew I would never hurt her, physically. Even though I hated her, she was still a woman and I don't lay hand on a woman. But she didn't need to know that.

"Be ready on Friday evening. We are going to mother's party. I nearly forgot that you married me so that you can climb the social ladder. How can I deprive you of this golden opportunity." Leaving her dumbfounded, I took my car keys and left the room.

***

It was Friday evening. I was ready for the party waiting for Hannah to come out of the walk-in closet. She was in there for nearly half an hour.

"What the hell.", her voice boomed from the closet.

I should have ignored her but instead, I barged in the closet, wanting to make sure she was okay. My mouth dropped when I saw her. Her back was facing me and her face was towards the mirror giving me a clear view of her. She looked frustrated, trying to zip her dress but unable to do so. It was stuck on the upper end. Against my better judgement, I walked to her. Her eyes widened when she noticed me,her face reddened like a tomato.

"Umm Wh- What are you d- doing here?" She faced me looking embarrassed. That's when I noticed her gown. It was a black halter neck gown, with a low cut and a long slit running up her long,displaying her long,toned leg. Lust clouded my mind but I cleared it instantly.

"I don't have all the time in the world to waste. Let me help you because you are clearly failing." She puffed angrily and turned around. Holding her zip, I pushed it all the way down to the small of her back. Our eyes were fixed on each other through the mirror. Pulling the zip upwards, my hands skimmed over her skin, her muscles tensing on my touch. Closing her eyes, she leaned back a bit. Leaning down, I placed a lingering kiss on her neck,mtracing it towards her earlobe. A small sigh escaped her lips, she angled her neck, encouraging me to continue the soft assault. I was lost in her soft, feminine smell when she suddenly pushed me.

"N- No. I can't give you another chance to insult me and call me a slut again." She muttered, looking torn. "Stay away from me...Please."

"Well, it's sad that you realized before I could show you your real character." I said, smirking. I couldn't let her see how she affected me. I would never let her win.

We reached my mother's mansion in my Porsche. Long lines of cars were parked outside her house. After all, it was her annual celebration. She was a known name in the world of fashion. Entering the hall, I found my mother engrossed in her conversations with her friends. Many famous businessmen, fashion designers, models, politicians attended the party. Noticing us, my mother welcomed us and led us towards her designer friends. Most of them already knew me. Hannah made an impression on them easily with her friendly manners and confident persona, quite opposite to my expectations. I thought she would make a fool of herself with all her stuttering but she talked like a completely different person, a sensible one.

Getting bored of the ladies' talk, I made my way to an investor of our company, Mr.Peter. He was a known business. Despite being forty five years old, he was famous for his long list of mistresses.

"So where is your wife, Peter?" ,I asked.

"She is in Germany,enjoying her vacations. And I'm here, enjoying her absence. If you know what I mean." He winked.

"So who's the flavor of this month?" I inquired.

"Nobody special. I'm bored of seeing the same faces. I am in search of someone new. Umm-" he looked around, searching for someone. "Like the girl talking to your mother. What a smokin' hot body she has. I would love to kiss every inch of her while she will be screaming my name." I fake laughed, pretending to enjoy his talk. But my blood boiled when I noticed that he was talking about Hannah.

Clenching my jaw, I whispered, "I would be careful in your age Peter. This is my wife you are talking about. Speak her name from your filthy mouth again and I will make sure you never open it ." All the color drained from his face and he muttered an instant apology. I wanted to punch that old bastard in his ugly face. How dare he talk about my wife like that. But I didn't want to make a scene there. Controlling my urge to kill him with my bare hands,I marched towards Hannah. I wanted everyone to know that she was my wife.

"Mother! If you would excuse us, I want to have a dance with my lovely wife.", Hannah's eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets. I led her towards the dance floor where many couples were busy dancing. She followed quietly, too surprised at my action.

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