“Rule number 7,” he said, staring deeply into her eyes. “Don’t smile at other men who aren’t me,” he stated.

Camila was still trying to process how fast this was happening, but his hands choked her throat even more.

“Did I make myself clear? I said I don’t want to see you smiling with another man. I own you, Camila. We are married, and you should only give me your smile!” he said even more harshly this time.

Camila could hardly breathe. Alejandro was angry, and he was taking it out on her. She felt like she was about to pass out and didn’t know how to stop him.

“Alejandro…” She managed to call his name, tears slipping from her eyes.

Alejandro suddenly let go of her, and she began coughing, letting out all the breath he almost took from her. He didn’t move; he just stood in one place, watching her.

“Are you happy now?” She looked at him with red eyes. “I thought you wouldn’t stop until you saw me dead,” she added, tears slipping from her eyes.

Alejandro wanted to touch her face, but on second thought, he pulled his hands back down and turned away.

“You’re an @$$h0le, Alejandro! There, I said it. Why don’t you come back and ki|| me since that’s your sole aim?” she shouted after him, which made him pause in his steps.

“I know I hurt you in the past, but if ki||ing me is what would finally let you forget it, then just ki|| me already. What are you still waiting for?” she added.

He stood still for a while before resuming his steps. She kept shouting more things at him, but he did not turn back to look at her as he climbed the staircase to his room. The next thing she heard was the loud slamming of his door.

Camila slowly slipped to the floor and burst into tears. She took her phone and dialed her mom’s number, but she couldn’t bring herself to call her. Her mother was going through a lot for her to add to her stress, or was it because she was secretly still trying to protect Alejandro? Either way, this feeling was frustrating. She felt choked and trapped and, at the same time, felt like home.

She wanted to leave but, at the same time, wanted to stay. It’s frustrating because she can’t read his mind. Sometimes he looked at her like she was the only one he desired and wanted, while sometimes he looked at her as though she was disgusting and he couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

She dropped her phone to her side and covered her face with her hands, continuing to cry her eyes out. Maybe she might feel better the next morning.

★★★★★★★

NEXT MORNING★

Alejandro was sitting alone at the dining table, playing with his food while he waited for Camila to come down and join him for breakfast. He thought she wouldn’t come after what happened last night, but to his surprise, she was dressed for work, climbing down the stairs and sitting opposite him.

Her face was covered with layers of makeup, but no matter how she tried to hide it, her face showed she cried overnight.

Camila didn’t look at him. She helped herself to some bread and eggs.

“On Saturday, we will be going out to my family’s place. My grandparents want to see you,” Alejandro started. Her mouth stopped chewing for a second.

“Your parents and sister will also be there. It’s a family gathering,” he quickly added.

Camila only nodded her head.

Alejandro dropped his coffee cup back on the table. “Eat as much as you want. I’m waiting in the car,” he informed, standing up and walking away.

Camila wondered why he was being nice, but she shook it off. It didn’t matter; she wouldn’t let his off-and-on behavior faze her anymore. This marriage is nothing but a loveless chain, and that is how she plans to treat it from now on.

★★★★★★★

BRIARWOOD SCHOOL ★

“Vote for Valeria Ruiz, the new school president!”

Isabella stepped into the school premises with the news everywhere. Valeria’s face was on posters all around, with her team convincing people to vote for her.

Isabella immediately walked to the voting poll. She saw Valeria’s name with some other girl and guy, but hers was nowhere to be found. She immediately rushed to the principal’s office.

“Principal Laurel, what is going on? Why is no one voting for me to become the school president?” she demanded.

“Dear, you might have forgotten, but you’re still under suspension,” Principal Laurel said to her.

“But it’s not fair. You’re taking all that belongs to me and giving it to some new girl,” Isabella complained.

“Everyone is open to making an impact, Isabel. It doesn’t have to be about you all the time. Why don’t you take this time to reflect on everything you’ve done so you won’t have to go through this again?” Principal Laurel said to her.

Isabella clenched her fist and walked out of the office. She bumped into Valeria and gave her a very ugly look.

“Isabella, it’s nice to meet you too,” Valeria smiled at her.

“Why did you come here?” Isabella couldn’t help but ask.

“What do you mean, Isa?” Valeria faked an innocent look as she always did.

“Why did you come all the way to my school and plan to take everything I’ve worked hard to achieve? Just why? You took my spotlight, my friends; just what more do you plan on stealing from me?” Isabella asked painfully.

Valeria smirked and walked closer to her.

“Maybe you’re paranoid, Isa. I just came here to make my own living, and it’s not my fault I get all you’ve dreamt of for free. I didn’t even try, and everyone loves me.” Then she moved closer, her lips touching Isabella’s ear. “I told you before, and I will tell you again. I can become the queen if I want to, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” she whispered and stepped back, flashing a smile before walking away.

Isabella stood unmoving for a few minutes, Valeria’s words unable to leave her mind.

★★★★★★★

RUIZ ROYAL ESTATES★

Alejandro was busy with his phone when someone knocked on the door and entered. It was a well-dressed woman.

“Mr. Alejandro, Mr. Fernando is here to see you,” she informed him.

“Let him in,” Alejandro sighed. It wasn’t long before Fernando barged in.

“So now your friend has to make an appointment before he sees you?” Fernando casually sat on the swivel chair opposite Alejandro.

“What do you want?” Alejandro asked tiredly.

“What do you mean? I came to check up on a good friend,” Fernando twitched his lips and rolled his swivel chair around.

“Do you redesign your office every day?” he asked while looking around. Then he picked up a photo stand on the table. It was an unaware picture of Camila.

“Wow, what a beautiful picture. Does she know you have this with you?” Fernando admired the picture.

“Stop touching my property!” Alejandro’s vein was popping.

“You call your wife your property?” Fernando looked amused.

“She always has been!” Alejandro yanked the picture from Fernando and put it back on his table.

The door opened, and Camila stepped in.

“Camila, we were just talking about you,” Fernando welcomed her with a smile.

“Nice to meet you too, Fernando. May I know what you were discussing?” She avoided Alejandro’s gaze.

“Alejandro was just telling me about how pretty you—”

“Fernando, if you didn’t come here for business, kindly leave before I have my security escort you out,” Alejandro flashed him a warning look.

Fernando padlocked his mouth with his hands.

“I came to drop the building plans of the week,” Camila said, dropping some files on his table and beginning to leave.

“Camila,” Alejandro called, and she stopped her steps. “Never mind.”

She rolled her eyes and left, closing the door behind her. Fernando waved his hands in front of Alejandro’s face.

“What?” Alejandro frowned at him.

“I don’t mean to butt in, but I’m smelling something,” he began sniffing while Alejandro looked irritated. “I’m smelling couples fighting. Are you fighting with your property?” he asked.

“Do you really need me to call security and have them walk you out?” Alejandro warned.

“Can’t you loosen up a bit? Your wife is mad at you. Shouldn’t you try doing something to fix it? I suggest you get flowers or chocolates, or maybe a romantic dinner. Just let her know how sorry you are,” Fernando crossed his legs together, swaying the swivel chair back and forth.

Alejandro picked up his telephone and made some calls. In a few minutes, some security men walked in, and Fernando looked left and right, feeling lost.

“Are they for me?” he asked, but Alejandro did not answer. Instead, he watched as the security tried to pull Fernando up to lead him out.

“Don’t touch me, I’ll move on my own!” Fernando glared at the men trying to pick him up, and they left him alone. He uncrossed his legs and majestically stood up, adjusting his suit jacket. “So ungrateful,” he scoffed, walking out of the office. “I gave him valid information I haven’t given my brother, and he actually called his security guards on me,” he added and scoffed again before walking away.

Alejandro waited until Fernando’s voice could no longer be heard before he pulled his laptop close to him and began searching the web.

Romantic gift for your wife for an apology

★★★★★★★

BRIARWOOD SCHOOL ★

Isabella sat alone at her lunch table. On a typical day, she’s always with her friends, but now her friends were with Valeria, laughing about something she bet wasn’t funny.

Someone dropped a tray of food opposite her, and she looked up to see Brett. She just sighed and faced her food.

“I’m surprised you’re not chasing me away this time,” he said.

“What choice do I have? All my friends have left me anyways,” she scoffed.

“Well, I’m still here,” he shrugged.

“We were never friends,” Isabella rolled her eyes.

“And that doesn’t mean we can’t be,” Brett shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s not going to work out. Just take your lunch to another table because wh@ťěver is happening now is a phase. I will bounce back, and I won’t remember who you are,” Isabella replied.

“I think that’s a lie,” Brett smiled.

“The audacity to think you can smile in my presence,” Isabella scoffed and played with her pasta as she rolled it on her fork.

“Let me tell you something,” Brett scooted closer to her and whispered, “I don’t like Valeria either.”

“Why?” Isabella asked, putting a forkful of pasta in her mouth. Pasta sauce stained her lips, and Brett noticed. He brought his hand to wipe the sauce from her lips, and Isabella froze at the contact.

“I know there’s dirt behind that blond and flawless skin,” he replied, removing his finger from her lips and tasting it. “Barbecue sauce,” he said.

Isabella stared at him for a while before bursting into laughter, and he smiled too.

“I told you, Isa, we can be best of friends,” he said.

👥Cyber boys are here!!

👥Elijah, what are you planning to get for lunch?

👥Do you guys mind me buying you lunch?

👥Alan got a new tattoo!

Students began murmuring as the boys found their way to lunch. Elijah stared over at Isabella and Brett’s direction and frowned. He faced forward and went to pick his lunch.

They sat at their special table to eat. Isabella wanted to go talk to Elijah; he didn’t reply to her message when she told him she couldn’t make it out, but before she could rise from her chair, Valeria already joined them.

She angrily stood up and left the cafeteria.

★★★★★★★

EVENING: RUIZ MANSION★

👥Welcome back home, Mrs. Ruiz!

The maids greeted Camila when she came back to the house. Alejandro couldn’t come with her because he was working extra late today.

“Thank you,” Camila responded.

“What would you like for dinner ma’am?” The head maid asked.

“Anything available” Camila replied.

“Mr Ruiz said we should specifically make what you want” The head maid insisted.

“He really asked you to do that?” Camila looked a little surprised. Since when do he care?

“Yes” the head maid nodded.

“Unfortunately I’m not craving any particular thing this evening so I’d have anything you were planning to prepare anyways” Camila flashed a polite smile to the maid before climbing the stairs to her room.

A huge teddy bear, some red roses, chocolate and a romantic card that says; -from Alejandro- was written on the body, welcomed her on top of her bed.

💍💍 TBC 💍💍