Diamonds in the Rough

n't expecting you so soon. I was just trying to i

as he noticed they wer

oman happens to be m

ne, who was watching in amusement, and

ook lik

Albert said but still d

a smile, and Alex frowned, still noticing their i

, Alex! How can your best frien

I didn't know my h

onth business trip to Spain," Alex replied. "And I never

owed but s

have told me on

ighty contract to attend my wedd

," Albert rep

h a small smile. "Just see it as my s

," Albert said, pretendin

ou, I promise," Alex

ingly to her, he placed a kiss on her

, the stubborn person who has the privilege of being my

ault that women always like me

wife is not included," Alex snap

u? Jeez!" He smiled at Jane. "A p

Albert," she

ontinued. "But you're definitely

nged towards him. Jane laughed, an

the other side of the door, and Jane and

. "I don't see myself as the luckiest

g with him in my office?" he a

him," she snapped. "Be

, I don't," he

he do

ued. "This marriage might be based on a contract,

now why," Ja

all loving towards me a few minutes ago. So you mean we ha

in love with each other. They'll begin to look for possible reasons why we undertook

nd," she re

rked.

to act in public from now on, I presume we are t

s a good reason that s

. "We can't even stand each other, let a

nly be acting. Just think of yourself as an actress from now

ot

oo

o now? I'

******

em had thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, except for Alex occasionally displaying a grumpy demeanor. Albert proved to be a charismatic individual, quite unlike Jane's husband. Altho

gage in extramarital affairs. Upon entering the house, Alex remained in his grumpy mood, ignoring Jane as he made his way upstairs. In response, s

llo?" she greeted, met with silence on the other end. "Is someone there? I'm not in the mood for p

ice. "James. Uh, hi," she resp

, "I'm good too, just missing you. I happened to see

e asked, unsure of how to

d dryly. "You and Alex seemed to have a great c

mes

g you to explain anything. I understand th

a sigh. "Jame

tomorrow? Anyti

m, James, I've already

fter work?"

ted for a moment. "Alright, I'

James inquired. "I... I would li

ink if he found out about her plans. Dismissing the thought, she concluded that he wouldn't even care. All she ha

blem," she fi

es said, his voice infused with ex

d the door behind her, she was met with a surprising sight. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed, q

re you doing here?" she

his was my house and my

sleeping here!" she

nt me to, I don't intend to sl

bed with a gorilla than

ds the door. Jane turned to look at him. He was dressed in a sky-blue

she asked, curious abou

e replie

work," she reasoned. "Where

t's any of your busine

couldn't fathom why she was acting co

, staring intently, caus

leave, all you have to

ed. "Why would I

e said drily, gestur

nothing as he passed by her and slammed the door,

. "Well, thank God

nd retiring to her room. He must have gone to see his lover, Michelle. Where else could he be? Sh

***

ving lunch. Earlier that morning, Alex, her husband, hadn't returned home, so she had been driven to work by t

e lady slightly older than Jane, looked up and g

aldwin, right? How are y

u, madam. And you?"

id. "Is my husba

mmered, visibly nervous. Jane

m these documents,

ver, and I'll make sure he gets th

e smile. "I'll give them to him myself. There'

nform him that you'r

ife," Jane declared, ignoring Baldw

oman she recognized as Michelle sitting on his lap, her revealing attire leaving little to the imagination. They were engaged in an intimate moment but

on Michelle's lips, making no effort to cover herself. J

ully slamming the files on the table, then t

etary, who had her face

secretary's fa

***

, when a voice sounded beside her

ng face of Mirabelle Jones and

ne, but when I saw you, I decided to join you,"

Jane smiled. "And p

laughing lightly. "You're not only my b

sisted. "Besides, we're not

Mirabelle

call me Jane," Jane playfully asser

elle replied, and

spectacles during lunch?

till had her glasses on, and promptly took them off

ye issue, feel free to keep t

giggled. "

earing them whe

look," Jane commented,

our work seriously. Wearing spectacles is one way to convey that," Mirabell

rsations about their personal lives, with Jane discreetly avoiding any mention of her marriage to Alex. Although

ade a point of avoiding Alex throughout the day. He didn't even com

Alex or calling the driver. Instead, she hailed a taxi to take her home.

that wished to cancel her dinner date with James. In fact, even if there had bee

ed some makeup, grabbed her nude clutch, and was ready to go. Not caring about Alex's pot

d knocked on the door. He opened it with a smile on his

she gr

His house was just as elegant and luxurious as she remember

of a delicious meal filled the air. James wrapped his arm

g tonight," he wh

ou," she

ame. I almost thou

miled, feeling his lips gen

you did. I'v

issed y

ce for a moment before h

ning table with candles, flowers, and, of course, food. He pulled out a chair for her,

said, appreciati

u," James replie

oked at James, she couldn't help but sigh, wishing things hadn't unfolded the way they had. She could have been happy with

y sat on the couch in the living room, sipping wine, wi

enjoyed it,"

ays been a great cook,"

nly asked, extending his hand toward

d he pulled her close as they swayed to the

er water, but I'

y and I'm o

me loves all

harmony, immersing themselves in the passion of John Legend's music. As the son