(ARIELLE'S POV)
Awed!
That was how I felt when Jared pulled into the hotel. As I looked around inside the car, I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my mouth. The building literally glittered as the soft dashboard light illuminated it.
Jared chuckled and turned off the car's engine. Then he alighted and opened the car door for me. I accepted the hand he provided as I stepped out.
I couldn't help it as I took in more details of the hotel's surroundings properly. The building towered above us, its clear and sleek glass glinting. The entrance was a spacious archway, decorated by sparkling fountains and meticulously manicured flower lawns. Overall, the hotel's exterior spoke of immense wealth and sophistication.
“I… I didn't know your family owned this hotel,” I stuttered, unable to hold my surprise.
“Point of correction, it is under the Smith's corporation, but it is mine,” Jared said, his voice bearing a hint of subtle pride.
I was stunned. I knew Jared was rich, and so was his family, but occasionally, it feels like I don't really know the extent of their wealth. Maybe because Jared was not like those obnoxious billionaires in movies and books who boast about their wealth and look down on those below them.
As I took in my surroundings again, I shook my head. Three years of marriage and I didn't know that the famous J&S hotel was Jared's. Hold on, the name was the initials of Jared's name; Jared Smith. How come it didn't occur to me? I wondered, wanting to smack my head.
But then, I felt a sudden nagging feeling of sadness that I didn't really know much about Jared. I had met him at the age where my mother was urging me to get married, she even set up blind dates for me, and it was on one of those dates that I met Jared, who was equally on a blind date. We got talking, and lost communication after a while.
However, an old woman visited the previous restaurant I worked in one day, and fell in love with my cooking. We had become friends, and whenever the old woman visited, she spoke about her grandson and how she was going to bring him one day because just like her, he was a lover of good food.
And so, one day, true to her word, the old woman came with her grandson, who turned out to be Jared. We had reconnected again, and after three months and a couple of dates, he asked me to be his wife.
We didn’t particularly have high expectations of each other; as Jared was merely settling down to please his granny, whose days on earth were numbered, and I, because my mother was on my neck to get married.
Love wasn't the basis of our marriage. We decided that as long as we had gotten acquainted to an extent, we could get by. That was why we could co-exist so easily for three years, without much issues.
But over the years, I had fallen for Jared, and would always thank his grandma (God bless her memory) in my heart, for being the reason we became man and wife.
Although I had grown to love him, I wasn't sure it was the same for Jared, but I didn't let it bother me. As long as he treated me right, despite his somewhat aloof nature most times, then I was content.
Jared's voice broke into my thoughts. “What's on your mind, Arielle? You look lost just by seeing the exterior of the hotel, just wait until we get inside.”
My eyes instantly lit up, my worries forgotten. “Really?”
Jared smiled. “Come on, let's go find out.”
The room was lavishly designed with modern and classic furniture. The walls were painted a soothing gray, and the floors were covered with a soft Maroon rug. The suite had a separate living area, a dining room, and a kitchenette.
“I love it!” I exclaimed, unable to hold back my emotion.
Jared smiled, looking pleased with himself. “I'm glad you do,” he said, and then closed the distance between us, the husky look I was aware of, back on his face. “Well now that we're alone, how about we do something freaky.”
I giggled, feeling warm by his body now pressed against mine. I looked up, my eyes challenging. “Bring whatever you have on, Mr. Billionaire.”
The words had barely left my mouth when he covered it with his. I moaned and threw my hands around his neck, reveling in the feeling of his mouth against mine.
The sound of a voice on the public address system broke us apart. “I'm here with your bag, Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” Ralph's voice sounded.
“Hold on. I'm coming,” Jared called out. And then he lowered his tone, “I will go get our bag, and when I'm back, we'll continue from where we stopped.”
I giggled and watched him walk off. I bit down on my lower lips. This might be the shortest, yet most amazing trip of my life.
And who knows, I might finally break the news of my pregnancy to Jared.
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