Chapter 707 Johnny, is this the marriage I want to save?
Following her visit to a distinguished artisan and several days of tutelage, Lola meticulously crafted this glass piece. Despite sustaining an injury to her finger during the creation process, the resultant artifact was exquisitely beautiful.
Lola looked at it for a while, then put it back in her briefcase.
She was about to go upstairs when her eyes fell on the invitation card. The invitation had a photo of the hostess named Shirley, who was quite young and pretty, but what caught Lola's attention was her lipstick color.
After a while, she went upstairs. Johnny and the children were in the study, while Lola watched at the door for a moment, then went back to her room.
She took a shower and while applying her skincare products, she couldn't help but think about the conversation she had with Charlotte over coffee today. Charlotte had hinted that Lola was too cold towards Johnny in their marriage.
Charlotte said, "Lola, if you want to continue this marriage, both you and Johnny need to make some changes! You don't have to say it, I've known Johnny since he was a child, I know his temperament! Men, even if they love you, can make mistakes when they're not thinking straight, and you're quite a serious person."
Thinking of this, Lola lowered her eyes.
She put the skincare products on the dressing table and sat in a daze for a while. Then she took out the small piece of glass from her briefcase on the sofa, and inside the colorful glass, the red maple leaves were like fire
It held the memories of her and Johnny's youth.
Just as Lola was lost in thought, the master bedroom door opened, and Johnny walked in, casually asking, "What are you looking at?"
Lola put the item away and replied, "A document."
Johnny closed the bedroom door behind him, his gaze deep. "Next week is my company's annual party. Talk to Felicity Marie and prepare a dress."
Lola nodded and said, "I saw the invitation downstairs just now."
Johnny's gaze deepened. He walked over and fiddled with her skincare bottles. "Do you have any suggestions?"
Lola lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "The hostess is quite pretty."
Johnny stared at her for a while, then suddenly walked behind her and loosely hugged her, inhaling her scent. A woman who had just bathed always smelled good.
His voice was low and hoarse. "No matter how pretty she is, she's not as pretty as you!"
His fingers were restless. Lola wanted to stop him, but he seemed determined to make love, directly carrying her to the soft bed. He propped one leg on the bed and started unbuttoning his shirt.
Lola wasn't very enthusiastic about sex, especially since she hadn't forgotten about the kids.
She said, "Angelina and Austin might come over."
Johnny had already unbuttoned his shirt. He cupped Lola's face and kissed her, his voice even hoarser as he spoke suggestively, "They're old enough not to randomly enter our room. A couple of years ago, Austin even asked me why you cried at night, if I was bullying you. Lola, how do you think I should answer that?"
Lola hated it when he said such things at times like this.
She felt both ashamed and unbearable.
As Johnny aged, he became more dominant in their intimate moments than when he was younger. Sometimes Lola really wondered if he was taking something.
Maybe because of her conversation with Charlotte today, Lola was more docile than usual.
As he held her and took her forcefully, she occasionally responded to him.
That night was one of the rare tender moments in three years.
Johnny indulged repeatedly, not letting go of Lola until dawn. They didn't sleep back-to-back as they used to; he held her and talked for a while.
Lola thought, maybe they should have a good talk if they wanted to continue this long-term.
She never forgot the lipstick stain on his shirt. But until Johnny's company anniversary, he didn't seem to have any intention of explaining what happened that night.
On the day of Johnny's company anniversary.
As the hostess, Lola postponed her work for three days to accompany Johnny to the event.
At nine in the morning, she went to a custom dress shop with her secretary Felicity, changed into the ordered dress, and did a fitting. The stylist couldn't help but praise, "This dress looks so noble on you! Completely different from that hostess named Wells Shirley."
Hostess named Wells Shirley?
Lola frowned slightly and looked at Felicity. "Check if her name is Shirley."
Hearing this, Felicity felt a pang of anxiety.
She didn't need to check to figure it out; it must be Shirley.
Felicity already knew Shirley had ambitions to win over Johnny, but she didn't expect her to challenge Lola on such an occasion.
Lola and Johnny were not only husband and wife but also family. Besides, with Lola's background, who could challenge her?
Felicity cursed Shirley in her heart, thinking, 'Idiot!'
But on the surface, Felicity pretended to be surprised and said, "No way! A little-known hostess shouldn't have such fashion resources. I'll check."
It turned out to be Shirley.
Felicity quickly continued, "If you mind, I can have her change immediately. If necessary you can even have her replaced."
Lola stared at Felicity for a while, then smiled faintly and said, "No need!"
She added, "This Ms. Wells just has similar taste to mine!"
Felicity was confused. She suspected Lola knew something, but it wasn't her place to ask nor did she dare to!
Fortunately, Lola's phone rang at that moment.
She glanced at it; it was Johnny calling.
Lola's eyes turned cold. If given a choice, she didn't want to answer Johnny's call at all.
Johnny's voice was gentle, "Are you done?"
Lola said, "Yes, I'm heading to the hotel now."
She wanted to say more, but she heard a soft female voice on the other end. "Mr. Flores, we need to go over the script. Are you available now?"
Johnny said a few words, then turned back to talk to Lola. Lola's voice was a bit cold. "You go ahead!" With that, she hung up the phone.
Felicity didn't dare to make a sound. Lola slowly put down her phone, leaned back into the sofa tiredly, and asked softly, "How long has it been?"
"What?" Felicity initially wanted to play dumb, but Lola's gaze made her shiver. She had to muster the courage to say, "I'm not sure about the specifics, but I can assure you, this woman hasn't succeeded yet."
Hearing this, Lola thought of the perfume scent that night and the lipstick stain.
She then lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "Maybe not!"
She waved everyone out, saying she wanted some quiet time. Felicity hesitated but eventually left with the others.
Lola sat alone in the large dressing room.
She had cigarettes in her bag.
When work was stressful, she would light one, not to smoke, but just to let it burn quietly.
But now she wanted to smoke.
Gray smoke slowly rose, stinging her eyes. She thought, Johnny allowing a woman who entangled him to appear in his work and life was enough to show he had made a choice.
They had finally reached the end.
Lola thought she should let him go.
When Lola arrived at the party, it was already close to eleven.
The luxurious hall was filled with intersecting lights, and the guests were having a great time.
Johnny was the main character, naturally surrounded by everyone. Shirley found an opportunity to speak to him alone, her tone polite and businesslike. "Thank you, Mr. Flores, for giving me this opportunity. I thought I would be rejected by you."
Johnny replied indifferently, "You're overthinking it."
Shirley wanted to say more, but a gentle voice interrupted, "Daddy!"
Shirley followed Johnny's gaze and saw his children with Lola. Because of their parents' good looks, the children were also very attractive.
Angelina was a beautiful little girl.
Johnny still picked her up, and Angelina hugged his neck and kissed him. Austin, though younger, was much more composed and also very fond of Angelina.
Johnny took the children to the buffet area and picked out Angelina's favorite ice cream.
Watching his gentle demeanor, Shirley couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart. She imagined how wonderful life would be if she had children with such a man!
When Lola entered, she happened to see Shirley's gaze, the look a woman gave a man.
And Shirley was wearing the same dress as her.
Lola picked up a glass of champagne, and Felicity, standing nearby, cleared her throat. "Ms. Wells."
Shirley turned and saw Lola.
She thought Lola would be shocked and angry to see her wearing the same dress, revealing her unreasonable side.
But Lola was very calm, even smiling slightly.
Shirley was momentarily stunned but quickly said, "Mrs. Flores, your children are adorable."
Lola hinted, "I am still Mrs. Flores for now. On an occasion like this, Ms. Wells, you can call me Mrs. Flores. If there's ever a lawsuit, you can call me Ms. Hawkins then. What do you think?"
Shirley, having been in the entertainment industry for a few years, had seen a lot and had underestimated Lola. She didn't expect her to be so formidable, with such a strong presence.
Shirley was about to say something.
But Johnny came over, wrapping his arm around Lola's waist, his gaze narrowing as he looked at the dresses they were both wearing. It was clear he wasn't pleased. "Why are you wearing the same dress?"
Hearing this, Lola smiled faintly without speaking.
Shirley quickly explained, "I'm sorry, Mr. Flores; it wasn't intentional. I'll find another dress to change into!" She looked teary-eyed and hurriedly headed to the lounge.
A cry of surprise, and dark red wine spilled onto her dress.
The waiter was stunned. He had been very careful, but how did it spill?
He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry!"
Shirley's eyes filled with tears, and she softly said, "I know, it's not your fault." She glanced at Lola, implying something.
Seeing this, Felicity was furious, thinking, ' This bitch!'
Lola couldn't be bothered to explain. If she wanted to do something, she would have done it directly, not through someone else.
Johnny looked at Felicity and said, "Take her to the lounge and find her a dress to change into."
Shirley bit her lip and said, "Thank you, Mr. Flores."
She then nodded to Lola, looking very understanding. Lola had seen many people trying to climb up and didn't take her seriously. She smiled faintly and said, "Mr. Flores is still quite the gentleman."
Hearing this, Johnny was a bit displeased and said, "What nonsense are you talking about!"
He wanted to explain, but a company executive came over and pulled him away. When only the three women were left, Lola took a few steps forward, leaned slightly, and whispered in Shirley's ear, "Ms. Wells, the perfume you're wearing, I've smelled it on my husband, and your lipstick color. You seem to favor this shade of orange!"
Shirley's heart skipped a beat.
Lola had discovered her little secret. If Lola asked Shirley to get lost now, Shirley would have no chance of turning things around and couldn't stay by Johnny's side.
At the party, Johnny had drunk quite a bit. When they got home, he was unsteady on his feet.
Lola helped him upstairs.
Maybe because he was in a good mood, when she put Johnny on the bed and was about to take off his shoes, Johnny turned over and pinned her down, wanting to be intimate.
But Lola pushed against his shoulder, her voice soft. "You've had too much to drink!"
Johnny's gaze was deep. Did he look drunk at all?
He stared at her for a while, then sat up and leaned against the headboard, chuckling. "Reacting so strongly? Are you refusing to let me touch you again? I forgot, today is my company's anniversary, and tomorrow is his death anniversary. Of course, he's more important than me. How could you want to be with me on such a day? Am I right, Mrs. Flores!"
Hearing this, Lola asked directly, "What's going on with Shirley?"
Johnny didn't evade, speaking calmly, "Just a few work interactions, nothing more! Are you jealous?"
Lola lowered her eyes and said softly, "The same perfume, the same lipstick color, the same dress. Johnny, that night over a month ago, it was her, wasn't it?"
Johnny's gaze turned cold.
Suddenly, he grabbed Lola's chin, his voice quick and harsh. "Mrs. Flores, I was just drunk and mistook her for you, but nothing substantial happened between us. You can't handle that? Then how do you think I feel, having to face a wife who dreams of another man every day? Do you think I can handle that? Do you think I'm okay with it?"
Lola pushed him away forcefully and said, "Johnny, is that the same?"
Johnny shouted, "How is it not the same?"
He seemed angry, pressing her down on the bed, his gaze fierce as if he wanted to tear her apart. He continued, "Tell me, how is it different? Did Darren never have thoughts about you, never wanted to sleep with you, or were you two really as pure as a blank sheet of paper? Who would believe that? Do you think I believe that nothing happened between you two in Novaria, alone together? Did you really never sleep with him?"
A slap landed on his face.
After the slap, Lola's hand hurt, and she and Johnny both breathed heavily.
On this day, at his moment of glory, he chose to tear open the wounds of their marriage. Lola could accept, but he dragged the deceased Darren and another scheming woman into their marriage.
Was this the marriage Lola wanted to save?
It had long been full of holes!
These harsh words, Johnny had never said before, but tonight, fueled by alcohol, he said them all. Lola slowly lowered her hand, her expression one of utter despair.
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