Chapter 22

Jake's POV
I leaned over the railing admiring the view ahead of me. You can see what's beyond the forest surrounding the castle at the terrace situated at the top floor. The city's lights shimmered from such a long distance and mesmerizing it was
Suffice to say, I did a nice job with the decorations. Everything was just as I wanted our first date to be, the only missing piece of the puzzle being Aya's presence.
I sighed angrily, mostly disappointed in myself. I'm an idiot, I admit. What I did was such an ass behavior, and I couldn't be more regretful
There's no excuse to the way I acted. I couldn't take the pained look in her eyes when I yelled at her in such a horrible way out of my mind, it made me miserable. And the worst part is that I didn't know what happened to me back then because I never let my anger slip.
I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I hurt Lola to an extent that she avoided talking to me like I'm the plague. Every time we cross paths, she literally runs in the opposite directions ruining all my attempts to speak to her
She had every right to walk away from me, that's the least I deserve anyway. First, I accused her of attacking Vera not knowing that she was only defending herself. Then, I threw a tantrum about the possibility of a scandal if the reporters found out. And I actually had the nerve of snapping at her.
If there were any contests for the shittiest boyfriend on the planet, I'd be on the honorary list.
So after an urgent advising session with Mark, who practically turned into a psychic, I knew I had to take mend things with Lola. Quickly
"Diamonds are the key to a girl's heart." He said and not an hour later, I headed towards the finest jewelry store in the city. I was about to give up but then a necklace caught my eye. It was just as she liked them to be, simple yet outstanding. I wish I could've seen her face when she opened the small box I put the necklace in.
Buying it was somewhat like an 'I'm sorry' gesture. Think of it as a way to make her think things twice and willingly accept to come up here.
What can I say, Mark is a mastermind.I warned everyone not to step a foot on the top floor except for the butler who'll be serving us. I wanted Lola and I to have our complete privacy, knowing that there'll be a lot of explaining to do
Honestly, I didn't know what kind of reaction I was expecting from her. What if she doesn't like the necklace? What if she comes up here just to bash out on me? What if she doesn't come at all
Hearing the click of shoes, all the dark thoughts swiveling through my head disappeared, and I turned around only to get the breath knocked out of my lungs
Lola's POV
I stood inside the elevator, clutching my Louis Vuitton purse for dear life, and deliberately stared at the time showing on the screen of my phone.
What can I say, I'm very accurate with my timing
Eight sharp
Hearing the ding sound of the elevator, which meant that it reached the top floor, I took a deep breath and stepped out when its doors opened. I gasped in awe as the first thing I saw were the lanterns scattered on the floor and hung in the air. The warm glow it gave out lit the way to – oh dear lord.
Although Leila kept on nagging about making him wait a little longer, she eventually agreed that we're not playing some sort of a revenge game.
Wearing a slim fit black button up shirt rolled up to the sleeves, a pair of charcoal grey trousers, a black belt and with black shoes, stood Jake in all his glory. He looked like he has gone out from an Esquire magazine, with his hair tucked back and chic apparel.
The moment our eyes met, it was like the pull between us reawakened itself again. My heart swarmed with happiness seeing his eyes soften and a sinister smile spread across his features.
"Lola," He breathed out, his eyes searching my face as if not believing I am actually here. I was engulfed in a pair of strong arms and wrapped in his tight embrace as he held onto me like his life depends on it
Even with the heels I'm wearing, Jake still towered over me. I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in his musky scent
"I'm so so sorry, sweetheart. I know nothing I'll say will be enough but I hope you forgive me." His voice came out as muffled but apologetic. I cleared my throat, detaching my arms from his neck and pulled away
It wasn't that big of a problem not to forgive him. I'm not a person to hold grudges, especially with the people close to my heart and needless to say, I forgave him long ago.
"You're a jerk." I stated
"I know. What I did – it was foolish of me. It was wrong, yelling at you like that. I should've been more thoughtful, heard both sides of the story before letting a person as deceitful as Vera play with my head like that. And the fact that you burnt her wrists made me actually believe her lies." He sighed, lowering his gaze shamefully.
My eyes softened. That's all what I wanted to hear, for him to know that I would never lie to him to get myself out of a shitty situation – to know that I would never harm someone with no good damn reason to
"When I saw the way your eyes were blinded with rage, all directed towards me, without even hearing what I have to say really hurt Jake." I spoke. His eyes mirrored his emotions – he felt pained.
"I told myself that's not the Jake I fell in love with, it was as if I was talking to someone else. I spent the entire night crying my eyes out because I thought that I lost you and trust me it isn't the most pleasant feeling in the world." I pursed my lips hearing him inhale a sharp breath
"Just don't let this happen again Jake, if you're under a lot of pressure, we can talk. I'm always here for you, you know I am." He nodded
"So, you forgive me?" I chuckled seeing his face lit up and a small smile beginning to form
"I forgave you the same day you pulled that stunt. Though, next time you feel pressured, try not to take it all out on me." I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"That'll never happen again, sweetheart." He grinned taking my hand in his, leading me to the round table set at one of the corners of the terrace. We walked through an aisle of lanterns, our fingers intertwined, until we reached the beautifully decorated table
A bouquet of roses was put at the center of the white vailed covered table surrounded by several lit candles. And that wasn't the best part, the view was breathtaking. It wasn't only the familiar scenery of the forest I grew accustomed to, but the lit roads and houses that branched from different sides of it
"Like it?" I turned my head and looked at him. He too was staring off into a distance, enthralled with the exquisite sight in front of him
"A lot." He smiled, loosening his hold on my hand and moved so that he held the chair out for me to sit
"Such a gentleman." I teased taking a seat
"Only for you sweetheart." He winked. Taking two strides, Jake pulled out his own chair and took a seat himself, the smile never leaving his face. Being this carefree after the troublesome days we both have gone through comforted my uneasiness
It was as if I had been rescued from a deep dark pitch hole and seen the light again
"Did you do all of this?" I took a quick glance at the surrounding and then back at him
"All except the lanterns, Mark helped me set them up since they took a lot of time." He scratched the back of his neck smiling sheepishly. I chuckled shaking my head, I wasn't surprised that Mark hid this from me. He's such a hopeless romantic at times
After talking about our how we spent the past few days, the food was served. The medium grilled teriyaki steak along with the grilled vegetables looked extremely mouthwatering and it tasted even better than it looked.
"This is delicious." I commented
"I hoped you would like it. Mark told me that you were sort of craving a BigMac, but I didn't think it would've gone well with a romantic dinner, you know." Mark is in for a big one this time.
"He probably didn't tell you that he was begging me to let him order McDonalds earlier today, did he?" More like bribing.
Jake's eyebrows shot upwards, amusement dancing through his eyes
He probably didn't know that Mark would do whatever it takes for the sake of food, he's that sneaky. I didn't find it hard to believe that he tried convincing Jake to bring us McDonalds just so he can order as well
Don't get me wrong, nothing tastes better than the big mac with extra cheddar cheese along with the large french-fries but it didn't suite the romantic scenario Jake had in mind, and thankfully enough, my boyfriend uses his brain –not like some other people
"That guy is unbelievable." Jake shook his head, though I could see a smile stretching on his face.
"Trust me, if anyone knows Mark's tactics, it would be me." I snorted rolling my eyes. Jake barked out a wholehearted laugh throwing his head back and I found myself laughing as well.
"You look beautiful tonight." Jake was staring at me intently, admiring me from head to toe. I blushed lowering my gaze, my cheeks probably matching the color of the roses on the table.
"You look handsome yourself." It didn't give him justice, he looked lavishing –sexy –drop dead gorgeous –but of course I won't tell him any of that, his already boosted ego will skyrocket
He stood up going around the table and offered me his hand in which I took but what I didn't expect was to be yanked up and collide with his rock-hard chest
"What the hell J –" He shut me off with his lips, firmly pressed against mine. His hands roamed my back until they settled onto the sides of my hips. It became more intense –needy, but just as his tonue traced my bottom lip did I remember that the butler that served our food was standing just a few feet away
"Jake, the butler." I put my hands on his chest and pushed myself away feeling the heat rushing to my face
"So what?" He breathed out, confusion covering his features
"So, we can't do this – not here at least." I exclaimed in a hushed tone
"Love, I'm sure Matthew will busy himself with something." I had a feeling that he'll start with the we can do whatever we want wherever we want reasoning.
"No mister, not here.
"Sweetheart, kissing my mate is not a crime. I'm the prince which means that we can do whatever we want wherever we want." He smirked. Told you so
"Nu –uh, not tonight." I shook my head, glancing at Matthew who had definitely been looking our way but adverted his gaze as soon as he saw me turn
Matthew sure was loving the show.
"Never took you as the shy type, Lola." His eyes were shinning in laughter. I know what he's doing, he's trying to that reversed psychology shit so we'll continue on with our make out session
"Better luck another time babe." I smirked satisfied with how he shook his head and sighed. No harm would be done if I kept him on his toes, right
"Fine, but before I forget, you'll be sleeping in my room from now on, no more guest room crap." The stern look on his face showed how serious he is.
I nodded, my lips spreading in a grin. I didn't want to protest, hell I'd be an idiot if I told him no. I wanted nothing more than to spend the night tucked under the bed sheets with his arms wrapped around me and sleep peacefully.