Fated To Three, And I Broke Them All

Jenna:

Everything was going perfectly.

I was so excited.

I’d dressed exactly the way Gigi had told me to, the way she said would catch Theodore’s attention.

For the first time in my life, I looked sexy.

The only problem was that the moment I arrived at the party, I was hit with the sudden realization that I was doing something forbidden, something I hadn’t done in twenty-three years of my life.

My heart was pounding.

Then Gigi told me Theodore was on his way.

I was so anxious that when she offered me a drink, I decided it was a good idea.

I mean, the last time I had a drink, I felt so free.

I was so happy.

But this time—I don’t know.

I suddenly felt so woozy, like I wasn’t even myself.

Probably because the last drink I had wasn’t nearly as alcoholic.

This one was much stronger.

So strong that when Gigi pointed Theodore out at the counter, it took me a few seconds to recognize him.

Well, I still didn’t really recognize him, but I didn’t want to admit that.

She would think I wasn’t in love with him.

Because how could I have one drink and suddenly not even recognize him?

I mean, it was his mask.

He was tall and broad.

Although—maybe not quite as tall as I remembered.

But that was probably because I was wearing very high heels.

Gigi had suggested them.

Maybe that was why Theodore didn’t seem so tall to me.

After finishing another shot, I made my way toward him.

There he was, smiling at me.

"You came, Jenna," he greeted before clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

"I mean—my maid Janet."

He corrected himself, and I remembered we were supposed to stay in character.

I guessed he was so mesmerized by how sexy I looked that he’d broken character for a second.

At least that confirmed he was Theodore.

I mean, he looked like a beast.

Or at least, he was dressed as one.

There was makeup around his lips and across the visible parts of his face.

I tried to look into his eyes, but even their color seemed different.

Oh no.

I was drunk.

But I was happy because what he said next made me realize coming here had been the perfect decision.

"I’ve watched you around the house, and I’ve often wondered what you thought of me."

My heart fluttered inside my chest.

I lowered my gaze shyly, unable to hold his.

"The way you blush, Jenna–"

He caught himself again.

"I’m sorry—maid Janet," he amended, throwing his head back with a grunt.

I laughed, then I glanced toward where Gigi was standing.

I could only make out her blurry figure in the distance, but I still gave her a thumbs-up.

"It’s too crowded here, isn’t it?" Theodore whispered, leaning close to my ear.

Goosebumps spread across my body as I nodded.

"It is," I replied shyly.

"Then what if I told you I’d planned the perfect night for us? What would you say to a first date?"

The suggestion made my eyes widen.

I bit my bottom lip and nodded a little too enthusiastically this time.

Excitement was written all over my face.

I could feel it.

After that, he took my hand and led me away.

Well, not exactly.

He wasn’t dragging me.

I was just trying to keep up with him because I didn’t want to be left behind.

The crowd was getting overwhelming, and I was afraid I’d get lost.

So I clung to his arm.

As we passed Gigi, I—I don’t know what came over me—but I shouted, "Go h—-home! I’ll come home —with him!"

I blushed, tears almost forming in my eyes at the thought of finally being with the man I loved.

Everything was wonderful after that.

He helped me into the car, where I dozed off for a few minutes.

By the time I woke up, he was pulling over beside the woods.

He got out, came around to my side, opened the door for me, and held out his hand.

Such a gentleman.

I took his hand and followed him through the woods.

When we reached the place he’d prepared for me, I lost my breath.

A beautiful river stretched out before us.

A mattress had been laid beside the river.

A few lanterns were scattered here and there, but most of the light came from the river shimmering beneath the full moon.

A smile spread across my lips, and I straightened my back excitedly.

"Come on," he said, holding his hand out to me.

I noticed his hand.

Maybe I was drunk.

Or maybe it was something else.

His hands looked different from what I’d imagined.

They weren’t as rough or broad as I’d expected.

When I placed my hand in his, his touch was soft and gentle.

I’d always imagined Theodore’s hands would be rough because of how he looked.

But I didn’t question it.

People say that when you’re in love, you’re gentle with the person you love.

So maybe that was what he was doing.

Maybe he was trying not to hurt me because he knew I’d never been touched before.

He helped me sit down on the mattress.

The moment I sat down, I immediately started rambling because I was so nervous about being alone with him.

"You know? I always looked at you and admired how handsome you were."

I bit my bottom lip, giggling to myself.

The fact that he didn’t interrupt me even once and simply kept listening already made me think he really liked me.

"You know, Lady Lucille is always telling me not to drink, not to go here or there."

By then, I’d probably been rambling for fifteen minutes.

I’d grown so comfortable with him that I barely noticed when I felt his hand gently rest on my ankle.

I immediately fell silent.

"Tell me when to stop," he murmured in a deep, husky voice.

I didn’t tell him to stop.

I didn’t want him to stop.

His hand slowly moved higher until it reached my thigh, lifting my dress a little more as it did.

Not once did I tell him to stop.