Arranged marriage : I hate you

Chapter 43

Jennie was starting to feel hungry as they watched yet another match and talked to the few boxers left in the room. Riley was more relaxed today than she has been in weeks. She also couldn't hide her possessive attachment to Jennie.

She wanted to take the woman wherever she went around the room and was bent on asserting some kind of ownership dominance over her.

Whenever they were watching a match, or simply engaging in conversations either with the fighters while they take a break, or with the other members of the boxing club, Riley kept some kind of physical contact with her fiancee. Sometimes she held her hand, rubbing on its back gently whenever the younger woman got nervous. Whenever the others made comments about how they looked "adorably  compatible" she would wrap one of her arms around the younger woman's waist, smiling at her cutely or with a goofy expression

Jennie didn't mind all this attention and affection. In all honesty, she enjoyed it. Having Riley with her, holding her and looking at her like she is her most prized possession made her feel special. But, as much as she didn't want to move away from Riley's possessive yet warm hold, she was hungry and needed to eat before her stomach started making sounds. It was already in the afternoon and hours away from her last meal.

Holding the older woman's hand in hers, she turned to look at her, watching in awe as the woman's eyes were shining with excitement while she watched the two well built women she knew, violently dealing with each other inside the ring.

She tugged softly at her arm and pouted her lips as a sign that she needed attention. Well, more attention since she has gotten quit a lot of it today.

Riley turned and faced the girl, a small genuine smile on her lips.

"Yes Nini?" Riley's voice was low and calm, soothing to the younger woman.

"I'm hungry," Jennie complained, giving the older woman her best puppy eyes. Riley let out a soft chuckle, the sight making Jennie smile.

"I'm not surprised. Does my food lover want to get something to eat now?" Riley ask in a playful tone, making Jennie's smile to turn into a wide grin.

"Yes ma'am," she said.

"Yes ma'am? Someone's being daddy's respectful girl," Riley flirted with a mischievous smirk. Jennie's grin dropped as she realised just how her words may have sounded kinky to the older woman. Her cheeks and ears turned crimson, blushing because of Riley's words.

Looking away, she swallowed silently while trying to compose herself. Riley chuckled loudly this time. Clearly, she enjoyed making the younger woman shy.

"Come on, let's get out of here. Yeah?"

"Yeah," Jennie responded with a sweet smile as she finally looked at Riley again. While still holding hands, they said their goodbyes to the members of the club still left, Riley opening the door for Jennie and momentarily letting go of her hand to allow her to pass first.

On the other side, Layla and Max were in a deep conversation. More like a mini argument about non other than the infamous Riley Brown. Layla was convinced that she still had some kind of power and leverage over their boxer friend while Max was trying talk her out of her usual antics. He didn't want the woman to ruin Riley's marriage. Real or not real, her friend was still engaged. To him, that's enough reason for Layla to back off.

As they argued, Max spotted Riley and Jennie approaching then alerted Layla who was in the middle of saying something. They both stopped talking and turned to wait for the two to get to them. They kept their eyes on the two, each with different emotions. Max was pleased to see that her friend had not only gone soft for someone, but had gotten someone who seemed to genuinely care about her.

Although he didn't know much about the relationship between the two since Riley never really told them anything about the girl, he was not blind. He could see the difference between Layla and young Jennie whenever they looked at or interacted with Riley. With Layla, there's always this sexual tension hanging in the air. Her stare is always filled with lust and longing, a sight that always made Max suspect that Layla often fantasized about the playboy.

With Jennie though, his observations had left him taken aback. It was quite rare for him to see a woman look at Riley in such a way. Soft, kind, caring, loving. No intense lust or the need to get sexual. Just simple physical contact with great innocence and hard to hide affection. This was a rare sight that Max had longed to see happening for his friend.

Layla, on the other hand, felt betrayed. The sight was making her angry, ruining not only her mood, but her day as well.

"Hey guys," Riley greeted her friends with a small smile, her hand holding onto Jennie's own while the younger woman simply looked between the three, a polite smile on her face.

"Man, I almost thought you got lost in there," Max joked, sensing Layla's disturbed mood. None of them laughed at his joke. Layla kept her eyes everywhere but on the two soon-to-be married couple standing infront of them. Riley glanced at her. The rise and fall of her eyebrows an indication for her understanding of why her friend was acting this way. She wanted to speak but quickly changed her mind. Max noticed, but Jennie was too oblivious to see.

"We uh- we're gonna get going now. You two be safe," Riley said. She glanced at Layla one more time, their eyes meeting only for a brief moment before the latter looked away, angry and upset. Riley let out a small sigh and tightened her hold on Jennie's hand.

"I'll call you," Max said, smiling at the two engaged women. With one last glance, Riley was out of the gym, Jennie glued to her side.

Layla wasn't sure what it is that she felt really. She was fuming in anger, upset, sad. Just a bunch of intense feelings she couldn't pinpoint. Max turned to her in concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked, but the latter didn't respond. She didn't even look at him. Instead, she turned around, gathered her things, and left the gym.