Deleted Scenes - It Should Have Been Us Book One

27

{James' POV}

I've wanted to tell people since the moment we became official last February 11, 2015 but even our handlers advised me against it. Seeing that a lot of public couples are being driven apart by the media, I took it to heart to be more careful with our relationship.

Some days, it was easy. We're not much different from how we used to be anyway, we're still the best of friends. We just kiss a lot, have tons of sex, and we've been living together since December. But a lot of times, especially when we have arguments, it frustrates the hell out of me that I couldn't claim her as mine. The management gave us hell for all the times we slipped - which has been happening a lot. There were pictures all over to prove it: us holding hands at random times, clips of us hugging and being sweet, me walking out on stage tugging her behind me, or us completely ignoring each other offcam. We argue a lot - mostly because I get jealous and I can't do anything about it since "we're just friends". The whole pretension is taking its toll on me that we find ourselves picking fights over the pettiest things.

When we got engaged in Lake Tahoe I told her we should go public since it would be much harder to avoid being seen together. She agreed initially, but when tweets about us dating became a topic of social media, Nadine was sent into a panic attack she asked sir EJ to take those tweets back. She vehemently denied us. I wanted to understand her, I knew how much it pressured her. But a part of me felt disappointed. Then came the flowers from her ex days before the concert. Arkin just wouldn't take the hint. If Nadine didn't do what she did then, there's no doubt about it: we would have broken up and cancelled the Jadine in Love concert.

I would have wanted everyone I love to be part of our wedding. But I do understand why Ivan and my brothers Andrew and Rob and my sister Jen won't make it. It was Sam's absence that weighed heavily. We may not be connected by blood, but he's my brother. What made up for it though was the fact that Nadine finally agreed we admit our relationship. Maybe not our marriage status, but at least we can say she belongs to me now - as my girlfriend.

I asked her if we could announce it at the concert. But she said she'd rather we don't - that we can just go as we used to, and when we get asked again then that's the time we admit to it. I couldn't wait though. If it was even remotely possible, I'd like to scream to the entire world how Nadine has made me the happiest man in the world. Right after the reception, we went back to Araneta for the last rehearsal. I approached Direk Paul and told him of my plan.

I was feeling nervous. It would be the first time I will proclaim my love for someone in front of this much people. But I tried to block it all of. This woman right here is more important. This moment is one she rightfully deserves. After all the sacrifices she has made - all the issues about the girls that Viva made up to hide our relationship, all the bad publicity we had to endure - we deserve this moment. I looked into her eyes, and I knew. She knows what I'm about to do. Or at least have a grasp of it. She shook her head, trying to dissuade me; holding her emotions in, covering her own nervousness with her smiles. But it's right now, it's right here. It's th right moment.

Nadine...I...love you.

She hugged me to cover up her tears. Her soft sobs engulfed by the deafening sound of wonder from the crowd. It was the moment when the elevator finally stopped, the stage and the people no longer visible to us, that I looked at her and wiped her tears.

Hey, shhhh. It's okay. We're going to be okay, wifey.

I know. I believe you. And I love you. Her lips sealing mine in a passionate kiss.