His Shortcake

Chapter 15

Dustyn Franco

It's been three days since New Year's Eve, and the memory of the kiss lingers vividly in my mind. I remember the sensation of her hair slipping through my fingers, the gentle way her lips moved—slowly, innocently. Her trembling hands resting on my shoulders, her mouth slightly parted, flushed from the kiss we shared.

"Daydreaming again?" Veronica's voice jolted me back to reality. Her knowing smile and the finger I absently traced on my lips were clear indicators of my distraction. This wasn't the first time she'd caught me lost in thought during office hours. Yesterday, she even had to excuse my absent-mindedness during a board meeting. "You have papers to sign," she said, raising an eyebrow at my dazed expression.

"Sorry," I said, a smile still playing on my lips as I started reviewing the folder Veronica had recently placed on my desk. Her departure was marked by a playful shake of her head, likely an expression of her amusement at my distracted state.

As the day dragged on, my thoughts increasingly wandered to Mara, pulling me away from the stack of work I needed to tackle. My mounting preoccupation led me to bring a portion of my tasks home, which elicited a knowing laugh from Veronica. She seemed both entertained and bemused by my inability to focus, a stark departure from my usual meticulous work ethic.

What can I say? I'm completely enchanted by my beautiful fiancée, and the prospect of picking her up from school has become my favorite distraction.

Despite being buried in paperwork, I make it a point to spend time with Mara. Even if it's just picking her up from classes and dropping her off at home, it's a moment I cherish. I don't want to go a day without seeing her if I can help it. I want her to know that my care and love aren't just fleeting words spoken after a romantic moment; they are constant and genuine.

However, I'm far from impressed by the throng of media personnel loitering near her school. Even with the extensive security measures I know Alec has put in place, these persistent reporters refuse to take a hint and leave her alone. For days now, they have been hounding Mara, scrutinizing her every move, commenting on her clothes and hairstyle, and even attempting to tarnish her public image. My poor shortcake is juggling this relentless scrutiny along with her academic requirements and upcoming exams, which must be incredibly draining.

As I pull into the parking lot, my eyes immediately find Mara. She stands with her twin friends, clad in a comfortable black tracksuit, looking effortlessly relaxed despite the chaos around her. Her smile, as she converses with them, is a beacon of warmth that makes my day infinitely better. Emil, always attentive, spots my car and promptly signals to Mara.

I parked my car a few steps away and stepped out, greeting them with a warm, "Hey, guys."

Mara's face lit up with a radiant smile. She quickly said her goodbyes to her friends and made her way toward me, her joy palpable. "You're here!" she exclaimed, as though seeing me was a delightful surprise.

"I said I would be," I replied, my own smile broadening. Whenever I'm with her, I can't help but beam like a fool. I'm utterly smitten.

Her grey eyes sparkled with delight as I opened the door to the passenger seat for her. With a nod to her guards, I instructed them to follow us in their vehicle, and they promptly complied. They're well accustomed to this routine, making it clear there's no other option for them.

Mara chatted animatedly about her day, detailing her packed schedule and the nerves she was feeling about her upcoming exams. Yet, one thing stuck in my mind: Noah Natividad. I needed to ask Emil about him. If Noah tried to dance with Mara at that charity ball, it could mean he has feelings for her. I wasn't going to let anyone jeopardize my chances with this incredible woman.