Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

Author's Pov

Alfonso couldn't believe himself right now. How could he, a wealthy and successful businessman, find himself deeply missing his contract wife, Rose, to the point that he couldn't even concentrate on anything at the moment?

Despite the arrangement they have, he realizes that his feelings for her have gone beyond their contractual agreement.

Every single day without her feels empty, and he yearns to be by her side. Unable to bear the separation any longer, he decides to fly over to see her.

He picked up his phone, placing a call to his pilot, before asking his maids to park the necessary things he might need while staying back a little with Rose.

Everything was ready; he just needed an excuse to give Rose as to why he would be thousands of kilometers away from his country and work.

Alfonso was lucky that his arrival coincided with a grand party attended by the elite of society, which was one of the parties Rose would be attending during her stay here.

Don't even ask how he knows.

Eager to see Rose as soon as possible, he heads straight to the venue. Standing at the entrance, Alfonso takes a moment to relish the grandeur of the event before stepping inside.

He entered with an arrogant look on his face, not ready to answer any of the questions or greetings that might be thrown at him until he set his eyes on her.

Inside the opulent ballroom, Alfonso spots Rose across the room, looking stunning in a crimson gown. But his heart sinks when he notices her discomfort.

Rose stood there, looking dumbfounded, with a huge pair of scissors in her hands. She was asked to make the welcome an idea of Selena's to welcome her back, but it was a tradition she knew nothing about, so she struggles to navigate the intricate social dynamics. Feeling out of place, she becomes the target of snide remarks and judgmental glances, but she still holds her head high with confidence.

Swiftly, Alfonso makes his way through the crowd, determined to protect Rose from the embarrassment she faces. With a confident and charismatic demeanor, he joins her, wrapping his arm around her waist. By his mere presence, Alfonso subtly sends a message to the other guests that Rose is under his protection.

As the night unfolds, Alfonso skillfully uses his influential connections and vast wealth to turn the tide in Rose's favor. He engages in powerful conversations, diverting attention away from Rose's supposed shortcomings. Alfonso's presence and charm leave a lasting impression on the guests, solidifying his position as the richest person in the room. Every single businessman in the room made it their aim to speak to him, some using it as a sideline to introduce their daughter to him, making Rose roll her eyes at this.

Rose looks at Alfonso with gratitude in her eyes, but she also realizes something: that you don't only need confidence; you also need power and riches.

In the midst of the elegant soiree, Alfonso gently pulls her into a quiet corner, whispering words of reassurance and admiration. She smiled at him as red tinted her cheeks. Their connection deepened as they shared the vulnerability of the moment alone.

Selena, on the other hand, stood at a corner dumbfounded, her feet still on the floor, before making her way towards the ladies room.

She looked at herself in the mirror, wondering what it could be that she was lacking. She's a charismatic and confident woman who had been secretly enamored with Alfonso for a long period of time, but he never glanced her way even once.

She has always been drawn to his magnetic personality and powerful aura. However, she had tried several methods of approaching him, building several connections to get close to him but falling each time.

During a social gathering, Selena spots Alfonso and her ex-best friend, Rose, conversing intently. To her surprise, Alfonso never left Rose's side, coming to her aid with every single thing she needed, sparking a tinge of jealousy within Selena. Confused by her emotions, she struggles to comprehend why she feels this way.

As Alfonso rushes to Rose's rescue, Ryan, who is now with Selena, observes the encounter with curiosity. Selena contemplates her conflicting emotions, torn between her lingering affection for Ryan and the attraction she feels for Alfonso. She wonders whether her jealousy stems from possessiveness or genuine feelings for him.

Selena battles with her own insecurities and doubts. She questions her value as she watches Alfonso demonstrate his loyalty towards Rose, despite Selena's longing for his attention. In her heart, she knows she needs to confront her feelings and reconcile her desires with the reality of the situation, but her brain kept saying otherwise, wanting to win and get Alfonso to itself.

Feelings of resentment slowly build within Selena as she grapples with her jealousy. She decided to keep her distance from Rose and Alfonso for the rest of the night, harboring a sense of betrayal from Alfonso's apparent choice.

However, she also acknowledges her responsibility in approaching her emotions; she was here for something else and needed to keep her emotions in check until she had achieved it.

In a moment of introspection, Selena realizes that her jealousy and feelings of attraction toward Alfonso could not only put her in disgrace but also in trouble, as she was in a tight spot at the time. She decided to focus more on her plan instead of the couple's public show of affection, even though she knew it would hurt her.

It was definitely going to be one hell of a night, she thought to herself, exiting the washroom.

Selena emerges from the bathroom with a stronger and more elegant look on her face. i She convinced herself that safety and true happiness were the most important things at the moment.

She looked at her target before walking down the stairs with remorse in her eyes and a fake smile plastered on her lips.