I make a bowl of cereal at sunrise. Cheerios with almond milk and banana slices. I stand at the bar and chomp. Okay, I'm going to ask who Kim is today. Jace had a night to relieve his stress.

When done devouring the cereal, I rinse the bowl and then go to the foyer. To my surprise, Jace is descending in a plum suit. "Oh, hi. Morning." I say as he clears the last steps.

"Morning, honey bunny." He kisses me. "I'll be gone for 3 days; if you want to return to the city, you can."

"3 days?"

"Yes."

"For what?" Is he going to see her?

Jace buttons the cuffs of his sleeves, keeping his eyes on me. "To reconstruct the brand...against my will. Unfortunately, I can no longer dismiss the investors. The stocks rely on them. Strygent won't fully bounce back unless I fold." He states sourly.

"Fold...? Meaning dealing with piracy, right?"

"Yes...and with the pricing scale."

"But that means cutting the plug on half of your audience."

"Sadly, it does." He breathes the words with much tension.

"That's pretty harsh...one apple shouldn't spoil the bunch."

"I pleaded my case with a similar statement, turns out the group is heartless. The middle class and down are beneath their funding. If I don't budge, my investors will pull out. STRY stocks will plummet to the hundreds and remain unredeemable."

"Well, that's not fair; you're all about inclusion. They're killing your dream." I strain my forehead.

"I know, but...nothing lasts forever." One side of his mouth tugs downward. "I wish it could stay the same. I was young, thinking everyone could work together in harmony. I didn't consider the bad side. This is a lesson."

I frown. "Do you want to do this?"

"Doesn't matter."

"But you're the owner..."

"Owners have to kneel sometimes."

"But...your vision."

He lays a finger on my lips to hush me. "It's fine. Now, you can't stay here alone for 3 days."

"I could stay at the penthouse with my parents."

"With bodyguards, you're in the limelight now; that means protection wherever you go."

"How many?"

"My whole squad."

"That's overkill, isn't it?"

"No." A bleak expression consumes his face "You'll be surprised how fast death threats roll in," Jace says lowly. "Do you need to pack anything?"

"Yeah...I'll make it quick. Five minutes."

"I think that's highly unrealistic for a woman."

I squint at him. "Five minutes...you'll be eating your words soon." I stick to the timeframe. I grab a pack of underwear, PJs, bras, dresses, sandals, and hygiene products. I zip them into a tote bag and head back downstairs. I have about twenty seconds to spare. "Done before five minutes!" I shout and drop the bag at the front door. Jace isn't here. Hmm...where did he go?

As I near the kitchen, I hear him speaking in a vexed tone. "How many times do I have to tell you to come see for yourself?!" Jace rushes out the words. "I don't get why you don't trust me, but you believe the media? None of it is true, Kim!" A hit on the countertop rattles my chest. He's getting hot-headed. Jace's footsteps lead away from the kitchen. Seconds later, the back door slams.

Why did he go outside?

I peek around the corner. I spot him lighting a cigarette on the deck. He stares off into the distance and puffs smoke. I eye his phone on the counter. The opportune time to ask isn't coming along naturally. And I'd hate to peeve him more than he already is. I slyly slink over to the counter and view his phone screen. It's on the app page. I glance out the window while my finger taps on the phone app. His recent calls tab has a picture of her; she's labeled:

Kim 🍓

Her contact photo is a glamor headshot. Her untamed red hair and freckles insult me. She's prettier than me...no, that's an understatement. Kim is leagues ahead of me. A Greek goddess...a woman who would have been oil painted in ancient times. Why does she have to be so beautiful??! Is he cheating? Jace said he's not talking to any exes...so who is she???

I exit the page and back away from the phone. I watch him smoke outside. Since when does he smoke? I've never seen him do this. Or mention it. Jace looks like he's doing it as a form of release. This Kim is unraveling him. I need to ask why and if he could stop it. I axed Brad out of my life for him. He needs to do the same for me. I stride to the door, bearing no fear as I open it.

"Are you ready?"

"Who were you on the phone with?"

Jace gazes ahead; breathing out cigar smoke. "No one..."

"Were you talking to a ghost?!"

"You don't need any more drama."

"Not answering is adding more drama."

He flicks the cig to the ground and crushes it with a glossy shoe. "Let's head out." Jace faces me with a rigid demeanor.

"No." I shake my head. "Are you cheating on me?"

He huffs and rolls his eyes. "No...now let's go."

"Then why can't you tell me who was on the phone?"

"I just told you why, Madi. Now, let's go to the jet." Jace brushes past me to return inside.

I tail after him. "I don't believe that. Why can't you just say who it was?"

"Look, not right now, alright!" He spins and roars. "Let me get through this current shit show!" My mouth snaps shut. "Let's go!" Jace leaves to the foyer like an amped-up drill sergeant.

He's keeping something from me. Why? He's not acting like himself. The world is overwhelming him. The judgment online, the stocks, his vision for Strygent. I know that there's a lot is going on...but he can answer one simple question. Why won't he? I pass the counter. His phone bleeps. I read a text:

Kim🍓: Stop hanging up on me 😡 I'll be there Friday. You better have a good explanation! You gotta be kidding me with that stripper!

I mean mug the phone. It's crazy how fast people believe the media. I'm not a stripper! On the jet, I sit in the back, far from Jace. He's about three rows up. I don't want to be near him. He's lying to me. He's speaking to another woman and lying about it. When I asked who he was on the phone with, he acted weird. Why?

I wish the jet weren't so silent. The awkward quietness is dragging out the trip longer than needed. What's Jace thinking right now? Is his mind flipping, trying to find a good cover story? I thought he wanted honesty. That's part of why he asked me to live with him.

I watch the back of his head of luscious hair, wondering if I should start the conversation. It'll only lead to him yelling at me to stop. I'm glad he doesn't have his phone. Glad he left it. Or forgot it, whichever it is. If Jace had the phone, I wouldn't be at ease. Although, I should've pocketed it. He went through my messages with Brad over concern. I can do it too.

Jace's sight doesn't leave the windows for the whole flight. The energy surrounding him is grim; his world is definitely going upside down. Maybe I should give him 3 days to explain. We land and exit through the tunnel. My mind plays memory lane. I revisit the first time we walked through it.

How I pinned him to the wall. How he said I made him feel invincible. Is that still true? If so, why is he talking to someone else?

The walk down the tunnel is similar to two strangers going the same way. I don't like the atmosphere—the non-communication...the distance.

I look ahead at him as he opens the door. Jace holds it open for me. The five guards from before greet us at the boarding gate. "Morning, men."

"Morning, sir." They each chant.

"You know the routine, eyes on the sky and ground. If any vehicles swarm, activate protocol 5."

Alonso, the Spanish one, nods. "Of course, sir. Right, this way, Ms. Hart."

Jace's eyes follow me as I walk to them. "Ignore the paparazzi." He retreats down the tunnel. It's odd for us to part ways with no goodbye or affection. He's cold. Has he chosen to leave me?

I'm led to a private train. It's surrounded by press members who hold up cameras and snap pictures. The flashing lights are blinding. Many try getting pictures from above due to the crowded area. I spot them hopping with the cameras. They aren't successful. The guards are too tall.

They crowd me in like statues. Good...no more pictures to go along with false narratives. I'm sure I'm on TMZ. The train ride goes on long. Our stop is far. The locomotive passes eight platforms before halting. This platform is jam-packed with paparazzi. Alonso locks eyes with me. "Brace yourself. Heed Mr. Harrison's words. Ignore the paparazzi."

"I'll try." I retort lowly. I'm not good at blocking out insults. I peer through the arms of the guards, fearsome of what's coming.

The platform is full of reporters and cameras. There's complete pandemonium. Some of the press are atop news trucks; others relentlessly shove towards the train. There are enough bodies at the front to rock the metal carrier over. Clamoring voices increase when the doors extend. The men in black step forward as one. I follow their brief stride.

"Madison!"

"Over here, Madison!"

"How could you film such a video?!"

"Why are you trapping Jace Harrison?!!!"

"Over here! Hey! Will you release a sex tape now that you're a famous stripper?!"

"YOU'RE KILLING STRYGENT!" A man tosses a milkshake my way. I'm shielded, but still, I duck.

A concrete door is where I'm taken. Alonso fingerprints on a keypad to gain access. All the voices are silenced when the doors pound behind us. There's a modern elevator ahead, one that belongs in a sci-fi movie. High tech and glossy; the walls are like mirrors. This leads to the penthouse. The lift opens to a splendid bachelor pad, a dark-toned, cabin themed high rise.

My mom runs to me. "Oh, honey. Are you alright?"

"I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" She hugs me. "We can talk about it."

"No...I'm embarrassed enough." I recoil.

"The news is being ridiculous."

"I know."

"This will all die down."

"I don't know about that..."

"Princess!" My dad exclaims with wide arms.

I sprint to him like a child. "Hi, daddy." I snuggle into him.

"How are you holding up?"

"Okay."

"Be honest."

I sigh and pull away. "I'm okay."

Dad raises a brow. "You can tell us how you're feeling."

My mom holds my hand. "Your dad's right; we're here for you. It's okay not to be okay. No one can survive being bullied. Just know that you're strong enough to overcome this."

"This is different...I never had strangers hate me."

"It's a trendy kind of hate; those people are following what's hip." Dad consoles.

"No...no, this isn't a trend. I'm in the headlines forever. That'll never go away...just like the Uber accident." I huff. "Look...um, I'm gonna go take a nap. Where's the guest room?" I sleep until noon and don't get out of bed when I wake. I watch the ceiling, wondering why everything is going to hell.

Everything that's going wrong isn't even my fault. The video, the belittling media, Jace talking to Kim. None of that is my fault. Why am I being punished?

I'm tempted to go on Twitter; I'm too addicted to the latest word on me. Those vultures outside the train must be saying what everyone is thinking. Why are you trapping Jace Harrison? Will you release a sex tape? You're killing Strygent!

Today, Jace is trending, and I'm number five. Good, I'm going down in rank. I click on his tab:

Jace is cutting the line on us just because of some slimy assholes. Why is all of lower class getting the boot?

OMG FUCKING SELL OUT 😡

Silly of me for placing him on a pedestal...the rich are all the same #MoneyHungry.

The F15 is 112know?? I was going to get one this week. WTF 🤬

Too fucking funny how ppl bitching about a billionaire being greedy 😂 what did y'all expect???

Being for the poor was just a marketing scheme 🤡

I hope Jace isn't reading this. The world attacks without knowledge of what the hell is happening. Jace didn't choose this route. I bet it devastated him. Now I feel like I need to give him more than 3 days. He said no when I asked if he was cheating. I should have taken that as it was...only he played dumb by saying no one was on the phone. That caused my suspicion of him. Why did he lie like that?

Mom knocks on the door. "Hey, are you up?"

"Yeah!" I speak loud enough for her to hear. I sit up and hide my phone.

"Feeling better?" She opens the door, hanging onto the side of it, unsure if she should come in.

"Mom, can we talk?"

She strides to the bed and sits beside me. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

"Has dad ever spoken to another woman while with you?"

"Oh, no...is something going on with you two?"

"Yeah, he's talking to someone and lied when I asked who it was. Her name is Kim. I'm losing it because she could steal him from me." I stumble over my words. "She looks like a model. I can't compete with that. What do I do?"

"Have you asked him if he's cheating?"

"I did...he said no."

"Then what's the problem?"

"He lied about speaking to her, when I heard him do it."

"Why?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out. But I don't want to keep pushing him. Jace is sacrificing so much. The public is judging him for something he didn't want to do. Judging him for being with me. He's stressed. He yells so much now."

"About what?"

"Mostly about needing a break."

Mom ponders for a few seconds. "Well...I think you should do that. He said no to cheating. Jace is under a lot of pressure. Give him time. Sometimes that's all you can do." She advises. "And yes, your dad did talk to other women while with me. He had female co-workers at the firm. I suspected the worst, just as you're doing. I almost ended us with how paranoid I got. Do you want to know how I overcame that fear?"

"Tell me."

"I reminded myself who he comes home to every night, who he shared a bed with. I trusted him when he said he wasn't cheating. If you have any inkling that Jace is being unfaithful, you're allowed to leave. But only if you're certain."

"I thought about going through his messages to know for sure."

Mom shakes her head. "That's not the way. That'll break the trust. Try asking again in a few days. Okay?"

"The woman texted that she's coming Friday. I don't want to meet her or want her near him." I sigh roughly. "I'm not sure what I'll do when she shows."

"So...she's visiting?? Why?"

"I don't know. How do I stop it? God, I should have taken his phone and told her off. Why did I leave it?"

"I'm glad you did. Jace would have seen the texts, and things would be way worse."

"I should've done something to claim him. I failed."

Mom scoots closer and frowns. "You didn't fail..."

"I feel like I did." I lay my head on her shoulder. "Am I unattractive to him now? Am I played out? Do I have to change? Jace likes variety, that's why he was with so many women. I'm not enough for him..."

"No...no, dear. None of that is true. This is just a rough patch; trust me. There will be far more down the line. So, practice patience."

I shed tears, picturing our love fading out. "Does he not love me anymore?"

"Madison, don't think that."

"What if it's true? What if he doesn't enjoy me being a virgin...that could be why he barely touches me anymore?"

"Hush now...don't let your mind play tricks. You two will work this out. Jace loves you. That's clear with how many times he sought you out. This bad patch will be over soon. You two will be happy again. I promise."

"You can't promise that..." I sulk.

"I can because I believe it. That's all relationships are, belief in one another."

I twiddle my thumbs. "I want to call him, but he's in a 3-day ordeal with investors."

"Respect his space." She rubs my shoulder. "We have homemade pizza; you want some?"

"No...I'm not hungry."

"I'll check in later...try to rest."

For the next 3 days, I try to text Jace: Hey, how is everything? No...that's dumb to ask; everything is horrible. I erase. I miss you, when can we talk? No. I backspace. Mom was right; I need to respect his space.

The bodyguards survey the windows for possible threats on a 24/7 schedule. The thought of an assassination attempt crosses my mind. Why else are there five men protecting me?

My dad is impressed by their long years of service. Alonso served in black ops and secret service for the president. The others were the Army, Marines, and Navy. This soothes me, knowing that I have tip-top protection.

Are there people out there actually trying to harm me? Do I have death threats? If so, what are they? Shootings? Stabbings? Bombings? Or worse? I almost check Twitter for an answer but exit and delete the app. No, it's a toxic place. I'm going to stay away from social media.

I FaceTime Lily late at night when I can't sleep. I haven't gotten rest these past days due to stress. "Hey, luv, are you feeling better?" She smiles.

"Hey, I'm okay," I reply flatly.

"Seriously, how are you? Don't say fine or okay. I'm here to be your shrink."

"Oh, free of charge?" I giggle.

"Yeah...for now. I'll bill you for a million dollars after the wedding when your miss money bags."

"I don't know about all that." I speak sullenly.

"Why not? What's up?" I relay what I told my mom. My bestie is informed about the other woman who's coming over Friday, just two days from now. And about Jace's odd deposition. "What the fuck?! Why is she coming over? Why does she even know his address?!" Her mouth drops. "It has to be an ex or something. Why did he lie and say no one? Something isn't right."

"I know...I feel the same. But my mom said to back off and wait for him to tell me."

"No...bullshit! Call Jace and demand answers."

"I don't want to provoke him."

"Maddy...If you let him slip away on this, he'll lie again and again. Don't form that habit. Call him. Your mom is old-fashioned; they were taught to be obedient. Her advice is outdated. Nowadays, we grill guys for their actions. If Jace is reconnecting with one of his hussies, you have to leave him."

"Leave him?" I stammer. "I don't think it's that serious. Jace comes home to me. He doesn't spend his nights with anyone else."

"That you know of. He could be lying about work and seeing this Kim lady. I hate to say this, but if guys don't get sex after a while, they get it from someone else. I'm not saying you have to give him that. But it's true. He was a renowned playboy known for his high fuck score."

"You told me all men aren't the same."

"I did...and I meant it. But now there's another woman in the mix." Lil shares a crucial glance. "Call him and demand answers."

"Okay."

"Text me later."

I end the call and dial Jace. It's been 3 days...the conferences are over. I listen to the warbling tone. It's late...he's probably out for the night. "Hi, Madi." He answers.

"Hi."

"I missed you." His bassy voice is serene.

I expected anger. "I missed you too. Are things better now?"

"Yes, all has gone according to plan, despite the backlash. Are you ready to go home? We can fly back in the morning."

"Yeah, about that...umm. You left your phone on the counter. I saw the text from Kim about coming over Friday."

"I know...that won't be happening. I've straightened it out."

"Who is she?"

"Madi...can you drop it?! I told you I handled it." There's the irritation I was expecting. "Let's just get back to normal."

"You told me she was no one. Now you're saying to forget it. I'm lost here, Jace. Why are you cheating on me?"

He exhales like a giant. "I'm not."

"Then be truthful about who she is! If she was no one, she wouldn't be ruining our relationship."

"Ruining? Madi, we're just having a hard time, no different than any other couple."

"No...this feels different. You're lying to me." I nearly sob, but I smother the emotion. "Is there...is there something going on? Have you lost interest in me?"

"No, don't be ridiculous!"

"I have no other option; you won't tell me the truth."

"I'm not cheating; that's the truth."

"Then what are you hiding?!"

"Look, you need to get some sleep," Jace speaks deliberately enough to make me seem crazy.

"No...I don't need any rest. I'm not being crazy!"

"We'll talk in the morning." A dead tone drops.

DID HE JUST HANG UP ON ME??!!!

I watch the phone with a hanging mouth. I don't sleep after Jace blew me off. I wait for him to call back. When 6 am passes, I get out of bed and pace to speed up time. How dare he hang up on me like that?! He can't make this out as me being insane. I'm not!

At 7 am, Alonso enters my room. "Hello, miss. Mr. Harrison suggests you get some air. I'll ready the men to escort you."

"No...I'm not a dog. Tell Jace to man up and call me!"

The handsome guy is stunned by my reply. "Of course, miss."

"Say those exact words." When I'm alone again, I fold my arms and mean mug the wall. That should get his attention. He's having me wait as if I'm being ridiculous! THE ASS!

I asked too many times who she was. He's sneaking around and being a grade-A liar. I'm done with his shit! I'll give him one last try...because I love him. When you love someone, you give them the benefit of the doubt. I did it with Brad.

Jace calls. I let it ring. I watch my phone like an angry bull. He can wait a bit...and get some fast-served karma. The phone shrills six more times before I decide to pick up.

#Romance
#Love