Chapter 307
Chapter 307
Jareth led Marilla by the hand, his grip warm and slightly damp, his gaze focused straight ahead.
Feeling her palm slick with nervous sweat, he couldn’t help but chuckle. It was a laugh that was seven parts indulgent, three parts teasing.
“Jareth, why aren’t we going to the underground parking lot?” Marilla asked, her voice tinged with panic as they neared the hotel lobby.
“My car’s parked at the front entrance. The parking lot is too out of the way.”
“But there are people outside, journalists”
Manila suddenly halted, her delicate shoulders shrinking as fear clouded her eyes. “With all those journalists out there, they might write all sorts of things.”
“Write what?”
Jareth noticed her thin clothing and quickly removed his red velvet blazer, draping it over her shoulders, and meticulously fastening the buttons for her To her, Jareth was like a fatherly boyfriend!
“If they want to write, let them write about my feelings for you.”
“Um, they might write that we’re in a relationship.” Marilla mumbled, her cheeks flushed bright red and her voice growing weaker with every word.
Like a soft feather, her words tickled his heart, sending shivers down his spine.
Jareth’s eyes slightly reddened as he swallowed hard, his large hand slowly rubbed up and down her back. “That’s great.”
“Huh?” Manilla’s doe eyes widened in surprise.
“Marilla, you’re my girl, only mine. Do you understand what that means?” Jareth asked, his eyes darkening as his large hand kneaded her waist. He loved touching the back of her neck, the soft hair, the warm skin, the delicate texture. Every inch was a temptation
Manilla seemed to understand but shook her head nonetheless
“It means that I don’t care what others say. I just want to be with you”
Manila gasped, her breath hitching as his intense gaze burned her
She also liked, very much liked being with Jareth.
Jareth gently pulled her closer, but she stiffened and didn’t move. He looked at her in confusion, “Marilla, what’s wrong?”
“Jareth, let’s take the back door.”
Marilla’s eyes were filled with anxious tears as she pleaded in a soft voice, “I’m scared. afraid they’ll make fun of you!”
“Manilla?” Jareth was taken aback, his eyes narrowing.
“We can stay where no one can see us, secretly, without anyone knowing, please!”
She rubbed her hands together in supplication, “I don’t mind them laughing at me, but I don’t want them to laugh at you! Everyone who’s ever been with me has been made fun of
I don’t want them to laugh at your
Jareth’s pupils contracted violently!
Staring at her pale face, he felt his breath catch in his chest, his heart squeezed by a massive force.
A wave of heart–wrenching pain washed over him and he suddenly felt a surge of hatred.
Hatred for those who had ever bullied her, and even more hatred for himself, for not being able to be by her side sooner, for not being able to protect her.
“Ah! Let me down.”
Manilla’s vision blurred as she was suddenly swept off her feet.
“No.”
Jareth’s eyes were filled with a fierce determination as he stormed out of the hotel with Marilla in his arms, gritting his teeth. “I want to see, who dares to laugh at my woman. Whoever dares, I’ll make sure they only have tears in their next life!”
Outside the hotel, it was busting with activity.
Many journalists were still lingering, and when they saw Jareth emerge with a beautiful petite woman in his arms, they were taken aback.
“Who’s this girl with Mr. Jareth? His new girlfriend? I’ve never seen her before!”
“Wipe your eyes, man! That’s Marilla Abernathy, the youngest heir to the Abernathy family!”
“No way! I heard the Abernathys had a low–profile daughter who rarely made public appearances. So, it’s her? Wow, she really is beautiful
“Glynnis Abernathy was always buying headlines, claiming to be the most beautiful heiress in Elmsworth. She’s nothing compared to her sister”
“Right, any woman Jareth looks at is bound to be top–notch
Lily, seeing the situation growing chaotic, quickly rushed over with two bodyguards to form a human shield around Jareth and Marilla,
The flash of cameras was blinding as Marilla buried her blushing face in Jareth’s black shirt to shield herself from the harsh light.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here” Jareth whispered into her ear.
“Okay”
Her one word response made him feel more than a thousand words ever could
“Mr. Jareth! is Ms. Marilla your new girlfriend??”
“Mr. Jareth! Have you two confirmed your relationship? Are you dating??”
The journalists bombarded them with questions, excitement in their voices.
Everyone in Elmsworth knew Jareth was a playboy, a womanizer. But he had never been seen in public with a woman before.
Manila was the exception! How much Jareth valued her was plain to see!
Jareth halted, holding Marilla closer as he stared unblinkingly at the cameras. “Whether we’re dating or not is up to Ms. Marilla. She can choose not to be with me, but I’ve made my choice.”
Everyone looked at each other, shocked!
Jareth, the eldest son of the Fairhaven family, was known for his domineering attitude. If he wanted something, he took it, regardless of what others thought.
But this time, he was giving Marilla the utmost respect, even putting himself in a position he had never been in before, giving her the choice.
He couldn’t be more doting
The situation, which was already chaotic, became completely uncontrollable after his words.
It took Lily and her bodyguards quite an effort to get Jareth and Marilla into the car
As their car sped away from the crowd and headed towards the K Orld Hotel, the excitement caused by their appearance lingered.
“Mr. Jareth,” Lily paused, her voice filled with anxiety, trying to sound as gentle as possible. “There might be some turbulence in the online chatter soon. fl handle it as quickly as I can.”
“Why would you have to handle it? Have I done anything shameful?” Jareth’s eyes darkened, his voice icy cold
“No, it’s not like that.”
“Do you think I care about the opinions of those keyboard warriors, who love nothing more than to dig up dirt and kick those who are down? is it wrong for me to be with the one I love?”
Absolutely not! Not wrong at all!
Lily fell silent, turning her attention back to the road.
Manila’s shoulders trembled slightly as she lifted her eyes to meet Jareth’s tender gaze. “Jareth.”
“Don’t say anything. This is my decision, and it has nothing to do with you
Seeing her hair drenched in sweat, Jareth gently brushed it back, tucking it behind her flushed ear.
Suddenly, his eyes darkened as he noticed the red mark on her cheek
“Manilla, what happened to your check? Who did this?” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“It’s nothing. I accidentally scratched it,” Marilla hurriedly tried to cover it with her hair, but he swiftly caught her hand.
His eyes blazed with anger as he lowered his voice, “Did Glynnis do this?”
Marilla bit her lip, remaining silent.
He would put all the blame on that wicked woman, Glynnis!
*Jareth, please, don’t do this anymore. I don’t want to cause you any trouble, not at all” Manilla’s expression was filled with sadness and fear.
Jareth gave a bitter smile, gripping her small hand tightly, and gently kissed her sweaty forehead, “You’re not causing any trouble. Everything I do, I do willingly.”
He thought, “My affection for you is to have you as my woman, openly and proudly. By my side.”
Right on the dot at 7, K Orld Hotel.