Chapter 14.
Armando glanced at the screen, frowned, and hung up.
Jovana looked over, puzzled.
He explained, “It was Xavier. Nothing important. I promised to stay with you today.”
He hadn’t even finished speaking when the phone rang again, as if it would keep blaring nonstop until he answered.
“Answer it,” Jovana said.
Armando obeyed, picking up the call.
“Armando, Xavier’s throwing a birthday party today. Why haven’t you shown up? There’s all kinds of new fun stuff here!”
“Yeah, hurry up. Everyone’s waiting for you!”
Armando frowned and cut them off, “I told you that I’m a married man. Don’t invite me to this kind of gathering. It’s already late. I’m with Vana. Bye!”
“Hey, wait! Today is Xavier’s birthday. Not showing up isn’t cool.”
“Come on, bring Jovana along. Let her join the fun too.”
Armando still refused, “I’ll hang up now. What’s a birthday party compared to my wife?”
Jovana set down her files and said softly, “You should go. I’ll head back alone later.”
Armando put down the phone, took her hand, and massaged it gently. “If you’re not going, I’m not going either. I said I’d stay with you.”
“Jovana, come with Armando. Isn’t it boring to stay at home?”
“Yeah, exactly.”
They were dead set on getting them to go.
Jovana finally agreed.
At Solestra Club, they’d booked an entire floor for the celebration.
When Armando led Jovana inside, the private room was in an uproar. The harsh music blared deafeningly. With female escorts present, it was a scene of an orgy of singing, drinking, and carnal pleasures.
Jovana frowned.
Armando pulled her into his arms, turned on the room lights, and shot a cold look at the escorts.“Get out.”
Xavier Cooley and the others could tell Armando was angry. Jovana hated this kind of wild scene.
“All out. Now.”
A few scantily dressed women awkwardly left.
Armando then led Jovana to find a spot.
Knowing she was a neat freak, he grabbed a wet wipe and wiped the sofa, then let her sit.
“Don’t smoke. My wife doesn’t like the smell.”
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Armando took the cigarette right out of the man’s hand, extinguished it, and tossed it in the trash can.
“Tsk, Armando is the most caring husband in Los Angeles. He spoils her so much. It’s practically amazing.”
“Isn’t that right? Just the other day, he took a set of seven–figure jewelry from me.”
His friends made fun of him.
“She’s my wife. How could I not dote on her?”
Armando grabbed a plate of fruit and gave it to Jovana. He ignored those people and just focused on Jovana.
Jovana felt nothing but a sense of sadness.
907 48
13.2%
Who would’ve guessed a man who dotes on his wife would cheat on her?
That was ironic
Around nine o’clock, Jovana excused herself to leave first and told them to have fun.
Armando followed her.
Xavier and the others tried to persuade him, “Let the driver take her home. You stay a bit longer. It’s not even twelve yet.”
Armando looked hesitant.
Jovana took his arm. It’s fine. I’ll take a taxi. It’s safe. Stay a while longer.”
His friends jeered, and Armando said frustratedly, “Then I’ll walk you out.”
Jovana nodded.
They hailed a taxi. Armando paid the fare and gave the driver careful instructions, acting every bit the considerate husband. The driver couldn’t help commenting, “Young lady, your husband is so nice to you. Good men like that are hard to find these days.” Jovana pressed her lips together. She felt a lump in her throat, unable to mutter a word.
She patted her pocket, realizing she must have left her sunglasses at the club.
She apologized to the driver and got out to get it.
Those sunglasses were a gift from Armando.
He knew her eyes were sensitive, so he’d had them custom–made. She’d worn them for so long. She couldn’t bear to part with them.
She’d just stepped out of the taxi when she saw Armando standing at the entrance, looking around.
Jovana started toward him, but before she could call him, a girl darted over and threw herself into his arms.
‘Mando, I missed you so much.”
