Page 95 of Arianna

Shouts of grown men and women calling out my name and the clicks of cameras going off.

Paparazzi.

I stand there with only a gatekeeping them from reaching me. Any second now, someone will come for me. One of Sebastian’s security men or Benjamin, I know it, but before someone comes for me, I let the ugly green monster out to play.

All I see is red.

I feel too much at once.

I am… jealous.

I have never begrudged another woman for a man.

Not once.

But this man has me acting in ways I never imagined I would.

The people outside shout louder, shooting question after invasive question at me.

A bald man with a camera shouts. “Arianna!”

“Here! Look over here!” An attractive older woman waves her hands frantically at me while a short, redhead man records me.

“Where is the senator?” Another question.

“Are you the nanny?”

“Who is Senator Kenton to you?” That question does it.

Holding my head up, I look their way with a smile that pains me. Not genuine like the rest. “Are you familiar with the term Sugar Baby?” That statement only makes them act more frantic, itching for more gossip. I know I fucked-up. I acted childish and impulsively. It is as if something took over me.

Something ugly and petty.

The same Arianna that I was before.

I am about to open my mouth and retract what I said when a strong arm lifts me off the ground and takes me away from the scene. I find myself pressed against a wall and a hard chest that belongs to a very angry man.

I did it now.

“What have I told you about acting impulsively, darling?” His eyes are furious, yet he doesn't raise his hands or yell. Why doesn't he? I did something that clearly will cause problems for him, yet he doesn't punish me like the men in my life used to when I acted out of place.

“I-I don’t know what cam—” He cuts me off.

“You are jealous.” He is not asking. Sebastian looks down at me while pinning me to the stone wall that is covering us both from the paparazzi and media outlets. I can’t come up with a logical explanation to refute his observation.

What can I say? That your bitch of an assistant pissed me off, and I also felt jealous and hurt because you allowed her to touch you?

God, I would rather be struck down by lighting right in this instant than admit that I acted like a brat. Just the way he sees me. Shit.

“Jealous? Of her? Don’t make me laugh.” I lift my chin, chuckling, hoping that he doesn’t see through my bullshit.

Sebastian’s eyes narrow into tiny slits. Yeah, he does not buy it. He remains quiet while I lose myself in his furious stare.

Okay, he is being a tad over-dramatic. It was a silly comment, but then I think about the implications of my statement to his career.

Oh, no.

I didn’t think. I just acted.

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