Merging Hearts (Smitten Hearts #1)

Chapter Forty-four

Hazel

“I guess it’s truly a love marriage as he addressed,” Anne Martinez notes with a smile. Yes, the Anne Martinez who starred as Astrid in Titans. Su-mi and I binged the complete three seasons in one week. She was so good at playing her villainous role that I hated her for a while until I came across the behind the scenes to know it’s all good between her and the dozen people she killed.

Now she’s standing in front of me, and I have to act civil because cameras are everywhere, watching me especially.

Sucks to be me.

I’ve met a lot of people tonight that someone like me shouldn’t be meeting. Who knew all it’d take was to marry a billionaire? Actually I knew, but what were the chances?

“It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?” Anne asks again.

Tell me about it. I shook hands with a man, only for Rain to tell me he’s a renowned business magnate. I made the wife of a governor laugh, and I clinked glasses with a retired supermodel from the nineties whose photos I saw on different household posters while growing up in Jamaica. Who wouldn’t find it overwhelming?

“It can be too much sometimes, but you’ll get used to it eventually. You’re married to a Dacosta. They hold like tens of events every year.” Wow!

Anne leans closer. “Do you want a tip to not have to attend those events?” I glance at her, responding with a single nod. “Don’t make them like you.”

The lady beside her laughs and shakes her head. “Well, it’s true. If they like you, they say ‘ oh our party is on this day, make sure to bring your wife . ’ Or ‘ hey we’re organizing this event on this day, tell your wife to attend . ’ But when they don’t like you, they make excuses like ‘ oh it’s elites only . ’ Or ‘ oh it’s business partners only . ’

“She’s right,” Anne agrees. “But I think it’s impossible in your case. You’ve been stealing hearts here and there.”

I blush. “I’m only being my normal self.”

“She’s so fun to be with.”

I feel my affection for her deepen. There’s nothing more beautiful than admiring someone from the screen, only to discover they’re just as captivating in person.

“Sorry, girls, I had a hard time finding a restroom. This place is huge.” A lady rushes over with heavy breaths, her heels clicking on the hard marble floor as she apologizes to Anne and the other woman whose name I still haven’t caught. Her eyes trail me and they widen when she gets to my neck. “No Freaking Way!” she exclaims.

What did I do? I look over at Anne for a hint.

“Allison, say something. You’re scaring her.”

“Is that the latest AirBaby Cartier?”

I glance down at the diamond piece Rain gifted me last night. It sits gracefully on my neck, the stone sparkling in alternate patterns. “Yes, it’s… um I don’t know if it’s a latest piece, but—”

Allison’s jaw drops further. She reaches out to touch it, and I lean back with a frown. Can someone get her off me? She looks like an obsessed fan.

“Oh I’m so sorry. The thing is, I have every AirBaby Cartier collection. The reason being that I know the CEO personally.” I peep the pride in her tone. “But they haven’t announced this design to the public yet. They only sent a newsletter to their VIPs that they’d make a few custom designs. In just a few hours, they sent another newsletter that all slots were booked. You had one?”

Apparently, I do.

I touch the necklace, the stones feeling cold and luxurious against my skin. It does feel like it’s crafted specifically for my neck. I don’t want to imagine how much it would cost to get a custom made anything , let alone a limited custom made.

I knew it was something huge when I saw the package. The dress box had the brand’s name embossed on the lid, same with the jewelry square-shaped leather box. The dress was in a soft dust bag to protect it, and the interior of the jewelry had a satin-line interior to cradle it. A beautiful ribbon was tied firmly on the package with a personalized note of appreciation added right on it. It must be a lot of money that’s going into packaging.

I had been surprised when Rain came home with ABC flung behind his back like it’s a normal thing, but I’m starting to get used to him and what he’s capable of.

“Can I touch it?” Allison asks. “ABC likes to number their collections. I’m curious to know what number you were able to secure.”

After a few minutes of hesitation, I lean closer to her hand. She lifts the necklace up and whispers ‘Wow’. “It says number two. You’re wearing a number two ABC piece in the entire world. I’m sorry, who are you? I’ve never seen you.”

“She’s Rain’s wife, Hazel Dacosta.” Anne introduces me and I throw an awkward smile at Allison.

“That actually explains a lot.”

Throughout the night, Anne, Allison, and Giana (whose name I eventually catch) engage me in conversation, asking about my hobbies, interests, and making me feel among them.

On the other side of our dining table, Sophia Davis stares at me with so much hatred that I try to be careful to not meet eyes with her. She barely pays attention to the guest she came with. I get she’s mad about my marriage with Rain, especially since he told me she was his escort last year, but it shouldn’t evoke such hatred toward me.

“Paparazzi sucks sometimes. Seriously, how could they assume your marriage is not based on love?” Allison asks, rolling her eyes.

“ Tea For You is the worst. They hear half the story and run with it. I’m sure your story made them millions already. Boom! Their target is met, and they don’t care about the outcome.”

My eyes narrow. Do they believe me already? They’ve asked about how Rain proposed and I spewed some romantic lies that should earn me an Oscar, but I didn’t think it’ll be so easy to convince them.

“I second. I’ve only sat here with you for a couple of hours, but I can already feel the love,” Anne swoons.

“The love?”

“Please don’t tell me you don’t feel Rain’s eyes on you. Darling, you’ve been the focus of his attention. The man has been staring at you all night.”

“Yes. you should feel pain in the back of your head with how intense his gaze is.”

Curiosity gets the best of me, and I turn to check, locking eyes with Rain. He’s with Renzo and another guest whose mouth keeps moving, indicating a conversation. Renzo raises his glass, his smile warm and inviting. I mirror his gesture, smiling back.

On the other hand, Rain’s gaze remains unwavering, his eyes burning with intensity. His look has that mixture of adoration and possessiveness, as if he’d never let me leave his side if he could. And I want it too—to stay with him through the night.

The sound of the event—the laughter, music, and conversation—mutes, and the guests fade into the background, leaving he and I in our spotlight. His lips curve and he throws a wink at me. My blush deepens, heat coursing through my veins.

“Are you both aware we can see you?” Allison says, amusement heavy in her tone.

“I’m sure they do, they just don’t care.”

And Giana is right. Rain and I know we have eyes on us. We just don’t care.