Faux Vows, True Desires

"Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez," the two secretaries greeted Owen and Cecilia with respect.

Cecilia, carefully assisted out of the car by Owen, simply smiled in response.

"Mr. Martinez, Ms. Yates," Walter approached with a respectful greeting.

Cecilia remembered him and returned the greeting with a smile.

The secretaries exchanged confused glances. Why was he now addressing Mrs. Martinez as Ms. Yates?

Their eyes darted towards Cecilia, who seemed initially bemused by being called Mrs. Martinez, but then noticed Owen, whose lips curled into a pleased smile, clearly enjoying the title bestowed upon Cecilia.

"This is my ex-wife and current girlfriend, Cecilia. Someday, she'll be Mrs. Martinez again. Calling her Mrs. Martinez now isn't wrong-it'll get you used to it sooner, and Cecilia can get accustomed to it as well," Owen cheerfully introduced Cecilia to the two secretaries.

In the past, Owen and Cecilia had kept their marriage a secret, with very few in the know.

Even if the secretaries had their suspicions, they wouldn't dare pry until he made an official announcement.

"Cecilia, these are my secretaries, Quincy and Ron."

Owen's secretaries were all male, a fact Cecilia was well aware of, partly because of Ruby. Although Ruby treated Owen as a backup plan, she was extremely possessive and couldn't stand to see attractive women around him. To appease her, Owen had replaced his secretaries with men.

Cecilia couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, but she quickly put it behind her.

Ruby had occupied a place in Owen's heart for a mere decade or so, while Cecilia was destined to be part of his life for the decades to come. Whatever Owen had done for Ruby in the past, he would surely do more for Cecilia in the future. Why bother comparing herself to Ruby?

Besides, it was Ruby's turn to be jealous, not hers.

With this thought, Cecilia's mood brightened.

meet you," she

responded eagerly, both noticing Owen's special care

she owned the place, she was history. They were ready to erase her from their

here yet?" Owen

them into the Pinehurst Hotel, reporting as they walked, "Mr. Spencer will be here in two minutes. Mr. Martinez, Ms. Yates, please go ahead. I'll wait

Cecilia's hand and, flanked by bodyguards, entered the hotel. The secretaries wisely stayed behind

he'd lose her the moment he let go, were filled with curiosity but

took place in

at the elevator, greeting Owen with due reverence before using a VIP card to access the lift. The doors slid open, and

bodyguards didn't follow immediately, leaving the

hotel manager turned to Jay, the head of security,

Martinez's girlfriend, Ms. Yates. If Ms. Yates ever visits, make sure you treat her with the highest

manager, taken aback, quickly thanked Jay for the heads-up. Now

before the manager swiped his card

nervous?"

forget what I do for

were

her on her lips. "Cecilia, you were born to be the lady of the Martinez

playfully. "Owen, it's only

I invite you to keep turning the pages, all the way to the last

last page? Everyone's last page is the

Owen coaxed,

really like

"Men and women alike."

you are the epitome of dashing, a vision of handsome, a cut above the rest-even more so than the male waiters