CHIARA
He hissed, touching his red cheek, "That was a tight slap, and I deserved it. I'm sorry." He said, our gazes held for a moment. I couldn't believe he admitted his mistakes and apologized to me. Oh, he was better than I. "Where is this place anyway?" I finally asked what was eating me alive since I last opened my eyes. He smiled. He fucking smiled when I told him not to just a minute ago.
He walked past me, making his way to the glass doors, and pushed them open to a large balcony with glass railings. My feet moved in their own accord, and my breath was caught by the view before me. "Welcome to Portofino, love. Welcome home." He said, spreading his arms proudly.
"Oh my God." I covered my mouth and went to stand with him by the railings. I wasn't aware the house was at the ocean front, so my vision went further, getting lost in the endless deep blue and silhouettes of hills with smoke covering them in its surroundings. "Do you like it?" he asked. I looked at him and then looked around. The balcony had a swimming pool with white pool beds around it, and its water was crystal clear. Flowerpots at the far end corners, and a space with two couches and a coffee table. I loved it. "It's beautiful," I murmured, unable to stop the smile that threatened to break on my face since we came out here. Our gazes held, both smiling widely. Yup, couldn't stop it.
Someone cleared their throat at the doors. "Lunch is ready and served," Marina said playfully, drying her hands on her apron. "Come on," Carmelo said, and we headed back inside. We found her already serving us drinks, and the table was filled with different dishes that I could not even name some of if you asked me. The man pulled the chair for me, and though it felt weird, I sat down. Watching his back view as he made his way to the other end of the table. Seriously? That far? There was a whole giant artificial lilies flower in the middle of the table.
"Madam, if you need anything, I'm just a phone call away." Marina said. "Why don't you join us?" I asked, looking between her and Carmelo and the dishes. She shook her head, smiling with her green eyes, "No, my Mama would kill me. I have to join my family for meals. But thank you for asking." She said and then turned to the man.
"Boss, make sure you eat too and not just stare at her." Her words were unexpected. She reminded me so much of Chong. "Marina," he warned. The girl ignored him and faced me. "You're beautiful, no wonder he fell for you," she blurted, leaving me staring at her, not knowing what to do with that piece of information. "I'm pretty sure he is going to stare at you throughout the meal." Carmelo grunted, "Marina." She jumped, her dark braids falling from her head. "I'm gone!" She picked the elastic band from the floor and left through the front door, chuckling.
Indeed, my Asian secretary Chong would love to have her around.
We ate in silence and stepped out onto the balcony afterward. Sipping juice as I enjoyed the magnificent view before me. I've been to different places around the globe, but this here was ethereal. So therapeutic and refreshing whenever the ocean waves hit the rocks bottom. "So, what have you decided? What's on your mind?" he asked.
I'd been practicing what to say to him for hours, but I couldn't find a proper way to lie about my selfishness. I placed the glass down on the coffee table that separated us, ignoring my wildly beating heart. "I was thinking." I started, and he placed the glass down as well. "Yes?' he asked.
I could see wheels turning in his eyes. Was that… fear? What the fuck? "You want me to be with you, but… can you handle me?" That stupid smile that made my heart race formed on his lips shooed away the former emotions on his face. "From what I've collected, I'm very much capable. And if there are things that I have missed, do make sure to let me know." My heart slammed at his last sentence. The genuineness in his voice and his eyes stirred something inside me. Should I tell him that I was using him? Would he still want to be with me?
My lips curled. "Are you sure?" I asked, not breaking away from the intense emotions his eyes displayed. "About you? So much, like I've never been so sure about anything before. Ah, if you're worrying about money, lucky you, Miss. My pockets never ran dry."
Oh, God. My mind faltered. And it had nothing to do with the money he promised, but the determination on his face. I smiled, biting my lower lip. My inside was churning. He doesn't deserve this. "Interesting. I guess I'm not going to pull my hair by living with you after all." I said. For the first time in my entire existence, I found a man who wouldn't mind me spending his money. Has the world reached the end? And I was not an astronomer, but have the constellations changed?
"Pulling hair? Baby we could do that for a different reason if you want. But rest assured, you're going to love it here." He replied, flashing his white teeth at me, chasing my heart with it. Pervert! Not only smiling, but he also needed to stop calling me with endearments. I might have agreed, but this didn't feel good at all. I stood up and walked back inside, rubbing my chest as I let out a soundless breath. That man was bad news. Lethal.