◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "Need me to go now?" I stared at the half-naked woman lying on top of me. As I stroked her face, her breathing and movements turned lethargic. I should leave now. I'd already claimed much of her free time tonight, and we both had work to do first thing. Cheeks still flushed, Adreana weakly shook her head while parts of her body mildly shuddered. She nestled her face against my neck. The smooth skin of her naked back glistened under the dimmed lights. Another proof that we should call it a night. Contrary to what she likely thought of me, I'd never force her to sleep with me. Not my style. I could be an incredibly selfish asshole sometimes. But with her, I mostly felt capable of keeping that side of me on a tight leash. Especially now that she needed a real friend. A confidant. Someone mature and reliable. Someone she could fully trust with her secrets and problems. She might not admit it, but clearly she felt alone in this country. Perhaps even lonelier than me. "I'
◆ LORENZIO ◆ The skies just dimmed above us. I didn't budge. I didn't want to blow a fuse in public or in front of her, so I acted like her words didn't affect me. The truth was: my entire head felt like it was swelling and flaming red. Her teary eyes and wavering voice already made me feel like I might combust. But I knew she'd rather hide in the car than cry in front of me. Next to the driver's side, we stood in silence until the discomfort ate up all of my resolve. Wait. So it's all my fault? It was my fault that she felt jealous of my ex? I frowned and stopped touching her small face. I took a step backwards, then another, until my back hit the driver's window. "Because I can't keep hanging out with you without constantly reminding myself not to take you to bed and make you forget he exists." Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but only for a second or two. What really made her think I would sleep with her and then hook up with my ex the next day? Did she usua
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ My desperate mother was at it again. If my father hadn't pushed her into the world of corporate finance, matchmaking could've been her full-time job. Her first prospect two years ago was Kel. Obviously that didn't work out. Now it was Adreana caught in her crosshairs. Mamma was both subtle and overtly intrusive whenever she tried teasing us to reveal our "relationship status". And my date, being the textbook people-pleaser that she was, could only smile, laugh, and reluctantly agree to everything my mother threw into their discussion. I sat inches away from Adreana, my bare foot touching her shoes under the table. For the past two hours, I tried to actively participate in their conversations, but only when they needed me to answer a question or give an opinion on something Luxoria-related, and whenever Adreana would ask about my past life in Brichese. At some point, my brain refused to tolerate another round of chit-chats. So I excused myself ten minutes ago to do
◇ MYKAELA ◇ I couldn't say it back. Like a true coward, I practically froze after his confession. But I didn't run off. I stayed put beside him. Antsy. Waiting. Trying my best to look calm. Quietly reminding myself to stop fidgeting in his passenger seat like my butt was on fire. Still reeling from the shock, I kept my answers casual and clipped whenever Enzo asked me something. Merely looking him in the eye challenged my composure. I just couldn't pretend as though everything was back to normal. As if we didn't just argue, kiss and make up, and then bicker nonstop again. In public, too. It had only been an hour after our fight. Our very first fight? With the paper bag full of food heating up my lap, I slouched in the passenger seat as he drove us away from the Asian restaurant where he and Lele just bought takeout food. Our dinner. Thankfully he didn't insist on taking me to another fancy place. Enzo let me win this time. Tonight, we'd be having dinner alone in my own dining room
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ It's crazy how two weeks could redirect the rest of your life. I just met this woman. By mere chance. But now I already hated thinking of her sleeping with someone else. Dating some guy who would most likely just take advantage of her. Take her for granted. Even weirder, I couldn't imagine myself spending the next years of my life with another woman. It was driving me nuts. It was like the first few months of living with Mykaela. Only, it felt ten times worse with this one. This beautiful human being. "You still want me there?" "Where?" Adreana pouted, her shapely brows wrinkling as I stroked her cheek. If Mamma saw us right now, with Adreana kneeling before me and grasping my hands, my mother would probably assume the worst. "You said you want me to come over, before you pee on the stick." Adreana nodded and gave me another smile, the kind that fiercely tugged at every single one of my heartstrings. Shit. I'd really thought I could just fuck her a few times and
◇ MYKAELA ◇ Get married? Just like that? Was he drunk already? Or just trying to be funny? That unbelievably messy engagement his manipulative ex broke off to humiliate him didn't traumatize him enough? Why the heck would he want to get married this soon? I wasn't pregnant. I'd gladly show him a pregnancy test result right freakin' now if only I had one. I almost bought a test kit yesterday, out of sheer curiosity, partly out of worry. But I kept my mouth shut about it. My mother or sister still had no clue. Gaia didn't even know I already gave my v-card to him. Why did he really want to talk to my mom? Did he seriously think he was now obligated to marry me? Just because of what happened between us in his house? "Lorenzio, just stop. Okay? It's not funny." "Funny?" he said louder. Enzo got up from his chair with a scowl. Our eyes connected. I leaned against the kitchen counter, my knees weak all of a sudden. My face and armpits were heating up, probably sweating now like my nap
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ The goal was simple. Cheat the clauses, then cash in my inheritance. I'd just found a loophole. And it should be something I could use to my advantage. The plan: 1) Find a fake wife. 2) Get married somewhere. 3) Collect my money. 4) Split the cash. 5) Get a divorce. It was doable. Plausible. Not too easy, but not that difficult to pull off, either. Sure. I could've picked a better day, another place, and a more reasonable time to pitch my idea. But since honesty and transparency was today's theme, I should just get it over with to see if there's any chance she'd agree to it. "What?" Adreana blinked a few times, perhaps just letting my answer sink in. Her dazed look revealed just how much shock my words managed to deliver. "I need someone to pretend to be my wife. For some time." Adreana faked another grin, her dark and long brows creasing. "Pretend?" My jaw clenched. "A year tops." "One year?" "Preferably." Six months could work, but, to be sure, a full y
Grand Luxoria Hotel Florence, Italy ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ It was Monday again. Another hectic work day for her, as it was for me. Her workload must be keeping her too busy to check her phone. So, no. She wouldn't ignore my texts just because of the things we talked about yesterday. Not now. Not after everything we'd been through this week. No fucking way. The last communication she sent from her work email was timestamped an hour ago, said the main server's logs. My unanswered messages were probably still unopened. Just waiting for her attention. Like me. I pinched the taut and warm skin between my brows. Traffic. Another bitching migraine. That unnecessarily lengthy call with another disgruntled client. The stupid meetings. The heat. "Fuck." I could pop half a bottle of painkillers right now. Sleeping pills could work, too. But I'd rather sit through this pain than check myself into that rehab facility again. No thanks. And quitting my job wasn't an option. Not right now. With Ales