THREE MONTHS LATER.
Three months had passed. Three months since my father left me alone in this world. These past few weeks had been both the hardest… and the most beautiful time of my life. After my dad's funeral, Lorenzo decided that we should leave. Yeah, decided, because at that point, I was nothing but a wreck. I didn't have the strength to argue or even the will to tell him no.
He took me to one of his houses by the sea, a villa too beautiful to be real. Seriously, this man is insanely rich. And during those three months, he behaved like a true gentleman. Caring, patient, protective. He took care of me day and night without ever complaining. But despite all that, there's still something about him that scares the hell out of me.
I'm sure he's hiding something from me. Even if our relationship didn't start on good terms, I think I have the right to know everything about him. He's my husband after all, isn't he? And besides… I love him. I love him so much it terrifies me. So of course, I'm afraid of nasty surprises. We spent the last three months completely isolated, just the two of us. He even refused to hire a maid. As if he was trying to hide, to run from something. And lately, he's been acting really strange. Always glued to his phone, speaking in a low voice, and the second he notices me getting close, he hangs up immediately.
And the worst part? He won't even let me go walk on the beach. Seriously? We live two steps away from the ocean and I can't even get some fresh air? No way. I'm going to find out what he's hiding, even if I have to search every corner of this house. Lorenzo won't keep secrets from me forever. I'll uncover everything eventually, that's for sure.
Lorenzo was sprawled across the living room couch, shirtless under a pair of black sweatpants. His gaze was lost in the distance, his phone pressed against his ear, jaw clenched tight.
Lorenzo (muttering, irritated) "Fuck… pick up already."
A few seconds later, Fabio's voice echoed through the phone.
Fabio (relaxed) "Hey man, how you doing?"
Lorenzo (deep, tense voice) "Finally. I've been calling you since yesterday. Why the hell are you answering just now? Where the fuck were you?"
Fabio (amused) "Whoa, calm down boss. I've got a life too, you know? Anyway, what do you want? Or did you call just to yell at me? How's your little girl doing?"
Lorenzo (cold, imposing tone) "The next time you call my wife 'little girl,' I'll knock your teeth out. For now, shut up and listen carefully."
Fabio (nervous laugh) "Alright alright, someone's tense today. Go ahead, I'm listening."
Lorenzo (coldly) "Tomorrow, I'm going home with Chloé. I want you to send three of our men to escort us."
Fabio (mocking) "What, the great Lorenzo is scared now? You can't protect your wife by yourself anymore or what?"
Lorenzo (harsh, threatening voice) "Shut the fuck up, Fabio. This isn't the time to be smart. I don't want to relive the same shit as before. If I isolated myself these past three months, it was so no bastard could lay a finger on Chloé. But now we need to go back. I've got a cartel to run, business to handle, and I can't stay hidden like a coward anymore."
Fabio (more serious) "So you think there's danger?"
Lorenzo (calm but firm) "I don't know. I haven't received threats or calls either. And that's exactly what scares me. That bastard's the type to strike when you least expect it. So I want our men ready tomorrow morning. I want them watching our backs in case that son of a bitch tries something."
Fabio (resigned) "Alright, got it man. I'll send the guys tomorrow first thing in the morning."
Lorenzo (exhaling, calmer) "Perfect."
He finally hung up. A heavy silence filled the room. His dark, cold eyes suddenly carried a reddish glow, as if a fire was burning deep inside him. His fists clenched tightly.
Lorenzo (murmuring, restrained rage) "I'll get you, you son of a bitch. Believe me… I'll get you."
He slowly stood up, breathing heavily as if trying to control himself. Every step toward the stairs echoed through the silent house. Once upstairs, he gently pushed open the bedroom door.
Chloé was there, lying on the bed with her face buried in the pillows, breathing peacefully. Her white nightgown hugged her body perfectly, revealing just enough of her legs and curves.
Lorenzo slowly walked closer. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he let his gaze linger on her. His hand slid gently along her thigh, caressing her with his fingertips as though he was afraid of waking her up.
Lorenzo (whispering) "You're so beautiful when you sleep like this… But the moment you're awake, you become a real storm. Still, I like you that way, my little brat. Despite your rebellious side… I adore you, baby."
As he murmured those words under his breath, his deep voice filling the air like a promise, Chloé slowly shifted beneath the sheets. Her eyes fluttered open, still blurry with sleep, and she rolled onto her back. Her sleepy gaze met Lorenzo's intense stare.
Chloé (murmuring, sleepy voice) "You're not sleeping? What are you still doing awake at this hour?"
Lorenzo didn't answer. He simply removed his shoes with slow movements before climbing onto the bed without saying a word. His eyes never left her.
He carefully lay down between her thighs, resting his head against her chest as if it were the most peaceful place in the world.
Surprised, Chloé let out a soft smile. Her lips curved gently despite herself. She wrapped her legs around his waist and slid her fingers into his thick black hair. Slowly and tenderly, she started stroking it, enjoying this rare moment where Lorenzo finally lowered his guard.
Silence settled between them, interrupted only by the sound of the waves outside and Lorenzo's steady breathing.
Lorenzo (calm but firm) "Chloé… I need to tell you something."
Chloé (curious) "What? Is everything okay?"
Lorenzo (calmly) "Yeah, don't worry. Everything's fine. But there are things you need to know about me. Things you still don't know."
Chloé frowned slightly, intrigued. Her gaze sharpened, and her fingers stopped playing with his hair.
Chloé (curious) "So you finally decided to tell me why you're always so close to me… yet so distant at the same time?"
Lorenzo (calm, slightly surprised) "What do you mean by that?"
Chloé (sarcastic) "We've been married for four months and I still feel like I know nothing about you. Other than the fact that you're an unbearable bad boy, controlling and ridiculously stubborn."
A rough chuckle escaped Lorenzo's lips. He lifted his head, his eyes locked onto hers. Half his face was hidden in the shadows, but a crooked smile appeared.
Lorenzo (deep, playful voice) "Me? Unbearable? So you really think I'm unbearable?"
Chloé (provocative, teasing) "No, I don't think it… it's just the absolute truth. But don't worry, I'm not leaving you because of that. You and me? That's till death, remember?"
Lorenzo (smirking mischievously) "Oh really? And who told you I planned on spending my life with a rebellious little brat like you?"
Chloé (proud, confident) "Even if you don't say it, I know you could never leave me. You act tough, but I know you love me way too much for that."
Lorenzo (amused, curious) "Oh yeah? And where exactly did you get that idea from?"
Chloé (soft voice, shining eyes) "From your eyes. They give everything away. They don't look at me the way others do. They're honest. They talk to me without you needing to say a word. And when I look into them, I can see how much you care about me. You don't have to say it. Your eyes do it for you."
A heavy silence suddenly fell between them. A silence filled with tension and emotion. Lorenzo froze, his gaze locked onto Chloé's. He couldn't find the words anymore.
His fingers slowly brushed against her cheek, caressing her skin with unexpected softness. Then, without a word, he leaned closer until their breaths mingled together. Their lips brushed hesitantly at first before seeking each other, catching each other, recognizing each other.
The kiss was slow, warm, and unbelievably tender. A silent passion without brutality. Chloé wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Lorenzo responded with controlled intensity, mixing his natural dominance with an almost disarming tenderness.
After a few minutes, he slowly pulled away from her lips. He stayed close to her for a moment, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths still intertwined. Then he kissed her forehead softly, almost soothingly, before laying his head back on her chest.
Chloé stayed still, blushing with a silly smile on her lips. Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She slid a hand through his hair, sighed softly, and murmured under her breath:
Chloé (with a small laugh) "And later he'll still pretend he's not in love… pff, this man is a whole lie by himself."
Without moving, Lorenzo smirked lightly against her skin, as if he had heard her.
Lorenzo (murmuring, teasingly) "Shut up, brat. You've talked too much tonight."
Chloé rolled her eyes, amused.
Chloé (sarcastic) "Yeah right… keep pretending you don't admit it. But I caught you, bad boy."
Lorenzo (calm but firm) "Tomorrow, Fabio will come here with a few men to take us home."
Chloé (surprised) "What?! We're already going back?"
Lorenzo (calmly) "Yes, we're leaving tomorrow. I have things to deal with, and I think we've enjoyed the sea enough."
Chloé (sighing) "Alright… but why is Fabio coming to pick us up? Can't we go back alone or something? And who are those guys coming with him?"
Lorenzo (coldly) "Don't ask questions, Chloé. Just do what I tell you without arguing."
Chloé (ironically) "Hmm… okay, but I feel like I'm about to get dragged into one of your messed-up plans. What am I supposed to do then?"
Lorenzo (imposing) "I need your help. And I know you're the only one who can help me."
He slowly sat up, his eyes fixed on hers. The serious expression on his face unsettled her. There was something strange in his eyes — tension, fear, and control all mixed together.
Lorenzo (grave tone) "I want you to seduce Fabio… and sleep with him tomorrow."
Chloé froze. Her eyes widened as if she had just heard the worst thing imaginable. Her heart skipped a beat.
Chloé (almost screaming) "WHAAAAAAAT?!"
She stared at him, speechless, caught between anger, confusion, and the urge to throw a pillow straight at his face. Her mind raced a hundred miles an hour. She wondered if he was joking, but his cold expression and icy tone left no room for doubt. Lorenzo remained perfectly still, emotionless, his eyes fixed on her as if waiting for an answer to the impossible.
The silence that followed was heavy… almost suffocating.
To be continued…