Chapter 16

He pressed his lips against mine and I froze at my place.

It seems like he will kill me by giving me unexpected surprises.

My heart started beating in my throat when he pressed his lips more tightly against mine. I could feel small beads of precipitation forming on my forehead out of nervousness.

With one hand, he gently cupped my face, his fingers gently brushing against my cheeks, which sent shivers down my spine.

1 could feel myself practically melting under his touch.

It has never happened to me before. I was not in my senses when we spent the first night but at the moment I am fully

awake.

Moment scene to stretch as he gently moved his lips against mine, our breaths synchronizing in a rhythm and my eyes, which were wide before, closed on their own at his tenderness.

The kiss spoke of curiosity, vulnerability, and an unspoken promise of shared moments yet to come.

In that moment, it felt like everything else disappeared, and it was just us. As the kiss deepened, I found myself leaning forward, drawn by an irresistible force that defied logic..

It doesn’t feel like I know him from the past couple of days.

His touch and warmth felt so familiar and protective from the very first moment I met him. I believe this is why I opened up in front of him, even in my subconscious state,

He pulled back for a second before leaning again and pressing another kiss on my lips for a second and this kiss felt like a promise. A promise of what? I don’t know!

Getting back to his seat, he dug the fork into a small piece of meat.

“Open your mouth, Mrs. Valentino,” he smiled.

Huh?

“This look of yours is telling that I have kept you hostage,” he murmured with a small smile playing on his lips. “You pretend to be my wife, who is staying happily with me. I am paying you for this. Remember?”

His smile widened as he brought the piece of meat towards my mouth.

“Now smile, open your mouth, and pretend to be my happy wife You don’t know how many girls are dying to be at place.”

I pray no girl will live the life I am and have lived.

Hesitantly, I opened my mouth and had the piece of meat.

“Now, feed me,” he ordered but in a seductive tone.

His eyes were shining with love, which I didn’t know existed in him. His whole focus was on me, as if I were his world. If his pictures get published in tomorrow’s newspaper, I am pretty sure people will think that he is deeply in love with me.

Raising his eyebrows, he pointed down at the food, asking me to comply with his order.

Taking a piece of meat, I fed him to end this as soon as possible. As I extended my hand, my heart pounded in my chest. partly from the hurried gesture and partly from the captivating gaze he fixed on me.

1/3

13:57 Wed, Apr

Chapter 16

The cafe’s soft light played on his face, casting an extra glow that accentuated his handsomeness. It was a look that made my heart race and threatened to scatter my thoughts. The simple act of him staring at me with such intensity felt like a spotlight, and I feared losing my composure under its glow.

I fumbled with the food, more aware of his gaze than of the meal in my hands. I am not used to this attention and love.

“This is delicious,” he said, licking his lips.

He gave such a wide smile that a dimple appeared on his cheek and I lost myself for a second in the beauty of it.

“Swallow,” he ordered, his voice carrying a husky tone that caught me off guard.

I blinked and swallowed the piece of meat in my mouth. My checks turned crimson red and I looked down to hide the embarrassment. He caught me checking him out.

He gently placed a finger under my chin, lifting my face until our eyes met. His touch was surprisingly tender, a silent reassurance that encouraged me to meet his gaze.

A soft smile played on his lips as his eyes traced over my features

“You know,” he said, his voice a gentle whisper, “you are incredibly beautiful.”

I have heard this compliment many times before but today it felt so different. It hit a chord in my heart, which made it pound even louder and faster.

My teeth caught the lower lip to stop it from quivering. His eyes flicked down and Adam’s apple bobbed.

I know he was pretending it was a loving and happy couple who were made for each other but somewhere it didn’t feel like acting. He is a very natural actor.

His eyes flicked back to mine and I stared deep into his. For that moment, I forgot about the world and the fake drama we were doing. As I stared deep into his ocean blue eyes, I saw nothing else but vulnerability. He might have everything at his finger tips but all I could find was emptiness and loneliness in those deep orbs.

He blinks his eyes away when my stomach churns.

I looked away. Why is everything conspiring against me?

He chuckled as he pushed the plate slightly towards me.

“Apart from pretending, have something actually or you will blame me for not feeding you anything for the time you were with me.

I gulped and not wanting to embarrass myself anymore, I started having food. We finished the meal together and in silence. I tried my best to ignore his gaze.

I nibbled on the food and soon I was full.

“Shall we?” He asked, standing.

I nodded but before I could stand up on my own, he walked to me and extended his hand for support. My eyes flicked between his hand and face before I accepted the offer and stood up.

A cold wind again hit my body as we came onto the road. I couldn’t help but feel the chills that ran through my entire being, making me shiver like a leaf.

In the next heartbeat, a warm coat enveloped my shoulders, shielding me from the harsh winds. I looked up, surprised to find that he had selflessly removed his coat to drape it around me.

Why is he being so kind to me all of a sudden?

2/3

3/3

13:57 Wed, Apr 3

Chapter 16

And then my eyes caught the reason. There was actually a man standing behind one of the cars, clicking our pictures. His senses are really very sharp.

“Don’t look at him.”

He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at himself. Though he did that so that he wouldn’t come to know that we were aware of his presence, I couldn’t ignore the possessiveness in his voice.

5

Leaning down, he tightened his hold around my shoulders, a protective arm pulling me closer. His lips pressed a chaste kiss on my forehead, causing my eyelids to close involuntarily. In that tender gesture, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotion.

His arm around me made me feel that there was someone who could protect me from the whole world. And his lips against my forehead made me feel loved.

I just wanted to freeze this moment forever.